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Contax Zeiss Survival Guide

True, that 28-70 isn't a great lens. If you consider an alternative, try the Minolta 35-70, I tested it against the Contax and wrote earlier in this thread about it. It is parfocal, has two-touch, constant aperture and is very close in optical quality (was licensed by Leica!). No problem to do a precise creep-in or out with that.

Unfortunately it has a different mount. Maybe you can find the Tokina AT-X 28-85mm in C/Y mount. It's better than the "Zeiss" 28-70, but not as good as the other, true Zeiss zooms or the Minolta. Parfocal and two-touch, but not constant aperture.
 
Uli Plank said:
True, that 28-70 isn't a great lens. If you consider an alternative, try the Minolta 35-70, I tested it against the Contax and wrote earlier in this thread about it. It is parfocal, has two-touch, constant aperture and is very close in optical quality (was licensed by Leica!). No problem to do a precise creep-in or out with that.

Unfortunately it has a different mount. Maybe you can find the Tokina AT-X 28-85mm in C/Y mount. It's better than the "Zeiss" 28-70, but not as good as the other, true Zeiss zooms or the Minolta. Parfocal and two-touch, but not constant aperture.
Click to expand...

I have this Minolta 35-70, modded to EOS, and can 100% confirm it's parfocal! Great little lens! Has a nice feel to it, and sturdy Macro feature too. Can't wait to throw it on my Scarlet!
 
And isn't it impressive how they manage to keep aperture constant by adjusting the blades when zooming?

Haven't seen anything like that in today's lenses.
 
Nick Morrison said:
They are all push pull yes. I don't advise getting the 28-70, it's not a "real" Zeiss - it's a 3rd party design (Sigma? Tokina?) that Zeiss licensed as an entry level zoom (it appears Leica licensed a very similar lens, if not the same, as their lineup includes a zoom with sibling specs)
Click to expand...

i think ill stick with the primes,
any one know any tutorials, you tube or anywhere else on de-clicking the aperture on MMJ primes?
ive done it to a few nikons and helios lenses, but before i open one up i like to watch someone else do it first!
thanks!
 
Iris declicking tutorial:

Step 1: Bite the bullet and take your lenses to a lens tech and get them declicked.
Step 2: Enjoy fully working and wonderfully declicked irises.
Step 3: Do not worry about how you managed to screw all of your lenses in just a few short hours because it transpires it is harder than it looks to dismantle a decades-old lens and reassemble it perfectly.
 
Nick Morrison said:
Hey David, sure look me up! I have a number of modded Contax zooms you can play with:
35-70
28-85
80-200
100-300
35-135

The 35-135 is a beast. Mine seems to be parfocal, but as you say...hard to "keep focus" as your zoom/focus all at once!!!
Click to expand...

Thanks, I appreciate it. I'll be heading up in april or may, not sure yet.

@jordan levy
In theory all Zeiss Push/Pull zooms should be parfocal since there's no additional focus marking corrections. If you're focused on 10feet, and zoom in, it'll still be at 10feet, it's part of the design.
You shouldn't discard the zooms, they are quite amazing. Better then anything out there today.
 
DAVID BARKAN said:
Thanks, I appreciate it. I'll be heading up in april or may, not sure yet.

@jordan levy
In theory all Zeiss Push/Pull zooms should be parfocal since there's no additional focus marking corrections. If you're focused on 10feet, and zoom in, it'll still be at 10feet, it's part of the design.
You shouldn't discard the zooms, they are quite amazing. Better then anything out there today.
Click to expand...

the problem is that i have focus pullers, with a follow focus, so im sure they are pretty, but i need a situation that works on set.
i need to fix the issue ive had with 5D's forever, i zoom in even a little bit and all my AC's marks are off.
i was hoping to find a good and inexpensive resolution. might not exist…though i see the LWZ going for considerably less these days!
 
jordan levy said:
the problem is that i have focus pullers, with a follow focus, so im sure they are pretty, but i need a situation that works on set.
i need to fix the issue ive had with 5D's forever, i zoom in even a little bit and all my AC's marks are off.
i was hoping to find a good and inexpensive resolution. might not exist…though i see the LWZ going for considerably less these days!
Click to expand...

As Uli said, the Rokkor 35-70 is parfocal.
 
Some more quick 28mm Hollywood tests on the 6D

For a bokeh monster it is sharper than I expected it to be. Especially stopped down to circa 2.8-4, which naturally I never did for any of these. ;)







Some 'Ninja Star bokeh'




And one straight out of the camera with zero tweaking




I know none of these pics are groundbreaking, but this lens is amazing. Close focusing wide angle fast super bokeh monster flare-prone lens!
 
Doing some research today, and stumbled on these Contax 35-70 pics on flckr. These pics aren't mine, but still show off the range and "magic" of this fantastic, almost iconic little zoom. From portraits, to landscapes, to macro...it does a lot of things very well.

12771327873_4653ef76c1_c.jpg


8492880334_7cb8a1d504_c.jpg


10042889586_7f87950a47_c.jpg


8646166176_db12377f72_c.jpg


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6419635095_fb18173d7d_b.jpg


5473740443_3e522cc933_b.jpg
 
Ben Scott said:
Some more quick 28mm Hollywood tests on the 6D
For a bokeh monster it is sharper than I expected it to be. Especially stopped down to circa 2.8-4, which naturally I never did for any of these. ;)
I know none of these pics are groundbreaking, but this lens is amazing. Close focusing wide angle fast super bokeh monster flare-prone lens!
Click to expand...
One day I will invest in this 28!

Nick Morrison said:
Doing some research today, and stumbled on these Contax 35-70 pics on flckr. These pics aren't mine, but still show off the range and "magic" of this fantastic, almost iconic little zoom. From portraits, to landscapes, to macro...it does a lot of things very well.
Click to expand...
Really gorgeous samples Nick.
Indeed really versatile little compact zoom.



35/70- Hé hé sorry I coudn't resist. (Ctrl+click for 2200*1160)
FUFLY.jpg
 
Brice Ansel said:
FUFLY.jpg
Click to expand...


Haha! WOw what insanse sharpness right where it needs to be!


I just got my full set now 28mm f2, 35mm f1.4, 50mm f1.4, 85mm f1.4 and 135mm f2.8 with 80mm fronts, and derlin focus rings. Heading stateside next week for shoot 5 weeks of projects in the Los Angeles area's can't wait to run these lenses through the projects, going to be very fun!
 
Nick Morrison said:
Yeah, nice shots Ben!!!
Click to expand...
im just quoting nick because im sure he knows…

i need at least one inexpensive wide, the 21mm is just too much right now.
and i know the 18mm sucks…but at least is the MMJ better then the AEJ? or the same suckness?
also, whats up with the strange size hood thing, what is the front thread diameter? would a cine-front even work to put on a 77mm filter and an 80mm push cap?
 
Jordan,

the 18 doesn't suck at all, it's just slow and it doesn't have front threads, the only negative points I see, having ACTUALLY used the lens...the look is gorgeous and distortion VERY WELL controlled!

MMJ is supposedly better but it depends if you are looking for cleanliness or for the AE look/imperfections/coatings!!! ;)

Hope it helps!
 
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