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Contax Zeiss Survival Guide

Interesting, sounds like I'm best off getting myself a 180mm AE - which is the logical thing anyway - that close focus is really important. I bought a 200mm Super Takumar as a rushed stop gap solution and the close focus was just not close enough for that particular director. I've got a soft spot for the Super Takumars though, so I'm sure it'll accompany me on holiday at some point. instead. Luckily I had the 100mm macro up my sleeve, which has insane close focus...

Ben - Aperture said their guy had had a Contax lens through recently, hadn't enjoyed his experience and wasn't interested in trying again, basically. Definitely doesn't sound like the same guy...
 
Tom Turley said:
Interesting, sounds like I'm best off getting myself a 180mm AE - which is the logical thing anyway - that close focus is really important. I bought a 200mm Super Takumar as a rushed stop gap solution and the close focus was just not close enough for that particular director. I've got a soft spot for the Super Takumars though, so I'm sure it'll accompany me on holiday at some point. instead. Luckily I had the 100mm macro up my sleeve, which has insane close focus...

Ben - Aperture said their guy had had a Contax lens through recently, hadn't enjoyed his experience and wasn't interested in trying again, basically. Definitely doesn't sound like the same guy...
Click to expand...

The close focus on the 180 is TERRIFIC. Makes a huge difference. Highly recommend. You can swap out an 85mm 1.4 for the 180, and not even move your talent. Min focus is essentially the same. Very flattering on faces too.
 
Tom Turley said:
Interesting, sounds like I'm best off getting myself a 180mm AE - which is the logical thing anyway - that close focus is really important. I bought a 200mm Super Takumar as a rushed stop gap solution and the close focus was just not close enough for that particular director. I've got a soft spot for the Super Takumars though, so I'm sure it'll accompany me on holiday at some point. instead. Luckily I had the 100mm macro up my sleeve, which has insane close focus...

Ben - Aperture said their guy had had a Contax lens through recently, hadn't enjoyed his experience and wasn't interested in trying again, basically. Definitely doesn't sound like the same guy...
Click to expand...

Hmm must be a new guy as the old fella spoke to me for an hour about he got his big break in the Contax factory several decades ago.

And must have been a 28mm f2 that came through, which with the floating front element I imagine is a bitch to work with!
 
Hi there.*

I'm feeling a bit like an intruder, since I'm a still shooter. But I discovered this great thread by searching for info about Zeiss Contax lenses. It's a goldmine, and it's very interesting to see the remarks of video & movies shooters. You are much more demanding than photographers. We lazy photographers are often saying "it's ok, I can fix it on the computer". It's surely not as easy for you. You can't fix CA or crop like we do, you care about corner to corner sharpness a lot, you care about consistency, about mechanical aspects, etc... etc... So my motto has quickly become "What's good for them is good for you" ;)

And it's rare to have such a complete analysis of a set of lenses. So, many thanks at Nick for compiling all the very very valuable information. I'm still missing my autofocus from time to time, but I'm looking much much more at the newer Zeiss lenses for e-mount now. My wallet isn't as happy, but it's good to have the choices between cheap primes & more expensive ones, while keeping the same rendering.*

A little question for the fans now, any of you having a red ring edition of the 135mm like mine?

https://flic.kr/p/DZzLsJ
 
Would any of you happen to have compared an MM to the AE version of the 28mm Hollywood f/2? curious if there's any major optical differences as far as coatings, bokeh shape, etc. any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
 
@Francois
Since you mention you miss AF at times, there are the Contax G lenses, which should work well on the A7R II with the Techart adapter (only get version 3).
The 45mm and the 90mm should be terrific, and for sure they have that Zeiss look. The wider lenses have problems with the thick filter stack (blurred corners).
 
As another stills shooter who keeps an eye on this thread I used to own the Contax G 90 on a tech-art Mk III adapter - the 90 is a very good, sharp, lens on the A7 series cameras and it mostly AFs OK with the Tech Art adapter. However, on the down side: Subjectively it seems to me some of the sharpness comes from a more modern, higher contrast rendering compared with the C/Y lenses. Not a problem shot alongside my Zony 35 & 55 but not so good sot alongside C/Y glass. Also, I'd avoid the AF adapter on paid jobs as it is bit flaky and locks the camera unpredictably, obviously sitters get irritated if it happens too often. In the end I sold it because of this and am looking to see if I can find a Batis 85/1.8 for AF work as it's designed to match the Zonys and will just work without constant lock ups.
 
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Francois T. said:
Hi there.*

I'm feeling a bit like an intruder, since I'm a still shooter. But I discovered this great thread by searching for info about Zeiss Contax lenses. It's a goldmine, and it's very interesting to see the remarks of video & movies shooters. You are much more demanding than photographers. We lazy photographers are often saying "it's ok, I can fix it on the computer". It's surely not as easy for you. You can't fix CA or crop like we do, you care about corner to corner sharpness a lot, you care about consistency, about mechanical aspects, etc... etc... So my motto has quickly become "What's good for them is good for you" ;)

And it's rare to have such a complete analysis of a set of lenses. So, many thanks at Nick for compiling all the very very valuable information. I'm still missing my autofocus from time to time, but I'm looking much much more at the newer Zeiss lenses for e-mount now. My wallet isn't as happy, but it's good to have the choices between cheap primes & more expensive ones, while keeping the same rendering.*

A little question for the fans now, any of you having a red ring edition of the 135mm like mine?

https://flic.kr/p/DZzLsJ
Click to expand...

Here is a still image I shot in Kyoto last year with the 135mm f/2.8 on Sony Super-35/APSC with a dumb adapter but if you use a Speed Booster on APS-C, you'll restore the Contax lens' original full frame field of view.
 

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This week's been pretty fabulous for me on the Contax side. I found an excellent quality 18mm 2.8 MM for a great price locally. Then a 28mm F2 AE popped up on Ebay. The Leitax mounts for both have already been ordered, so I can hopefully put both of these puppies into action within a couple of weeks. Once the 28mm arrives I'll be asking Helicopter Sean to print me out a special focus gear for it.

I'm hoping that the 18, although slow, will fit in to places where I might have used the awful Tokina 11-16 f2.8. Even though I have the cine version of that lens it's still a terrible piece of kit, but there's not much choice at those focal lengths within a decent budget.

I shot two commercials for the national car manufacturer a fortnight ago with my Contax set, which was nice. But my favourite piece at the moment is a little piece we did for one of my regular production house clients. The main man there, Fairil, lost his brother in a tragic car accident, so he turned his grief in to creativity and pulled a team around him to record and shoot this. All shot on Contax MM, namely the 25 f2.8m, 35 f1.4, 50 f1.4 and 85 f1.4.

ipad link https://vimeo.com/157010676
 
Dear Paul, is there really a 18mm f2.8 or was it a typo?


Oh, and I wouldn't give that Tokina a second look now that Sigma has their 18-35…
 
The contax G are interesting, I looked at them, but the AF doesn't seem crazy fast & reliable. When I'm using AF, it means I REALLY need something fast and accurate (like during a wedding). Otherwise manual is fine for me. So I guess I will pass on the G lenses, even if they look really good for the price too ! I'm looking more at the Batis which looks really really impressive, despite the price. I think i will try to mix some Contax manual lenses for the size / price aspect, with some newer AF lenses (Batis and maybe the 35 F1.4 which looks really impressive, and with a declick option !). I may not have the most coherent color rendition, but i hope to still keep the Zeiss touch. After all, I'm already mixing brands on my Canon camera, and colors have not been that coherent... So I think it would still be an improvement and a coherent move. What do you think about this idea ?

Currently I'm shooting mostly Canon lenses (from old to recent, 24mm L, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8, 135mm L), Sigma macro 70mm.
My ideal set would be
  • Batis 25mm,
  • Contax 28mm F2.8 (I have it already, it's a gem !),
  • 35mm f1.4 Zeiss Sony or Contax F1.4 (I have an AE, it's already a great lens, the F2.8 is a bit soft wide open),
  • 55mm Zeiss Sony + Contax F1.7 (what a gem too!, the F1.4 is maybe a bit soft to my taste wide open, I have one also)
  • 85mm Batis + Contax F2.8 (GEM ! the f1.4 seems very soft wide open, which can be nice, but it's more expensive, and the Batis seems to be WOW and with AF...)
  • 135mm Contax F2.8 + Canon 135mm F2 L (with my commlite adapter, until I can afford the Zeiss Sony which seems to be EVEN better if that's even possible, and AF with the adapter...)
That would be much lighter than my Canon set, the Batis are light, the Contax are often light and small. My only "problems" are the potential difference in color rendition, and of course, the price (Batis, Zony, ouch). But it's easier to find a coherence in colors on photos. I'm already saving a lot of time in RAW editing with my Zeiss/A7 photos compared to the Canon ones, so I'm quite confident in my move. If any of you think that i'm crazy, don't hesitate to share your remarks !



I have another technical question, do some of you have any problem with focus at infinite distance with some of the adapters ? I'm shooting a lot of skies, and I'm not sure if I'm really able to get infinite focus. I don't even have a native lens to put on my A7 to compare ahahah, shame ! But I guess I should use my 5D with a similar lens to compare.


I hope that my questions are fitting here, even if i'm shooting videos once every two months with my cameras... ha !

(and sorry to disappoint about my 135 "red ring" edition, it was just a little joke :-P )
 
You are right, the Contax G lenses will not be as fast as modern AF constructions, even if the Techart adapter seems to be as good on Sony as AF on the original cameras was. So, your plan seems not bad if you can afford those modern Zeiss lenses. They still should show some of the Zeiss heritage, micro-contrast in particular, but they'll be more 'clinical' in other aspects. Matching them in photography will be easier than in film, I'd say.

The adapters I've been using (even cheap ones) don't cause any problems with infinity, it will just not be spot on by going to the end stop. Most still lenses always went a tad over infinity on their original mounts to compensate for temperature changes. Most of the adaptors are even a bit shorter to reach infinity under all circumstances. So, you can expect to always be able to focus a bit beyond infinity (and loose some narrow focus) with such combinations.

The best adapters like Metabones or Novoflex will keep things about as tight as the lenses were on their original camera.
 
Thanks for your comments Uli !

I hope I can keep the micro contrast indeed, the natural colors are important too (I'm not a studio shooter, I love to keep things very very natural). The ability to shoot against light while keeping contrast is VERY nice. I never use a flash, and I love to do with what I have. I don't mind if they are sharper, it's easy to soften a photo. I hope the colors won't be much different, that's my main concern. The Batis seem to be a great great compromise, it's a matter of budget. I'll give it a try with one lens first to compare with my Contax before selling all my Canon gears though.

My adapter is the K&F Concept one. I have three of this brand for various mounts and they are very tight. Indeed on some lenses, it goes beyond infinity, maybe less than on my Canon lenses though. So it's probably just about being precise enough. I may still buy another adapter to compare.
 
Big Thanks to Nick and everybody contributing to this thread, it has been great help to me.
Managed to put together a nice set of 18,21,28,35,50,85,135mm kit
Here is my experience with this:
- Buy from reliable sources (adorama,keh or ebay JAPAN) actually bought all 7 lenses on ebay from Japan all in excellent shape some of them never used in box
- try to find serials which are close to other lenses you own from this series
- japan post is reliable, you can ask seller to declare a smaller value for customs.
- if you want to make all your lenses the same filter diameter and outer diameter 80mm, you can find here. search for O.D http://www.ebay.com/usr/funkykoval2001?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2754
- same person is selling 80mm push on lens caps
- for adapting these lenses you best friend is David@ www.leitax.com believe me I tried all kinds of version, they all loosen up and you will have play
- aperture declick its easy, you wont find that many tutorials, you have to trust yourself, have good tools, same basic skills and thats it basically. There are 2 types of mechanisms, both involve a small ball, which you eventually remove with a tiny screwdriver, make sure you get the spring out too, if your aperture ring is a bit loose you can find on ebay special grease kit for lenses, make sure you use the proper type for the aperture ring.
- need gears for your follow focus ? Sean is your man, his stuff is just perfect fit for your lenses I was amazed by the quality of these gears you can buy them here http://www.ebay.com/usr/helicoptersean?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2754
- don`t forget to bargain, some ebayers bought these lenses very cheap and they just trying to price match on ebay. Send them a message with your offer. on my 21mm I got 150usd off by just asking, ask politely it doesnt cost you nothing.

What I can say after using them:
WOW, nice color match between lenses,nice color renditiion, incredibly smooth focus rings, sturdy, super LIGHT(7 lenses weigh as much as 3 Sigma Art lenses), smaller sizes, basically beats all my Sigma Art lenses and I am very glad to hate taken this road.

WARNING!
This forum is addictive or these lenses are, after buying the first one you wont stop, be prepared for that. :)

Here is the list of the lenses I bought and prices, all this in the last 2 months as I went for it.

18mm F4 - 600usd + 100usd customs tax
21mm F2.8 - 1350usd + 130usd customs tax
28mm F2.8 - 350usd
35mm F2.8 - 350usd
50mm F1.4 - 400usd brand new never used
85mm F1.4 - 550usd + 100usd customs tax
135mm F2.8 - 250usd + 60usd customs tax
All these are with serials: 72xxxx-74xxxx pretty close to each other.

Add Approx 60usd for each leitax adapter, add 35usd for each follow focus gear, add 29usd for step up rings and around 9usd for lens caps.
Hope there is some usefull info in there, will get back with some screen shots.
 
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Great post! I agree on your Japan experience as I have bought all my Contax zooms on ebay out of Japan and most have never, if rarely, been used. I just secured a 100-300mm Contax zoom 'mint in box' for just under US$1000 so that leaves only the 35-135mm and I'll have my zoom collection complete!

I'm off to Taiwan filming Cherry Blossom Festival in the Central Mountains at 7000' later this month and my ideal kit would be: 21mm, 35-135mm & 100-300mm but my current kit for this fast paced international documentary project is: 21mm, 28-85mm, 80-200mm plus Mutar 2x. With my current S-35/Speed Booster/Contax configuration, I retain the original full frame Contax field of view so the 28-85 is always 'on the camera' with the other lenses swapped out as required.

The 21mm though is just a great 'set and forget' lens with 90 degrees of view coupled with an almost 'glass to infinity' depth of focus when stopped down in normal daylight.
 
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Craig, do you ever run into a problem with changing aperture on your Contax lenses when Speedboosting them? I have adapted mine to EF with a thin adapter, then use a EF to E mount Speedbooster, but I'm unable to make changes to the aperture as a little lever on the back of the Contax gets stuck on the Speedbooster, preventing any aperture changes.

Are you using a C/Y speedbooster to E mount?
 
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