Carl Zeiss Sonnar T 6cm f/1.5 M39

Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar T 6cm f/1.5 M39

The Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar T 6cm f/1.5 M39 is a very rare fast normal-to-short-telephoto lens documented in rangefinder-coupled Leica screw mount. It is not the common Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 5cm f/1.5, but an unusual 60mm version encountered in heavy M39 rangefinder barrels. Leitz Auction documents a “Carl Zeiss Jena (Sonnar) 1.5/6cm” as a coated Sonnar 1.5/60mm lens in heavy chrome barrel, rangefinder-coupled M39 screw mount, with circa 1947 manufacture year and British military number engraving [1].

Another Leitz Auction record lists a “Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar T 1,5/6cm” with serial number 3112882 and describes it as a rare Sonnar in heavy rangefinder-coupled M39 mount with meter scale [2]. These auction records confirm that the 6cm f/1.5 M39 Sonnar is a documented lens type, but its production context remains unusual and less straightforward than standard Zeiss catalog lenses.

This entry covers documented 6cm f/1.5 Sonnar examples in Leica L39 / LTM / M39 screw mount with rangefinder coupling. It should be kept separate from the common Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 5cm f/1.5 LTM, from Contax-mount Sonnar lenses, from Jupiter-3 50mm f/1.5 lenses, and from later conversions unless the listing clearly shows a 6cm / 60mm marking, Leica screw mount and usable rangefinder coupling.

Optical qualities

Rendering

The 6cm f/1.5 Sonnar should be understood as a rare Sonnar-family rangefinder lens with classic fast Sonnar rendering. It is likely to show lower contrast and more vintage character than modern fast rangefinder lenses, especially wide open. Because surviving examples are rare and may have military, postwar or remounted histories, rendering should be judged by the exact copy rather than generalized too strongly.

Sharpness

No reliable modern bench test was found for this specific 6cm M39 version. The standard Sonnar f/1.5 family is known for strong central sharpness when correctly adjusted, but the 6cm version should not automatically inherit all known 5cm Sonnar specifications. Rangefinder calibration, optical centering, haze and previous servicing are especially important.

Contrast and color

Leitz Auction describes one 6cm example as coated [1], and another as a Sonnar T example [2]. Contrast will depend heavily on coating condition, internal haze, cleaning marks and flare control. Copies should be checked carefully because small coating defects can strongly affect a fast vintage lens.

Bokeh and transitions

With a 60mm focal length and f/1.5 maximum aperture, the lens can provide stronger subject separation than a standard 50mm lens. Its appeal is partly the combination of fast Sonnar rendering and the slightly longer 6cm focal length, giving it a different portrait and detail-shooting character from the more common 5cm Sonnar.

Handling

The lens is documented in heavy rangefinder-coupled M39 screw-mount barrels [1] [2]. It can be used on Leica screw-mount cameras and on Leica M bodies with an L39-to-M adapter. Because 60mm framelines are not standard on most Leica bodies, framing will usually require approximation or an external finder.

Digital use

The lens can be used on Leica M digital bodies with a suitable L39-to-M adapter. It is uncoded and has no six-bit identification. Rangefinder accuracy should be checked carefully at f/1.5, because a fast 60mm lens is demanding on rangefinder calibration.

History

Development and Launch

The 6cm f/1.5 Sonnar occupies an unusual place in Zeiss rangefinder history. Leitz Auction documents a circa 1947 example in rangefinder-coupled M39 screw mount with British military engraving [1]. This suggests a special or irregular postwar context rather than a normal mass-market Leica screw-mount lens.

Production Evolution

No complete production timeline, catalogue listing or production total was found. Known examples appear in heavy chrome M39 barrels and may show unusual markings, scratched-out branding or military numbers. Leitz Auction’s records support the existence of multiple examples, but they also show why this lens should be treated as a rare special-category Sonnar rather than a regular 5cm Sonnar variant [1] [2].

Special Editions/Variants

No commemorative factory special edition is documented. Collector-relevant variants include coated examples, “T” marked examples, British military-numbered examples, scratched-out Sonnar markings, heavy chrome M39 barrels and different serial-number ranges. Each copy should be documented individually.

Collector Notes

Collectors should verify the 6cm / 60mm focal-length marking, f/1.5 aperture, Carl Zeiss Jena engraving, T coating mark if present, serial number, M39 screw mount, rangefinder coupling, infinity focus and focusing scale. Because some Sonnar lenses were converted, remounted or assembled in unusual postwar contexts, the mount and optical unit should not be assumed from the name alone. Do not merge with ordinary 5cm f/1.5 Sonnar entries unless the lens is actually marked 5cm.

Special editions

No confirmed factory commemorative special edition is currently documented.

Known collector-relevant variants and related versions include:

• Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar T 1.5/6cm M39, rare rangefinder-coupled Leica screw-mount examples.
• Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 1.5/6cm, coated heavy chrome M39 examples.
• British military-numbered examples, historically important and collector-relevant.
• Examples with scratched-out Sonnar engraving, should be documented per copy.
• Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 5cm f/1.5 LTM, related but separate common focal length.
• Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 5.8cm f/1.5 LTM, related rare Sonnar-category lens but separate focal length.
• Jupiter-3 50mm f/1.5 M39, Soviet Sonnar-derived lens but separate maker and entry.
• Contax-mount Sonnar 5cm f/1.5 lenses, historically related but not this Leica screw-mount entry.

Sources

• [1] Leitz Auction. Carl Zeiss Jena (Sonnar) 1.5/6cm, AI_14_17895.
• [2] Leitz Auction. Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar T 1,5/6cm, AI_17_11305.
• [3] Rangefinderforum. Unusual 6cm f/1.5 Sonnar in LTM.
• [4] Rangefinderforum. Another irregular production Sonnar.
• [5] Rangefinderforum. Zeiss lenses in Leica screw mount, discussion.