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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

@Moc
I use the Contax lenses on a GH2 and a BMPCC as well. You don't need to be RED to appreciate them ;-)

BTW: You Greyhound race doesn't look like a beginners work at all!
 
I have, but I've invested in the Optitek Nikon mount for the R1, as I have quite a collection of Nikon lenses, as well as wanting to be able to use things like the Tokina 11-16. I have to stick with Nikon mount unless I go for the All Star A mount system.

David W. Jones said:
Have you thought about the Leitax EF mount for the Red One rather than a Nikon mount?
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Ron Steinberg said:
I have, but I've invested in the Optitek Nikon mount for the R1, as I have quite a collection of Nikon lenses, as well as wanting to be able to use things like the Tokina 11-16. I have to stick with Nikon mount unless I go for the All Star A mount system.
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The All-Star system is superb...
 
Hi Nick and everyone!
I have been following this thread for a long time, and I am so grateful for the wealth of information it contains. Over the last year, I have been slowly assembling a robust Contax glass collection. As many of you have noted, it becomes quite addictive! I was wondering if you had mentioned the filter diameters across the line, particularly the zooms. I am considering buying some screw in filters, since in most of my work I rarely need the extra encumbrance of my RED mattebox, and I plan to go the Cordvision Cine Ring route to bring them up to 77mm. Found this list (middle of the page) - but the zooms aren't mentioned.
 
jack.jpg


It's Friday Bitches! Enjoy your weekend!
Contax 35/1.4 AEG at f2 and 360 degree shutter to compensate for the shitty lighting in my office.
 
Joseph Seuferling said:
Hi Nick and everyone!
I have been following this thread for a long time, and I am so grateful for the wealth of information it contains. Over the last year, I have been slowly assembling a robust Contax glass collection. As many of you have noted, it becomes quite addictive! I was wondering if you had mentioned the filter diameters across the line, particularly the zooms. I am considering buying some screw in filters, since in most of my work I rarely need the extra encumbrance of my RED mattebox, and I plan to go the Cordvision Cine Ring route to bring them up to 77mm. Found this list (middle of the page) - but the zooms aren't mentioned.
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Sure, here you go:

80-200: 55mm
35-70: 67mm
100-300: 67mm
28-85: 82mm
35-135: 82mm
 
I've seen anywhere on this topic (or others website) talking about the Contax Glass was made by mixing the T* coating into the glass (?), is it true? or ...? We were talking about the bokeh, flare, but what is the main diffirent between the modern and old T* glass in term of creating glass process? (just want to know more about it). Thank.
 
Ooo nooo.... I've made the plunge.... first lens ordered. Contax Zeiss 28mm F/2, feeling I got a good deal though, looks to be in amazingly new shape and I picked it off of eBay for 1000 USD. Looking forward to building a speed set and having them rehoused by NAN. I've long loved the Zeiss Superspeeds and I feel this is as close as I will get for a while. Now on the hunt for the 35mm 50mm and 85mm commences! I will rehouse those 4 first and work with them for a while, down the road I want to grab the 21mm F/2.8 100mm F/2 and 135mm F/2 I think.

I have only found 21 2.8 in MM and I am building an AE set as I love the look of that glass. Was there any 21 2.8 AE made?

I am slowly plowing through the pages here, a bit behind on this thread, have hit page 40 now so thanks everyone for all the great info. I will be so happy to finally have a beautiful set of lenses I can call me own and make personal.


P.S. I plane to shoot these buggers at 2-2.8 as much as possible and let that ninja start shine baby..
 
Compare Zeiss C/Y and Canon Cine primes

Compare Zeiss C/Y and Canon Cine primes

Has anybody had experience with both?
I have slowly been building a set of C/Y, but have possibility of getting a complete set of the Canons.
I have to act fast so any thoughts?
 
by the way, been reading about the rehousing, bits and pieces through out this thread... whats the general consensus?

I will be using mine with 3 axis gimbal, steadicam, sliders, and sticks all with remote focus control, I use a mattebox and filters most of the time. weight is a bit of an issue only for the 3 axis gimbal as it only holds 12 pounds, will this be a problem with the heavier glass of the speed primes? Kinda feeling it would be nice to have a uniform set with the rehouse but seems most have opted for the cine conversion here.
 
My thought is that rehousing these lenses, while it might help with some mechanical issues, completely takes away the fact you're getting cine-quality optics in tiny compact packages.

Leitax/Declicking/Universal fronts/focus gears should be enough, at least for me. If you genuinely need more in terms of mechanics then it's time to rent for that particular day.

As for mixing MMJ, AEG and AEJ - don't over worry about it. It's all good.
 
Ben Scott said:
My thought is that rehousing these lenses, while it might help with some mechanical issues, completely takes away the fact you're getting cine-quality optics in tiny compact packages.

Leitax/Declicking/Universal fronts/focus gears should be enough, at least for me. If you genuinely need more in terms of mechanics then it's time to rent for that particular day.

As for mixing MMJ, AEG and AEJ - don't over worry about it. It's all good.
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Well Roy, because of my association with RP Lens, I'm obviously not completely unbiased, but I have to agree with Ben. I think rehousing is an awesome option for some lenses, and I'm looking forward to acquiring a couple myself (GL's 18-35 and 11-16), but I think that the extra size, weight and cost doesn't buy much with the Contax primes except better mechanics. Optical performance is the same, and costwise you are rapidly approaching the cost of ARRI Zeiss Standards, which are 2.1 across the range and don't exactly suck!

I will say that I'm a huge fan of the AE's, and think you will be really happy with them. My entire set of 10 Contax primes is currently all AE, but like you, I am still hunting for the elusive (and possibly non-existent) unicorn...the 21/2.8 AE.
 
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In terms of rehousing, I'm going to agree with Ben and Tom here. I think for the majority of work, having cinemods by RP Lens (where I go) or Duclos usually delivers comfortable, reliable performance. When paired with wireless focus (Bartech, etc) the cinemods definitely shine: the wireless focus systems "remap" the lenses and allow for very controlled long throws, and also seem to eliminate the need for focus marks...as most AC's are marking focus directly on the wireless controller (and no longer reading off the barrel). Also, by not rehousing you dramatically keep the weight down (I'm guessing by several pounds). As we enter an age of RED's being flown on Gimbals, I think smaller, light-weight lenses are going to be a HUGE ADVANTAGE.

As mentioned, some of these rigs will have a 10-15 pound limit: clearly having several extra pounds due to a rehouse is nothing to ignore.

That said, Nan's rehousings are great. They add weight and size, but add accurate focus marks, a longer focus throw, and a geared iris ring. And I believe he can give you a PL mount (or is he only doing EOS now?). As I have two sets of Contax glass at this point, I can see myself getting one rehoused in the future...but who knows...in this "gimbal" age (and with renting glass being so easy)...I may not have to!

But truth is, the cinemods are very, very convenient...and certainly work superbly on all my jobs (primarily broadcast work)...so I'm definitely grateful for the performance, ease, and portability (I can pack a war chest of glass in just two Pelicans).

Hope this helps!!
 
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Sure there are 21mm AEs, I have seen some on German Ebay. Currently there's none, though, and they seem rare.

P.S. I checked again and it may have been mislabeling. The photo was not really good, but it seems the highest number was green.
 
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