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Contax Zeiss Survival Guide

bart cortright said:
I'm sure this is probably a dumb question...but, Contax Zeiss would hold up fine on the helium sensor at 8k right?
Click to expand...

We tested a number of Leica R lenses on Helium, and they looked GREAT. I expect the same from Contax.

(ps only reason we didn't test Contax was because it was a "Leica" day - Leica Chrons vs Leica R GL Rehouses vs Celeres (with Leica coatings)
 
Some stills from a western shoot in South Dakota. I paired an anamorphic projector element with all Contax Zeiss glass; 50, 60, 85, 135, 180, and even some 180 with the Mutar II. Super quick temp grade. Shot on Ursa Mini 4.6k.

More stills can be found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/seekingheartwood/albums/72157673728625850
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Anamorphic - Contax?

Anamorphic - Contax?

Dear Adam,

Thanks for the images and inspiration!

Could you please describe how you combine the anamorphic element with the Contaxes? Also, are there limitations as to which focal lengths work etc.?
I use my set of Contaxes on Red Canon mounts and Sony A7s canon mounts via Leitax adapters, Contax to Canon, btw.
 
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Hey gang,

Have loved this thread and am slowly reading through.

Thanks so much, I have really enjoyed reading and slowly buying up some of this glass.

Just re-mounted the 135mm 2.8 over the weekend, man it was a bitch! The screws and the flange seemed to be either glued down or seized.

I applied Acetone a few times, taped screws and even glued the screw driver to the screws and finally got there.
I even resharpened the screw driver and really really applied pressure making sure the screws moved instead of clicked.
You really don't want to thread these tiny tiny screws and just be patient when removing them.

Just had a quick question about the 60mm Macro, do all off the extend out for is it focus? I am seeing a few really small clean looking lenses, then others that are really really long. So was wondering if there is differences or do they all kind of extend out?

Not a really big deal if they do as it's really more a specialist lens then one the sits in front a matte box, but would prefer to get a version that doesn't grow in size if that was possible?

I can link ebay examples if needed..

Thanks for your love and time with the thread, really kewl!
 
Simon_G said:
Hey gang,

Have loved this thread and am slowly reading through.

Thanks so much, I have really enjoyed reading and slowly buying up some of this glass.

Just re-mounted the 135mm 2.8 over the weekend, man it was a bitch! The screws and the flange seemed to be either glued down or seized.

I applied Acetone a few times, taped screws and even glued the screw driver to the screws and finally got there.
I even resharpened the screw driver and really really applied pressure making sure the screws moved instead of clicked.
You really don't want to thread these tiny tiny screws and just be patient when removing them.

Just had a quick question about the 60mm Macro, do all off the extend out for is it focus? I am seeing a few really small clean looking lenses, then others that are really really long. So was wondering if there is differences or do they all kind of extend out?

Not a really big deal if they do as it's really more a specialist lens then one the sits in front a matte box, but would prefer to get a version that doesn't grow in size if that was possible?

I can link ebay examples if needed..

Thanks for your love and time with the thread, really kewl!
Click to expand...

Simon, all the macros extend when they focus...just the nature of their design. Bear in mind, the 60 2.8 and 100 2.8 are 1:1 macros, so those barrels turn, and turn. The focus rotation could easily be 720 or more. I think one of them the barrel turns three or four times. All that turning is what makes the front element extend out.

Though to be fair, this only happens in macro mode. We use the 60 2.8 quite a lot as a "normal" lens, and there the extension is rather minimal.

Hope this helps!!
 
Hey guys, here's a digital series we created for A&E, to promote their hit docu-series, "60 DAYS IN".

To our utter surprise, this series went VIRAL on Facebook, and got over 14 MILLION VIEWS!!!

Shot on two Epic Dragons at 6K, in our studio. Lenses were Contax primes, as always.

We used a 35mm 1.4 (MM), 50mm 1.4 (MM), 100mm f2 (MM), 135 2.8 (MM), and 180 2.8 (MM).

Dailies grade by Jake Blackstone, as per usual.

Hope you enjoy!!!


4.3 Million views
https://vimeo.com/186172866


7.8 Million views
https://vimeo.com/187611288


1.1 Million views
https://vimeo.com/186172865


746K views
https://vimeo.com/186172868


40K views
https://vimeo.com/186172867
 
Nick Morrison said:
Simon, all the macros extend when they focus...just the nature of their design. Bear in mind, the 60 2.8 and 100 2.8 are 1:1 macros, so those barrels turn, and turn. The focus rotation could easily be 720 or more. I think one of them the barrel turns three or four times. All that turning is what makes the front element extend out.

Though to be fair, this only happens in macro mode. We use the 60 2.8 quite a lot as a "normal" lens, and there the extension is rather minimal.

Hope this helps!!
Click to expand...

Very much so, thank you! Well at least it twists to move instead of a push/pull focus that sucks in the dust.

Happy days, added to the list!
 
Another question, what does the red coloured Iris stop mean? My 135 has a red 11 iris stop and my 50mm 1.4 has a 4.

Is that a note around ideal sharpness or something?

Also, I would like to get a bit of better lens cleaning gear what do you guys use?

Thanks for the help you legends!
 
soren k jensen said:
Dear Adam,

Thanks for the images and inspiration!

Could you please describe how you combine the anamorphic element with the Contaxes? Also, are there limitations as to which focal lengths work etc.?
I use my set of Contaxes on Red Canon mounts and Sony A7s canon mounts via Leitax adapters, Contax to Canon, btw.
Click to expand...

The anamorphic projector lens used here was the Schneider ES Cinelux. I placed this in front of the taking lens and clamped it to rails with a tripod lens collar. In front of that is the Rectilux CoreDNA, which is essential for pulling focus and hands down better than the FM or SLRmagic solutions.

I was able to use lenses as wide as 50mm and still stop down without any vignetting.
 
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Adam E said:
The anamorphic projector lens used here was the Schneider ES Cinelux. I placed this in front of the taking lens and clamped it to rails with a tripod lens color. In front of that is the Rectilux CoreDNA, which is essential for pulling focus and hands down better than the FM or SLRmagic solutions.

I was able to use lenses as wide as 50mm and still stop down without any vignetting.
Click to expand...

Thanks!!!
 
Hey peoples!

I have been so impressed by my 50 & 135 AEJ's and to celebrate my 30th b-day, I just bought the 60 Macro AEJ & the 21 MMJ.

EEEPPP they cost a pretty penny, but will be so worth it! Amazing image quality and fantastic rugged build quality. =)
 
Simon_G said:
Hey peoples!

I have been so impressed by my 50 & 135 AEJ's and to celebrate my 30th b-day, I just bought the 60 Macro AEJ & the 21 MMJ.

EEEPPP they cost a pretty penny, but will be so worth it! Amazing image quality and fantastic rugged build quality. =)
Click to expand...

Congrats!!
 
I have for sale a Zeiss Standard MKI 16mm lens (regular 35mm Academy format) that would match nicely with any Contax set as the wide-angle lens, since it shares the same T* coatings.
It's the latter T2.2 version, not the T2.4 lens. So it's about one stop faster than the 16mm Contax, which is great for Super 35 sized sensors.
The lens is in great condition for a rehousing, Les Bosher in the UK does this set and can also provide Arri STD to PL mount adapters and make the lens ready to work as is.
The link is: http://www.ebay.com/itm/152317588110?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
 
hi all,

random question, I was doing a shoot today and I was having a hard time getting objects in focus from say 100' away with my entire set of duclos moded contax zeiss on an Epic-W Any ideas why that would happen? I assume it doesn't have to do with back focus? I checked infinite focus on a Canon 5d and my Black Magic and it could hit objects 100' away. I also tried a canon lens on my epic-w and I could hit infinite. Any idea why Contax Zeiss + Epic-W wouldnt? Has anyone else experienced this? thanks!
 
Ignacio Aguilar said:
I have for sale a Zeiss Standard MKI 16mm lens (regular 35mm Academy format) that would match nicely with any Contax set as the wide-angle lens, since it shares the same T* coatings.
It's the latter T2.2 version, not the T2.4 lens. So it's about one stop faster than the 16mm Contax, which is great for Super 35 sized sensors.
The lens is in great condition for a rehousing, Les Bosher in the UK does this set and can also provide Arri STD to PL mount adapters and make the lens ready to work as is.
The link is: http://www.ebay.com/itm/152317588110?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
Click to expand...

We have an EOS modded and serviced version of this lens that we use all the time. It's a GREAT lens. Very little distortion. Coatings have similar flare/contrast to Contax, except the Arri goes more blue (easy to grade out though).

Only covers 4K on Dragon (4.5K with a bit of vignetting).


bart cortright said:
hi all,

random question, I was doing a shoot today and I was having a hard time getting objects in focus from say 100' away with my entire set of duclos moded contax zeiss on an Epic-W Any ideas why that would happen? I assume it doesn't have to do with back focus? I checked infinite focus on a Canon 5d and my Black Magic and it could hit objects 100' away. I also tried a canon lens on my epic-w and I could hit infinite. Any idea why Contax Zeiss + Epic-W wouldnt? Has anyone else experienced this? thanks!
Click to expand...

Hmmm...this is a mystery.

Contax primes are very sharp, especially stopped down. Not sure why they won't hit infinity on Helium.

We tested Contax primes on Helium last month and they looked GREAT, but we didn't test for infinity...so this would need more testing from folks with Helium cams.

Let us know if you find more answers!
 
bart cortright said:
hi all,

random question, I was doing a shoot today and I was having a hard time getting objects in focus from say 100' away with my entire set of duclos moded contax zeiss on an Epic-W Any ideas why that would happen? I assume it doesn't have to do with back focus? I checked infinite focus on a Canon 5d and my Black Magic and it could hit objects 100' away. I also tried a canon lens on my epic-w and I could hit infinite. Any idea why Contax Zeiss + Epic-W wouldnt? Has anyone else experienced this? thanks!
Click to expand...

Definitely sounds like a back focus issue. Since your lenses focus properly on other cameras, it seems likely that the Epic-W is out of calibration.
 
Sounds like your camera back focus.. you can adjust that yourself. Check the manual.
 
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