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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

Brandon Kelly said:
Thanks Nick, and thanks for this thread getting me into these lenses, love em!
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So glad you're liking Contax so much, and love what you're doing with them!! This thread has taken on such a life of it's own, so many incredible filmmakers contribute...the community on this thread is truly inspiring...
 
Got two new C/Y Zeiss lenses, the 50mm f/1.4 AEJ, to replace my 50mm f/1.7 MMJ, (not that it needed replacing, it's amazing) and the 28-85 f/3.3-4 AEJ. Here's some shots of them, and then some shots with them! All with my peasant's camera, the a7s.


(These shots were done with a Pentax Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4 and extension tubes)
237/365 by scrowley91, on Flickr



230/365 by scrowley91, on Flickr



232/365 by scrowley91, on Flickr



MMMMMM... that front element...


233/365 by scrowley91, on Flickr



Sorry for the iffy editing on the images, a track pad just isn't pleasant to do detail work on.


Here's some shots from the lenses themselves:


50mm f/1.4


238/365 by scrowley91, on Flickr



28-85mm f/3.3-4


251/365 by scrowley91, on Flickr



250/365 by scrowley91, on Flickr



228/365 by scrowley91, on Flickr



227/365 by scrowley91, on Flickr



217/365 by scrowley91, on Flickr



I'm loving both lenses so far. The 50mm is surprisingly different from my previous Contax Zeiss 50mm f/1.7, since they have different generation coatings. I find the 50mm to be more pleasing, though it's impossible to complain about either's sharpness.


Speaking of sharpness, the 28-85mm... it makes a Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS look like a kit lens. I don't need to add any sharpening. It vignettes a bit, but pleasantly, and it goes away as you stop down. What little CA there is appears at the wide end and corrects easily in lightroom, leaving very sharp and detailed corners.


Now I just need a fast and wide lens... Hmmm. Might actually get the Sony 28mm f/2.0 FE, so I can have at least one autofocus lens...


 
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Shot on the 35-70 and Epic MX on a recent trip to South Korea
 
Jacob Callaghan said:
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Shot on the 35-70 and Epic MX on a recent trip to South Korea
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@Jacob - Love it!! How you liking the 35-70?? We just used it on a corporate shoot, and my B-Cam operator's eyes lit up. This lens just makes everything "look" so good. We had the 28-85 on A-Cam, and 35-70 on B-Cam (when it wasn't on the 80-200). Both my DP and B-Cam operator love the push-pull for run 'n gun. Makes life a lot easier...especially as these zooms have such long focus throws...

@Sean - nice pics! The AE's are gorgeous glass, for sure! Glad you got the 50 AE! And congrats on the 28-85!!! That's our workhorse. It's my favorite Contax zoom for film work, the 28 to 85 range is GREAT!
 
This one picked up a couple of thousand views on YT in two days last week.
Shot on the 35mm, 50mm 85mm f1.4 AE lenses at f2.8, in the dark at iso 1280, all at f2.8. Three practicals and a softbox covered in CTS. I know I should have spent a bit more time ensuring catchlights, but we had six hours to shoot and a very small crew.
No NR on this, just a 1/2 HBM on the front. Quite a tight budget job.

 
Just a question as I keep an eye out to upgrade my existing Contax set… What is a fair price for a 28mm f2. I haven't had to relied on ebay to acquire my set. So I am curious about the prices on there.
 
Paul Russell said:
This one picked up a couple of thousand views on YT in two days last week.
Shot on the 35mm, 50mm 85mm f1.4 AE lenses at f2.8, in the dark at iso 1280, all at f2.8. Three practicals and a softbox covered in CTS. I know I should have spent a bit more time ensuring catchlights, but we had six hours to shoot and a very small crew.
No NR on this, just a 1/2 HBM on the front. Quite a tight budget job.

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Paul where'd your video go? Loved how it ended! Was legit scary!!

Paul Russell said:
So much good stuff coming out of this thread.
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Agreed! Lots of great stuff recently!! I have some recent work I need to share too...our 21mm has been busy!
 
Ted Parkes said:
Just a question as I keep an eye out to upgrade my existing Contax set… What is a fair price for a 28mm f2. I haven't had to relied on ebay to acquire my set. So I am curious about the prices on there.
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I'd say $850-1000.
 
As always Nick thanks for your input. It never ceases to amaze me how good these lenses are. Such amazing value particularly with the Standard speeds.
 
I'm back on my contax thing now after a diversion with Lomo lenses :)

The realisation that they're quite light and for gimbals and wireless FF, pretty much perfect.

I used to have an 18mm f4 but found it really quite soft, compared to the ZA16-35 zoom for example. I'm wondering (hoping) whether that was just a bad copy? I need a lightweight wide angle and that seems to be the only choice. So have others found their copies to be sharp or lacking?

cheers
Paul
 
Hi,

Keh, Adorama, B&H offer great shaped Contax lenses, but mostly primes. But
where do you buy Contax zooms? I just spend money for two zooms - both
were damaged! I'd rather spend more an be assured they are in the desired
condition.

Thanks
 
paulcurtis said:
I'm back on my contax thing now after a diversion with Lomo lenses :)

The realisation that they're quite light and for gimbals and wireless FF, pretty much perfect.

I used to have an 18mm f4 but found it really quite soft, compared to the ZA16-35 zoom for example. I'm wondering (hoping) whether that was just a bad copy? I need a lightweight wide angle and that seems to be the only choice. So have others found their copies to be sharp or lacking?

cheers
Paul
Click to expand...

Hey Paul, the 18 has never been razor sharp (at least wide open). Getting a later MM may get you more contrast (via coating). How old is yours?

We like ours - but it's not like the 21 sharp, no. But it is tiny, and for gimbals pretty great (esp stopping down!). We pair the 18 with the 28 2.8, 35 2.8, 50 1.4 and 85 2.8 for gimbal - they are all very simillarly shaped/sized/weighted.

Janis Huber said:
Hi,

Keh, Adorama, B&H offer great shaped Contax lenses, but mostly primes. But
where do you buy Contax zooms? I just spend money for two zooms - both
were damaged! I'd rather spend more an be assured they are in the desired
condition.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Janis - good point. I've had some bad zooms I've had to send back to. Most recent was a 28-85. Best thing todo is buy from somewhere like KEH where returns are easy. Or if you live somewhere like NYC, just go by the store and look at them in person (a luxury only for those of us who live here, I know).

The zooms have complicated designs, and can get knocked out of alignment (esp the 28-85). But since the good vendors (KEH, B&H and Adorama) have these friendly return policies (esp KEH, my favorite)...def take advantage...and reduce the risk!!
 
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