The Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 75/1.5 is one of the most sought after vintage lenses. It is renowned and adored for its’ unique bokeh which makes it a favourite among portraiture photographers.

The lens uses a six lens gauss type optical formula. Famous lens designer Willi Merté developed the Biotar style lenses in 1927 for movie cameras. Merté continued developing and experimenting with his Biotar lens design and in 1938 the Biotar 75 was introduced. Sales slowly started picking up but the advent of World War II meant that very few copies were sold. Even back then, the Biotar 75 was an exclusive lens reserved for enthusiasts with deep pockets. After the second World War, production was relaunched and most copies available are post World War II copies.

Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 75mm f1.5 is a big and heavy lens with unusual focal length. It’s a classic Biotar formula. As most of the lenses from that time it’s very easy to disassemble, clean and re-lubricate.
Carl Zeiss Jena 75mm f1.5 is the bigger brother of 2/58mm Biotar, and if you think 58mm has swirly bokeh, then the 75mm will make you dizzy.

Exactly like the smaller option, it’s super sharp in the center, softer in the corners. 

If you don’t mind the slightly longer focal length and weight, then Biotar 75mm 1.5 can serve as an all-in-one lens. Magical art when shoot open, perfectly sharp when closed down.

All-in-all the Biotar 75 is a legendary lens. The price tag is obviously off putting but when you consider this: if you own an old version in good nick the price will only go in one direction: up. So it might even be a worthy investment.