Werra V 35mm Compact

Werra V 35mm Compact - Good Condition | Classic East German Rangefinder-Style Camera with Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50mm f/2.8 | Light Meter Not Functioning

The Werra V is a beautifully distinctive East German 35mm compact camera from the Carl Zeiss Jena stable — instantly recognisable by its minimalist, cylindrical design and unique top-mounted shutter release ring, a hallmark of the entire Werra series. Built around a fixed Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50mm f/2.8 lens, it delivers the sharp, contrasty, and naturally rendered images that the legendary Tessar formula has been celebrated for since its introduction. The Werra V was originally fitted with a built-in coupled light meter, though on this example the meter is no longer functioning — the camera remains fully usable with manual exposure setting via a handheld meter or the sunny 16 rule. A genuine icon of East German industrial and optical design that remains a joy to shoot with today. Serial number (lens): 6101367.

Key Features

• Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50mm f/2.8 fixed lens — legendary German optical formula
• Distinctive minimalist cylindrical body design — a hallmark of Bauhaus-influenced East German engineering
• Unique top-mounted shutter release ring operation
• Manual focus with smooth, precise focusing ring
• Compact and well-built all-metal construction
• Fully usable with manual exposure setting via handheld meter or sunny 16 rule
• A genuine icon of East German camera design

Condition Report

• Body: Good condition — light handling marks consistent with age and use, no cracks or damage to housing
• Optics: Lens elements clean and clear — no fungus, haze, or significant dust; coatings intact
• Mechanics/Electronics: Shutter fires correctly; focus and aperture controls operating smoothly; film transport functioning as expected; note: built-in light meter is not functioning — camera remains fully usable with manual exposure setting

"The Werra V is one of those cameras that photographers fall in love with the moment they pick it up. The minimalist design is genuinely ahead of its time, and the Tessar lens delivers that unmistakable Zeiss rendering. While the built-in meter has stopped working, this is extremely common on cameras of this age and takes nothing away from the shooting experience — pair it with a handheld meter or your own exposure judgement and it performs just as beautifully as the day it was made."

What's Included

• Werra V camera with Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50mm f/2.8 lens
• Case

Technical Specifications

• Brand: Carl Zeiss Jena (Werra)
• Model: Werra V
• Serial Number (Lens): 6101367
• Lens: Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 50mm f/2.8 (fixed)
• Lens Construction: 4 elements in 3 groups
• Film Format: 35mm (135)
• Focus: Manual
• Metering: Built-in coupled light meter (not functioning)
• Shutter Speed: 1s – 1/750s
• Minimum Focus Distance: approx. 0.4m
• Filter Thread: 40.5mm
• Dimensions: approx. 130 x 75 x 75mm
• Weight: approx. 480g
• Type: 35mm Rangefinder Camera
• Category: Cameras
• Condition: Good Condition