• koray
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Topic: Some photos using Carl Zeiss Jena Werra-matic rangefinder camera

Upon the request of a forum member here are some photos from my CZJ Werra-matic RF, shot using three lenses, 35mm f2.8 Flektogon, 50mm f2.8 Tessar, and 100mm f4.0 Cardinar. This is a beautiful camera with wonderful clean design features. Something unique to this camera is the way you cock the film: turn the ring around the lens for 60 degrees, and you are ready to shoot. Aperture and shutter speed is also set by the rings around the lens barrel and can be seen on the viewfinder via a set of tiny mirrors in it. Rangefinder coupling is done via a small pin in the bayonet/lockring design lens mount.

Sorry for the non-standard image sizes, and lack of 100% crops, these were already on the net so I just post them...

1. The Barber Seat: CZJ Cardinar 100mm, on Agfa APX-100

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/30/40940044_1dca76a10d.jpg

2. Bored Customer: CZJ Tessar 50mm, on Agfa APX-100

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/32/40939815_1ee296d5b4.jpg

3. The Barber Shop: CZJ Flektogon 35mm, on Agfa APX-100

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/30/40940004_f1df99950d.jpg

4. The Door Detail, Sevilla: CZJ Cardinar 100mm, on Kodak ProFoto 100

http://static.flickr.com/84/252860605_ac2c643c20.jpg

5. The Seven Heavens Dome, Sevilla: CZJ Flektogon 35mm, on Kodak Profoto 100

http://static.flickr.com/89/252860265_925047c67d.jpg

Finally, here is the photo of my retired CZJ Werra-matic set:

http://static.flickr.com/26/49405316_8af28ddfdb.jpg

Cheers,

Koray.

Last edited by koray (2009-08-01 14:19:48)

Leica M2 + Summicron 35 v4, Summicron 50 v4, Elmarit-M 90
CZJ Werramatic + Flektogon 35, Tessar 50, Cardinar 100
Konica Minolta Dimage Scan Dual II

koray's Website

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Re: Some photos using Carl Zeiss Jena Werra-matic rangefinder camera

A very nice series Koray, The images look pretty good. big_smile I dont know anything about that Werra, so I have to ask; What lens mount does it take? Bayonet, or possibly M42? That would be handy. wink
-Bruce

I put that adapter in a safe place, never to be seen again.
  • koray
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Re: Some photos using Carl Zeiss Jena Werra-matic rangefinder camera

Ballen Photo wrote:

A very nice series Koray, The images look pretty good. big_smile I dont know anything about that Werra, so I have to ask; What lens mount does it take? Bayonet, or possibly M42? That would be handy. wink
-Bruce

Thanks Bruce! :-) Werra has its own unique mount. Neither a real bayonet nor M42. It is not a screw in mount, the lens itself stays still but a ring at the mount turns to lock it in place. I can say that it is the reversed version of FD mount, actually. Very similar, but reverse the lens with the camera. I don't have my Werra here, so I can't post any detailed images, sorry... But check out this ebay post for some close up photos of the Cardinar:
Click here for the ebay listing...

Cheers.

Koray.

Leica M2 + Summicron 35 v4, Summicron 50 v4, Elmarit-M 90
CZJ Werramatic + Flektogon 35, Tessar 50, Cardinar 100
Konica Minolta Dimage Scan Dual II

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Re: Some photos using Carl Zeiss Jena Werra-matic rangefinder camera

I've seen mention of the Werra on ebay, but as I said before, I know nothing about them (until now).
A compact rangefinder that takes interchangeable Zeiss lenses? NICE. big_smile
-Bruce

I put that adapter in a safe place, never to be seen again.
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Re: Some photos using Carl Zeiss Jena Werra-matic rangefinder camera

Both the Sevilla shots look incredibly three dimensional and detailed.

Lenses - Mamiya 6 - Rollei 6002 - Rollei 3.5F

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  • Sparq
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Re: Some photos using Carl Zeiss Jena Werra-matic rangefinder camera

Great images! The camera must be great for street photography. Similar mount type is used in the Pentacon Six system, I believe it is called breach lock mount.

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  • Sandeep
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Re: Some photos using Carl Zeiss Jena Werra-matic rangefinder camera

Great work, those barber shot images have so much character. Camera snobs should look at these, look what a humble camera like your Werra-matic can achieve. Just goes to prove it's all about the person behind the camera.

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  • From: Arizona, USA
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Re: Some photos using Carl Zeiss Jena Werra-matic rangefinder camera

Well, I'd just about decided against this kit...now I've got to think again.
Why did you retire yours?

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  • koray
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Re: Some photos using Carl Zeiss Jena Werra-matic rangefinder camera

Thank you all for your nice comments... Yes, Werra is a wonderful, inconspicious camera - great for street photography. It has a selenium meter which doesn't have a battery, of course shutter is fully mechanical, so there are no bad surprises. The lens mount was called breechlock, right. :-)

There are a few more from the barbershop series, you can reach them here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/architect/sets/898737/

The color ones are from my first (and only) solo exhibition from last year, that was in Pittsburgh/USA. The theme of the exhibition was "People, Patterns, and Faith", you can see the virtual exhibition with contextual descriptions of the photos along with my exhibition statement following the link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/architect/ … 299897828/

I love taking photos reflecting certain atmospheres and characters... Joe's Barbershop was such a resource for me! :-) I miss him a lot since I am not living in USA anymore (sigh)... But I love UK better. :-) I couldn't settle in yet, once I have my 'just married' new life sorted out, I'll start shooting and processing B&W again!..

Cheers.

Koray.

Leica M2 + Summicron 35 v4, Summicron 50 v4, Elmarit-M 90
CZJ Werramatic + Flektogon 35, Tessar 50, Cardinar 100
Konica Minolta Dimage Scan Dual II

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  • koray
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Re: Some photos using Carl Zeiss Jena Werra-matic rangefinder camera

dazedgonebye wrote:

Well, I'd just about decided against this kit...now I've got to think again.
Why did you retire yours?

I got mine retired since I had to move to a new country, get married, try to pursue a PhD, and of course didn't have much time left for film photography for the time being... So, maybe I should have said 'gave a break' instead of retired. :-)

Here are some websites for you:

http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/werramatic/
http://www.ukcamera.com/classic_cameras/werra1.htm

Now I am only shooting digital with a Panasonic Lumix FZ10K, which has a pretty good lens (Leica 35-200mm eqv. f2.8) on it. Not fully satisfied of course, but still keeps me going at this temporary shifting stage of my life. :-)

Cheers.

Koray.

Leica M2 + Summicron 35 v4, Summicron 50 v4, Elmarit-M 90
CZJ Werramatic + Flektogon 35, Tessar 50, Cardinar 100
Konica Minolta Dimage Scan Dual II

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Re: Some photos using Carl Zeiss Jena Werra-matic rangefinder camera

The first image of the foot rest got my full attention, great atmosphere in the barber's shop shots - and a new to me camera type.

Canon 450D, 5D II - Sig f4-5.6 10-20, Sig f4 100-300, f4 70-200L, f2.8 24-70L, F2.4 35 Flek, f1.4 50 Tak, 135 f3.5 SMC Tak, Tamron SP 28-80, Sig 24 f2.4.
Pentax ME Super, MX - K fit lenses 24-500 mm.   Exa 500 50 f2.8 Tessar,  Lydith 30. Olympus OM-1, OM-10
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  • Mark
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Re: Some photos using Carl Zeiss Jena Werra-matic rangefinder camera

The Werra, in all it's incarnations is such an elegant camera. I have a couple and the only criticism that I can find is that the viewfinder is inferior to the Vito B.

Voigtlander Vito Bs, Werras, Pentax MX and ME, Yashica FR1 and FX-3, Yashica MG-1
  • From: Arizona, USA
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Re: Some photos using Carl Zeiss Jena Werra-matic rangefinder camera

Ok, I wrote the guy telling him I'll take it.
$250 for a Werramatic with all three lenses.  The meter is responsive, but not accurate.  I've been reading about bringing old selenium meters back to life, so maybe there's hope there as well.

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Re: Some photos using Carl Zeiss Jena Werra-matic rangefinder camera

Steve wrote:

I've been reading about bringing old selenium meters back to life, so maybe there's hope there as well.

I have a duff Weston V in my possession and would welcome any hints, tips or links on that subject.

Apologies for hijacking thread.

Canon 450D, 5D II - Sig f4-5.6 10-20, Sig f4 100-300, f4 70-200L, f2.8 24-70L, F2.4 35 Flek, f1.4 50 Tak, 135 f3.5 SMC Tak, Tamron SP 28-80, Sig 24 f2.4.
Pentax ME Super, MX - K fit lenses 24-500 mm.   Exa 500 50 f2.8 Tessar,  Lydith 30. Olympus OM-1, OM-10
Rolleicord V, Bronica ETRSi Zenzanon 50, 75 and 150mm.
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Re: Some photos using Carl Zeiss Jena Werra-matic rangefinder camera

I'll start a thread on the subject of meter repair in the appropriate area.  Perhaps others can add to it.

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  • koray
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Re: Some photos using Carl Zeiss Jena Werra-matic rangefinder camera

dazedgonebye wrote:

Ok, I wrote the guy telling him I'll take it.
$250 for a Werramatic with all three lenses.  The meter is responsive, but not accurate.  I've been reading about bringing old selenium meters back to life, so maybe there's hope there as well.

Here is one from ebay, you gotta find the wide and tele lenses seperately, though. Up for bidding: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? … 0032214224

$250 is good price for the set... This is exactly what I paid for my Werra-matic 3 years ago. However, my lenses came with horrible haze and fungus in them (not mentioned in the ebay description GGRRRHH!@$""@"

Leica M2 + Summicron 35 v4, Summicron 50 v4, Elmarit-M 90
CZJ Werramatic + Flektogon 35, Tessar 50, Cardinar 100
Konica Minolta Dimage Scan Dual II

koray's Website

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Re: Some photos using Carl Zeiss Jena Werra-matic rangefinder camera

I'll check the meter against my handheld and see.  If it's consistent, I can just adjust for it.  If not, I may brave a shot at repairing it.
I'm comfortable with the electronics (certainly with such a simple circuit) but the idea of messing around in the top half of the camera, near the rangefinder, scares me a bit.

My little baldessa's meter is about .5 off from my handheld and that's proven to be close enough.

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Re: Some photos using Carl Zeiss Jena Werra-matic rangefinder camera

koraypek wrote:

Here is one from ebay, you gotta find the wide and tele lenses seperately, though. Up for bidding: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? … 0032214224

That one looks nice Koray, But I see possibly two problems with it. #1, He only ships to addresses in the UK, #2 I cant tell if its a 1, 2, or 3 series Werra. I read in one of the links that only the Werra 3 has the interchangeable lenses. sad
-Bruce

I put that adapter in a safe place, never to be seen again.
  • From: Arizona, USA
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Re: Some photos using Carl Zeiss Jena Werra-matic rangefinder camera

Bruce,
From my brief research I can say that one has interchangeable lenses.
It's not the 1, 2, 3 or other numbered model.  It's a Werramatic.  One of the final versions of the camera.
See if the guy will ship to the states.  We can form our own US Werra club.  ;-)

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  • koray
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Re: Some photos using Carl Zeiss Jena Werra-matic rangefinder camera

Ballen Photo wrote:
koraypek wrote:

Here is one from ebay, you gotta find the wide and tele lenses seperately, though. Up for bidding: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? … 0032214224

That one looks nice Koray, But I see possibly two problems with it. #1, He only ships to addresses in the UK, #2 I cant tell if its a 1, 2, or 3 series Werra. I read in one of the links that only the Werra 3 has the interchangeable lenses. sad
-Bruce

Hey Bruce,

Werra has many models, some I know:

Werra 1: No interchangeable lens (only Tessar 50mm), no lightmeter, no rangefinder, basic model.
Werra 2: Like Werra 1 but with lightmeter.
Werra 3: Like Werra 2 but with RF and interchangeable lens.
Werra-mat: Like Werra 2, but with lightmeter needle seen through viewfinder.
Werra-matic: Like Werra-mat but with RF and interchangeable lens.

More model descriptions at: http://www.ukcamera.com/classic_cameras/werra1.htm

This one on sale is a Werra-matic, with RF and interchangeable lens, just like mine.

Cheers,

Koray.

Leica M2 + Summicron 35 v4, Summicron 50 v4, Elmarit-M 90
CZJ Werramatic + Flektogon 35, Tessar 50, Cardinar 100
Konica Minolta Dimage Scan Dual II

koray's Website

  • From: Arizona, USA
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Re: Some photos using Carl Zeiss Jena Werra-matic rangefinder camera

Oh...have it shipped to Buze, or one of our other UK bretheren.

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Re: Some photos using Carl Zeiss Jena Werra-matic rangefinder camera

Thanks for the true info, and straightening my derailed train of thought out Koray. big_smile

dazedgonebye wrote:

Oh...have it shipped to Buze, or one of our other UK bretheren.

I think buze or whoever would have to buy it full stop from that seller, then re sell it to you. Shipping to a paypal verified address would be the problem. wink
-Bruce

I put that adapter in a safe place, never to be seen again.
  • From: North Yorkshire, U K
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Re: Some photos using Carl Zeiss Jena Werra-matic rangefinder camera

I remember my Werra 1 with great nostalgia. I bought it from a school friend as my first camera. way back in about 1984.

When I passed my O-level exams my parents boght me my first Praktica as a present - why the Praktica rather than any other camera? The Tessar lens!!!

regards

Stephen

Recently gone digital - Pentax DL2 (cheap and cheerful)

Praktica user for 25 years!  CZJ Pancolar 50 mm, CZJ Flektogon 35 mm, CZJ S 135mm, Pentacon 50 mm, Pentacon 135 mm, Pentacon 29 mm.
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Re: Some photos using Carl Zeiss Jena Werra-matic rangefinder camera

The depth in those barber shop photos is amazing. I MUST get a rangefinder.

Ben
  • From: Arizona, USA
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Re: Some photos using Carl Zeiss Jena Werra-matic rangefinder camera

York Praktica Fan wrote:

I remember my Werra 1 with great nostalgia. I bought it from a school friend as my first camera. way back in about 1984.

When I passed my O-level exams my parents boght me my first Praktica as a present - why the Praktica rather than any other camera? The Tessar lens!!!

regards

Stephen

Your Werra I didn't have a tessar?  I've seen some on ebay with other lenses...but most seem to be tessar.

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