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Projection Lenses
Overview
The Tessar* lens is one of the most famous and influential photographic lens designs in history. It was conceived by the German physicist Dr. Paul Rudolph in 1902 while he worked at the Zeiss optical company. The name "Tessar*" comes from the Greek word "tessera," meaning "four," in reference to its four-element, three-group construction.

The Basic Design: The Tessar* design consists of four lens elements arranged in three groups:
  • A single positive (converging) lens element at the front.
  • A negative (diverging) lens element in the middle.
  • A cemented doublet (a positive and a negative lens element glued together) at the rear.
    • This simple but brilliant configuration was an evolution of the earlier Cooke Triplet design, with the rear element replaced by a cemented doublet. This seemingly small change was a major breakthrough, as it allowed for much better correction of aberrations, particularly astigmatism, resulting in a flatter field of focus and sharper images.
    Key Characteristics:
    • "The Eagle's Eye of Your Camera": This was the famous marketing slogan for the Tessar*, and for good reason. It was renowned for its exceptional sharpness and high contrast, especially when stopped down, earning it a reputation as a high-performance lens for its time.
    • Simple and Compact: The four-element design is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, allowing for a compact and lightweight lens. This made it a popular choice for everything from high-end folding cameras to smaller, more portable cameras.
    • Good Performance for the Price: The Tessar* offered a fantastic balance between optical quality and cost. It was a step up from the simpler three-element Triplet lenses but was far less complex and expensive than later, more advanced designs.
    • Excellent Flat Field: One of the Tessar*'s key strengths is its ability to produce a sharp image from the center to the corners, making it well-suited for a wide range of photography, including landscape and architectural work.
    • Wide Range of Apertures: While early Tessar*s had a slow maximum aperture of around f/6.3, later versions were recalculated to achieve wider apertures like f/4.5, f/3.5 and even f/2.8 (depdening on focal lnegth), making them more versatile.
    Tessar*-Type Lenses
    • The Tessar* design was so successful that many other lens manufacturers created their own versions after the original patent expired. These "Tessar*-type" lenses often have different names but share the same four-element, three-group design. Some famous examples include:
    • Schneider* Xenar*
    • Leica* Elmar*
    • Voigtländer* Skopar*
    • Kodak* Ektar*
    • Minolta* Rokkor*
    • Bronica* Nikkor* (some models)
    • Russian Industar (a common Tessar*-type lens from the Soviet Union)
    Legacy and Modern Use:
    • The Tessar*'s influence on photography is immense. It was the standard "normal" lens for millions of cameras for decades, from medium format TLRs (like the Rolleiflex) to 35mm rangefinders and early DSLRs.
    • Today, many photographers and collectors seek out vintage Tessar* lenses for their unique rendering and classic "vintage" feel. They are often prized for their:
    • Sharpness: Even by modern standards, a good Tessar* lens is surprisingly sharp, especially when stopped down.
    • Contrast and Color: While early uncoated or single-coated versions may be susceptible to flare, multi-coated Tessar*s can produce images with excellent contrast and rich colors.
    • "Characterful" Bokeh: The out-of-focus areas (bokeh) often have a classic, pleasing quality that is distinct from more modern lens designs.
    In summary, the Tessar* lens is a four-element optical design that revolutionized photography by providing a perfect balance of sharpness, compactness, and affordability. Its legacy lives on in a multitude of cameras and in the hearts of photographers who appreciate its classic performance. 
Evaluation
    (++) Aperture: Modern (== post WWII ) 180-360 mm lenses have a f4.5 aperture. Older up to f3.5 (up to 300mm) or f2.8 (up to 165mm).
 
*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
 
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