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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Contax Zeiss Survival Guide

60 2.8 with some HBM:

10705556664_6a82a9cac1_z.jpg


And another:

10705556594_036740b8ac_z.jpg



Off the bat, I didn't take this lens to be good for fashion, but...it is. Longer than a 50mm, but shorter than an 85mm, if was perfect for the small room we were in.

And then...it was sharp...like crazy sharp...slicing through the HBM filtration we put on it...like butter.

And as we were lit for a 2.8, we could leave it WO...giving us GORGEOUS circular highlights.

My DP fell out of his chair when we put it on....couldn't believe how sharp!!!
 
Nick Morrison said:
That's what I have...an AEG.
Click to expand...
I have an AEG too. The focus movement feels a bit stiff - smooth but a bit firm.
Took it to a local shop be regreased but they told me the movement seemed fine to them.
I'd really like to know whether the focus ring on your 4/18 AEGs on the firm side?
 
Tim Peck said:
I have an AEG too. The focus movement feels a bit stiff - smooth but a bit firm.
Took it to a local shop be regreased but they told me the movement seemed fine to them.
I'd really like to know whether the focus ring on your 4/18 AEGs on the firm side?
Click to expand...

I have an 18 F4 MMJ, and it's one of the smoothest focusing Contax I have. If you read this Pebblespace review, you'll see he pretty much says the same thing:

PEBBLESPACE ON BUILD
The 18mm Distagon’s manual focus ring is sublime and probably the smoothest focusing Contax lens. The focus ring only requires a light touch - very Leica-esque. Like all the Contax RTS lenses, the aperture ring clicks in full stop increments. This is fine for landscapes since most scenes are typically shot at F8 or F11. The 18mm Distagon uses the Contax 70-86 Metal Ring as a combination hood / filter adapter. The Contax specifications state to use the Contax #1 Metal Hood, but in my opinion the 70-86 ring did well enough.
Click to expand...

PEBBLESPACE ON LACK OF DISTORTION
I love this part of his review, too:

Over the years what struck me as most impressive about the Contax 18mm is its distortion correction. Compared to the 21mm F2.8 Distagon and the 28mm F2.8 Distagon, the 18mm Distagon has less visible distortion to my eye. The other impressive characteristic is the 18mm Distagon’s near focus abilities. From a creative standpoint, I like to focus on near subjects, so the Contax 18mm floating element is an important consideration (for my needs).
Click to expand...
 
Thanks Nick. Good to know. Looks like I need to send it for a bit of a service at the Lens Doctor!
 
Nick Morrison said:
That's what I have...an AEG.
Click to expand...
Sorry for throwing in that random ball of confusion. I got it in my head that you were talking about the 18mm f4 aeg, not the 25mm. Don't know where that came from.
Have to say this thread is quite addictive and full of useful advice.
 
Tim Peck said:
Sorry for throwing in that random ball of confusion. I got it in my head that you were talking about the 18mm f4 aeg, not the 25mm. Don't know where that came from.
Have to say this thread is quite addictive and full of useful advice.
Click to expand...

I have a 25 AEG, and an 18 MMJ. The 18 focuses like silk. The 25 is good too, but the Pebblespace dude is right...the 18's focus like gems.
 
Nick Morrison said:
I have a 25 AEG, and an 18 MMJ. The 18 focuses like silk. The 25 is good too, but the Pebblespace dude is right...the 18's focus like gems.
Click to expand...
I have a relatively early 18 AEG (#599xxxx), and it focuses like butter...my 25 is also an AEG (#631xxxx)...very smooth, but as Nick says, the 18 is smoother.
 
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I'll have to hold on to if for now. Honestly need to use it more. One of the things I've been iffy on my copy is that I purchased it from someone that had it declicked but I think the aperture ring needs more grease in there as it is too easy to nudge when I am focusing.
 
Nick Morrison said:
60 2.8 with some HBM:

10705556664_6a82a9cac1_z.jpg


And another:

10705556594_036740b8ac_z.jpg



Off the bat, I didn't take this lens to be good for fashion, but...it is. Longer than a 50mm, but shorter than an 85mm, if was perfect for the small room we were in.

And then...it was sharp...like crazy sharp...slicing through the HBM filtration we put on it...like butter.

And as we were lit for a 2.8, we could leave it WO...giving us GORGEOUS circular highlights.

My DP fell out of his chair when we put it on....couldn't believe how sharp!!!
Click to expand...

Nick these look great! What is HBM filtration? I think I like the 60mm focal range. It's why I've been very much intrigued by that new 58mm Nikkor that was just released.
 
Samir Patel said:
Nick these look great! What is HBM filtration? I think I like the 60mm focal range. It's why I've been very much intrigued by that new 58mm Nikkor that was just released.
Click to expand...

HBM is "Hollywood Black Magic". It seems to be trending right now. They use it on Game of Thrones, for example. Its a BLEND of 1/8 Black Promist (to bloom highlights a bit, to make them a bit more analog)...and CLASSIC SOFT, which adds a bit of "glow". Every "strength" of HBM always maintains a 1/8 BPM base....what increases or decreases is the amount of Classic Soft glow you want.

The weakest strength that exists in 77mm is 1/2 Hollywood Black Magic, so I always carry x3 of those filters (plus a "1" strength too) in my "filter box" (my shoots are almost always 2 cameras, as they are promo/interview "talent" based...and I'm sure they will reach 3 cameras)...so I always buy THREE of every filter I like. Crazy, I know, but it's paid off over and over again this year!!

Glad you like these Samir! Means a lot!!!
 
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Samir Patel said:
Thanks Nick. Haha I'm just a guy with a camera. I really need to take time out of my day job (real estate) to work on some personal projects and get back into commercial production.
Click to expand...

Haha. No worries, I'm just a promo producer trying to convince the world I should be directing and producing more shoots. Which is why I buy tons of "tricks" I can wield on set. When you don't have the budget to save you, the only thing you have is your wits, experience, and preparation...which is why I go into every small job guns blazing with a portable war chest of lenses and filters and lights that are basically a feature film or commercial's "approach" packed up into 4 pelican cases of gear.

So far...seems to kind of be working!

Keep at it!!!!
 
Paul Russell said:
Nick

what brand of filters do you recommend for HBM? And what would make a good starter kit?
Please excuse me if this is a dumb question.
Click to expand...

Paul, HBM is made by Schnieder Optics, and is proprietary to them...so you can't go wrong. I'd start with a 1/2 if you are going budget with 77mm screw ins (1/2 is entry level strength with 77mm). I find a "1" a bit too much. If you are buying 4x5.65 drop in filters, then maybe get a 1/4 too. To me a 1/8 would be too weak and I wouldn't see the point.

Hope this helps!!
 
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