Lens Lab
    Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar (Prakticar) 80 mm f/ 1.8 MC
    Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar (Prakticar) 80 mm f/ 1.8 MC

    Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar (Prakticar) 80 mm f/ 1.8 MC

    80mm · f/1.8

    Overview

    The Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar (Prakticar) 80 mm f/1.8 MC is a medium-fast telephoto lens based on the double-Gauss/Planar design, known for sharpness and good contrast. It produces a plastic picture with natural color rendering and soft bokeh up to f/4, after which a 6-blade aperture creates busy circles of confusion. Build quality is solid, but the lens is rare and expensive for an M42 lens, comparable to a new Canon 85mm f/1.8. It suits portrait and artistic photography where shallow depth of field is desired.