Contax Zeiss Survival Guide

[Matthew Benjamin Canada]

RED Dragon X / Zeiss Contax AE combo. Really pleased with how these turned out.

Fantastic.

 

[Prashanna Jayaseelan]

This is an amazing thread!!!

I’m just getting started on acquiring my set of Contax Zeiss MMJ and get them cine moded.

Thinking of these:

15mm f3.5 AEG (the only AEG I want)
21mm f2.8 MMJ
28mm f2 (Hollywood)
35mm f1.4 MMJ
50mm f1.4 MMJ
85mm f1.4 MMJ
135mm f2.8 MMJ


It’s gonna be an adventurous hunt for these. If anyone is selling these other than EBay - would love to purchase these off you.

 

[Miguel Calderon]

Hi everybody!
I'm considering ditching my full frame hybrid camera for an S35 cinema camera.
I've been very happy with my little Contax Zeiss set so far:
28 F2.8
35-70 F3.4
50 F1.7
85 F1.4
Now, one my main issues before changing systems is the fact I'd probably need to get a wide angle lens. With full frame, 28mm has been more than enough.
I know Contax has the marvelous 21 F2.8, but that's too expensive for me. There are the 18 F4, 16 F2.8 and 15 F3.5.
Do you guys have any experience with those?
There's also the Sigma 18-35 F1.8. Maybe that's just the most simple answer...
Cheers!

 

[Tommaso Alvisi]

Miguel, go for the 18mm till is relatively cheap...once is gone is gone...great lens with a distinctive look.

15 3.5 is expensive and its bulbous front pose a challenge for filtering.

16 2.8 is a fisheye so I'd say skip it unless you were a skater in the 90ies ha!

Sigma 18-35 diffused can be the cheapest solution but it's not matching really well especially as far as flares goes, also it's often warmer, it's not only diffusion and sharpness the problem...but if you use it sparingly just for some wide coverage it could be ok in the end.

Hope it helps!

 

[Kemalettin Sert]

i have 28mm 2.8 and what kinda adapter i need for this lens to be able use on A7s III ? most contax to e mount adapters says NEX only

 

[William Long]

A magical adapter!

18mm flange compared to a 45.5 or 44mm is going to be tough. )

 

[Uli Plank]

I love the 18mm on my Sony A7 RII, but for an S-35 cine camera with EF-mount I got me the Sigma. Great lens!
Yes, it flares differently, but the 18mm does too and it's pretty slow. IMHO, the Sigma can be graded easily to match the Zeiss C/Y line.
Far easier than matching a Red and a Sony A7 with the same glass ;-)

 

[Josh Hendrix]

I am looking to see if anyone has any insight on performance differences between the CZ 85 1.4 Planar and the 85 2.8 Sonnar.
I currently own the Planar and its an amazing lens but its a big boy. I've read that some people like the 2.8 better due to a better look/sharpness.
Can anyone confirm this or give any other insight between the two?

 

[Marcus Guider]

These are rich images. What focal lengths and F stops did you shoot at?

Thanks Matthew. If I remember correctly, I shot at a 2.8 and primarily used the 28mm and 50mm.

 

[Marcus Guider]

@Marcus Guider, nice shots! Very nice combo.

Thanks Steve! I built my set years ago utilizing the knowledge shared on this thread. It's served me well so far.

 

[Marcus Guider]

Very nice. A combo that has worked for us very well too. Congrats

Thanks Nick. I wouldn't have built my set, if I hadn't come across this thread. Thanks for the wisdom.

 

[Marcus Guider]

Hey man, these are lovely. Well done!!!

Same to you man! Great frames, and color and palette.

 

[Ted Parkes]

Before I got my lens mounts converted I used a simple Contax
to Canon adapter and the a Canon to e-mount metabones.

 

[Miguel Calderon]

Hello again friends,
anybody have experience with the Contax->M43 .71X speedboster by Metabones?
I've read complains about play between the lens mount and the adapter. But again, there's also the CINE version (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...bm4_contax_yashica_cy_micro_4_3.html/mode/edu) with a locking mechanism, which could potentially fix all this.
I think there's also a version by a brand called Kipon for about half the price (https://www.ebay.es/itm/Kipon-Adapt...tax-Yashica-to-Micro-Four-Thirds/121786564565) but I'm not sure how good it is...

If any of you have experience with either, I'd love to hear it.
I'm really hesitant to mod my lenses to EF, both for price and because I want to use them in Contax film bodies.

 

[Uli Plank]

Well, I own the Metabones for C/Y to NEX and it's pretty tight, but then MFT is not the strongest mount in the world.
As an alternative, the Zhongyi Lens Turbo Mark II is not too bad (but only the Mark II).

 

[Miguel Calderon]

Thanks Uli.
I'll see if I can get a hold off a Zhongyi Lens Turbo II, though I haven't been able to find ANY in Europe. I think they are also called Mitakon. Do you know where I could get one?

On the other hand, image quality-wise, do you think the Metabones is worth the extra 300€?

 

[Uli Plank]

There is one on Ebay Germany right now (to NEX): https://www.ebay.de/itm/Zhongyi-Len...337272?hash=item23ee81c4b8:g:dwwAAOSwey5gIu4J
For that price, I'd give it a try.
IIRC, got mine directly from China. And, yes, Mitakon should be the same.

 

[Miguel Calderon]

Yeah, it's at a great price! Only thing is, it's for E-mount, and I have MFT.
I think I'll wait to see if I find one at some point.
I think just a dummy adapter will do in the meantime :biggrin5:

 

[Fred Potts]

anyone use the Carl Zeiss Planar t 50mm f1.4? It a very low costing lens but may be handy for some handheld shots being much, much lighter then the big cinema lenses I use.

 

[William Long]

Yes, the 50mm f1.4 MM I have is really good. Most of that series is brilliant, use them all the time.