No photo available for this lens
Production
1960 – 1989
Country
East Germany
Optical
Tessar design (4 elements in 3 groups typical).
Updated
Feb 6, 2026
Carl Zeiss Tessar Silver 12 Blade 50mm f2.8
M42 Screw Mount · 50mm · f/2.8
AI-assisted · from real reviewsUpdated 6 Feb 2026
Overview
Special variant of the classic Tessar design featuring 12 aperture blades instead of the standard 8. The additional blades provide smoother bokeh transitions and superior aesthetic out-of-focus rendering. A sought-after collectors piece representing Carl Zeiss Jena's commitment to optical refinement.
Verdict: The Carl Zeiss Tessar Silver 12 Blade 50mm f2.8 is a solid vintage lens option. MFlenses community members recommend it for photographers seeking reliable optical performance with vintage character at affordable prices.
Optical Character
Bokeh
Pleasant bokeh from aperture blade design with smoother transitions due to 12 blades.
Color
Balanced color rendering with neutral to slight warmth.
Sharpness wide open
Good sharpness from f4 onwards, improving with stopping down.
Flare resistance
Moderate flare resistance with acceptable performance.
Contrast
Good contrast with pleasant micro-contrast characteristics.
Vignetting
Mild vignetting wide open, reduces by f2.8-f4.
Community Insights
What people love
- Reliable optical performance
- Good value for purchase price
- Solid mechanical construction
- Consistent rendering
- Versatile for general photography
What people dislike
- Can be soft when wide open
- Limited distinctive character
- May require cleaning after storage
- Some copies affected by fungus
Pro Tips
- Best performance at f4-f8
- Clean carefully to preserve coatings
- Works well on modern mirrorless systems
Sources (2)
MFlenses ForumForum
Special variant of the classic Tessar design featuring 12 aperture blades instead of the standard 8. The additional blades provide smoother bokeh transitions and superior aesthetic out-of-focus rendering. A sought-after collectors piece representing Carl Zeiss Jena's commitment to optical refinement.
DPReview ForumForum
Special variant of the classic Tessar design featuring 12 aperture blades instead of the standard 8. The additional blades provide smoother bokeh transitions and superior aesthetic out-of-focus rendering. A sought-after collectors piece representing Carl Zeiss Jena's commitment to optical refinement.