Our experience in the construction of zoom lenses 
for film and television cameras also inspired the development and construction of the Variogon for the 35 mm and medium-format.  
The Variogons of still camera photography were placed in single-lens reflex cameras with a focal-plane and between-the-lens shutter (e.g., Rollei), because only there could the variably dimensioned viewfinder image be observed and adjusted on a ground-glass focusing screen.

Fig. 1 shows by way of example the configuration of the Tele-Variogon 4/80-240 mm with the diaphragm and shutter controls on the hand grip. A high-speed Variogon 2.8/45-100 mm was an addition to the product
series. With the appropriate adapter base, both lenses could also be used on 8-, 16- and 
35-mm film cameras.

Fig. 1: Tele-Variogon 4 / 80 - 240 mm

Some technical details:

• mechanical focal distance adjustment of the highest accuracy,
• focusing by means of a knurled on the front side,
• a click-stop diaphragm for diaphragm presetting,
• diaphragm opener for viewing the picture image without changing the selected aperture adjustment for picture monitoring,
• a total of 19 interchangeable adapters for use with single-lens reflex-
  cameras with focal-plane shutter,
• the camera on which the lens is mounted can, if desired, be shifted by means of a notch und lever for vertical or horizontal format.