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Vintage Lens Review | Zeiss CJ DDR 20mm F4
A concise first impressions, after two weeks in Prague (sample images provided)
RREAD ME: Discover why I highly recommend these vintage lenses for your collection! This review series focuses not on technical specs, but on the lens’ unique character, quirks, and my personal experiences with each.
Logic behind purchase: I got it in a bundle with a Pentacon 29mm F2.8 and a Industar 50mm F3.5 two weeks ago at a vintage/retro store in Prague. I really wanted this Zeiss more than the Pentacon or Industar. I essentially got that Zeiss lens for half of what I would pay in America and the other lenses were just a bonus.
Impressions: When shot on my Leica CL, this lens operates similar to a 30mm. With this in mind it would fit the role of a slightly tighter 28mm, but not suitable as a wider 35mm. I’ve found the experience to be interesting. It feels like a wide angle lens, which it is, but with a bit more subject isolation. It’s a wide angle that can tell a specific story, not just a general idea. Flaring and weird light effects are common though. I think that adds to the charm, but others may find it distracting.
