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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

Nick Morrison said:
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.
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I dig my 100 F2 AEG
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Cheers
B.
 
Hey everyone, I ordered my "starter" lens package... should be arriving in a week or two... I'm not going for the full Cinemod from Dualll after all... I just can't afford it at the moment, since I need to buy a case, filters, etc...
This is what I got:

25mm Distagon f/2.8 (AEG)
35mm Distagon f/1.4 (MMJ)
50mm Planar f/1.4 (MMJ)
85mm Planar f/1.4 (MMJ)
135mm Sonnar f/2.8 (AEJ)
28-85mm Vario-Sonnar f/3.3-4 (MMJ)

Half from KEH half from Japan(ebay).

Plus the Cordvision rings and caps, the Cavsion LH-80 Hood, a set of 77mm IR/NDs, and the Fotodiox Pro C/Y to EF adapter. I should be covered for most things I do.

Thanks for all the help and information!

BTW, I don't think I want to get a Pelican, people love stealing these down where I live... do any of you recommend a backpack?
 
David W. Jones said:
I'm using Storm cases im2500
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The thing is that here in Brazil, hardcases are too sought after by criminals... anything that resembles professional, is no good. I'll probably get the Lowepro Pro Runner x350 AW, looks about right.
 
Ben Scott said:
That's a great starter set David. Would love a 35 f1.4.
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I went straight for the 35mm 1.4, because I knew if I had gotten the 2.8 version, the 1.4 would be my last upgrade option. Especially since I use the 35mm focal length a LOT, both in FF and S35, an out of the "premium" Contaxes it was the cheapest.
 
Ben Scott said:
Don't get me wrong though, the 35mm f2.8 is a fantastic lens. I wonder if I'd get more mileage out of a 28mm f2 though, which are relatively reasonable price-wise.
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I'm sure it is... but owning the 35, 50, and 85 f/1.4 trio was tempting enough. I thought about the 28 f/2, but didn't have the budget for both... but from reading the posts on this Topic, I couldn't tell if there's any gain compared to the excellent 2.8 version. I choose the 25mm because of the focal length really...
 
Ben Scott said:
Don't get me wrong though, the 35mm f2.8 is a fantastic lens. I wonder if I'd get more mileage out of a 28mm f2 though, which are relatively reasonable price-wise.
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FWIW, if I had my choice of the 35 1.4 or 28 2.0, I would take the 28 all day, regardless of price difference. I have the 28 2.8 and had the 35 2.8, and I just NEVER could use the 35. I always needed wider or longer. I now have the Sigma 18-35 to flesh out the wide end of my set, I use it when I need something faster or wider than I have in my contax set. I have been incredibly pleased. But brining it back to your topic, I think each person is different, and jsut because a 35mm is popular, it doesn't mean you will reach for it. 28mm is awesome for me, probably on about 55% of my shots.
 
Jeffrey T. Morgan said:
FWIW, if I had my choice of the 35 1.4 or 28 2.0, I would take the 28 all day, regardless of price difference. I have the 28 2.8 and had the 35 2.8, and I just NEVER could use the 35. I always needed wider or longer. I now have the Sigma 18-35 to flesh out the wide end of my set, I use it when I need something faster or wider than I have in my contax set. I have been incredibly pleased. But brining it back to your topic, I think each person is different, and jsut because a 35mm is popular, it doesn't mean you will reach for it. 28mm is awesome for me, probably on about 55% of my shots.
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That's why I got the 25mm, I know I'm going to use it a lot... my next investment will probably be the 60 macro, 28 2 and the 18

But again, has anyone compared the 28 f2 at around f4 to see if there's any difference. And BTW, did they make a 28 f2 MM? I haven't seen one for sale...
 
DAVID BARKAN said:
That's why I got the 25mm, I know I'm going to use it a lot... my next investment will probably be the 60 macro, 28 2 and the 18

But again, has anyone compared the 28 f2 at around f4 to see if there's any difference. And BTW, did they make a 28 f2 MM? I haven't seen one for sale...
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They didn't seem to make a 28 f2 MM, from what I can tell. I've only seen one on sale on ebay, and to be honest...not sure if it was real.

The 28 f2 at F4 is very sharp. Wide open it's ok. Has crazy bokeh fyi.
 
At f4 you'd be hard pressed to see any difference in sharpness against the 28mm 1:2.8, but at 2.8 my slower 28 (a MM) is sharper/more contrasty.

I opted for AE for all my fast ones and MM for the slower ones (not that there would be a choice at 28mm, I've never seen a 28 MM 1:2 here in Germany).
 
Nick Morrison said:
They didn't seem to make a 28 f2 MM, from what I can tell. I've only seen one on sale on ebay, and to be honest...not sure if it was real.

The 28 f2 at F4 is very sharp. Wide open it's ok. Has crazy bokeh fyi.
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28 f2 MM exists. I own one. It's an awesome lens. That and the 35 1.4 are my favorites. 28 f2 MM is rare though. I checked ebay everyday for a good few months before I found one.
 
Uli Plank said:
At f4 you'd be hard pressed to see any difference in sharpness against the 28mm 1:2.8, but at 2.8 my slower 28 (a MM) is sharper/more contrasty.
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It's what id' think of it. It's a pretty damn good investment though, they'll be harder and harder to find.

I opted for AE for all my fast ones and MM for the slower ones (not that there would be a choice at 28mm, I've never seen a 28 MM 1:2 here in Germany).
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Any particular reason? I got the 25mm AE because everyone recommends so, but the 135 I got AEJ as a mistake, but don't really care. I'm just crazy curious to start testing them...

Brian Robbins said:
28 f2 MM exists. I own one. It's an awesome lens. That and the 35 1.4 are my favorites. 28 f2 MM is rare though. I checked ebay everyday for a good few months before I found one.
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Wow, rare indeed... mind posting some samples?
 
Brian Robbins said:
28 f2 MM exists. I own one. It's an awesome lens. That and the 35 1.4 are my favorites. 28 f2 MM is rare though. I checked ebay everyday for a good few months before I found one.
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NICE! The loch ness exists! I wasn't sure if there was an MM, nice to know!!
 
My strategy was simple: MM and faster lenses tend to fetch higher prices. OTOH, I'd use fast lenses WO most of the time – or why buy fast (and Zeiss) ?

So, I don't care if they have "Ninja" bokeh when stopped down one or two steps. Plus, I like their older coatings.

The slower ones are still affordable in MM, are very sharp WO and don't show strange bokeh patterns.

Best of both worlds for a reasonable investment. Now I have a pretty complete collection, the only one that will remain a dream for me is the 21mm…
 
Uli Plank said:
My strategy was simple: MM and faster lenses tend to fetch higher prices. OTOH, I'd use fast lenses WO most of the time – or why buy fast (and Zeiss) ?

So, I don't care if they have "Ninja" bokeh when stopped down one or two steps. Plus, I like their older coatings.

The slower ones are still affordable in MM, are very sharp WO and don't show strange bokeh patterns.

Best of both worlds for a reasonable investment. Now I have a pretty complete collection, the only one that will remain a dream for me is the 21mm…
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I see, interesting strategy! =) And yeah, the 21mm is going for more then a new ZE... is it that worth it?
 
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