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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

All this makes for an interesting discussion. I populate a lot of forums and one of the constant requests we get from new generation filmmakers who have just bought a modern single sensor camera is: "How do I get my pictures to look more filmic?"

I usually reply with something like: "Well, apart from lighting, set design, frame rate and shutter angle, you could try shooting through 'film' glass such as the Carl Zeiss 'Contax' series of vintage primes and zooms. The native C/Y mount adapts easily to most cameras/formats and as they cover a full frame sensor, your investment in these classic, long focus throw lenses will outlive your new camera by many years."

I even link to the pictures posted on this site but unfortunately, my suggestions always seem to fall on deaf ears. The younger generation appears to be totally 'risk aversed' these days. Apparently, if it's not available at B&H (with their overly generous and risk defeating 'return policy') then perhaps they're just not interested...
 
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Chris McKechnie said:
I had an entire set, $18k worth of CP2's...used them for less than 6 months...sold them and went to Contax and haven't looked back. Contax blow CP2's out of the water!!!!
Click to expand...

Chris, this is heresy! Are you suggesting for one minute that a bunch of obsolete 35mm 'stills' glass could out-perform a legendary 'movie' lens - prime glass optimized in every way for professional and 'cinematic' results?

"My 5D DoF is so shallow, I've been told that if I buy just one CP.2, JJ Abrams will want to work with me. Every day!"

and:

Hell, this Contax glass you guys rave about don't even have auto focus or IS! How the hell can I shoot a cinematic feature from my skateboard then upload it to Youtube if I don't have a lens which keeps focus and smooths out all the bumps for me?

I'm so confused..."
 
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Craig J Marshall said:
All this makes for an interesting discussion. I populate a lot of forums and one of the constant requests we get from new generation filmmakers who have just bought a modern single sensor camera is: "How do I get my pictures to look more filmic?"

I usually reply with something like: "Well, apart from lighting, set design, frame rate and shutter angle, you could try shooting through 'film' glass such as the Carl Zeiss 'Contax' series of vintage primes and zooms. The native C/Y mount adapts easily to most cameras/formats and as they cover a full frame sensor, your investment in these classic, long focus throw lenses will outlive your new camera by many years."

I even link to the pictures posted on this site but unfortunately, my suggestions always seem to fall on deaf ears. The younger generation appears to be totally 'risk aversed' these days. Apparently, if it's not available at B&H (with their overly generous and risk defeating 'return policy') then perhaps they're just not interested...
Click to expand...

I totally know what you mean, I often work with young guys who have no open mindedness when it comes to lenses. They all seem to think vintage is not for 'proper filming' which is absurd. But then again it may be a good thing too, otherwise contax prices are going to skyrocket even higher.
 
Hey guys,

I wanted to get your opinions on whether or not it is worth refurbishing the Vario Sonnar 35-70 3.4 w/ a declicked aperture I picked up off of ebay recently. Looking back I regret purchasing the listing. I did because although the body had some normal wear and tear the optics looked good on it and it was a good price. I wish I had spent a little more on a more pristine copy in hindsight though. When I got it the infinity focusing was a tiny bit off but I attributed that to the adapter I was using. After using the lens for a while though the infinity focus problem has just gotten worse. The front of the lens also seems to have developed 1 or 2mm of wiggle to it which is frustrating.

What I wanted your all's opinion on is whether or not it is worth sending off for refurbishing or if it is a lost cause. After a little google-ing I came up with this guy (http://www.markhama.com/) and was thinking of emailing him for a quote. Any opinions on this would be really appreciated.

Thanks
 
Wyatt Maurer said:
Hey guys,

I wanted to get your opinions on whether or not it is worth refurbishing the Vario Sonnar 35-70 3.4 w/ a declicked aperture I picked up off of ebay recently. Looking back I regret purchasing the listing. I did because although the body had some normal wear and tear the optics looked good on it and it was a good price. I wish I had spent a little more on a more pristine copy in hindsight though. When I got it the infinity focusing was a tiny bit off but I attributed that to the adapter I was using. After using the lens for a while though the infinity focus problem has just gotten worse. The front of the lens also seems to have developed 1 or 2mm of wiggle to it which is frustrating.

What I wanted your all's opinion on is whether or not it is worth sending off for refurbishing or if it is a lost cause. After a little google-ing I came up with this guy (http://www.markhama.com/) and was thinking of emailing him for a quote. Any opinions on this would be really appreciated.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Wyatt I'd personally send it to RP Lens, they have quite a lot of experience with Contax glass.
 
Craig J Marshall said:
Chris, this is heresy! Are you suggesting for one minute that a bunch of obsolete 35mm 'stills' glass could out-perform a legendary 'movie' lens - prime glass optimized in every way for professional and 'cinematic' results?

"My 5D DoF is so shallow, I've been told that if I buy just one CP.2, JJ Abrams will want to work with me. Every day!"

and:

Hell, this Contax glass you guys rave about don't even have auto focus or IS! How the hell can I shoot a cinematic feature from my skateboard then upload it to Youtube if I don't have a lens which keeps focus and smooths out all the bumps for me?

I'm so confused..."
Click to expand...

Proof is in the pudding Craig. For me, yes, they outperform CP2's, and by a long shot.
 
Finally all caught up with the thread. Going to kind of miss the "still have 1000 posts left to read"-feeling :) Like all you other addicts, my addiction keeps growing. Having added the 85mm 1.4 to my collection I'm only missing one prime (100mm 2.0) for my initially planned essential collection. Naturally, I've now added the 60mm Macro S as well as going for a 25mm and possibly 180 down the line. Need to expand my zoom collection as well.

Regarding a post about the 300mm APO, I actually saw what looked like an identical piece of glass except with a what Zeiss called "universal mount", at a local rental house recently. The housing, looking EXACTLY like Contax, was what gave it away. Has anyone shot with the 200mm APO? It struck me the other day that even though the apertures are kind of all over the place compared to cine-glass, Contax actually offers a constant 2.0 or faster from 28mm to 200mm if you have the cash to pony up for the 200.

Does anyone know what material the threads are made of on Contax lenses. I'm looking into step-up rings atm and I'd preferably not have to pay the premium for brass rings, but maybe it's worth it if the the threads are aluminium? 7 brass rings is nearly the price of an additional lens, so if hardened aluminium does the trick I'll just spring for those.

Been a great admirer of all the work you guys have posted in this thread. Truly inspiring, and I certainly don't want to cut my reel after having seen Ben's, Brandon's, and Chris's recently. But I did realize that basically every photograph I have is taken with Contax, seeing as how this thread got me interested in the 35-70 which eventually became my first piece of glass. So here are some stills for you guys (all shot on the 35-70 or the 50 1.4):

STDH by Oscar Stegland, on Flickr

STDH-2 by Oscar Stegland, on Flickr

STDH-3 by Oscar Stegland, on Flickr

STDH-4 by Oscar Stegland, on Flickr

STDH-5 by Oscar Stegland, on Flickr

STDH-6 by Oscar Stegland, on Flickr

STDH-7 by Oscar Stegland, on Flickr

STDH-8 by Oscar Stegland, on Flickr

STDH-11 by Oscar Stegland, on Flickr

STDH-12 by Oscar Stegland, on Flickr

STDH-13 by Oscar Stegland, on Flickr

STDH-14 by Oscar Stegland, on Flickr

STDH-15 by Oscar Stegland, on Flickr

STDH-16 by Oscar Stegland, on Flickr

STDH-17 by Oscar Stegland, on Flickr

STDH-18 by Oscar Stegland, on Flickr

STDH-19 by Oscar Stegland, on Flickr

STDH-20 by Oscar Stegland, on Flickr

STDH-21 by Oscar Stegland, on Flickr

STDH-23 by Oscar Stegland, on Flickr

STDH-24 by Oscar Stegland, on Flickr

STDH-25 by Oscar Stegland, on Flickr

STDH-28 by Oscar Stegland, on Flickr

STDH-29 by Oscar Stegland, on Flickr
 
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I posted in the other thread for straight from camera but I figured I'd post here as well. I hope you dont mind the double post as I have such a huge admiration for everyone's work here. The frames I see come out of this thread are just incredible and very humbling! I went to route 66 the other day to go scout and just found myself shooting around all day in the desert. I moved to Contax glass after reading over this whole thread and falling in love with the look. After researching quite a bit about these lenses I decided I wanted to go with AE glass and sought out all 5xxxxxx series glass. They are truly amazing when paired with this camera. Almost everything shot 6K cropped to a 2:39 with a couple of 6K (STHO) anamorphic shots using the FM lens and the cinelux. These were all using either the 35 1.4, 50 1.4 or 85 1.4. There's a bit of blooming coming in from an older vari nd that I had laying around which in these shots I actually really liked so I kept it on. Thanks to everyone for being such a huge inspiration to get out and shoot and as always, thanks Nick Morrison for all of the extensive research and time put into this thread.

A007_C133_09192Y by subd1979, on Flickr

A007_C116_09198W by subd1979, on Flickr

A007_C114_091927 by subd1979, on Flickr

A007_C106_0919CC by subd1979, on Flickr

A007_C090_0919CT by subd1979, on Flickr

A007_C074_091933 by subd1979, on Flickr

A007_C073_0919PP by subd1979, on Flickr

A007_C071_0919X1 by subd1979, on Flickr

A007_C042_0919BP by subd1979, on Flickr

A007_C031_09194C by subd1979, on Flickr

A007_C025_0919S1 by subd1979, on Flickr

A007_C014_0919VK by subd1979, on Flickr

A007_C013_09198O by subd1979, on Flickr

A007_C013_09198O by subd1979, on Flickr

A007_C011_0919DI by subd1979, on Flickr

A007_C010_091978 by subd1979, on Flickr

A007_C009_0919AM by subd1979, on Flickr

A007_C009_0919AM by subd1979, on Flickr

A007_C008_09195O by subd1979, on Flickr

A007_C006_0919RQ by subd1979, on Flickr

A007_C001_0919JI by subd1979, on Flickr
 
Thanks guys. I've been a mainstay in this thread for years Chris, but I've kept mostly to the shadows, but I'll share as soon as I have something :)

Ben, very dramatic shots. Love them...

Lovely imagery John. Great locations.


You guys have any tips on embedding Youtube videos? Looked up the BBCode but can't get it to work...
 
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Oscar Stegland said:
Thanks guys. I've been a mainstay in this thread for years Chris, but I've kept mostly to the shadows, but I'll share as soon as I have something :)

Ben, very dramatic shots. Love them...

Lovely imagery John. Great locations.


You guys have any tips on embedding Youtube videos? Looked up the BBCode but can't get it to work...
Click to expand...

When you're posting, up on the toolbar from the post is a little film strip. Click that, then copy/paste your youtube link in the little dialogue box that appears. Easy peasy
 
Thanks,

Here is an ad I shot a while back on the C300. Mostly it's shot on Canon L lenses but there's some Contax 21mm goodness in there. Rolling the Leitax AnamorphX in front of it all.

Unfortunately no subtitles but it's partly in English :)

 
WOW - some AMAZING stuff being posted recently!!!! Holy cow!!

@ Ben, to quote Chris..."great stuff as usual" indeed! Love how you globe trot with your Contax glass. Very inspiring!!

@ Oscar, fantastic shots!! Yes, I've seen a Zeiss 300mm APO with PL mount on sale on ebay, so I DO think some of these APO lenses found their way into cinema use, absolutely. We personally were't prepared to invest that much, so we picked up a Nikkor 200 f2 (used on Spielberg's Munich, amongst many other movies) and a Nikkor 300 2.8 (when not using the 100-300). In regards step up rings, honestly we find using Cordvision the easiest solution, by far. So cinema friendly. And these caps from Adorama are a fantastic compliment!!

@John, OMG...love your frames! Love that older AE look!!! So fantastic. Some of these shots remind me of the open to Hard Eight, and the desolate moments of Raising Arizona. ​SO GOOD!!!!
 
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