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Contax Zeiss Survival Guide

Hey all,

Came across this thread a while back and it really peaked my interest. A great write up and I really like the look of those lens caps Birk Kromann!

I love little gems like this and like most things I'm extremely late to the party but I do love collecting and while I've read through some of the information I'm after, I'm looking for a bit more insight.

So while I don't own a Red camera myself, my set up is a little black magic micro cinema camera and the 0.58 EF speedbooster.

So my first question has to do with modding the C/Y mount over to EF with Leitax mounts, then shaving down any protruding metal to avoid contacting the speed boosters optical cell. Now I know getting a dumb adapter would be much easier but I like to have the speed booster bolted to the cage and on top of that 3x crop is just too damn much.

I found a post here of someone who did a similar thing. http://www.danmccomb.com/modify-contax-zeiss-lenses-metabones-speedbooster/

Here he ran into the issue of still breaking a pin event though he shaved down the metal. Is it simply because he missed shaving something down or is there something else to be aware of?
Secondly does anyone know how well the focus is kept using this method? If I can't get infinity there's not too much point I'd say.

From what I can see I want to be looking for MMJ models, green markings but what has me a little confused is the RTS mount. Are all MMJ lenses RTS mount? or is there something to look out for?

I'm looking into getting around 4 primes and 2 zooms if everything works out well with the speedbooster.

I notice some are way cheaper than others.

I like the look of,

21mm 2.8
35mm 1.4
50mm 1.4
85mm 1.4

I'd like a wider one but I'd read that they weren't quite as good?

I like the constant aperture zooms.
80-200mm (bit confused with this one, I've seen a couple different fstop version?)
35-70mm 3.4

Are these good picks? From what I've seen people seem to love the 21, 28 f2, 35 and 85 but some are just so expensive especially if I don't know it'l mount properly plus put more money into the convert. How well do the zooms go against the primes?

Considering I'd still have a 1.7 crop I think this selection will work well for me. Is there anything to be concerned about when converting them to EF? Also which Leitax wide/narrow mount is for which lens?

I'm thinking of starting with the 35-70 zoom or the 50mm since they are the cheaper of the bunch and working out how difficult it is to make fit on the speed booster.

Lastly does anyone know a good lens place to mod and service each lens I get along the way? I live in Melbourne Australia and can't seem to find a place that specializes.

Thank you all in advance and I'm sorry to drain you as I'm sure these have most likely been asked at some point!

Thanks.

Ryan.
 
Ryan Payne said:
Hey all,

Came across this thread a while back and it really peaked my interest. A great write up and I really like the look of those lens caps Birk Kromann!

I love little gems like this and like most things I'm extremely late to the party but I do love collecting and while I've read through some of the information I'm after, I'm looking for a bit more insight.

So while I don't own a Red camera myself, my set up is a little black magic micro cinema camera and the 0.58 EF speedbooster.

So my first question has to do with modding the C/Y mount over to EF with Leitax mounts, then shaving down any protruding metal to avoid contacting the speed boosters optical cell. Now I know getting a dumb adapter would be much easier but I like to have the speed booster bolted to the cage and on top of that 3x crop is just too damn much.

I found a post here of someone who did a similar thing. http://www.danmccomb.com/modify-contax-zeiss-lenses-metabones-speedbooster/

Here he ran into the issue of still breaking a pin event though he shaved down the metal. Is it simply because he missed shaving something down or is there something else to be aware of?
Secondly does anyone know how well the focus is kept using this method? If I can't get infinity there's not too much point I'd say.

From what I can see I want to be looking for MMJ models, green markings but what has me a little confused is the RTS mount. Are all MMJ lenses RTS mount? or is there something to look out for?

I'm looking into getting around 4 primes and 2 zooms if everything works out well with the speedbooster.

I notice some are way cheaper than others.

I like the look of,

21mm 2.8
35mm 1.4
50mm 1.4
85mm 1.4

I'd like a wider one but I'd read that they weren't quite as good?

I like the constant aperture zooms.
80-200mm (bit confused with this one, I've seen a couple different fstop version?)
35-70mm 3.4

Are these good picks? From what I've seen people seem to love the 21, 28 f2, 35 and 85 but some are just so expensive especially if I don't know it'l mount properly plus put more money into the convert. How well do the zooms go against the primes?

Considering I'd still have a 1.7 crop I think this selection will work well for me. Is there anything to be concerned about when converting them to EF? Also which Leitax wide/narrow mount is for which lens?

I'm thinking of starting with the 35-70 zoom or the 50mm since they are the cheaper of the bunch and working out how difficult it is to make fit on the speed booster.

Lastly does anyone know a good lens place to mod and service each lens I get along the way? I live in Melbourne Australia and can't seem to find a place that specializes.

Thank you all in advance and I'm sorry to drain you as I'm sure these have most likely been asked at some point!

Thanks.

Ryan.
Click to expand...

Ryan those picks are good. The Zooms and Primes match well, just the zooms are slower. There is only one 80-200. The 70-210 is an older lens that is similar but way more expensive (and not as good overall).

Enjoy!
 
Thanks for the response Nick. It's good to know the zooms will serve well with enough light.

Do you have any experience with the metabones speedbooster situation and which leitax mount (narrow/wide) is for which lens?

Thanks again.

Ryan.
 
Are you really planning to use them with the BMCC? The crop factor is much bigger than for S-35.
Even the very expensive 21mm won't be really wide. Plus, the only wider, but slower lens, the 18mm f4, won't fit a SpeedBooster.

I'd rather look for S-16 or 1" lenses to keep things simple, there are some gems in this area too, some even from Zeiss.
 
Thanks for the link William! Just what I needed.

I'm using it on the micro cinema camera, so a 2.8x crop original and a 1.7x crop with the speed booster. So using anything without would be quite a challenge and I've had a glance into the s16 territory but the eBay sellers are so ambiguous, I've heard numerous cases saying that a lens will cover the sensor and it does not.

I love a few things about the Zeiss glass and one of them is that once converted to EF they will be good for a ton of cameras. S16 glass is quite limiting in that regard but I do agree very well made so if you know of any quality ones that are relatively cheap it might be a decent start.

Thanks guys.

Ryan.
 
Your problem will be the wide end. The Pocket has the same sensor, so here are some threads:

There is even one thread here at reduser: http://www.reduser.net/forum/showth...16-Lenses-on-Black-Magic-Pocket-Cinema-Camera

A very useful one is here at PV: https://www.personal-view.com/talks...-the-blackmagic-pocket-cinema-camera-bmpcc/p1

Some stuff here: http://www.vintagelensesforvideo.com/category/bmpcc/

What I personally use or have tested:

For zooms: the Schneider Variogon 18-90 (heavy, but good) and the Angenieux 20-80mm (small, light, but soft WO). The 17.5- 70 is said to cover as well, the 17-68 definitely does not cover.

For primes:

I didn't find a good vintage lens for a decent price under 10mm, so I got a Kowa 8mm f1.4. Relatively strong distortion, but sharp and contrasty, modern look.

– Schneider Cinegon 10mm (the one with the 55mm front thread, the other one doesn't cover), a wonderful lens, pretty low distortion, nice vintage look.

– A Pentax Cosmicar 12.5mm (the one for 1" TV tubes, the other one is 2/3 and doesn't cover).

– A Schneider Cinegon 16mm, it covers

From 25mm onwards nearly all old TV primes cover, there are also some great little TV lenses from Canon and some nice Soviet primes.
 
Thanks for the super 16 suggestions but I think I'm set on exploring the contact zeiss. I am curious though as to why the 18mm F4 won't work? I'm well up for shaving anything out of the way.

Maybe I could get something like the Rokinon 16mm on a speedbooster to match in post, a bit of a hassle but has anyone been successful in this regard? Seems like a good pick on paper to go with a set of contax Zeiss.
 
Well, if you don't want to shave off some glass, it won't work ;-)

At least not with the original SpeedBooster, since the rear lens is protruding. Maybe with the LensTurba II. When I had a look at one from a friend, it's front lens seemed a bit deeper in the tube. The optical quality of the second generation is not too shabby, these are the best of the SB knock-offs in my friends opinion.

I don't have a Rokinon/Samyang, can't check if that would match.
 
Just upgraded my Contax set to the Super Speeds and took delivery of my Monstro. Seriously loving this combo.
gvfwscor1
gvfwscor1

https://postimg.org/image/gvfwscor1/

PS - What's the proper way to embed photo's here? I tried the insert photo button....
 
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Hey guys, just checking but is there a considerable difference between the smaller sized contax zeiss? Other than that they generally have a 2.8 aperture, they are a whole heap smaller and a heap cheaper?

There must be an optical difference? considering the price difference?
 
Ryan Payne said:
Hey guys, just checking but is there a considerable difference between the smaller sized contax zeiss? Other than that they generally have a 2.8 aperture, they are a whole heap smaller and a heap cheaper?

There must be an optical difference? considering the price difference?
Click to expand...

Not much of a difference optically. Just a stop (or two) slower. And yes...smaller (so sometimes less focus throw, btw).

The 28 2.8 is GREAT at 2.8
The 35 2.8 is GREAT at 2.8
The 50 1.7 may be sharper than the 50 1.4
The 85 2.8 is razor sharp wide open, with gorgeous bokeh.
 
I have both versions for some focal lengths and the slower ones are absolutely as good as the more expensive and faster ones, some are even better at the same stop, as Nick wrote.
IMHO, there is only one lens to stay away from, the cheap Vario Sonnar T* 28-70mm 1:3.5-4.5, which was probably made by a third party and shouldn't have the right to bear the Zeiss name (not to be confused with the excellent 28-85mm).

The slower lenses are a very good entry into the Zeiss C/Y world and excellent for traveling light or for drones.

BTW: there's a minty Vario Sonnar 35-135 mm f 3.3-4.5 from France right now in the bay starting from 720€, no bid yet. I have to resist my LBA!
 
Do all C/Y adapters to EF wobble? I just got one from ebay and the lens is all wobbly when shooting. Or do I need to spend more $ on a decent one. Which one do you recommend.
 
Joe Cage said:
Do all C/Y adapters to EF wobble? I just got one from ebay and the lens is all wobbly when shooting. Or do I need to spend more $ on a decent one. Which one do you recommend.
Click to expand...

If you want a rock solid connection, I would imagine the only way is using Leitax hard-mount adapters in combination with a locking EF mount.

I have three different regular adapters and they all introduce some play in the mount.
 
Quick question: Is there any place that has rental C/Y lenses?

I'm really curious about the 15/f3.5 and 21/f2.8 lenses, but I first need to confirm that the image circles they project are sufficiently large enough for my purposes (i.e., they have to be able to cover a 24x36 sensor and allow for at least 5mm of rise/fall/shift movements.)

Unfortunately, given the market prices for excellent condition copies, I'm reluctant to buy them blindly and hope for the best.

Any info will be appreciated ... thanks!

JG
 
Jeff Goggin said:
Quick question: Is there any place that has rental C/Y lenses?

I'm really curious about the 15/f3.5 and 21/f2.8 lenses, but I first need to confirm that the image circles they project are sufficiently large enough for my purposes (i.e., they have to be able to cover a 24x36 sensor and allow for at least 5mm of rise/fall/shift movements.)

Unfortunately, given the market prices for excellent condition copies, I'm reluctant to buy them blindly and hope for the best.

Any info will be appreciated ... thanks!

JG
Click to expand...

DuAll in NYC rents them. I don't believe he has the 15mm though.
 
Joe Cage said:
Do all C/Y adapters to EF wobble? I just got one from ebay and the lens is all wobbly when shooting. Or do I need to spend more $ on a decent one. Which one do you recommend.
Click to expand...

@Joe I've been using the Beschoi adapters (bought on Amazon) on my Contax lenses and they're both very inexpensive and have no wobble at all. Maybe I just got really lucky with mine, but I have 3 so far and they all work amazingly well.
 
Joe Cage said:
Do all C/Y adapters to EF wobble? I just got one from ebay and the lens is all wobbly when shooting. Or do I need to spend more $ on a decent one. Which one do you recommend.
Click to expand...

The K&F adapters are really solid almost as solid as Leitax. And they focus to infinity and not past as many others. They're $20.
I use macro tubes a lot so Leitax was not an option for me.
 
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