Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

  • 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

Zeiss 28-85 3.3 @35mm f4
Doing more lighting tests for a feature. Love the look of this lens. Looks tack sharp even when shot in 1080p ProRes 4:2:2.

audition_mike.png
 
Contax Look

Contax Look

Hey guys! Here is a quick and (kinda literally) dirty trailer I shot and edited for an Indiegogo campaign. Contax, GH4


If you are interested in supporting the project, it is here. It's important, but that's not why I am sharing it here.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/a-parent-s-worst-nightmare#/
 
Hi guys, I am wondering if anyone has made a comparison between the Milvus lenses and our prized Contax lenses? By comparison, I mean, color, contrast,etc.. I am considering a 21 mm and wondered how well the new 21mm Milvus would cut with my lovely Contax set? I understand the potential differences, but we all have been pleasantly surprised with the Sigma 18-35. Anyway, thought I would ask... Thanks in advance for any replies.
 
I don't know if they have updated the coatings since they were housed in the ZE/ZF housings and while a couple Milvus designs have been refreshed I doubt the actual optical elements have so I imagine they will not look a million miles away from the standard sharp and contrasty look of the ZEs. They'll probably cut better than most other glass to be honest, considering their heritage. I would just shoot the Contax to contain flare a bit more because it will be more prone to it than the Milvus.
 
Hi guys, I am wondering if anyone has made a comparison between the Milvus lenses and our prized Contax lenses? By comparison, I mean, color, contrast,etc.. I am considering a 21 mm and wondered how well the new 21mm Milvus would cut with my lovely Contax set? I understand the potential differences, but we all have been pleasantly surprised with the Sigma 18-35. Anyway, thought I would ask... Thanks in advance for any replies.

Honestly Tom, not sure. My understanding is the Milvus 21mm design is still "related to" "descended from" the Contax 21. I have to imagine the coatings are modern and clean ala ZE/ZF?

Anyone de-click their contax lenses aperture rings themselves? If so might you have a tutorial online anywhere that show this process? I can't seem to find one anywhere online.

Thanks!

I've never declicked my own, though my DP has declicked his Contax primes. From what I understand, the "hard" part isn't the decklicking, its finding the right dampening grease to apply the proper resistance.

From what I've been told by lens professionals, this is a "trick of the trade" that techs generally keep to themselves...
 
Has any of you tried a contax 17-35 zoom?

Seems like the only wide-angle zoom in the contax line...outrageously expensiv though.

Are there any other quality vintage wideangle zooms at all?

Cheers
 
Has any of you tried a contax 17-35 zoom?

Seems like the only wide-angle zoom in the contax line...outrageously expensiv though.

Are there any other quality vintage wideangle zooms at all?

Cheers

I have not, but Id caution against the Contax N 17-35. Not because its not excellent (MTF's and feedback suggest it is)...but because the Conurus EOS mod may not work on a RED.

I bought and had to return an otherwise wonderful Contax N 24-85 for that very reason. We couldnt get iris control on the Epic Dragon.

Remember, the 17-35 is a Contax N zoom...meaning its autofocus...and the Conurus mod to EOS is quite complicated (and expensive).

Hope this helps!
 
Last edited:
Hey guys, here's another campaign we shot recently on Contax glass, with Nick and Drew Lachey!

This was a large series of branded spots, designed to be "sponsored" by advertisers, for A&E's show "Lachey's Bar".

We shot on two Dragons at 6K HD, on green screen, w/ a Contax 50mm 1.4 MM and 100mm f2 MM (paired with Classic Soft 1/4). We monitored on set with two Flander's 17".

I believe we shot btw 2.8 and f4.

Jake also did a final grade on the 6K "Lachey" green screen materials!

Hope you enjoy!

LACHEY'S BAR - "Home"
https://vimeo.com/142101152


LACHEY'S BAR - "Their Song"

https://vimeo.com/142101154


LACHEY'S BAR - "Working Hard"

https://vimeo.com/142101150


LACHEY'S BAR - "Tricks of the Trade"

https://vimeo.com/142101448


LACHEY'S BAR - "Signature Drink"
https://vimeo.com/142101157


LACHEY'S BAR - "High Tech"
https://vimeo.com/142101155


LACHEY'S BAR - "Family Business"

https://vimeo.com/142101447


LACHEY'S BAR - "Work Balance"

https://vimeo.com/142101156
 
nice work nick!

just throwing it out there, im especially looking for iris de-clicked MM singles, like an 85-100-135…but interested in any stock MMJ or MMG singles except a 50mm and a 28mm, i have those :)
 
Back
Top