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Contax Lenses for RED / Recommendations

Martin Weiss

Martin Weiss

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Would love to hear some input about these Carl Zeiss Contax/Yashica mount lenses, which I found while raiding my father's old lens collection:
  • Tessar 45/2.8
  • Planar 50/1.4
  • Planar 50/1.7
  • Sonnar 135/2.8
  • Tele-Tesar 200/3.5
  • Vario-Sonnar 80-200/4
  • Vario-Sonnar 40-80/3.5
I found some reviews on http://slrlensreview.com/content/section/17/51/ , which basically gives very good points to the 50 mm's (outstanding in when at f8), a good to the 135 and a mediocre to the 200. Nothing about the zooms (which I expect to do so-so) or the 45mm.

Are the zooms useable?

This set definately lacks wide lenses; any suggestions would be very welcomed. Also something in the 85mm range.

The built quality I find outstanding, all lenses have a roughly 180 degree focus throw, solidly built. The 45mm is tiny.

I also got a Vivitar 2x Macro focussing teleconverter. (When used with the 50/1.4 I can get my index finger full frame.) Is this something of use?

Taken into account that I get them for practically nothing, is there any lens that I should not take?

Thanks for any feed-back and/or personal experiences with Contax lenses. I know that they have been mentioned on Reduser before, and some lenses have gotten very good feed-back.
carl-zeiss-tele-sonnar-135mm-f28-cy-2.jpg

(Now I have about 6 weeks to decide on whether to go for a Birger Mount {if available by then} with a Contax-to-Canon adaptor off eBay, the IMS with a Contax adapter {hoping that the warranty issue gets resolved during the IBC talks} or Les' work-in-progress native RED Contax mount.
 
I haven't used these, but I know the 50s and the 135 are supposed to be very good. I believe the 45 is a "pancake lens", and also a good performer.

For something wider, try to find the 21mm f/2.8, probably the best SLR lens in that class. You will also want the 28mm f/2, also known as "the Hollywood lens". (That's what they call it on the manual lens forums.)
 
The 200mm f2 apotele is very good and with the Zeiss Mutar extenders you get a 200 f2, 280 f2.8 and a 400 f4 that fit all in one case. The little 17-35 f2.8 is reprted to be good also. And the 60 and 100mm macros are among the best. And another point is that almost all the Contax/Zeiss lenses rotate cinewise on the focus.
 
Martin Weiss said:
Thanks, great input!

how would you rate the...

* 21/2.8 and 28/2.0 to the Canon EF 24/1.4 L USM?
* 35/2.8 to the Canon EF 35 1.4 L USM?
Click to expand...

I have not used the Canons you mentioned, nor the Contax 21/2.8.

But I do own the Contax 28/2.8, 28/2, 35/2.8, 35/1.4, as well as a number of others.
I'll have to say that both the 28/2 and the 35/1.4 are a couple of my favorite lenses.
 
I've had the Tessar 45/2.8, Planar 50/1.4 and Planar 50/1.7, and a bunch of other Contax/Zeiss glass. Those 3 are all fine, and some people rave about them, but I've never considered them special in any way. Anyway, you got them at the right price.

I've had the Contax/Zeiss 85/1.4 and am not a fan. I sold it as soon as I compared it to a Leica R 80/1.4. The Canon EF 85/1.2 is the sharpest of the bunch wide open but the Leica is hands down the best overall.

The Contax/Zeiss 85/1.2 is reportedly the best of it's kind, but I've never used it.

Zeiss makes some stunning glass. Why don't you test the lenses and make your own decisions?

John Jovic
 
For now I've added a 35/2.8 and a 85/1.4 (great focus throw, around 270°). Keeping my eyes open for a 21/2.8 and 28/2.0.

As to why I am not making my own tests, pick 2 of these:
  • I live in a small place and do not have access to all Contax Zeiss lenses
  • I have not yet a RED One, and thus cannot make proper tests
  • I'm just too lazy and never bother testing crucial parts of my camera system
 
If I can find the time, I will post a shot from each of my Contax lenses as an example. Things are just a little crazy right now with my daughter getting married in a couple of weeks.
 
Contax Tessar

Contax Tessar

Any views on the Contax 4/300 tessar and apotessars for long telephoto work.

How would they compare to any know Tele's say the Canon PL conversions ?

Is is possible to get a good PL conversion rather than adaptor for any of these lenses.

thanks,

Dave
 
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