ZK Sonnar, 1949 Russian lens made from German Parts.

[Brian]

I just finished collimating the lens, and re-assembling it.

No question that this lens is made from German parts. Some minor construction differences: NO set screw holding the rear optics fixture in place, no hidden set screw holding the name ring in place. Material is the same as the Wartime LTM Sonnars.

It looks like this lens started out as Zeiss SN 2726739.

http://ziforums.com/picture.php?albumid=145&pictureid=1304

The white plastic case that it came in, compared with a J-3 case on the Right.

http://ziforums.com/picture.php?albumid=145&pictureid=1300

Lens compared with a Wartime Zeiss LTM Sonnar.
http://ziforums.com/picture.php?albumid=145&pictureid=1298

Serial Number, note that it looks like a J-3 SN.

http://ziforums.com/picture.php?albumid=145&pictureid=1308

The first ZK's had "1948" and then a SN.

Rear module has hand engraved numbers like a J-3. German LTM Sonnars do not have these extra markings, just the machine stamped lens SN.

http://ziforums.com/picture.php?albumid=145&pictureid=1303

Big "M" and two Set Screws as in a Wartime LTM Sonnar.

http://ziforums.com/picture.php?albumid=145&pictureid=1305

The larger of the two screws is the Stop for close-focus and infinity. The J-3 does not use this second set screw.

Not sure if the rear cap is original, but it probably is. Shows who made the lens, KMZ.

http://ziforums.com/picture.php?albumid=145&pictureid=1301

I'll be testing the lens and posting results. Looks great using the TTL viewer. I will compare with the wartime lens with the 272 SN.