Contax Zeiss Survival Guide

[David W. Jones]

I own both the 20/2.8 Flek, and the 18/4 Zeiss, and tend to use my 11-16 more often at the wide end.

 

[Ben Scott]

Awww man. I guess that's what I needed but didn't want to hear. Thanks. Kinda

Out of interest how do you find the Flek?

 

[Uli Plank]

To those who have some C/Y lenses and a 20mm Flek: how well or bad do they match?

I don't like any electronic lens, but the 21mm C/Y is out of my reach too…

 

[Brice Ansel]

Afternoon chaps and chappesses....
Oh, and what do we think of the 60mm macro?

Haven't really taken the time to push it properly.
But from the little I did with it, it's quiet promising, I'm already impressed.
It was on Dr Morrison list.

I can't wait to test this lens on insects.

60 S Planar@F2.8 TUNGSTEN+BULB - Edit: No sharpeness aply

60 S Planar@F2.8 TUNGSTEN+BULB - Edit: No sharpeness aply

Cheers

 

[Ben Scott]

OOh I could really go for some of that cheese and bread right now.

 

[Lliam Worthington]

60 macro is superb.

 

[Samir Patel]

I found something very bad with these Contax Zeiss lenses...you need to keep saving up to keep buying more and more of them. :001_smile:

 

[Ben Scott]

Yeah, plus occasionally people talk sense and stop you selling other gear to pay for it

 

[Brice Ansel]

It was one of the last lenses Zeiss made for Contax (if not the last), so I assume it's only MM yes.

It's a phenomenal lens. It will match your AE's, I wouldn't worry about that too much.

Hey Nick,
Just found one in almost mint condition for 700$
Shall I run for it?

Best
B.

 

[Tom Greenberg]

I found something very bad with these Contax Zeiss lenses...you need to keep saving up to keep buying more and more of them. :001_smile:

+1 Samir!

 

[Nick Morrison]

Afternoon chaps and chappesses....

So my Canon 60D has recently died and I'm in the process of upgrading it to the full frame 6D. I'm going to offload my Tokina 11-16mm to get a wide that will work on both the Scarlet AND full frame DSLR.

The Contax 21mm f2.8 is sadly right out of the question, seeing as it is more expensive than my car so the current options are 20mm Zeiss Jena Flektagon f2.8 or f4, or Contax 18mm f4.

Any thoughts on these or recommendations for a good value full frame wide lens (prime or zoom) that would cut okay with the Contax lenses would be greatly appreciated.

Oh, and what do we think of the 60mm macro?

A part of me feels you should keep the 11-16. David is right, it apparently does cover full frame at 16. Also, it's a 2.8.

The Contax 18 f4 is a fine lens, but it's slow at F4. And not very sharp wide open. The newer ZE/ZF 18 is certainly sharper wide open at 3.5. For me the Contax 18 is more likely usable outside, or when you have more light.

The Zeiss Jena 20 2.8 MC is supposed to be very, very good. The MC version (ie multicoated) will give you modern coatings that will more likely resemble the Contax. At least close enough to match in the grade.

The Jena 20mm f4 (usually a Zebra) is single coated, and will be even more low con than the Contax glass, and flare even more. Will look cool, but a slightly different look. Again, you're shooting RAW so a lot of this is matcheable in post anyway.

The Contax 60 2.8 is an amazing piece of glass. Actually a tad sharper than the 100 2.8. It's one of the sharpest Contax lenses ever made (along with the 21 2.8 and 100 3.5)

 

[Nick Morrison]

Holy shit this looks awesome. Brice I fucking love your style. Even your tests look cool.

Haven't really taken the time to push it properly.
But from the little I did with it, it's quiet promising, I'm already impressed.
It was on Dr Morrison list.

I can't wait to test this lens on insects.

60 S Planar@F2.8 TUNGSTEN+BULB - Edit: No sharpeness aply

60 S Planar@F2.8 TUNGSTEN+BULB - Edit: No sharpeness aply

Cheers

 

[Nick Morrison]

Hey Nick,
Just found one in almost mint condition for 700$
Shall I run for it?

Best
B.

Absolutely fuck yes. Your eyes will explode when you see it. You will actually do a double take when you put it on. It melts faces and dissolves metal, it's so sharp.

When I first threw it on to test, I actually didn't believe what I was seeing. I'll never take my 300 f4 out of the closet again. Its officially in the lens museum.

 

[Robert Keegan]

Just Started my Contax collection to be used on the scarlet. So far I have the 50 1.4, 135 2.8, and the 28 2.8. Next lens i'm going for is the 85 1.4, if any one is selling one let me know :] I have a question, 18 f4 seems a bit slow, what would be a good full frame last to replace it and match color wise? I have the Canon 17-35L lens not sure it will color match? Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[Nick Morrison]

Just Started my Contax collection to be used on the scarlet. So far I have the 50 1.4, 135 2.8, and the 28 2.8. Next lens i'm going for is the 85 1.4, if any one is selling one let me know :] I have a question, 18 f4 seems a bit slow, what would be a good full frame last to replace it and match color wise? I have the Canon 17-35L lens not sure it will color match? Any ideas? Thanks!

The 18 f4 is a tough call for everyone. Even wide open, it's not super sharp. More vintage nice. It's a nice lens, but yeah for interiors, it's speed can be a pain. Not sure what to tell you. We've mixed Contax and Tokina and Canon for the wides, and I can always spot the modern flaring on the newer lenses. Never a perfect match, but such is life.

Your canon 17-35 is a great lens, you may want to just stick with that. Or get the 18 f4 a a backup. Or maybe look into a Zeiss Jena 20 2.8 MC. I've never used one, but they are supposed to be good.

 

[Uli Plank]

@ Nick, the Flek was the one I considered as an alternative too, but until now nobody could tell me if it comes close to the Western Zeiss' in color.

What's your opinion?

@ all
There is a pretty complete test of vintage wide lenses (only my beloved Rokkor 21 is missing) here: http://www.stefanrohloff.de/lenstests.php
It's in German, but there are heaps of test shots.

 

[Ben Scott]

Nick, as always thanks for your advice...

 

[Brice Ansel]

Thanks for your words and expertise Nick !
Deal conclude, Vario-Sonar in the mail for a new home.
I have to tell, some members on this board are really dangerous, because of their eloquency when talking about lenses.
My first set bought 5 years ago was all Nikon.
One of the main responsable for this expense was Evin Grant, then a Leica R set, thanks Sanjin Jukic, and now Carl Zeiss Contax the fault to Nick Morrison. ;-)
Edit And I forgot to mention David Battistella who's the responsable for the acquisition of a fantastic cheap Angenieux zoom.
Ha ha this board can be really tempting sometime.
Cheers to all
B.

 

[David W. Jones]

If I can get the chance I will post examples from the 20/2.8 Flek, 18/4 Zeiss, and Tokina 11-16/2.8. I have just been swamped with business lately so it may be a little while.

 

[Robert Keegan]

thanks nick! ill keep the canon for now it was great for the 5d mkii.

The 18 f4 is a tough call for everyone. Even wide open, it's not super sharp. More vintage nice. It's a nice lens, but yeah for interiors, it's speed can be a pain. Not sure what to tell you. We've mixed Contax and Tokina and Canon for the wides, and I can always spot the modern flaring on the newer lenses. Never a perfect match, but such is life.

Your canon 17-35 is a great lens, you may want to just stick with that. Or get the 18 f4 a a backup. Or maybe look into a Zeiss Jena 20 2.8 MC. I've never used one, but they are supposed to be good.