Contax Zeiss Survival Guide

[Kirk.Attard]

To be honest I think Ill just wait for the schneider and see if I can sell this one. Really interested in that set since Phil reviewed them. They have interchangeable mounts. Was looking for that apart the breathing.

 

[Phil Holland]

It's really insane to think by the time this year ends there's going to be a large variety of lens options ranging from cine-modded still lenses, rehoused still lenses, entry level primes, mid range primes, and high end primes. So many price points and actually several options at each tier.

It's really never been like this.

 

[Nick Morrison]

Hi All.
Concerning image quality I might have been a little disappointed. Though sharp it kinda looks a little like my Nikon prime which doesn't cost much more than a couple of hundred bucks. I'm not saying its bad and I still have to test it further in good lighting conditions but that was my first impression. Focusing was easy though as the throw is good and you hit the mark easily so no problems there.

Thanks for the review Kirk. Looks like a stunning re-housing!

Regarding performance: wide open this lens was never world class. The 1.7 is much better in that regard. The 1.4 gets sharp by 2.8, and is VERY sharp stopped down. That being said, the CP2 50 1.4 has never been "loved", so the odds are you lens will have comparable performance, but at a savings! Also your lens will mostly likely flare differently than a CP2, as the newer Zeiss glass has a tendency of flaring blue/purple, whereas the older Zeiss's flare more evenly, and white.

Comparing it to a Nikkor 50 1.4 sounds pretty reasonable to me (though Contax at the time was a more premium brand, most "50s" are so comparable in performance that the Contax will stand out more with build quality, finish, etc)

The ZF/ZE 50 f2 Macro on the other hand is certainly very sharp wide open, and can be seen as a modern step forward in design.

Since I most usually shoot between a 2.8 and F4, sharpness stopped down hasn't been something I've been challenged by yet (shooting WO has mostly been a creative choice).

I'm sort of in Shervin's camp: the small size and character of the Contax's is what wins me over. I love being able to put 8 fully modded Contax's into a 1510 case and take them on-board for travel jobs.

Brian Goff's SLEEVES look like a compelling way to preserve Contax (and Leica)'s small footprint, while still giving them significantly more "cine" ready markings and mechanics

That being said, if you are looking for a full "cine" rehousing, then this service by GL optics seems like a fantastic resource!

Thanks for sharing, Kirk!

 

[Kirk.Attard]

Most welcome Nick. I will post stills taken with the lens soon if you are interested. I will try to put the lens in varied situations at different apertures.

Phil if you have more news about the schneiders keep us posted pls.
Thanks.

 

[Kirk.Attard]

Here is a quick still taken when I first setup the lens. Wide open. Natural lighting only - Just some slight curve on the image - NO touching otherwise. Will try to properly test the lens out this week.

 

[Brice Ansel]

There are three Mutars in the Contax Line:

MUTAR I (2x) (use btw 45mm to 135mm, approx)
MUTAR II (2x) (use btw 135mm to 500mm, approx)
MUTAR III (1.5)



I've read of people having success with BOTH Mutar 2x on the 100-300.

The thing to be careful of is the rear element on the zoom, which will HIT the Mutar if you zoom down to 100. My assumption would be to keep the zoom between 200 and 300 to be safe.

Also, here's full list the specific lenses that work best with each Mutar 2x (think David shared the same pdf!):
http://lenses.zeiss.com/content/dam...nloadcenter/contax_yashica/mutari-ii_2x_e.pdf

So I did put together Mutar II X2 and the 100/300

Quiet promising so far,
I nailed some CA at 600mm thought (in harsh circonstencies)
Mutar II X2+ 100/300 @ 300 (some CA on the left back ground)

But the thing I really want to try next week is a shot of the full moon.

Mutar II X2+ 100/300 @ 300

Best
B.

 

[Nick Morrison]

Here is a quick still taken when I first setup the lens. Wide open. Natural lighting only - Just some slight curve on the image - NO touching otherwise. Will try to properly test the lens out this week.

WOW that actually looks kinda great.

 

[Nick Morrison]

So I did put together Mutar II X2 and the 100/300

Quiet promising so far,
I nailed some CA at 600mm thought (in harsh circonstencies)
Mutar II X2+ 100/300 @ 300 (some CA on the left back ground)

But the thing I really want to try next week is a shot of the full moon.

Mutar II X2+ 100/300 @ 300

Best
B.

Can't believe you caught a hawk with a worm. Fantastic. I wonder if the Mutar and extra glass is making the CA flare?

 

[Brice Ansel]

Can't believe you caught a hawk with a worm. Fantastic. I wonder if the Mutar and extra glass is making the CA flare?

I wish it was a Hawk, but it is just a Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
As for the CA I can confirm you that on really contrasty scenery and with long distance subject I will get some CA if I use the Mutar II.
Anyway it is subtile and really visible on crop picture only.
And it stay acceptable compare to lets say my 85 F1.4 nikor in the same circonstencies and with no aditional glass ;-).
Best
B.

 

[Tom_Gaudet]

Hi Guys,

I have not yet tried this, but what happens if you use a Canon 1.4X or 2X extender with an EF mount adapted Contax lens rather than a Mutar? Does it cause a shift in colors? Or, is there any other negative effects? Obivously what I am thinking is once a lens is adapted for EF, it is difficult or impossible to use the Mutar depending on the permanancy of the adaptor or mount.

Thanks,
Tom

There are three Mutars in the Contax Line:

MUTAR I (2x) (use btw 45mm to 135mm, approx)
MUTAR II (2x) (use btw 135mm to 500mm, approx)
MUTAR III (1.5)

I've read of people having success with BOTH Mutar 2x on the 100-300.

The thing to be careful of is the rear element on the zoom, which will HIT the Mutar if you zoom down to 100. My assumption would be to keep the zoom between 200 and 300 to be safe.

Also, here's full list the specific lenses that work best with each Mutar 2x (think David shared the same pdf!):
http://lenses.zeiss.com/content/dam...nloadcenter/contax_yashica/mutari-ii_2x_e.pdf

 

[Brice Ansel]

Hi Guys,

I have not yet tried this, but what happens if you use a Canon 1.4X or 2X extender with an EF mount adapted Contax lens rather than a Mutar? Does it cause a shift in colors? Or, is there any other negative effects? Obivously what I am thinking is once a lens is adapted for EF, it is difficult or impossible to use the Mutar depending on the permanancy of the adaptor or mount.

Thanks,
Tom

My bet is, by using a canon extender you will loose partially the benefit of the T coating (T coating is also on the Mutar extender)
wich is an essential piece in the Contax lenses signature.
Best
B.

 

[Brice Ansel]

This zoom is truly amazing!

Vario sonnar @ 300 X2 Mutar II
J-4 :lipsrsealed:

 

[Domenic Barbero]

Hey guys, heres my reel shot on 95% contax zeiss lenses with Scarlet.

 

[BRANDON JAMESON]

Hey guys, heres my reel shot on 95% contax zeiss lenses with Scarlet.

watched it twice..beautiful.

 

[Domenic Barbero]

Thanks Brandon. Glad you liked it.

 

[David W. Jones]

I tried to use my set of Contax glass on my new 5dMkII the other day, and ran into lens check error issues, which I believe are due to the chipped adapters I am using. Of course they have worked flawlessly on every EF mount camera I have used up until this new MKIII.

Ideas?

Thanks!

Dave

 

[Ron Steinberg]

Get rid of the chipped adapters, you don't need them for video. My Contax 50/1.7 works great on my 5DII with a cheap ebay adapter. Next step is a Leitax, just wanted to see what all the fuss was about before I splurged.

Cheers,
Ron

I tried to use my set of Contax glass on my new 5dMkII the other day, and ran into lens check error issues, which I believe are due to the chipped adapters I am using. Of course they have worked flawlessly on every EF mount camera I have used up until this new MKIII.

Ideas?

Thanks!

Dave

 

[Nick Morrison]

I tried to use my set of Contax glass on my new 5dMkII the other day, and ran into lens check error issues, which I believe are due to the chipped adapters I am using. Of course they have worked flawlessly on every EF mount camera I have used up until this new MKIII.

Ideas?

Thanks!

Dave

Yeah I saw that yesterday on a shoot we had where a 5D III as a b-cam. As Ron says, its the "dandelion" chips. Just remove them. Or go Leitax (that's what I'm doing: 1/2 my kit is at RP lens now getting Leitaxed)

 

[Ben Scott]

Sold my Tokina 28-70f2.8 and bought a Contax 28-85, in addition to the 35mm f2.8 on its way to me.

This thread is such an addiction enabler...

 

[Tom Greenberg]

This thread is such an addiction enabler...

That is SO true...