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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

Patrick Anton said:
Hey Liam,

I think it is time for those fifties now :)
Either one does magical things but the 1.4 is worth the extra 2 bills IMO.
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I don't know why I'm holding out on the 50 either. BTW, Patrick - I've been looking at your BMCC tests on Vimeo... absolutely amazing work. How film-like your footage is off the camera. Though I'm guessing a large part of that is in the grade.
 
liam howlett said:
Well actually. I want to get all of the ones you've just outlined, as for the very next purchase I've been thinking either 85 1.4 AEG or the 35-70, but I can't seem to find the AEG version. Rare?
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AEG for 35-70? Doesn't exist unfortunately. Essentially all the best zooms are MM: 35-70, 28-85, 80-200, 100-300.
 
Nick Morrison said:
AEG for 35-70? Doesn't exist unfortunately. Essentially all the best zooms are MM: 35-70, 28-85, 80-200, 100-300.
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Ahhh, thank you for illuminating me on that. I thought they were just super rare. I apologize if this has been answered priorly. But basically which lenses exist in AEG and which solely are MMJ's...besides the aforementioned.
 
liam howlett said:
Ahhh, thank you for illuminating me on that. I thought they were just super rare. I apologize if this has been answered priorly. But basically which lenses exist in AEG and which solely are MMJ's...besides the aforementioned.
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AEG are only:
15 3.5
16 2.8
18 f4
25 2.8
28 f2
35 1.4
50 1.4 only AEJ
85 2.8
85 1.4
100 f2
135 f2
180 2.8
200 3.5
40-80
70-210

Hope this helps!!
 
Ben Scott said:
And I happen to know someone with a nice 35mm f2.8 for sale.... :)

My 35mm 1.4 AEG just arrived and I am loving it. Also purchased another 85 1.4. Aeg this time. Sexy ninja stars everywhere so I can pretend to people I am shooting on Cookes :)


I've been playing with Leica R recently and built a small set but to be honest I find myself missing and coming back to the Contax look/feel. Really love their 60mm macro and the v1 19mm f2.8 especially but part of me is thinking maybe I should sell it all off and just invest in the best Contax gear.
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Been loving your Leica R stills. Can't wait to see what you do with more Contax!!
 
Nick Morrison said:
AEG are only:
15 3.5
16 2.8
18 f4
25 2.8
28 f2
35 1.4
50 1.4 only AEJ
85 2.8
85 1.4
100 f2
135 f2
180 2.8
200 3.5
40-80
70-210

Hope this helps!!
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Very much it does!

So this seller I bought the 180 off of... has a few more in AEG and they're all either minty or near mint. Amongst the lenses he has a 135 f/2, 25mm f/2.8, 100 f/2.8 and a 70-210 AEG... I may buy one more off him next. I was kind of eyeing between 135 and 25. But I read, Nick, that you said it's soft around the edges and may be a pain on full frame. And is the 70-210 worth it just because it's AEG and has cool flaring? or the 80-200 would be a better recommendation anyway. I guess it's all up to me huh... hmm. AAhhhh!! I want them all.
 
liam howlett said:
Very much it does!

So this seller I bought the 180 off of... has a few more in AEG and they're all either minty or near mint. Amongst the lenses he has a 135 f/2, 25mm f/2.8, 100 f/2.8 and a 70-210 AEG... I may buy one more off him next. I was kind of eyeing between 135 and 25. But I read, Nick, that you said it's soft around the edges and may be a pain on full frame. And is the 70-210 worth it just because it's AEG and has cool flaring? or the 80-200 would be a better recommendation anyway. I guess it's all up to me huh... hmm. AAhhhh!! I want them all.
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I love the 25, and at f4 its great. Wide open its vintage on the edges at FF, but this also gives it character. 25 AEG flares a lot.

The 70-210 is very expensive, yes - thats why Im a big fan of the 80-200, both because of how good it is, and how reasonable it costs.
 
Nick Morrison said:
Been loving your Leica R stills. Can't wait to see what you do with more Contax!!
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Thanks man. I've just quit the horrible corporate gig that has been getting in the way of my proper job for the last 6 months and am in the process of sorting out some potentially lovely commercial gigs so will poat results as always :)

Have put the Leicas up for sale as well!
 
This got me curious. After I cure the Zeiss Contax collection bug - what of Leica R's is worth getting?
 
Yeah pretty much all the ones I have in the marketplace ;)

EDIT: Joking aside the two I love the most of the 6 I currently own are the 35 f2 Summicron and the 19mm f2.8 v1.
 
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Ben Scott said:
the two I love the most of the 6 I currently own are the 35 f2 Summicron and the 19mm f2.8 v1.
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Agree with Ben, on top of that I will put the 180 Apo telyt and the 70-210.
 
Surrounded by friends, an AEG 35 1.4 has made its way into my collection.

The set now sits at:

25 2.8
28 2
35 1.4
50 1.4
85 1.4
135 2.8
60 2.8 1:1

I'm thinking the 21 2.8 might finish it up. Then I can move on to far more expensive lens sets. ;)

Contax%20Set.jpg
 
As there appears to be one Contax 21 on the whole of Ebay at the moment, I was wondering how the ZE 21 might intercut with my Contax set, or if I should just stick with a sigma 18-35 until more show up... Any thoughts?
 
Ben Scott said:
As there appears to be one Contax 21 on the whole of Ebay at the moment, I was wondering how the ZE 21 might intercut with my Contax set, or if I should just stick with a sigma 18-35 until more show up... Any thoughts?
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I'd wait...a Contax 21 will show up...just be patient!
 
Hi all,

Hoping for any advice/tips on remounting our Contax lenses.

We have purchased four lenses - the classic beginners set of 35 1.4, 50 1.4, 85 1.4, 135 2.8
Thanks Nick for all the info and inspiration on this thread!

We purchased a bunch of Leitax Canon mounts and have converted two of the lenses. However we are having real difficulties in removing the Contax mounts on both the 135mm and 35mm. Just can't get the screws out. In the process of trying with quality screw drivers we've rounded out the screw heads.
David from Leitax suggests that the best option is to use a 1mm and then 1.25mm drill bit and drill the screws out - we are struggling to find anyone that have a bench drill set up that will hold drill bits this small - certainly not something to do by hand.

Wondering if anyone has dealt these challenges and would have any tips??

cheers
wes
 
WesG said:
Hi all,

Hoping for any advice/tips on remounting our Contax lenses.

We have purchased four lenses - the classic beginners set of 35 1.4, 50 1.4, 85 1.4, 135 2.8
Thanks Nick for all the info and inspiration on this thread!

We purchased a bunch of Leitax Canon mounts and have converted two of the lenses. However we are having real difficulties in removing the Contax mounts on both the 135mm and 35mm. Just can't get the screws out. In the process of trying with quality screw drivers we've rounded out the screw heads.
David from Leitax suggests that the best option is to use a 1mm and then 1.25mm drill bit and drill the screws out - we are struggling to find anyone that have a bench drill set up that will hold drill bits this small - certainly not something to do by hand.

Wondering if anyone has dealt these challenges and would have any tips??

cheers
wes
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Some Contax glass has mounts that are glued, in addition to screwed....which could be complicating things. Maybe consider sending to RP Lens or Duclos if it gets too frustrating?
 
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