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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

Filippo B said:
I want to use contax on Red one with A-mount and a Blackmagick EF, can be a solution with no loss use fotodiox adapter and then put on the canon allstar adapter when i have to use with Red One?
Click to expand...

I suppose that's a solution, yes.
 
Well Mr. Morrison and Company, you've created yet another addict. Your lens prophecies and enthusiasm has helped empty another wallet.
Started putting together a set last year and boy o boy, do I love these lenses. I use these more than my Nikon set, makes me feel like I'm cheating on a girlfriend. The Nikons sit in their little case knowing that the Zeiss are going on adventures, whilst the stay in there little plastic dungeon, forlorn.

So Far:
28 f2 AE
35 1.4 MMJ
50 1.4 AE (First one I got, and the lens I blame for kidnapping my money)
50 1.4 MMJ
85 1.4 MMJ
100 f2 AE

Now my Hollywood, is a bit of a cuss. Got it for a steal, it had some advertised issues. Cosmetic only, and I usually don't care about those things, the iris ring had a little dent in it, but did not effect the movement. The only real issue was that the mount was a bit worn, like someone had been jacking a fotodiox adapter on and off like an orangoutang. Again didn't care, they're going to eventually get leitaxed. The seller assured me that the optics and internal mechanisms where crisp. They still look and feel great after multiple inspections and tests. After initially testing it, the look just seemed a little off. For instance wide open was really creamy. Now going into the purchase I was well aware of the dreamy cream character it was going to have. The effect being caused, just seemed a little extreme. I had a similar situation when I purchased my 85 1.4 from KEH. Wide open it was garbage, another Reduser that has posted on this thread had the same situation with his 85. He had purchased it from KEH and I wonder if it was the same lens that I was sold. Regardless, KEH took excellent care of me and sent a screaming very late serial 85. That experience though has made me question the quality of my online optics purchases even more. So this 28 has raised some reds flags, ultra cream wide open and it might have trouble at infinity. Been trying to source another copy that I can test next too.
I just saw the post about the 35 1.4 that has the holes drilled in the front. My 28mm f2 AE also has these holes drilled in the front, serial is 598xxxx. I'm a little more concerned that I may have a dog copy of the lens. If you have any advice, it would be greatly appreciated. I was holding off sending these in for modifications and maitenence until I had the whole set rounded out but I may need to cross that bridge early. I'm in Chicago, so I was planning on RP Lens taking on the bulk of the work. Do you or anyone else know of a technician in Chicago that I might be able to do a drop off and get a preliminary assessment? It seems like every month another institution goes away. Central camera sends almost everything out and Calumet Photo just declared bankruptcy and closed shop.

Here is a picture of the hole. There is another hole equidistant from this one. It's just a little left of the serial number.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/120937201@N02/13294433734/




Oh, and a deep thank you Nick and they rest of you wonderful lens junkies for providing a terrific thread on these lenses. Highly informative, very entertaining and richly inspiring. I have adored many of the pieces of art that y'all have shared.
 
I wonder if the floating front element nature means they are more susceptible to shifting out of true after a few years of rough treatment?

My 28 has its own issues relating to the barrel slipping and the roation being a bit stiff but it's very pretty pretty wide open, very sharp stopped down and hits infinity perfectly.
 
Ben Scott said:
I wonder if the floating front element nature means they are more susceptible to shifting out of true after a few years of rough treatment?

My 28 has its own issues relating to the barrel slipping and the roation being a bit stiff but it's very pretty pretty wide open, very sharp stopped down and hits infinity perfectly.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be surprised if you're right, about the floating element. The Hollywood is so rare and sought after (and also small and susceptible to bangs and dings maybe?), that I wonder if the mileage starts to take it's toll? I'm lucky and have a nice copy, but I've I do think the more complicated the lens, the more likely something gets knocked out of place.

@Peter. Nice set! Haha, I hear you about the addiction. I'm still hooked! Looking forward to seeing what you do with these classics! About your Hollywood. Maybe just send it to Peter at RP lens anyway? His tech should have ideas of how to fix it - he's seen a number of Hollywoods already (mine included). He may be your best bet.

Curious to know more about the "drilled" holes. Notice it's been on older 5XX serials? Maybe it was a way to access the front elements?
 
i just shot with mine with super16mm zeiss speeds, and on the long end i went with the contax primes, 50 1.4 and 85 1.4 MMJ…and all the lenses matched perfectly, astonishing, best still lens i ever focus with too.
im using them on the pocket camera, now i only wish someone would come up with a pl mount situation for these!
 
I chimed in a while back, asking about the zooms.

I have a fairly full set of contax primes and i also use the Sony Alpha Zeiss zooms. I prefer the manual feel though. Those ZA zooms aren't as bad as some modern autofocus when it comes to manual but it's still not real.

So i ended up with a 28-80 to look at, it's cosmetically in perfect condition, cannot fault it. But i'm unsure whether optically it is up to scratch, a very difficult thing to quantify with a single lens. So i thought i'd throw it open to the collective contax mind to see what you all think.

I compared the 2470z with the 2880, at roughly 40mm, the performance of the 2880 by comparison is pretty poor, softer and the CA is pretty bad.

So here is the 2880, in the centre with the focus on the security light and then there's the 2470z version:

2880%20f3.3.png


2470z%20f3.5.png


Some aberration and softness in the centre, too much?

The in the corners, this is the ZA lens first, at f3.5 and then two versions of the 2880, at f3.3 and f5.6, again too much?

2470z%20f3.5%20corner.png


2880%20f3.3%20corner.png


2880%20f5.6%20corner.png


I think it looks pretty poor, i can potentially get a lens tech to take it apart for a CLA but i would like to know that this is not to be expected. Does anyone have any high contrast shots, to look at the level of CA?

Also out of curiosity - if you're shooting with this lens and you're pointing down, isn't there any issue with the zoom moving!? Or pointing up. In both cases that moves the zoom?

The focus action is lovely though, so i'm hoping this is just a dud?

cheers
Paul
 
Hi Ben,

This wasn't wide open it was at f5.6, vs f3.5 on the ZA, it just seems too much to me, what do you think?

If you hold the lens vertically does your zoom move? Mine does.

It's a case of understanding whether there is something not right with it. As i mentioned it is cosmetically perfect which by itself might be suspicious!

cheers
Paul
 
Hey Paul, some of the push pulls have some Zoom creep, yes. It happens. Not all though, and it doesn't seem to be consistent by model. My 28-85 will "move" a little if I tip it down too much, or up, at extreme angles...but generally it holds itself in place pretty well. Not sure if yours is looser than normal, though. Perhaps worth checking. As I'm normally holding lens anyway, it doesn't really come up (plus I have a focus gear on mine, which if engaged holds lens firmly in place).

About the CA, if pushed...the 28-85 is known to exhibit a tad more then the 35-70 (I've always thought the 28-85 range was ambitious, and not w/out some compromise...such as bit of distortion at 28, etc)...however under ordinary circumstances its generally pretty well controlled (lens is famous for a reason!). But hard to tell about your copy. The softness is also a but concerning as stopped down this lens should be coming into its own. Have you tried at F8? That would be an interesting test of your lens...as that's where the zoom would really show is colors (if it had any). If it doesn't, then maybe it is the lens itself? Ie something bumped and out of alignment? Wish I could be more helpful!
 
Nick Morrison said:
Hey Paul, some of the push pulls have some Zoom creep, yes. It happens. Not all though, and it doesn't seem to be consistent by model. My 28-85 will "move" a little if I tip it down too much, or up, at extreme angles...but generally it holds itself in place pretty well. Not sure if yours is looser than normal, though. Perhaps worth checking. As I'm normally holding lens anyway, it doesn't really come up (plus I have a focus gear on mine, which if engaged holds lens firmly in place).

About the CA, if you push it the 28-85 is known to exhibit a bit more then the 35-70 (I've always thought the 28-85 range was ambitious, and not w/out some compromise...such as bit of distortion at 28, etc)...however under ordinary circumstances its generally pretty well controlled. But hard to tell about your copy. The softness is also a but concerning as stopped down this lens should be coming into its own. Have you tried at F8? That would be an interesting test of your lens...as that's where the zoom would really show is colors (if it had any). If it doesn't, then maybe it is the lens itself. Wish I could be more helpful.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply.

I'm balancing practicalities between a lens of last generation compared to a modern design, but it's tough to call where to draw that line. Do you have any high contrast shots at the edges? The CA is pretty bad IMHO. I will try f8 though and also some simple flat focus tests to see if there's a general softness.

My 100 f2 and 28 f2 both went off for a rebuild because they showed edge to edge issues. So it's not unusual.

Is there a good source of full res photos so i can see whether i should get this looked at?

The problem with the Contax zooms is 28 is the widest, that's their biggest Achilles heal. Whereas with the ZA range i have 16-35 and 24-70, i just wished the manual focus was a bit better on them!

thanks
Paul
 
Thanks guys for the suggestions. I agree that it's most likely the front element that has maybe lost alignment through the years. It's unfortunate that this 28 is being difficult. I really want to have fun with this piece but in its current condition, I cant bring it to the party. To RP lens these bad boys go! Hopefully they have some insight on the two drilled holes on the front.
 
No drilled holes on mine either, it's a 59X serial.
 
To all those who got lensgears from that helicopter sean fella, has anyone had a working gear for the 50mm f1.7 yet? Sean has sent me 3 or 4 versions so far and none of them fit. All the others are great.
 
"To all those who got lensgears from that helicopter sean fella, has anyone had a working gear for the 50mm f1.7 yet? Sean has sent me 3 or 4 versions so far and none of them fit. All the others are great. "
Ben Scott

sadly no, I'm on version 7. All the rest have not been an issue. what ever problems ive had, hes sent new one out asap at no charge.
 
Jason Walker said:
"To all those who got lensgears from that helicopter sean fella, has anyone had a working gear for the 50mm f1.7 yet? Sean has sent me 3 or 4 versions so far and none of them fit. All the others are great. "
Ben Scott

sadly no, I'm on version 7. All the rest have not been an issue. what ever problems ive had, hes sent new one out asap at no charge.
Click to expand...

wow, he is really trying, crazy sean cant get that one right, all my others have been flawless, he even made one for my helios dog shcnidt lens!
 
jordan levy said:
wow, he is really trying, crazy sean cant get that one right, all my others have been flawless, he even made one for my helios dog shcnidt lens!
Click to expand...

My v7 is close, i added a small piece of gaff tape to keep the ring from freely spinning. Told him it wouldnt be necessary to send another out, but insist on getting it right for me. He made me one for my 300mm that has a built in tripod mount, so the ring locks together in 2 pieces with dovetails. took 2 tries i dont now why the 50 1.7 is difficult.
 
Had coffee with David Barkan yesterday (he's visiting from Brazil), yet another reminder of how rewarding this thread is! Thanks to everyone for making this thread fun and informative, and also a great collection of minds and personalities!

best
 
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