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Contax Zeiss Survival Guide

Brandon Kelly said:
Hey guys, so I have the 25 2.8, 35-70 and 100-300, which have been great so far. Recently I found I need some way faster glass in the mix. I borrowed a friends canon 24 1.4 for a shoot, and it worked out great. Wouldn't say I loved the mechanics of it but with a bpm 1/8 on there the images were very nice. I am looking at the sigma 18-35, but would prefer to go even faster really, I was looking at the canon fd 24 1.4, and contax 35 1.4, 50 1.4 and 85 1.4 to add to the lineup. What do you guys think of the fd 24mm? Obviously it has the canon look, but still less contrast then the eos versions. I would love to get a superspeed to fit that bill but it is out of my range. How much difference would I notice between the 1.4, and contax 28mm 2.0? I just really want some fast glass now.
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Couple of things.

1. There is nothing in the market like the Sigma 18-35. It's the only "superspeed" Zoom that exists, and for that reason...it deserves a second look. Being able to throw an 18mm under a T2 on your camera is pretty stunning. The difference btw 1.7 and 1.4 is pretty minimal in real world applications. And as you said, just throw some BPM on it (or in our case HBM) and it intercuts pretty fine.

2. The Canon FD 24 1.4 is supposed to be GREAT. However it can be VERY tricky to adapt to EOS if that's your intention (you'd have to ask Eddie the Lens Doctor in UK to help you). We've intercut FD's successfully with Contax no problem. The coatings are indeed similarly flary and lowcon and are nice to work with. In fact here's a piece for SWAMP PEOPLE shot that mixes Contax and FD, and our colorist had no issues matching:


Canon FD 7.5mm Fisheye on A-Cam (amazing flares)
Contax 35-135 on B-Cam (amazing range for events like this).

3. The Contax Superpeeds (35, 50, and 85 1.4s) are our workhorses and get used on every shoot. Def give them a long look. You could start on the 50 and 85...and then build up to the 35.

4. I love the "Hollywood", but truth is we treat it more as a specialty lens. The 21 and 35 get used far more often. For whatever it's worth.
 
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thanks for the input. As for today's sensors and not necessarily needed super fast glass, I do agree for the most part, but lately have been in many scenarios where I wished I had faster glass. Especially using the canon 24 1.4 for a long shoot we did, and I would say that the 1.4 saved the shoot really. My only concern with the sigma, would be the longevity of investing in this lens, will it be a long term work horse compared to a full frame lens, with longer focus and manual aperture, or will it just be a fill in lens for the time being? I know the images are great from it though and it does seem amazing for what it is.
 
Brandon Kelly said:
thanks for the input. As for today's sensors and not necessarily needed super fast glass, I do agree for the most part, but lately have been in many scenarios where I wished I had faster glass. Especially using the canon 24 1.4 for a long shoot we did, and I would say that the 1.4 saved the shoot really. My only concern with the sigma, would be the longevity of investing in this lens, will it be a long term work horse compared to a full frame lens, with longer focus and manual aperture, or will it just be a fill in lens for the time being? I know the images are great from it though and it does seem amazing for what it is.
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Totally hear you about fast glass. When you need it, it's great to have.

My DP is not a fan of how the Sigma 18-35 "looks" (compared to most of our vintage glass), but it's certainly come in handy a number of times. If you plan on shooting full frame, then yes...you may need to look elsewhere! The Canon FD 24 1.4 sounds like a good place to start, as are the Contax Super Speeds (which we use constantly).

best
 
Target and the Anaheim Police department set out to help bring Christmas to underprivileged kids who wouldn't otherwise get any gifts this holiday. Most children only bought 1 gift for themselves, buying most gifts for their families.

Shot for a couple of hours early in the morning, came home and wrote the script, found a VO artist, and edited the spot later that day/evening. So a very quick turnaround. Shoot/edit details below.

All on the MoVI - tuned up the handheld setting so it wasn't as smooth as I wanted a little more rough/organic feel
Contax Zeiss Lenses - mostly on the 85mm

 
I built a super speed set 35/50/85 a few months ago and I've been nothing but impressed with the quality of the lenses. Even wide open they maintain detail. Nothing I can show yet as everything I've worked on since I got these are still in post or the festival submission circuit, but the build quality, image quality, etc. were well worth it. I'm so happy with the lenses that I'm going to add a 21 and 100 to the mix. I find myself using mostly 35/85, 50 every now and then for the type of work I do. The 35 f/1.4, while expensive, spends a lot of time on the camera. It has a nifty close focus option that Nick mentioned in an earlier post.
 
yep the 35, 50, and 85 speeds are superb. Badass i'd call them. Super happy to own such a beautiful and versatile set.
 
How much surgery?

How much surgery?

So I have built a set of Contax lenses. (My bank account curses you Nick, but my heart is smiling):
28mm f2 Hollywood
35mm 1.4
50 mm 1.4
60 mm Macro
85 mm 1.4
28-85
80-200

SO: I shall have them declicked and put on 80 mm fronts. I have a lot of Cinevate FF gear rings lying around, which I can mount. Thinking about something rad for the push-pull zooms, the 28-85 is great.
The question is if I should go with Leitax mounts or stay with the Fotodiox adapter rings for Canon. Duclos is not sure Leitax will work on all of them. I will be shooting Sony A7s and Epic.

Thanks!
 
soren k jensen said:
So I have built a set of Contax lenses. (My bank account curses you Nick, but my heart is smiling):
28mm f2 Hollywood
35mm 1.4
50 mm 1.4
60 mm Macro
85 mm 1.4
28-858
80-200

SO: I shall have them declicked and put on 80 mm fronts. I have a lot of Cinevate FF gear rings lying around, which I can mount. Thinking about something rad for the push-pull zooms, the 28-85 is great.
The question is if I should go with Leitax mounts or stay with the Fotodiox adapter rings for Canon. Duclos is not sure Leitax will work on all of them. I will be shooting Sony A7s and Epic.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Hey Soren, rest assured all those lenses CAN be Leitaxed (Ive had it done to every lens youve mentioned). RP lens did all my modding, and Peter is pretty thorough about working with Leitax to get the right adapters.

Great set!

Best
 
I have the 35 1.4 MM version, just got it recently, oh boy it's nice, really nice
 
Yeah, I've been using the Sigma 35mm ART to fill in while waiting to raise the funds for the old Contax, but the Sigma doesn't have the same mojo as the rest of the set. And the short focus throw gives my AC nightmares. I'll probably keep it for stills work, but can't wait to start filming with that old AE look.

Recently I DP'd a TVC for a phone company. Both cameras used my Contax Zeiss lenses, trying to make an empty black room look like a MMA stadium. The opening shot of my reel now takes pride of place with a jib/dolly move and the 25 f2.8 AE flaring like JJ Abrams. It's great to hear the people at the video village squealing with delight as they watch.


These lenses are also getting me lots of pop video work. The chicks love the skintones. Shooting another one with lots of hot models on Friday, and that makes my AC very happy.
 
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Nick Morrison said:
Couple of things.

1. There is nothing in the market like the Sigma 18-35. It's the only "superspeed" Zoom that exists, and for that reason...it deserves a second look. Being able to throw an 18mm under a T2 on your camera is pretty stunning. The difference btw 1.7 and 1.4 is pretty minimal in real world applications. And as you said, just throw some BPM on it (or in our case HBM) and it intercuts pretty fine.
Click to expand...

I've just put the 28-85 Zeiss on a focal reducer on the Sony FS7, so that's now a sort of f2.4ish 21-70ish mm Zeiss on a Super 35mm sensor :)

By the way is anyone was interested the only focal reducer I've found that both fits Leitaxed EF mount Contax glass AND fits on the Sony FS7 is the cheap little Camdiox one which I believe is engineered and manufactured in Germany.

Looks like my 35mm f2.8 just became a superspeed too :)
 
Chris McKechnie said:
Target and the Anaheim Police department set out to help bring Christmas to underprivileged kids who wouldn't otherwise get any gifts this holiday. Most children only bought 1 gift for themselves, buying most gifts for their families.

Shot for a couple of hours early in the morning, came home and wrote the script, found a VO artist, and edited the spot later that day/evening. So a very quick turnaround. Shoot/edit details below.

All on the MoVI - tuned up the handheld setting so it wasn't as smooth as I wanted a little more rough/organic feel
Contax Zeiss Lenses - mostly on the 85mm

Click to expand...

Really great work Chris - over and above the (great) images you told a really nice story in a really simple way that let it breath and have impact. I have to go now... I think I have a bit of dust in my eyes after, you know... cutting all those onions.. :)
 
Arthur Woo said:
I built a super speed set 35/50/85 a few months ago and I've been nothing but impressed with the quality of the lenses. Even wide open they maintain detail. Nothing I can show yet as everything I've worked on since I got these are still in post or the festival submission circuit, but the build quality, image quality, etc. were well worth it. I'm so happy with the lenses that I'm going to add a 21 and 100 to the mix. I find myself using mostly 35/85, 50 every now and then for the type of work I do. The 35 f/1.4, while expensive, spends a lot of time on the camera. It has a nifty close focus option that Nick mentioned in an earlier post.
Click to expand...

Aurthur so happy to hear your loving the Contax Supers! Def look into the 21 and 100. And yes...the CF on the 35 is great!! Can't wait to see what you shot with them!

Jake Wilganowski said:
yep the 35, 50, and 85 speeds are superb. Badass i'd call them. Super happy to own such a beautiful and versatile set.
Click to expand...

Happy holidays Jake! Glad you like your set!

Paul Russell said:
Just popping in to say happy xmas all. I'll finally round out my set of Super Speed Contax's with an AE 35mm f1.4 that I'm ordering today as my xmas present.
Thanks especially to Nick for putting me on the right track to shoot amazing images on a tight budget. :-)
Click to expand...

Merry Xmas to you too Paul!!

Paul Russell said:
Yeah, I've been using the Sigma 35mm ART to fill in while waiting to raise the funds for the old Contax, but the Sigma doesn't have the same mojo as the rest of the set. And the short focus throw gives my AC nightmares. I'll probably keep it for stills work, but can't wait to start filming with that old AE look.

Recently I DP'd a TVC for a phone company. Both cameras used my Contax Zeiss lenses, trying to make an empty black room look like a MMA stadium. The opening shot of my reel now takes pride of place with a jib/dolly move and the 25 f2.8 AE flaring like JJ Abrams. It's great to hear the people at the video village squealing with delight as they watch.


These lenses are also getting me lots of pop video work. The chicks love the skintones. Shooting another one with lots of hot models on Friday, and that makes my AC very happy.
Click to expand...

Haha - love the story of the 25mm squeals. We shot our favorite piece this year on a 25mm AEG!!

Ben Scott said:
I've just put the 28-85 Zeiss on a focal reducer on the Sony FS7, so that's now a sort of f2.4ish 21-70ish mm Zeiss on a Super 35mm sensor :)

By the way is anyone was interested the only focal reducer I've found that both fits Leitaxed EF mount Contax glass AND fits on the Sony FS7 is the cheap little Camdiox one which I believe is engineered and manufactured in Germany.

Looks like my 35mm f2.8 just became a superspeed too :)
Click to expand...

Getting me interested in that Camdiox!
Merry Xmas Ben!
 
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