Contax Zeiss Survival Guide

[Ben Scott]

I've bought from Japan and China to come to the UK, which I appreciate is absolutely no help whatsoever

 

[Nick Morrison]

That was a 1.4 but oddly enough I got rid and now have a modded 1.7. Really should have kept hold of it as it had something special that 'perceived sharpness' can't make up for.

True that. The 1.4 has a "classic" feel that I love. We use it all the time.

 

[Samir Patel]

Have any of you guys bought lenses from eBay that came from Japan? Does it have to go through Customs? If so, what's the Tax? I never bought anything from abroad to be delivered in the US, only here in Brazil and down here Customs is harsh...

I'm looking at the 21mm from there... not sure I can find local for a good deal. Besides BH, Adorama, KEH, where else can I look?

I've bought a few lenses from Japan with delivery to US. They do go through customs but I have never received tax bill just had to wait for it to go through customs.

 

[Jake Wilganowski]

Ryan I PM'd you...

 

[Brandon OLarey]

Printing this off to hang near my desk. Great stuff!

 

[Brian Robbins]

Have any of you guys bought lenses from eBay that came from Japan? Does it have to go through Customs? If so, what's the Tax? I never bought anything from abroad to be delivered in the US, only here in Brazil and down here Customs is harsh...

I'm looking at the 21mm from there... not sure I can find local for a good deal. Besides BH, Adorama, KEH, where else can I look?

I've bought through ebay from a Japanese seller a few times. One of the lenses was my 35 1.4 MM. It was listed as EX+ by the seller but it was literally brand new in the box when I got it. No dust what so ever in the lens. 100% immaculate, and much cheaper than you'd find it on KEH or Adorama, assuming you can find one on their sites.

Go with a Japanese seller to get those rarer focal lengths. I actually found a Japanese seller who was willing to get focal lengths I wanted, and then do the transaction through ebay. Completely legit. Best lenses I own too. I've never paid tax on the lenses I got from Japan either.

 

[Jake Wilganowski]

Can you share the Japanese sellers info? Or PM it to me?

 

[DAVID BARKAN]

I've bought through ebay from a Japanese seller a few times. One of the lenses was my 35 1.4 MM. It was listed as EX+ by the seller but it was literally brand new in the box when I got it. No dust what so ever in the lens. 100% immaculate, and much cheaper than you'd find it on KEH or Adorama, assuming you can find one on their sites.

Go with a Japanese seller to get those rarer focal lengths. I actually found a Japanese seller who was willing to get focal lengths I wanted, and then do the transaction through ebay. Completely legit. Best lenses I own too. I've never paid tax on the lenses I got from Japan either.

Cool! Thanks! I might give a try for the 21mm, but how long did it take to arrive? And do you have his eBay name?

 

[DAVID BARKAN]

I've bought a few lenses from Japan with delivery to US. They do go through customs but I have never received tax bill just had to wait for it to go through customs.

did it take long to clear?

 

[Samir Patel]

did it take long to clear?

It depends on how they ship it I think. When I have ordered through a Japan seller which used EMS (express airmail service) it passed through customs immediately. Sometimes I have received the item within 3 days. When I ordered from another overseas seller that used other regular mail service it took over 10 days to go through customs which was very frustrating.

 

[Nick Morrison]

Hey guys here's an Ancient Aliens trailer I directed in September in LA. Most of the shots at the top are on the Contax 28-85, and all the C-Cam "cut aways" behind glasses and foreground elements are my Contax 60 2.8 Macro.

Everything else is shot mostly on a Standard Prime 135 and 180. On set the DP and DIT were happy all the glass seemed to match so well! In fact it was pretty hard to tell them apart.

In fact, I thought the Contax 60 2.8 may have been the sharpest lens we used all day. It looked AMAZING!

The mega wide at the top... and the last shot where Giorgio looks into camera and says "More to History"...was shot on a Super Speed 18mm.

Shot on two Epics and a Scarlet.

If you want to find out more about shoot, you can read this thread here.

Hope you enjoy!

 

[Ben Scott]

Commented in the other thread but well done mate. Really solid piece of work. Plus you got to work with the internet meme-meister.

 

[Nick Morrison]

Commented in the other thread but well done mate. Really solid piece of work. Plus you got to work with the internet meme-meister.

HAHAHAHAHA. Love it. Giorgio is the best. A real treat to work with.

 

[DAVID BARKAN]

Hey guys here's an Ancient Aliens trailer I directed in September in LA.

Looks great man!

I'm almost set on what package to get, I just can't decide if I get the 135 or a 80-200 for now. But this is what I'm down to:

25mm Distagon AEG(J) f/2.8
35mm Distagon MMJ f/1.4
50mm Planar MMJ f/1.4
85mm Planar MMJ f/1.4
135mm Sonnar MMJ f/2.8 or 80-200 MMJ Vario-Sonnar f/4
and
35-70mm Vario-Sonnar MMJ f/3.4 or 28-85 f/3.3-4 Vario-Sonar MMJ (It's currently easier to find a decent 35-70 then the 28-85, although I'd prefer it for the range)

This is my line of thought; Since I'm starting this investment, I thought I'd start with the "premium" lenses, ones that I could rent out if I need to, and I know are good investments, so I went with the basic 35, 50, 85 f/1.4, and one extra lens on each end. The 21mm is tooo pricey for now I can always get it later on, as well as the 100 f/2. So I thought I'd throw in the useful ones 25mm (wider then 28mm and more versatile) and a tele on the other end, either prime or zoom.
I'd love to get the 60mm Macro, but by sacrificing it I'll be able to CineMod all the lenses plus get the 25 and 135 (or 80-200).

What you guys think/suggest?

cheers!

 

[Nick Morrison]

Looks great man!

I'm almost set on what package to get, I just can't decide if I get the 135 or a 80-200 for now. But this is what I'm down to:

25mm Distagon AEG(J) f/2.8
35mm Distagon MMJ f/1.4
50mm Planar MMJ f/1.4
85mm Planar MMJ f/1.4
135mm Sonnar MMJ f/2.8 or 80-200 MMJ Vario-Sonnar f/4
and
35-70mm Vario-Sonnar MMJ f/3.4 or 28-85 f/3.3-4 Vario-Sonar MMJ (It's currently easier to find a decent 35-70 then the 28-85, although I'd prefer it for the range)

This is my line of thought; Since I'm starting this investment, I thought I'd start with the "premium" lenses, ones that I could rent out if I need to, and I know are good investments, so I went with the basic 35, 50, 85 f/1.4, and one extra lens on each end. The 21mm is tooo pricey for now I can always get it later on, as well as the 100 f/2. So I thought I'd throw in the useful ones 25mm (wider then 28mm and more versatile) and a tele on the other end, either prime or zoom.
I'd love to get the 60mm Macro, but by sacrificing it I'll be able to CineMod all the lenses plus get the 25 and 135 (or 80-200).

What you guys think/suggest?

cheers!

Your set looks good! Personally, I'd get the 135 2.8 over the 80-200 for now, only because that way you are 2.8 from 25mm to 135mm.

Def get the 80-200 eventually, though.

There's a good 28-85 right now at KEH, FYI.

 

[DAVID BARKAN]

Your set looks good! Personally, I'd get the 135 2.8 over the 80-200 for now, only because that way you are 2.8 from 25mm to 135mm.

Def get the 80-200 eventually, though.

There's a good 28-85 right now at KEH, FYI.

Sounds about right... 135mm should be the best bet for now. I'll get the 80-200 whenever I get the 60mm.

And about the 28-85, that just got in I suppose... EX should be fine? I'm always after the EX+ (on fear haha)

 

[David W. Jones]

I tend to use my 100mm f2.0 more often the I use my 135mm f2.8, but that's just me.

 

[DAVID BARKAN]

I tend to use my 100mm f2.0 more often the I use my 135mm f2.8, but that's just me.

I personally love the 100mm focal length and use it quite often (usually Canon's 100 Macro L) but the price difference is huge, I'll probably get the 100 f/2 next time though.

 

[Nick Morrison]

Sounds about right... 135mm should be the best bet for now. I'll get the 80-200 whenever I get the 60mm.

And about the 28-85, that just got in I suppose... EX should be fine? I'm always after the EX+ (on fear haha)

I personally have never had issues with EX at KEH, but that's just me.

I tend to use my 100mm f2.0 more often the I use my 135mm f2.8, but that's just me.

Funny, we always use the 85 1.4, and rarely the 100 f2. Not sure why. Have to get the f2 more in rotation.

I love the 135mm focal length, I think it's perfect for portraits. Sets us a bit too far back for interviews (whereas the 85 is perfect), but still...a wonderful focal length.

 

[Samir Patel]

Here's a sample from a shoot last weekend. Its a poor still from a Quicktime, but I promise I'll post the video (and many others) next week or immediately after the holidays. Shot on a 21mm 2.8 Contax, Scarlet 3k 48fps, on a Seven Jib, with Hollywood Black Magic filtration. Graded.

And here's the Tim Burton version...pretty terrifying and spellbinding at same time...part of me wishes we'd gone in that direction...but it would have been way too much (for that job...but for another future gig...this dark, tilt shifted look is unreal).

Saw it on television today. Great job Nick!