Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 105mm f/4.5 Folding Camera - Good Condition | Classic German Medium Format Folder with Compur Shutter

This elegant German folding camera fitted with a Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 105mm f/4.5 lens and Deckel München Compur shutter is a masterpiece of mid-century German optical and mechanical engineering. The Tessar is one of the most celebrated lens designs in photographic history — Carl Zeiss's iconic four-element formula, renowned for its exceptional sharpness, brilliant contrast, and the distinctive "eagle eye" rendering that has made it a favourite among photographers and collectors for over a century. The precision-engineered Compur shutter provides reliable, accurate exposures across a range of shutter speeds. Compact when folded and deeply satisfying to use when open, this is a camera that rewards the patient photographer with results that modern cameras rarely replicate. Serial numbers: Body SR 47384 / Lens SR 1091512 / Compur Shutter SR 2100079.

Key Features

• Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 105mm f/4.5 — one of the most celebrated lens designs in photographic history
• Deckel München Compur precision shutter
• Compact folding design — pocketable when closed
• Medium format film — exceptional image quality and fine grain
• All-metal construction of the highest quality
• A genuine masterpiece of German optical and mechanical heritage

Condition Report

• Body: Good condition — light marks consistent with age and use; bellows intact with no visible pinholes; folding mechanism operates smoothly
• Optics: Elements clean and clear — no fungus, haze, or significant dust; coatings intact
• Mechanics: Compur shutter fires across available speeds; aperture blades clean and snappy; focus mechanism operates smoothly

"The Tessar is one of those lens designs that has stood the test of time for a very good reason. Carl Zeiss's four-element formula delivers a sharpness and contrast that is immediately recognisable — and on a classic German folder with a Compur shutter, the whole package feels like a precision instrument from a different era of craftsmanship. This is a camera that deserves to be used, not just admired."

What's Included

• Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 105mm f/4.5 folding camera with Compur shutter
• Lens cap (if available)

Technical Specifications

• Brand: Carl Zeiss Jena / Deckel München
• Lens: Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 105mm f/4.5
• Shutter: Compur (Deckel München)
• Serial Number (Body): SR 47384
• Serial Number (Lens): SR 1091512
• Serial Number (Compur Shutter): SR 2100079
• Focal Length: 105mm
• Maximum Aperture: f/4.5
• Lens Construction: 4 elements in 3 groups (Tessar formula)
• Film Format: Medium Format — approx. 6x9 (120 film)
• Focus: Manual
• Construction: All-metal body with bellows
• Type: Medium Format Camera
• Category: Cameras
• Condition: Good Condition