Offered initially as the Zeiss answer to the 90/4 Elmar, it was quickly supplemented in the lineup with the more exotic 85/2 Sonnar in 1933. It was carried in the catalog as a less expensive, and lighter alternative to the Sonnar, until 1953. The Triotar was a lens formula that preceded the Contax line, and is a fairly simple three element design.
It was initially offered in the black and nickel finish used on all of the first lenses. This was the first lens to be available in chrome, perhaps as experiments in producing chrome finish lenses for the twin lens Contaflex, and later the Contax II and III. After the war, this lens appeared in both aluminum and chrome finish.
A late 85/4 Triotar from Jena