For Sale: JSC Optika 25-80mm Vario Optar T3.3 Zoom (PL mount)

[Richard Joneleit]

For Sale: JSC Optika 25-80mm Vario Optar T3.3 Zoom (PL mount) 

Asking $4,500 USD.

 

This is a very compact and *very* lightweight cinema 35mm/APS-C format zoom lens (less than 2.25 lbs!) with a great 25-80mm range and a constant T3.3. The Du-All Camera website says that theirs is adaptable to EF mount, so it's possible this one is too (though I can make no guarantees).

 

The serial number implies a production year of 1994, but I'd say the image it creates could fairly be described as a "vintage" look, including how it flares. Focus and iris are smooth. Zoom feels a little uneven at the wide end and has a little play at the telephoto end. There's some light oil on the iris blades visible, and there are coating scratches visible on both front and rear elements, and some spots visible in the picture on some internal elements (maybe oil? see pics) but I couldn't get any of those to affect the image. The lens has bright markings for feet and inches (Imperial).

A word of caution that the front *does* rotate and telescope when pulling focus (so it's not exactly matte box friendly), but there's an adapter on the front of the lens to use any round Series 9 filters you might want. I think a lot of people might embrace the lens flares from a vintage lens like this, so the lack of a matte box (and that extra weight savings) might be preferred anyway. You could also talk with Ben at Arma Cine to see if he can make an Orbital system for this lens, which is what I've seen Old Fast Glass has done for a few of their vintage zooms that have rotating fronts.

There are so few vintage cinema zooms (for example, to compliment a shoot using vintage primes) that are as compact and lightweight as this one, especially with such a great range. All of the un-edited sample images I took (with a Fujifilm X-H2S) were wide open and at close focus, except the last two (or where noted). 

 

I'm potentially open to a trade/partial trade for a Cooke Speed Panchro 18mm and/or 25mm (Series III only) in very good condition, either not rehoused or TLS-rehoused. I'm not interested in any other trades at this time.

 

I always prefer an in-person NYC sale where the buyer can see or try out the lens on their camera. I also have friends in Los Angeles who can help facilitate an in-person sale, if you're LA-based. And if you're somewhere else, I'm also open to working with a broker like Lori Carson or Matt Livingston, or a lens technician/third party service company, if you cover the shipping and associated costs involved. Please feel free to send me a direct message if you have any questions. 

 

More pictures: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjARwux

 

[victor huey]

Is this lens the same as Ekran, and lomo version of the 25-80 zoom?

[Richard Joneleit]

@victor huey I'm actually not sure how this compares with the Ekran 25-80mm. When I worked at Clairmont, we had these Optars for rent but not the Ekrans. Maybe Ilya Volkov will be able to answer that question... I'll see what I can find out.

[Richard Joneleit]

Update: I just had this lens serviced (at a cost of US $450, receipt available) which included a cleaning, so the internal spots (which were possibly dried oil spots) are no longer there. 

I am also LOWERING the price to $4,000 USD. 

I took 7 new pics to try and show how clean it is now: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjB7GEu

[Marcel Zyskind]

This is a great little zoom lens and good price you are selling at. I have the same. Who did the service on yours? Many thanks, Marcel 

[Richard Joneleit]

Thanks, Marcel!! I'm a fan of your work ?

I did notice someone recently listed the Optika Elite version of this lens for sale for US $13K, so yeah, I think this is a pretty fair price ?

I sent the lens to DuAll Camera for service since they had one in their rental inventory.

[Richard Joneleit]

Update: Lowering price to $3,800

[Richard Joneleit]

SOLD. Thank you.