Photography: Another Olympus E-3 Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon Image
Olympus E-3, Carl Zeiss Jena 35mm at F2.4
Although this lens bears the impressive Carl Zeiss name it isn’t one of today’s Zeiss lenses from Carl Zeiss AG Oberkochen but was manufactured som 30, or so, years ago in East Germany, (DDR), for a Pentacon, or Praktica camera. Nevertheless the factory in which it was built could legitimately claim a heritage back to Carl Zeiss, and was almost certainly the best lens manufacturer within the Eastern block.
There is something about this lens that lends itself to digital imaging, although this wasn’t the purpose for which it was originally designed.
The results are different from my Panasonic Leica Summilux, but technically just as fine. The lens has smoother and creamier bokeh than most of my Zuikos, especially the OMs. This isn’t necessarily good, it depends on the subject, but usually it’s desirable.
With a maximum apeture of F 2.4 the lens is quite fast, and the 35mm focal length approximates 70mm on a four thirds camera. This is a useful focal length for portraits but can also be used for street and general photography without too much compromise.
The lens is relatively compact, it’s as long as Olympus’ 14 – 42 kit lens, when you include the adapter necessary to mount it on a four thirds camera. This makes for a less obtrusive and aggressive looking camera and one that’s relatively well balanced and light weight.
Tomorrow I will share one more feature of the Flektogon 35mm.
