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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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hveex87l9uw&feature=autoshare


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOerR5DFeG0&feature=autoshare



I recently uploaded a couple of short music clips to Youtube as a training exercise to prove a Lightworks/Resolve workflow but all shot with Contax primes. I visit Japan regularly to shoot material for a Taiwanese client but during downtime, I like to capture some atmospheric scenes, chase pretty women and good food then edit later to appropriate music. I use a mixture of stills and video, all shot by the same camera but often combining 50P, 50i and 25P. The first is 'Forever Kyoto' which I shot last year, internally at 8bit 4:2:0 but transcoded to 10bit ProRes HQ whilst the second clip 'My Kyoto' was shot this year on the same camera but recorded externally, 4:2:2 HDMI to 10bit ProRes HQ.
 
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Yes, I think the Contax series are very under-rated and I've had a hard time on other forums trying to convince the kids with their DSLRs that if they want a 'film' look, shooting through 'film' glass can go a long way to achieving that end but it would appear that many see auto focus, IS and auto iris as mandatory. If I can get good looking pictures on a 'toy' camera, I can only imagine how they perform on professional 10 or 12bit cameras!

Does anyone know their maximum resolution?
 
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Stumbled on this pretty phenomenal test by Justin Derry of the SLR Magic Anamorphot....all the taking lenses are apparantly Contax primes (25mm, 35mm 2.8, 50mm 1.4).


Looks pretty gorgeous....
 
I'm not a Red user but do love the Zeiss 'look' - so I've been watching this thread for the last couple of years (it's right up top on a google search for 'Contax lenses') while building my Contax kit. It's great to see the fantastic work and enthusiasm for this wonderful old glass from Nick and the rest of you! The guide itself has also got to be a damned useful resource now.

Thanks and keep it up guys!!!
 
Nick Morrison said:
Stumbled on this pretty phenomenal test by Justin Derry of the SLR Magic Anamorphot....all the taking lenses are apparantly Contax primes (25mm, 35mm 2.8, 50mm 1.4).


Looks pretty gorgeous....
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Loved that test, but man would I hate dual focusing. haha
 
Craig J Marshall said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hveex87l9uw&feature=autoshare


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOerR5DFeG0&feature=autoshare



I recently uploaded a couple of short music clips to Youtube as a training exercise to prove a Lightworks/Resolve workflow but all shot with Contax primes. I visit Japan regularly to shoot material for a Taiwanese client but during downtime, I like to capture some atmospheric scenes, chase pretty women and good food then edit later to appropriate music. I use a mixture of stills and video, all shot by the same camera but often combining 50P, 50i and 25P. The first is 'Forever Kyoto' which I shot last year, internally at 8bit 4:2:0 but transcoded to 10bit ProRes HQ whilst the second clip 'My Kyoto' was shot this year on the same camera but recorded externally, 4:2:2 HDMI to 10bit ProRes HQ.
Click to expand...


Hey Craig,

Just wanted to chime in to say that I've really liked your Redshark articles in general, but especially enjoyed the ones where you have mentioned Contax glass. Your comment on this article is actually what got me interested in C/Y Zeiss glass in the first place. My first C/Y lens (a 35-70 3.4 w a declicked aperature ring) is arriving tomorrow and I'm absurdly excited to play around with it! But yeah, thanks for getting me to stumble down this rabbit hole :)
 
Hey Wyatt! Nice to know some of what I write gets read!

PS: For several years I have been spruiking a free app developed by a friend of mine which among other things, will generate ProRes on a PC. There was never much interest until the 'Fruit Police' closed him down. Now everyone wants it!
 
I finally had a chance to try out the 28-85 while shooting a music video. Damn, they weren't kidding around when they said they were trying to create a variable prime.

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Mark Spurrell said:
I finally had a chance to try out the 28-85 while shooting a music video. Damn, they weren't kidding around when they said they were trying to create a variable prime.

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Awesome shots Mark.

Right? The 28-85 is a remarkable zoom, and remains a "sleeper hit". Can't imagine how good it will look on Vista Vision.
 
Nick Morrison said:
Sorry guys for being MIA, my Dad's been visiting from Spain!!

@Tim - love the video! Very Devo!

Thanks Nick. That's made my day.
We were thinking more along the lines of Magical Mystery Tour, crossed with Altered States - but I love DEVO and they make some pretty amazing videos.

I log onto Reduser daily and the first thing I look out for is new Contax Zeiss Survival posts - a bit obsessive really - but it's such a warm place with a wealth of useful information.


Ben Scott said:
And that's some bona fide crazy right there :)

I can't even remember owning a 1.5 50, muyst have been ages ago! Glad you're getting use out of it. Since then I've had 2 x 50 1.7s, one of which I left on a roof in a storm shooting a timelapse.
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Bona fide crazy is just about right.
I bought the 1.4/50 AEJ years ago. A friend of mine, Graham Hardy - who was working on Wheeler Dealers for Attaboy TV at the time, picked it up.
Are you still looking for a 21mm? I'm renovating a house at the moment and running short on dough. I've got one but I'm not sure about letting it go though. Hmmm
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Tim Peck said:
Nick Morrison said:
Sorry guys for being MIA, my Dad's been visiting from Spain!!

@Tim - love the video! Very Devo!

Thanks Nick. That's made my day.
We were thinking more along the lines of Magical Mystery Tour, crossed with Altered States - but I love DEVO and they make some pretty amazing videos.

I log onto Reduser daily and the first thing I look out for is new Contax Zeiss Survival posts - a bit obsessive really - but it's such a warm place with a wealth of useful information.
Click to expand...

Honestly, one of my favorite parts of this thread is how supportive and positive it is. We have a wonderful group of inspiring filmmakers here.

And yes...I loved the video! Love to see more!

best
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Well here's my latest 'up to 2015' Narrative and promo reel. About 90% Contax. All the drinks-making is Leica R. It's far too long and the quality of recent reel showings on here has been humbling, but what the hell...



https://vimeo.com/135915865


Now to finish the Factual/Doc/Timelapse reel which is 100% Contax
 
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Love the reel Ben! Are those some tilt shift shots in the concert footage? Reminds me of LB Muse type stuff (which I love).

Great job!!!

Love what you're doing!!!

Best
 
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