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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

Nick Morrison said:
Get the 35-70 and 80-200, trust me. They are both bionic glass. We tested them on Monstro and they crushed.

The 28-85 is great too, but the light loss btw 28 and 85 can be a pain when shooting video.

The 70-210 is MUCH OLDER, so proceed at your own risk with that one - it's also much more expensive.

The Sigma 18-35 is much cleaner/modern than Contax glass, but you can slap on some BPM to help it match.

Have fun!
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Thanks Nick. You are the best!

So, what do you suggest for wide angle?
 
Rick Griemink said:
I am looking for some good 0.8 gears for my Contax set. I am currently using cool-lux gears, but I find them to narrow for a proper alignement with a follow focus and to wide around the lens (their even wider than my 80mm front ring).
Does anyone have experience with these; https://www.ebay.com/itm/Seamless-F...640508?hash=item3cdc83753c:g:km0AAOSwdIFXz-QF. Or any other good recommendations?! Thanks so much!
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They're awesome. Nice fit and don't slip at all. Completely recommend.
 
Filter Size??

Filter Size??

Hwy guys, this may be a silly question, but what size filters do you use on your Contax Lenses?

I am looking at investing in some HBM and IRND filters - as well as a mattebox, but I am not sure whether to go for 4x4 or 4x5.65 filters. I currently have the following lenses:

Tokina 11-16
Contax 28mm F/2.8 MMJ
Contax 50mm F/1.4 MMJ
Contax 60mm F/2.8 Macro C MMJ
Contax 135mm F/2.8 MMJ
Contax 35-70 F/3.4 MMJ

ALL Lenses are fitted with Cordvision fronts.

I would love to go for 4x4 if they will work without vignetting or any other issues, due to the cheaper price. Let me know your set up, as well as any filters you have had success with on your contax lenses! I would love to hear some suggestions
 
Patrick Monaghan said:
Hwy guys, this may be a silly question, but what size filters do you use on your Contax Lenses?

I am looking at investing in some HBM and IRND filters - as well as a mattebox, but I am not sure whether to go for 4x4 or 4x5.65 filters. I currently have the following lenses:

Tokina 11-16
Contax 28mm F/2.8 MMJ
Contax 50mm F/1.4 MMJ
Contax 60mm F/2.8 Macro C MMJ
Contax 135mm F/2.8 MMJ
Contax 35-70 F/3.4 MMJ

ALL Lenses are fitted with Cordvision fronts.

I would love to go for 4x4 if they will work without vignetting or any other issues, due to the cheaper price. Let me know your set up, as well as any filters you have had success with on your contax lenses! I would love to hear some suggestions
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The only lens on that list that a 4x4 filter might not fully cover is the Tokina 11-16mm.

For instance, if you were to use a 4x4 polariser on that lens you may see the edge of the filter as it rotates.

But this will depend on:
1. The sensor size it's mounted to,
2. How close the filter is to the front element,
3. the focal length of the zoom (IE 11mm or 16mm).

I think with standard ND, diffusion etc, you shouldn't have any problem. You'll just have to carefully select a mattebox that can accomodate a lens as wide as the Tokina 11-16mm. I use a Vocas 435 and it works great. Beautiful build quality as well.
 
How do you guys work with the 50mm? It's too damn small to use with both a follow focus and a mattebox. Is it possible to do? Is there an adapter that can be used - I've tried step up rings, but they don't give me enough spacing.

I'm sorry if this has already been asked!
 
Ben Scott said:
I used 4x4" on Contax for years with no issue although now using 4x5.65".
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Good to know. Out of curiosity, why did you choose to make the switch to 4x5.65 Ben? I guess I want to be kinda future proof, but then again, the prices for 4x4 filters are quite attractive!
 
If you plan on using PL and cine lenses then 4x4 will likely become an issue. 4x5 covers most high end cine primes. I’d invest there on filters and not have to buy twice.
 
Patrick Monaghan said:
Good to know. Out of curiosity, why did you choose to make the switch to 4x5.65 Ben? I guess I want to be kinda future proof, but then again, the prices for 4x4 filters are quite attractive!
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Exactly the reason Hal gave.
 
Ben Scott said:
Exactly the reason Hal gave.
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What Ben and Hal said.

We invested early on in a slew of 77mm screw in filters - we have a large box of them, that range from ND's to Classic Soft, to HBM.

But now that we need to mix other types of lenses into our workflow, there's only one universal option: 4x5.65.

It's the standard for a reason. Pretty much works with anything other than massive zooms, which are anomalies anyway.
 
These lenses work magic not only topside, but underwater/split as well. Contax 21mm on Weapon Helium, Gates Deep Weapon, on the Alien Runner set.

Cheers to Nick Morrison!
 

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Thanks very much Nick, William,

The 16mm arrives shortly from Japan, looking forward to a series of underwater tests with it, curious to see how the internal filtration performs with underwater red spectrum loss.
 
Tom Hamilton said:
Thanks very much Nick, William,

The 16mm arrives shortly from Japan, looking forward to a series of underwater tests with it, curious to see how the internal filtration performs with underwater red spectrum loss.
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Do you mean a 15mm Contax Tom? I always wanted to try that one.
 
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