ZEISS Interlock Compact Lenses

Compact lenses for large image circles.

The Interlock® Compact lens family impresses with its high and unwavering image quality and precise manual focus. Their low weight, compactness and robust full-metal housing make the lenses suitable for rough industrial use. The lens family features a short M42x1 mount (18 mm FFD) and superior fixture screws that allow exact locking of aperture and focus.

They fit to line scan cameras with sensors of 43 mm (4k – 8k) and area scan cameras with full frame sensors of 36 x 24 mm (up to 42 Mpixel). The outstanding difference of ZEISS Interlock Compact lenses against traditional F-Mount types is the M42x1 mount with a very short flange focal distance (FFD) of only 18,0 mm.

The Interlock® Compact lens family from ZEISS consists of five focal lengths from 21 mm to 85 mm and are key components in complex production processes (Machine Vision) as well as in optical metrology, medical applications, traffic enforcement, quality assurance, sports and many other applications.

Lens Type	Focal Length	Max. Aperture	Min. Free Working Distance	Min. Working Distance (Sensor to Object)	Filter Thread	Camera Mount*
Interlock Compact 2.8/21	21 mm	2.8	160 mm	250 mm	M52 x 0.75	M42 Mount / 18 mm FFD*
Interlock Compact 2.4/25	25 mm	2.4	163 mm	250 mm	M52 x 0.75	M42 Mount / 18 mm FFD*
Interlock Compact 2/35	35 mm	2.0	230 mm	300 mm	M52 x 0.75	M42 Mount / 18 mm FFD*
Interlock Compact 2/50	50 mm	2.0	370 mm	450 mm	M52 x 0.75	M42 Mount / 18 mm FFD*
Interlock Compact 2.4/85	85 mm	2.4	685 mm	800 mm	M52 x 0.75	M42 Mount / 18 mm FFD*

Remarks: *available with fixing screws for focus and aperture

Stress Test

ZEISS lenses need to operate perfectly in extreme conditions, withstanding everything from scorching heat and bitter cold to sandstorms and severe vibrations. The video shows how ZEISS researchers systematically submit lenses to extreme stresses in order to arrive at findings that can help in future lens design and development. The video explains how a lens with fixing screws was tested regarding following norms:

DIN ISO 9022
DIN EN 60068-1: 1988-06
DIN EN 60068-2 Part 64: 2009-04
MIL-Std 810G

Advantages of the Interlock Compact Lenses

Higher stability against shocks and vibrations since the center of gravity is closer to the sensor
Higher stability between lens and camera because M42-mount
Less volume consumed
Higher precision when the aperture is set
Optics can be designed more symmetrical which leads to higher performance, lower distorsion etc.

High-quality metal housing

Noticeable quality and high value stability qualify ZEISS lenses for decades of intense use. The high-quality craftsmanship of the all-metal mount, the metal housing and the aperture ring as well as the robust front bayonet ensure reliable results.

Heavy-duty fixtures for focus and aperture

ZEISS Interlock Compact lenses are equipped with special screws to fix focus and aperture to get stable and reliable measuring results even in rough industrial conditions. Both the locking screws and the stable design make the lens inured to vibrations, improve measuring repeatability and avoid machine downtime.

ZEISS T* anti-reflective coating

The optical elements of ZEISS lenses feature T* anti-reflective coating on all surfaces and an optical design that guarantees images of superior brilliance at all times, even in unfavourable lighting conditions. The first coating techniques were employed by ZEISS as long ago as in the 1930s.

Precise manual focus

Manually focusing a lens means controlling the image result from your fingertips. A good ergonomic design makes all the difference. ZEISS lenses stand out with their large rotation angle which enables precise focusing. Changes are immediately visible in the viewfinder. The high-quality focusing mechanism moves smoothly without play, thus also supporting the intuitive interaction with the focal plane. The precise engraving in meter and feet, and the depth of focus scale provide additional support for manually focusing.