Contax G2 with Carl Zeiss Biogon-G/Planar-G/Sonnar-G Lenses

[Jorge Díaz-Amador]

*DISCLAIMER*​

This posting is about a still camera that uses 35 mm FILM, and a set of lenses for that camera. Not only is it not digital, it doesn't shoot moving images either (unless you're happy with 4 fps).
I know this is a digital-cine-centric forum. But I thought that some of you might still be shooting film for personal reasons (like me). Just like buggy whips are still being profitably manufactured, just in much smaller quantity.
Also, some users may find the info on the Carl Zeiss Contax-G lenses interesting, and it *may* be possible to adapt these lenses to the RED ONE or EPIC.
If this posting is judged inappropriate, the moderators may remove it without complaint from me.​

Just don't be playa-hatin' if they don't delete it.​

Guys,

I'm regretfully selling my beloved Contax G2 camera package including the camera body in EX condition and the following Carl Zeiss lenses:

Carl Zeiss Biogon-G 2,8/21 mm (with viewfinder)
Carl Zeiss Biogon-G 2,8/28 mm
Carl Zeiss Planar-G 2/35 mm
Carl Zeiss Planar-G 2/45 mm
Carl Zeiss Sonnar-G 2,8/90 mm

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320446599684&_trksid=p2762.l1259#ht_6020wt_1167

The prime lens set consists of all the lenses made for the Contax G2 except for the following:

Carl Zeiss Hologon 8/16 mm (f8 fixed [no iris] exotic rectilinear superwide)
Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 35-70 mm f3.5-5.6 zoom

The lenses for this camera are absolutely superb. I can't say enough about them. The only lenses that can compete with them are the Leica-M series lenses. This has been verified by both personal observation and independent MTF testing (see photodo.com).

In case you're not familiar, the Carl Zeiss Biogon is a retrofocus design similar to the Distagon, but more "relaxed", with a much shorter rear element vertex to image plane distance (back focus). Biogons are normally only possible on rangefinder cameras.

It *may* be possible to use these lenses on a RED ONE or EPIC with the proper custom lens mount. These lenses obviously cover FF 35, but the short back focus may be a problem, depending on the position of the sensor protection window.

These lenses are autofocus-only (no focus ring), but the focus is driven my a mechanical coupling. It may be possible to make a mount with a coupling to drive the focus using an external ring. It would require a damaged non-working Contax G camera as a parts donor.

They will work with the Si-2K due to the position of the protection window on that camera. I verified this myself by holding the 21 mm in front of the Si-2K without a lens mount.

If nothing else, I hope you find the information on these lenses enlightening and perhaps I've provided some fodder for the mad camera scientists out there...