{"id":81622,"date":"2026-01-11T01:01:57","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T00:01:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?p=81622"},"modified":"2026-01-14T08:18:40","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T07:18:40","slug":"review-carl-zeiss-jena-pancolar-50mm-f-1-8-mc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-carl-zeiss-jena-pancolar-50mm-f-1-8-mc\/","title":{"rendered":"REVIEW: Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50mm f\/1.8 MC"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Introduction<\/span><\/h2>\n

Zeiss Jena designed the first Pancolar 50mm with a maximum aperture of f\/2 in 1960, partly to offer a faster and better-performing alternative to the Tessar 50mm f\/2.8. As competitors began designing and releasing standard 50mm lenses with f\/1.8 apertures, Zeiss found it necessary to respond with a lens of similar specification. The result was the Pancolar 50mm f\/1.8, which was designed and produced starting in 1964. It was considered one of the best lenses of its era and remains quite popular today. When this lens was around, I was using Japanese cameras and lenses, so I\u2019ve often wondered whether it was better than what I had. Let\u2019s see how it actually performs by modern standards.<\/p>\n

\"camera-icon2\"I tested this lens on a 46 Mp<\/a> Nikon Z7ii<\/a> (Sample images were taken with a Nikon Zf<\/a>)
\n\"\"You can see this review as\u00a0a\u00a0YouTube\u00a0video\u00a0here<\/a>!
\n\"\"Sample images in high resolution here<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sample Images<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"\"
Nikon Zf | CZJ Pancolar 50mm F\/1.8 | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Nikon Zf | CZJ Pancolar 50mm F\/1.8 | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Nikon Zf | CZJ Pancolar 50mm F\/1.8 | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Nikon Zf | CZJ Pancolar 50mm F\/1.8 | f\/4.5<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Nikon Zf | CZJ Pancolar 50mm F\/1.8 | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\"
Nikon Zf | CZJ Pancolar 50mm F\/1.8 | f\/4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Nikon Zf | CZJ Pancolar 50mm F\/1.8 | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Nikon Zf | CZJ Pancolar 50mm F\/1.8 | f\/?.?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Most of the sample images in this review and many more can be found in higher resolution here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Specifications<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Focal Length<\/td>\n50mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Angle of View<\/td>\n\u2248 47\u00b0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
# of Aperture Blades<\/td>\n6 (rounded)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max Aperture<\/td>\nf\/1.8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Min Aperture<\/td>\nf\/22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Min Focus Distance<\/td>\n0.35 m<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Filter Size<\/td>\n49mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lens Mount<\/td>\nM42<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/td>\n230 g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Size (D x L)<\/td>\n\u2248 47 x 65 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Elements\/Group<\/td>\n6 elements in 5 groups (6 elements in 4 – early versions)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n