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Model history (3)

Specification

Sources of data

• Carl Zeiss Jena - Photoobjektive (1959).
• EXAKTA unlimited booklet.
• EXAKTA PAGEANT booklet.

Manufacturer description #1

We are proud to introduce the new Zeiss Biotar 58-mm. f/2.0 in a New Mount with Automatic Diaphragm. The most outstanding feature of this new lens is that it incorporates the latest development in Automatic Diaphragm design! The Automatic Carl Zeiss Biotar lens is operated by a clutch-control sweeping lever which opens the diaphragm to its widest aperture (f/2.0). A single pressure on the release button closes the lens down automatically to the pre-selected aperture and trips the shutter. In addition to the automatic feature, the Biotar can also be operated manually. Another outstanding feature of this lens is the half stops, which are provided between the regular diaphragm stops (which makes this lens most desirable for color work). The diaphragm stops are f/2.0, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, and 16. The focusing mount has a dual scale with calibrations in feet and meters - footage is engraved in red; the meter scale in black. The focusing range is from approximately 1 1/2 feet to 50 feet and infinity. An engraved depth of field scale is also provided showing at a glance the area which will be in sharp focus.

This new Zeiss Biotar f/2.0 lens is truly an event in 35-mm. photography, because it was the Biotar which played a great part in ushering in the era of really fast lenses for 35-mm. cameras. It can truly be classed as one of the major advances of the last 30 years. The Biotar is a coated, six-element lens which possesses a high degree of symmetry. It is corrected for spherical and chromatic aberration with an unusual balance between the axial chromatic and spherical aberration with regard to wave length. It is free of most optical imperfections, coma and astigmatism.

Manufacturer description #2

For over 90 years the name of Carl Zeiss Jena, has signified the ultimate in optical design and manufacture. High-speed Biotar lenses by Zeiss Jena have been especially prized by photographers ever since they were introduced. Thus the incorporation of an automatic diaphragm and a new mount on the Zeiss Biotar 58-mm., f/2.0 lens has justly been called an epochal event in 35-mm. photography. The Biotar is brilliantly corrected for spherical and chromatic aberration, and is free of coma and astigmatism. The diaphragm of the Automatic Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar lens is operated by a clutch-control sweeping lever which opens to its widest aperture (f/2.0). A single pressure on the release button closes the lens down automatically to the pre-selected aperture and trips the shutter. In addition to the automatic feature, the diaphragm can also be operated manually. Another outstanding feature of this lens is the half stops, which are provided between the regular diaphragm stops (which makes this lens most desirable for color work). The focusing mount has a dual scale with calibrations in feet and meters.

From the editor

A version of the Biotar 58/2 with semi-automatic diaphragm with 10 (ten) blades. The M42 screw mount version has a closest focusing distance of 0.6m. The Exakta version focuses down to 0.5m and accepts Series VII filters. The Praktina version also focuses down to 0.5m.

Lenses with similar focal length