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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

I had a local camera service company here in Copenhagen mount Leitax mounts, declick and dampen the iris. Easy job. Got gears from helicoptersean and bought step up rings online. Good. Cheap. Quick. Hey, sometimes you can have all three ;-)
 
With Duclos you are buying a guarantee that everything will work as expected, and parts are class leading. But if you are willing to do some of it yourself, you may achieve the results you need.

1. I had a local lens tech in Sydney de-click and grease/dampen the lens - this is the most complex job. It cost AU$50 per lens.
2. I did the Leitax mounts myself. David is great to deal with, and shipping is quick. Very simple job, and if you do it after the de-clicking, the tricky part of releasing tough screws has already been done by a professional.
3. The gears you can get from Helicoptensean or Cool-Lux. Usually a simple job to install or remove.
4. Front step up rings are available online. It won't have the funky Duclos labelling on them (which kinda says "class") but what the hey, helps with matte box use nonetheless.
 
If you're going to do it all yourself, you can go a cheaper route:

Shoot 35 has cheaper step up rings with 80mm front OD from filter thread sizes 58-82mm. £6.00 a piece, about $8. The only thing I'm not certain is if they also have 77mm filter threads (personally not something I need).
http://www.shoot35.com/product-p/shoot-cinebox-rings.htm

Then you can get the Cordvision caps for $16 each.
http://www.cordvision.com/product/80mm-standard-cine-lens-cap/

Or these for $13, but the reviews are kinda steering me away.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/125302-REG/Kaiser_206980_80mm_Push_On_Lens_Cap.html

Or Duclos for $20.
https://www.ducloslenses.com/products/80mm-duclos-cap

Then go with FollowFocusGears for your gear rings at $35 a piece.
https://followfocusgears.com/search?q=zeiss+contax

With declicking at $60 each, then you've got a price of ~$120 per lens.
 
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Aaron Lochert said:
If you're going to do it all yourself, you can go a cheaper route:

Shoot 35 has cheaper step up rings with 80mm front OD from filter thread sizes 58-82mm. £6.00 a piece, about $8. The only thing I'm not certain is if they also have 77mm filter threads (personally not something I need).
http://www.shoot35.com/product-p/shoot-cinebox-rings.htm

Then you can get the Cordvision caps for $16 each.
http://www.cordvision.com/product/80mm-standard-cine-lens-cap/

Or these for $13, but the reviews are kinda steering me away.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/125302-REG/Kaiser_206980_80mm_Push_On_Lens_Cap.html

Or Duclos for $20.
https://www.ducloslenses.com/products/80mm-duclos-cap

Then go with FollowFocusGears for your gear rings at $35 a piece.
https://followfocusgears.com/search?q=zeiss+contax

With declicking at $60 each, then you've got a price of ~$120 per lens.
Click to expand...

Nice Aaron! I went that way too.
 
Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

For all the West Germany Contax collectors, I was browsing eBay when I saw what could be a very rare MMG version of the "Hollywood" 28mm f/2 pop up:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-TOP-MINT-Contax-Carl-Zeiss-Distagon-T-28mm-F-2-2-0-MMG-/292168969810?hash=item4406a0ae52:g:EdsAAOSwRXRZV2ga

Almost twice the price of what I paid for my AEG 28mm f/2, but I know some of the guys here (maybe even Nick Morrison?) have been searching for a MM version of the 28mm f/2 and a MMG version might be real collectors item.

One small thing I noticed however is that the serial number is 6158538 and according to Nicks guide, MM versions usually didn't start that early?
 
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So I thought it'd be interesting to put together a quick spreadsheet comparing the current prices of the Contax "Super" Primes as outlined by Nick to the "Standard Primes" as well as their equivalents in the Classic ZE/ZF, Milvus, Otus, Sony lines as well as Leica R lenses.

The Contax prices are exactly what I paid through eBay to put together my set. Obviously there is some fluctuation/variation as I paid a little extra to get lenses that were rated "Near-Mint" and MM (except for the 28mm and 60mm which I couldn't find in MM). So in reality you could probably put together a set for several hundred dollars cheaper than what I paid if you go AE or if their conditions were merely rated "Excellent".

Some lenses were discontinued from Contax to the newer Zeiss lines, so I just found their closest equivalents. All prices were taken from B&H or Amazon (except the Leica R which I got through eBay).
96dzzk.jpg


Obervations
- As you can see, you're getting huge bang for buck with the Contax "Super Primes". The Contax set is several thousand dollars cheaper than any of the other lines except for the slower Contax "Standards". The difference closes if you decide to cinemod all 8 lenses through Duclos and get Leitax adapters in which case the total will go up by $2500 bringing the Contax set to roughly $9000.

- The Milvus line is missing the 28mm and 135mm focal lengths so the total cost of all their lenses is close to the Classic line despite the Milvus lenses individually being much more expensive.

- As everybody knows, the Otus line is extremely expensive and their sole 3 lenses more than double the cost of all 8 Contax lenses.

- Putting together an entire set of the "Standards" as Nick pointed out in his guide really is an incredible bargain. I doubt you could put together a complete set of 8 lenses ranging from 18mm to 135mm that are the same quality as the Contax "Standards" for $2400. I chose AE or MM for the various lenses based on observations that Nick has posted about in regards to which he liked better (the 28mm f/2.8 being better in MM or the 85mm f/2.8 AE having the best flares).

- I threw the Sony E-Mount Zeiss lenses in there just for another price comparison as they cover Full Frame Sony cameras sensors like the Contax can.

- For the Leica R line, I found a huge variance in the prices of the lenses. I know there are multiple versions (I, II, III, etc.) of each lens, but since I'm no expert, I just took the prices offered from reputable eBay sellers with thousands of ratings that listed the lenses in Excellent or Near Mint condition.
 
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Thought I would also share this picture of my mint, never used, 50mm f/1.4 MMJ. Serial Number 8456449!

1440ihj.jpg


Even cooler is that it came with the original Japanese price tag and Zeiss Certificate in German:

29bcx1h.jpg


(translates to "This object meets the Carl Zeiss Quality Standard")
 
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Tristan Pemberton said:
Cool. From a Japanese seller?
Click to expand...

Yep. The seller only had 300 or so ratings and I usually only buy from sellers with ratings in the few thousands, but this 50mm had the highest serial number out of all the ones available on eBay so I went for it. It's definitely mint and has no dust inside the lens.
 
Nick. When your guide hits 1 million views we are tossing you a surprise party! Beware of success!
 
Bill Totolo said:
BTW, where's everyone getting their Contax lenses serviced?
Click to expand...

RP Lens will actually do interior lens cleanings in addition to regular servicing. Duclos won't do interior cleanings, but will probably take care of stiff focus rings and what not.

Nippon Photoclinic in NYC is a licensed Contax lens cleaner and I'm shipping a 50mm f/1.4 to them that has a slight haze.
 
Will Keir said:
Nick. When your guide hits 1 million views we are tossing you a surprise party! Beware of success!
Click to expand...

Breathtaking guide and outstanding posts! My heartfelt thanks to Nick and thank you all for your effort and kindness.
 
Great thread, thanks to everyone who contributed to this. I've got a 28mm f2, 35 1.4 and 50 1.4 on the way to me now.

What diffusion filters are people using that look good with the Contax Zeiss? I see the Hollywood Black Magic looks nice, and the Black Pro Mist.

Has anyone tried the Tiffen Pearlescent or Satin? Any others I should be thinking about? Mainly I'm looking at avoiding the harsh, clinical feel of too much resolution, which the lenses already take care of. But a little diffusion should come in handy too
 
I quite like the look of BMP 1/8th on the lenses, even though they're technically legacy glass, they're not as soft or low contrast as Canon FD or such. The 1/8th is just about right for most stuff. I've got a 1/4th,but rarely use it.

Funny that even with 80s lenses we're adding diffusion, meanwhile some people think that anything short of a Batis isn't sharp or contrast enough, lol.
 
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