Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Tevidon 10 mm 1:2.0 [C-mount]

It's been a while since I've been updating here. I've been working on my art [feel free to check it here], travelling and doing many boring things. However it was also time to get new lenses and test them. I've managed to get some nice C-mounts: Tevidon 10/2 (below), Cosmicar 12.5/1.9, Tevidon 16/1.8 and Cosmicar 25/1.4.

Let's begin with Tevidon 10/2 I bought as bargain and loved since the moment I attached it to the camera...

 

Tevidon 10/2 with M4/3 adapter.

Tevidon 10/2 C-mount conversion

Tevidon arrived to me with "vintage" vidicon German camera. It was heavy, solid bayonet mount that's impossible to attach to MFT or basically any camera (maybe Pentax Q would allow it, but it would have to be customised). I've ordered very nice Yeenon Tevidon-C [available on eBay] mount that is easy to replace and works with cheapest C-MFT adapters.
However, the lens wasn't perfect. There were some mechanical issues - it wasn't focusing properly - the ring was a bit loose and lacked the limits, also infinity was out of reach. I fixed it without major problems and adjusted to focus a tiny bit beyond infinity. You might wonder why. The answer is - the camera. If I changed my Lumix to any other camera or worked in unusual conditions I might lack infinity. This way it should always be there, when you need it.

Tevidon 10/2 with M4/3 adapter.

General impression

It's a heavy and sturdy lens. My weight shows 417 grams with Tevidon-C and C-MFT adapter. Front filter ring is 49 mm diameter, which makes it accessible for all kind of filters, shades and caps.
When attached to a camera it gives you a "pro" feeling and suits my Lumix design just right. It's one of those lenses that you use and feel like it was designed just for you.

Tevidon 10/2 on Lumix G2 (Micro Four Thirds camera).

MFT sensor coverage

Let's say - it's not that bad! And for some users - it's perfect.

Tevidon 10/2 @2.0 - MFT, BMPCC, GH4 UltraHD sensor coverage.

Tevidon 10/2 @11 - MFT, BMPCC, GH4 UltraHD sensor coverage.

Pictures above show the crop of BMPCC, MFT and GH4 4K (UHD). As shown, it should work perfectly with all of the above. Of course - it doesn't cover full MFT sensor, but is perfect for BMPCC and 4K.
I've checked what limits field of view and it might be possible to reduce if you filed down filter ring to gain more coverage. I'd like to try that if I had another optical unit to replace.

Bokeh

It's not as creamy as Canon V6x17, reminds something more like Trioplan 100/2.8 with gorgeous rings, however not so spectacular.

Tevidon 10/2 @2.0 - bokeh sample.

However it does change with aperture value and it's always worth to experiment. Here you can check samples on all available apertures.

Tevidon 10/2 @2.0 - maximum close-up.

Tevidon 10/2 @2.8 - maximum close-up.

Tevidon 10/2 @4.0 - maximum close-up.

Tevidon 10/2 @5.6 - maximum close-up.

Tevidon 10/2 @8.0 - maximum close-up.

Tevidon 10/2 @11 - maximum close-up.

If your background is dark, vignetting is not such a big problem on 3:2 camera crop.

Glowing, flaring, ghosting...

It's all about aperture. @2.0 the lens is fast, but details are creamy. It's also prone to glowing:

Tevidon 10/2 @2.0 - glowing and contrast decrease in direct sunlight.

However, when you increase the aperture, Tevidon 10/2 results in triangular aperture shape, which seems uncommon. Flaring is very soft in form of few dots and if you want that spectacular effect, you should look for some other lenses.

Tevidon 10/2 @2.0 - aimed directly at the sun.

Tevidon 10/2 @2.8 - aimed directly at the sun.

Tevidon 10/2 @4.0 - aimed directly at the sun.

Tevidon 10/2 @5.6 - aimed directly at the sun - slightly triangular.

Tevidon 10/2 @8.0 - aimed directly at the sun.

Tevidon 10/2 @11 - aimed directly at the sun - perfect solution for triangle lovers.

@11 it gathers some light and can create unique flare

Tevidon 10/2 @11 - triangular lens flare (sun aside).

Samples and image quality - Tevidon 10/2

Let's begin with close-up's.

Tevidon 10/2 @2.0 - close-up. Compare it with the photo below. Here object in the centre of the frame.

Tevidon 10/2 @2.0 - close-up. Main object out of the centre of the frame.

Tevidon 10/2 @2.8 - close-up.

Tevidon 10/2 @4.0 - close-up.

Tevidon 10/2 @5.6 - close-up.

Tevidon 10/2 @8.0 - close-up.

Tevidon 10/2 @11 - close-up.

On high aperture values image is sharp only in the middle. That's very common for C-mount lenses due to their coverage like in Fujian 25/1.4. In many cases that's a desired quality that can be reduced by reducing the aperture.
However, when doing macro shots or close-ups it's not a problem, in landscape photography it might a kind of a pain.

Tevidon 10/2 @2.0 - wide angle landscape (full sensor). Only the middle of the image is sharp.

Tevidon 10/2 @2.8 - wide angle landscape (full sensor).

Tevidon 10/2 @4.0 - wide angle landscape (full sensor).

Tevidon 10/2 @5.6 - wide angle landscape (full sensor).

Tevidon 10/2 @8.0 - wide angle landscape (full sensor).

Tevidon 10/2 @11 - wide angle landscape (full sensor).

Last set presenting infinity focus.

Tevidon 10/2 @2.0 - wide angle landscape (full sensor).

Tevidon 10/2 @2.8 - infinity focus (full sensor).

Tevidon 10/2 @4.0 - infinity focus (full sensor).

Tevidon 10/2 @5.6 - infinity focus (full sensor).

Tevidon 10/2 @8.0 - infinity focus (full sensor).

Tevidon 10/2 @11 - infinity focus (full sensor).

Summary

Tevidon 10 mm f2.0 is definitely on of the keepers. Although I don't use BMPCC or GH4 that would allow to use full coverage, it's a gem worth having that would surprise you with it's quality and overall characteristics.