Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2
The Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 is a 58mm f/2 manual-focus lens for the M42 mount, made by Carl Zeiss Jena from 1936-1960. It uses 6 elements / 4 groups, Double Gauss (original Biotar design). Typical used value is $120 to $550, with most examples near $230, and it adapts to Sony E, Fuji X, MFT, Canon RF, Nikon Z, and L-mount with a plain mechanical adapter.
Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 specifications
Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 specifications
Why collectors want it
The original German lens that the Helios 44 copied, and the source of the swirly-bokeh look. Early aluminum and preset-aperture examples are collectible and command a premium over later versions. It renders with a distinctive swirl and gentle wide-open glow.
Mount and adapters for the Biotar 58mm f/2
The Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 has a native M42 mount. M42 is a 42mm x 1mm screw thread with a 45.46mm register, introduced in 1949 on the Contax S and later adopted by Praktica, Asahi Pentax, Fujica, Zenit, Yashica, and Chinon. Every mirrorless mount has a shorter register than 45.46mm, so a plain mechanical adapter puts the lens at its design distance and infinity focus is preserved. Plain threaded adapter, no optics. Lenses with an auto-diaphragm pin need either an Auto/Manual switch on the lens or an adapter with an inner flange that holds the pin in. Preset lenses such as the Helios 44-2 have no pin and work on any adapter.
| Camera system | Adapter | Infinity focus | Frames like | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony E | Plain mechanical, 27.46mm | Yes | 58mm on full frame; 87mm on APS-C (1.5x) | M42 to Sony E |
| Fuji X | Plain mechanical, 27.76mm | Yes | 87mm on APS-C (1.5x) | M42 to Fuji X |
| MFT | Plain mechanical, 26.21mm | Yes | 116mm on Four Thirds (2x) | M42 to MFT |
| Canon RF | Plain mechanical, 25.46mm | Yes | 58mm on full frame; 93mm on APS-C (1.6x) | M42 to Canon RF |
| Nikon Z | Plain mechanical, 29.46mm | Yes | 58mm on full frame; 87mm on APS-C (1.5x) | M42 to Nikon Z |
| L-mount | Plain mechanical, 25.46mm | Yes | 58mm on full frame; 87mm on APS-C (1.5x) | M42 to L-mount |
Frequently asked
What mount is the Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2?
The Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 has a native M42 mount. M42 is a 42mm x 1mm screw thread with a 45.46mm register, introduced in 1949 on the Contax S and later adopted by Praktica, Asahi Pentax, Fujica, Zenit, Yashica, and Chinon. With a plain mechanical adapter it fits Sony E, Fuji X, MFT, Canon RF, Nikon Z, and L-mount bodies and keeps infinity focus.
How much is the Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 worth in 2026?
A used Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 typically sells for $120 to $550, with most clean working examples near $230. Basis: eBay sold listings and dealer pricing (Adorama, Kamerastore), 2024-2025. This is an estimate, not an appraisal; condition, variant, and service history move the number.
Does the Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 work on Sony E, Fuji X, and MFT?
Yes. M42 has a 45.46mm register and every mirrorless mount is shorter (16mm to 20mm), so a simple M42 adapter reaches infinity with no optics. On a full-frame body the Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 frames as a 58mm lens; on APS-C (1.5x) it frames like a 87mm, on Canon APS-C (1.6x) like a 93mm, and on Micro Four Thirds (2x) like a 116mm. Plain threaded adapter, no optics. Lenses with an auto-diaphragm pin need either an Auto/Manual switch on the lens or an adapter with an inner flange that holds the pin in. Preset lenses such as the Helios 44-2 have no pin and work on any adapter.
When was the Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 made?
Carl Zeiss Jena made the Biotar 58mm f/2 from 1936-1960. Production began before the M42 mount existed (1949), so the earliest examples were made for other mounts and only later units carry M42.
What is the optical design of the Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2?
The Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 uses 6 elements / 4 groups, Double Gauss (original Biotar design). Double Gauss designs are near-symmetrical six- or seven-element formulas that support fast apertures with good correction; fast versions show glow from spherical aberration and swirl from mechanical vignetting wide open.
Which lenses are similar to the Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2?
Close alternatives in the same focal class are the Helios 44-2 58mm f/2 (58mm f/2, $25 to $130), the Minolta MC Rokkor-PF 58mm f/1.4 (58mm f/1.4, $70 to $260), and the Minolta MC Rokkor-PG 58mm f/1.2 (58mm f/1.2, $300 to $850). The Helios 44-2 58mm f/2 and The Minolta MC Rokkor-PF 58mm f/1.4 cost less on the used market. The Minolta MC Rokkor-PF 58mm f/1.4 and The Minolta MC Rokkor-PG 58mm f/1.2 are faster.
Alternatives to the Biotar 58mm f/2
Lenses within 15mm of 58mm from other makers, ranked by how close they sit in focal length, aperture, and price.
Side-by-side comparisons
- Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 vs Asahi Pentax Super-Takumar 55mm f/1.8
- Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 vs Fujinon 55mm f/1.8 EBC
- Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 vs Helios 44-2 58mm f/2
- Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 vs Konica Hexanon AR 57mm f/1.2
- Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 vs Minolta MC Rokkor-PF 58mm f/1.4
- Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f/2 vs Minolta MC Rokkor-PG 58mm f/1.2
Where this lens fits
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Related guides
- Swirly bokehWhat causes swirly bokeh, why Biotar-type lenses like the Helios 44-2 produce it, how sensor size and aperture change it, and which vintage lenses swirl the most.
- M42 to Sony EHow M42 screw-mount lenses work on Sony E cameras: the 27.46mm adapter, flanged versus flangeless rings, auto-aperture pins, camera settings, and the APS-C crop.
- Buying checklistA step-by-step checklist for buying used manual lenses: the flashlight test for fungus, haze, and separation, mechanical checks, seller language, grades, and mount traps.