Pentacon Six TL - Sharp Carl Zeiss Jena Biometar 80mm f/2.8 Prime Lens

Pentacon Six TL - Good Condition | Medium Format Camera | Sharp Carl Zeiss Jena Biometar 80mm f/2.8 Prime Lens

The Pentacon Six TL (S/N: 74385) is a legendary East German medium format SLR that brought professional 6x6 cinematography-grade imagery to the enthusiast market. Often described as a "DSLR on steroids" due to its familiar handling, it captures massive 6x6cm negatives on 120 roll film, offering nearly four times the surface area of standard 35mm film. This kit is paired with the world-class Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Biometar 80mm f/2.8 prime lens (S/N: 9335512). The Biometar is a five-element Gauss-type design, renowned for its exceptional sharpness, smooth out-of-focus rendering (bokeh), and the characteristic "Zeiss" micro-contrast that makes subjects leap off the frame. With its interchangeable finders and robust mechanical shutter, the Pentacon Six TL remains a premier entry point into the world of high-resolution medium format photography.

Key Features

• Large 6x6 format for high-resolution negatives with incredible tonal depth

• Sharp Carl Zeiss Jena Biometar 80mm f/2.8 prime lens for professional-grade clarity

• "TL" version featuring a dedicated internal coupling for TTL metering prisms

• Classic SLR handling in a medium format body, making it intuitive for 35mm shooters

• Robust focal-plane shutter with speeds from 1s to 1/1000s plus Bulb

• Interchangeable viewfinder system (compatible with waist-level and prism finders)

• High-quality East German (DDR) engineering with all-metal and glass construction

Introductory Paragraph The Pentacon Six TL is a powerhouse of analog photography, designed to deliver gallery-quality detail in a portable form factor. This specific unit (S/N: 74385) represents the refined "TL" iteration, which streamlined the use of light-metering prisms. The 80mm Biometar lens is the "standard" focal length for the 6x6 system, providing a field of view roughly equivalent to a 50mm lens on a 35mm camera, but with the distinct compression and shallow depth-of-field only medium format can provide. Because it uses standard 120 roll film, it is highly supported by modern labs. Whether you are shooting high-end portraits or expansive landscapes, the Pentacon Six TL provides a tactile, mechanical experience that rewards the deliberate photographer with stunning, life-like results.

Condition Report Good condition. The camera body (S/N: 74385) shows normal signs of light use and minor cosmetic surface wear consistent with its vintage age. The Carl Zeiss Jena Biometar 80mm f/2.8 lens (S/N: 9335512) is optically clear, free from fungus, haze, or significant scratches. The focal-plane shutter has been tested and fires across all speeds. The film advance mechanism is smooth (note: proper loading technique is essential for this model to ensure correct frame spacing). The internal mirror and viewfinder are clear. The aperture blades on the Biometar are clean, snappy, and free of oil.

Specialist Note "The Pentacon Six TL is the 'giant killer' of medium format. What I love about this S/N: 74385 is the Biometar glass; it has a specific, creamy rendering that is absolutely magic for portraiture. Many photographers adapt these Zeiss Jena lenses to modern digital medium format cameras because the optical quality is that good. The 'TL' designation makes it very versatile if you decide to add a metering prism later. It’s a heavy, honest, and mechanical beast that makes you feel every shot. For anyone wanting that huge 6x6 negative without the 'box' ergonomics of a Hasselblad, the Pentacon Six is the ultimate choice."

What's Included

• Pentacon Six TL Medium Format Body (S/N: 74385)

• Carl Zeiss Jena Biometar 80mm f/2.8 Prime Lens (S/N: 9335512)

• Waist-Level Viewfinder

• Original Take-up Spool

• Original Lens Cap

Technical Specifications

• Camera Type: Medium Format Camera

• Film Format: 120 Roll Film (6x6cm exposures)

• Lens: 80mm f/2.8 (Prime Lens)

• Lens Mount: Pentacon Six Breech-lock

• Shutter: Cloth focal-plane (1s - 1/1000s)

• Category: 1. Cameras ▸ Medium Format Camera

• Battery Type: None (Purely Mechanical; Metered Prism requires 1x PX625)