Zeiss standard speed lens: 16mm or 35mm

Michael Panfeld · February 9, 2009

Hi: I have just acquired my first Zeiss lens. I am evaluating it before I can confirm the sale with the seller. I am shocked at how small the lens is. I am worried that it may be a 16mm rather than a 35mm format lens, but I have no way of telling and no experience with Zeiss/Arri.

Is there a quick way to identify the lens, say by its serial number (6169001) or by its dimensions (front of lens body is 2.25 inches, overall length is 2 9/16 inches). It is a 24mm T* Distagon f 2.0 T2.1 lens that with an Arri standard mount. The aperture is T2.1 to 16. The focusing scale is marked from .35 meters to 6 meters, then infinity. It says Made in West Germany on the barrel. I have read that some Arri lenses were modified with narrower barrels and were for close focus. Is this one of those?

I am also concerned that the aperture ring clicks on the stops (like a still lens) rather than the smooth continous movement of cinema lenses.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Edited February 9, 2009 by Michael Panfeld