Production
1976
Country
East Germany (German Democratic Republic)
Optical
6 elements in 6 groups, retrofocus design
Updated
Jul 1, 2026
Carl Zeiss Flektogon
M42 (also Exakta and Praktica PB); no Contax/Yashica evidenced · 35mm · f/2.4
Overview
The Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35mm f/2.4 was produced in the former German Democratic Republic (East Germany). It descends from the earlier f/2.8 Flektogon and, according to the reviews, this faster f/2.4 version was released around 1976. The Flektogon design employs what is now known as a retrofocus layout; Carl Zeiss Jena (Eastern Germany) and Angenieux are cited as being among the first to develop such designs, which Carl Zeiss Oberkochen (Western Germany) later adapted under the 'Distagon' name still used today. The 'Flektogon' name itself was given by Zeiss to their wide-angle lenses (35mm counting as wide angle). One reviewer explicitly calls it 'one of the best known cult classics.' The reviews note it was made in M42 (most common), Exakta and Praktica (PB) bayonet mounts, and that the USSR-made equivalent is the 'Mir 1.' People love it for its combination of sharpness, an exceptionally short 0.2m minimum focus distance, pleasant out-of-focus rendering, and strong color, all in a compact package. No Contax/Yashica mount version is evidenced in these reviews; the Flektogon documented here is an M42/Exakta/Praktica lens.
Verdict: The Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35mm f/2.4 is a genuine cult classic for vintage lens enthusiasts who want a sharp, characterful wide angle with an exceptional close-focus trick. It rewards those who love near-macro framing, pleasant subtle bokeh, and good color, and who don't mind manual operation, an adapter, and strong wide-open vignetting. Note that the lens documented in these reviews is an M42/Exakta/Praktica lens, not a Contax/Yashica mount lens.
Optical Character
Bokeh
Subtle, pleasant out-of-focus rendering that adds character without being aggressive, with surprisingly shallow depth of field wide open.
Color
Praised color rendering, with a very slight green cast in extreme corners on a Sony A7rII.
Sharpness wide open
Highly regarded as sharp; center soft at f/2.4-f/2.8 at infinity but improves at f/4.0, and astonishingly sharp at 0.2m even wide open.
Flare resistance
The multi-coated version is extremely flare resistant, even shooting into the sun.
Vignetting
Strong wide open at ~2.2 EV, improving to 1.4 EV at f/4.0 and 1.0 EV at f/8.0.
Community Insights
What people love
- Exceptional close-focusing ability at 0.2m, letting it get far closer than most non-macro lenses, with astonishing center sharpness even wide open at close range
- Overall sharpness and clarity that is evident from the first shots
- Pleasant, subtle bokeh that adds character without being overpowering
- Excellent color rendering
- Extremely strong flare resistance on the multi-coated version
- Minimal focus shift, unlike many other fast 35mm lenses
- Compact and relatively lightweight for a metal-built lens; considered a cult classic
What people dislike
- Strong vignetting wide open (~2.2 EV)
- A little stiff focusing ring on some samples
- Only six (straight) aperture blades
- M42 mount inconvenience for some users
- Aesthetically plain, especially the PB version, and feels longer than a 35mm should with a mirrorless adapter
- Noisy aperture click stops, not ideal for video
- Some internals are plastic and can wear or break if handled roughly or dropped, potentially affecting the aperture mechanism
- Rumored sample variation
Pro Tips
- Use the 0.2m close focus for standout near-macro shots; center sharpness there is excellent even wide open
- For infinity landscapes, stop down to f/4.0 for a significant sharpness boost; use f/8.0 for the best overall balance across the frame and avoid f/11+ where diffraction softens center and midframe
- Expect and embrace (or correct in post) strong wide-open vignetting
- Choose the multi-coated f/2.4 if you want strong flare resistance; pick the single-coated f/2.8 if you actually want more vintage flare
Sample Photos
Sources (1)
Web-grounded synthesissecondary
The Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35mm f/2.4 was produced in the former German Democratic Republic (East Germany). It descends from the earlier f/2.8 Flektogon and, according to the reviews, this faster f/2.4 version was released around 1976. The Flektogon design employs what is now known as a retrofocus layout; Carl Zeiss Jena (Eastern Germany) and Angenieux are cited as being among the first to develop such designs, which Carl Zeiss Oberkochen (Western Germany) later adapted under the 'Distagon' name still used today. The 'Flektogon' name itself was given by Zeiss to their wide-angle lenses (35mm counting as wide angle). One reviewer explicitly calls it 'one of the best known cult classics.' The reviews note it was made in M42 (most common), Exakta and Praktica (PB) bayonet mounts, and that the USSR-made equivalent is the 'Mir 1.' People love it for its combination of sharpness, an exceptionally short 0.2m minimum focus distance, pleasant out-of-focus rendering, and strong color, all in a compact package. No Contax/Yashica mount version is evidenced in these reviews; the Flektogon documented here is an M42/Exakta/Praktica lens.
https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-carl-zeiss-jena-35mm-2-4-flektogon/https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/carl-zeiss-35mm-f2-4-flektogon-mc.htmlhttps://allmyfriendsarejpegs.com/2020/07/08/carl-zeiss-jena-prakticar-35mm-f2-4-mc-flektogon-lens-review/