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Contax Zeiss Survival Guide

HOLY CRAP!

Nick, everyone, guess what!?!

Ok, we probably covered this in the thread, actually, but there are 2 different 60mm 2.8 Macro lenses out there. There is the regular one, and the compact Contax Zeiss Makro-Planar 2.8/60mm C. Pdf on the lens:

http://www.zeissimages.com/mtf/cy/Makro-Planar2.8_60mm_C_e.pdf

I have it, I really like it, but it is NOT in our master list at the start of this thread. Nor do a lot of people seem to differentiate it from it's brother.

http://shutter-releasing.blogspot.com/2010/11/contax-carl-zeiss-s-planar-60mm-f28.html

Anyone have additional information?

Edit: I see it has come up a couple times. I was just excited to see something I didn't know about. :-)
 
Jeffrey T. Morgan said:
HOLY CRAP!

Nick, everyone, guess what!?!

Ok, we probably covered this in the thread, actually, but there are 2 different 60mm 2.8 Macro lenses out there. There is the regular one, and the compact Contax Zeiss Makro-Planar 2.8/60mm C. Pdf on the lens:

http://www.zeissimages.com/mtf/cy/Makro-Planar2.8_60mm_C_e.pdf

I have it, I really like it, but it is NOT in our master list at the start of this thread. Nor do a lot of people seem to differentiate it from it's brother.

http://shutter-releasing.blogspot.com/2010/11/contax-carl-zeiss-s-planar-60mm-f28.html

Anyone have additional information?

Edit: I see it has come up a couple times. I was just excited to see something I didn't know about. :-)
Click to expand...

Haha. Yes! There are TWO 60 Macros...the "C" is just smaller and more portable I believe...has same optics as the main 60 1:1...except only extends out far enough to deliver 2:1 macro! I've never seen one myself! Very curious about it though...

@CHRIS - sick shots as always! You are crushing it! That car commercial looks GREAT!!
 
Nick Morrison said:
Haha. Yes! There are TWO 60 Macros...the "C" is just smaller and more portable I believe...has same optics as the main 60 1:1...except only extends out far enough to deliver 2:1 macro! I've never seen one myself! Very curious about it though...

@CHRIS - sick shots as always! You are crushing it! That car commercial looks GREAT!!
Click to expand...

Thanks dude!

Here are the VFX plates. Shot on the 18mm...gosh I love that lens.


 
Hey guys, look at this amazing test Jason Wingrove has done!!


He's had a set of Contax 35 1.4, 50 1.4, and 85 1.4 "modded" by Dog Schidt Optiks to have gorgeous "anamorphic" looking oval bokeh. I'd actually thought of doing this myself (and even reached out to RP lens about doing it to), but I slowly forgot, and it fell to the wayside. Seeing this test though, has completely re-awakened my passion for this!!!

What do you guys think?

To me, this looks sort of stunning....thoughts?

best
 
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Chris McKechnie said:
I hate cats, but this is a cool piece. Gosh these have got to be some of the best lenses on the planet. I don't think I'll ever use anything else.
Click to expand...

Haha. Yeah, I'm smitten too. Love that crazy bokeh they've "added". Already got my wheels turnin'!!
 
@Nick:

You can find the "C" macro in the bay, but they are more expensive than "S" versions.

One current example from Austria: # 291199663782
 
Nick Morrison said:
Haha. Yes! There are TWO 60 Macros...the "C" is just smaller and more portable I believe...has same optics as the main 60 1:1...except only extends out far enough to deliver 2:1 macro! I've never seen one myself! Very curious about it though...
Click to expand...

Yes, I believe Nick is correct. Optically identical, however the C version will only give you 2:1 macro, where as the older S version gives you 1:1. I don't have direct experience with either lens, however I am looking to purchase a 60mm as the next lens for my kit, and this seems to be the general consensus about the two lenses from my research.
 
Shervin Mandgaryan said:
Finally my converted Contax N 24-85 arrived.

First Impression: Pretty solid, only quality deterrent is the use of an extending dual cam zoom mechanism, so there's a bit of play between the stages. A dual cam zooming mechanism means it's going to be a dust sucker (And there's a few specks of dust in it already)... but hey, a Contax zoom with TWO TOUCH? Hell yea! Focus ring turns a full 180 degrees (Really quite nice feeling too). Zoom ring is nice and smooth... has a little bit of zoom creep but it's not noticeable at all if the lens is horizontal. Hood is nice... not going to see much use in a mattebox though. Lens has an 82mm filter size so you're most likely going to have to get a step up ring to a 95 if you're going to seriously use this lens.

Performance: Sharp at all focal lengths. Almost ZERO chromatic aberration on the wide end or the tele end which is surprising. Rich saturated colors, yet subtle and not too overly punchy. I'm really really liking the contrast character of this lens as it's reminding me of the 100 F2 and the 35-70 f3.4 already. The image at max aperture does suffer coma and a soft haze ONLY slightly... this could be a benefit shooting people and skin as it does a nice job of rendering wide open as stepped down it's brutally sharp. Distortion is well controlled. Zooming is not parfocal. Flare resistance is exceptional (If you like flares, stay away from this lens).

I wouldn't recommend this lens as a 1st purchase for using it on a RED Epic or Scarlet as it's more of a lens for the adventurous type. I could see this lens being a hit with landscape or dude who like to shoot stuff stationary. The focus rotation is 180 degree's but it's not responsive (Need a bit of a push to come into affect), so focus marks on this lens are basically worthless. Otherwise the character this lens has is worth every penny to the Contax connoisseurs. Paired on an Epic and shot at a scene with some nice lighting, you are going to get some pretty exceptional results...

In conclusion, if you're looking for a lens with a metric shit ton of 3D contrast goodness, don't need an extremely fast wide aperture lens, and can live with some mechanical drawbacks, this is your lens. For the image it produces it's well worth finding and owning one.

Just for shits and giggles, here's a still of my dog shot at f/5 at 85mm. https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/51913995/IMG_3864.jpg

Photozone review: http://www.photozone.de/Reviews/261...45-n-contax-n-to-canon-ef-review--test-report
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Have you posted any video taken from your conurus converted Contax N 24-85? I just picked one up and will be throwing it on my FS-700 + 7Q camera. (I know this is a Red Forum but I have been shooting Contax C/Y for years (28 2.8/35 2.8/50 1.4/35-70/135 2.8) on the Sony. And absolutely love them and this is by far the best forum for the Contax fever.)
 
I'm still chugging through this thread (has been my favourite reading the past few weeks) currently on my 191th page. As with so many people this thread was the resin for starting to purchase Contax lenses, create a Red User login and a Flickr account.
I can't thank Nick enough for starting this thread and all the other very knowledgeable and experienced people for adding information and facts to the ever growing thread!

I just received my 50mm f/1.7 MMJ and 85mm f/1.4 MMG yesterday and though I would post a few snaps from the 50mm. I have to say, coming from Canon EF and Nikon AIS glass, that I'm completely blown away by the sharpness, rendering and colours of these lenses. I even found myself REMOVING sharpness from my 50mm in Lightroom. This is insane for me taking into consideration that this is a $200 30 year old lens.

Contax 50mm f/1.7 MMJ @ f/2.8
DSC00028-1 by Birk Kromann, on Flickr

Contax 50mm f/1.7 MMJ @ f/2.8
DSC00005-1 by Birk Kromann, on Flickr

I hope this was the right way of embedding the photos!
 
Birk Kromann said:
I'm still chugging through this thread (has been my favourite reading the past few weeks) currently on my 191th page...
Click to expand...

Welcome to the club! lol. Nice pictures, for sure! The 50 1.7 was my first Contax, and it was too late to turn back after that. Having the 85 already is really going to be nice. Post lots of pictures!
 
Birk Kromann said:
I can't thank Nick enough for starting this thread and all the other very knowledgeable and experienced people for adding information and facts to the ever growing thread!

I just received my 50mm f/1.7 MMJ and 85mm f/1.4 MMG yesterday and though I would post a few snaps from the 50mm. I have to say, coming from Canon EF and Nikon AIS glass, that I'm completely blown away by the sharpness, rendering and colours of these lenses. I even found myself REMOVING sharpness from my 50mm in Lightroom. This is insane for me taking into consideration that this is a $200 30 year old lens.
Click to expand...

Hey Birk, those are AMAZING SNAPS!!!! Nicely done!!! Love them!! Welcome to the club, yes! So glad you've stumbled onto Contax glass! Looking forward to seeing more of your shots!

best
 
Hey gang, just wrapped up this season's PROJECT RUNWAY "ALL STARS" promo shoot! Loads of Contax on set! We used the 21 2.8, 60 2.8 Macro, and 80-200! Will be sharing snaps later this month once client locks cut. It's the sequel to the Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn spot we did in July. Can't wait to share!

Best
 
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