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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

Hey Luke, I’ve had mine declicked by a camera shop. When they opened it and looked inside, they discovered the helicoid needed to be re-cemented and it needed a complete overhaul. That’s my experience, and I can say that it was worth it- it’s one of my favorite lenses now.
 
Did you know that the CONTAX Zeiss lenses use the same glass, coating and general design like the legendary Zeiss Super Speeds? If you want to know How they compare, how they look on different sensor sizes and how to mod them, this is for you.
https://youtu.be/EUjUxKvXgpw
contax.jpg
 
Luke Ogden said:
Has anyone declicked the 28mm f2 ? It's possible the aperture was always sticky but since opening the back to the lens i've found it has stuck wide open. the focus is a little stiff too so it's possible the whole lens needs an ovehaul. interested to hear experiences of people to have and have tinkered with this lens. thanks
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I already talked with Luke in another place I'm just going to repeat here the conversation so people know about it. He is talking about the (very rare and expensive) 28/2 MM lens by the way, not the more common AE variant.

They are two versions of the 28/2 in C/Y mount. The AE and the MM. I own, and have opened, both lenses. Both share the same exact glass and coating - the 28/2 MMs are a rare occasion that were made with the same era serials as the AEs (60~62). Unless you opt-in for a Rollei HFT version with a little later 6 serials (that is confirmed to have actual Zeiss Contax coatings), there is no later version of the 28/2 stills lens ever made before we reach the Classic ZE/ZF.2 lens which is slightly altered optically and of course in coating. The bodies and the mechanics of the 28/2 AE and MM lenses are exactly same. The only difference between the two is the aperture mechanism as the MM uses a different type so the camera can control the aperture and thus offer program and shutter priority. The iris blades of the 28/2 MM do not make a ninja-star shape at f2.8 like the AE does.
The MM aperture offered in the 28/2 MM (and I suspect the 135/2 that also has those early odd AE serials/coatings) is quite different than the rest of the MM aperture systems found in the rest of MM lenses. Usually, in MM lenses, when the aperture control pin is accidentally pushed beyond it's normal place (something that isn't physically possible in AE lenses) it is temporary jammed and it can be easily un-jammed by pushing the camera operated pin at the other side and then bringing back the pin that connects with the iris ring. In the 28/2 MM though this unjamming mechanism doesn't work and once the lens is jammed it needs better attention. My 28/2 MM also got jammed very easily and I didn't have any luck finding how to unjam it - weird since I never had problem to fix any problems in other AE and MM apertures. I sent the lens for an overhaul anyways and the technician reported that indeed the aperture was jammed and he had to unjam it slightly makeshift-way. I thought this was some special occasion on my copy but reading Luke's experience I think this is something very common and I would advice again opening any 28/2 MM for decklicking by your own and also be careful when you install a Leitax/Simmod mount on it so you don't lift the C/Y mount. Of course this is not a problem with the AE version or other MM lenses.

I also feel I have to mention that these still lenses were made 45~20 years ago. Most people run for the cheap copies with 58 serials made 45 years ago. Even most MM copies were made around 30 years ago. It's all good and nice with the small cheap 2.8s (if it has a problem just sell it a little cheaper and get a new copy) but if you are serious on making a good Contax set with the premium versions, the first thing you should do is sending them for an overhaul. There is all this talk about how Zeiss lenses are lenses that will last you a life-time but the fact is that these lenses were never made to last that long without servicing. Every Superspeed/Standards set that old has been serviced multiple times. Yet, most of these Contaxes are left un-opened since factory. While glass and coatings is a whole different discussion, modern (Zeiss) lenses are made with much more advanced mechanical design, grease and adhesives. Old grease from the focusing helicoid of the Contaxes has hardened and re-liquify dozens times since factory and is left in whatever state causing stiff, bumpy or unpleasant focusing in general. The iris lubricant used in Contax lenses is a hazard waiting to happen - it evaporates and hazes the lens under the coatings; there is no fix for that short of removing the irreplaceable coatings (and be careful about that, I came across 3 different Contaxes were the coating of an internal element was amateurishly grinded so the lens appears alright but the fact was the focal length has changed because of it causing bad performance). The adhesive used to cement elements together is very sensitive to temperature changes and it's easy to get separation (my 21/2.8 got it after a few moths of careful use and have seen another 2 21/2.8s with the same exact separation at the same element group). All these problems are solved nowdays using more technically advanced materials and when you send your lens for overhaul (to a reputed technician of course) you will get back perfect lenses that you can safely enjoy for another decade or two. Modern grease won't evaporate and the adhesive that is used to cement groups together is temperature invariant. Don't be stupid like me and try too save money thinking overhaul is for rich people, or even worse trying to do it your self. Also buying the most expensive "Top Mint" copies does not guarantee any of the above is okay or is going to for the years to come. If you are serious about making a reliable premium Contax set (which includes any of the 15, 21, 28/2, 35/1.4, 85/1.4, 100/2, 135/2), an overhaul, or at least good reliable check up is highly recommended. Just getting all your Contaxes focusing helicoids smooth and (about) the same feel is totally worth it.
 
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I have a question regarding the Contax Zeiss 60mm 2.8 macro lenses. Which of the variants is sharpest for landscapes (distance) when shooting at f8?
 
It's very sharp, even at 5.6. If you want to carry only one lens in the range when out in the wild and need macro too, it's a very good solution vs a 50mm prime.
 
Contax Zeiss with the new Komodo

Contax Zeiss with the new Komodo

Anyone knows if and how the Contax Zeiss will work well with the new coming Komodo camera? Would it be possible change the Contax with a RF mount instead of the EF?
 
Domingo Lamarre said:
Anyone knows if and how the Contax Zeiss will work well with the new coming Komodo camera? Would it be possible change the Contax with a RF mount instead of the EF?
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it's not worth it because then you loose compatibility with all the other systems, while if you go the EF route you can use the set in all the major systems and mounts via adapters (often locking like the RED and Canon mount and also the Metabones Cine versions).
 
Leitax or Simmod?

Are both shimmable? How does this work if I want infinity focus to be accurate?

My lens has a stiff focus ring. Is there an easy way to deal with this? Thanks.
 
Domingo Lamarre said:
What's the full coverage of the Contax? Would they work on large format sensor cameras (Mini LF, Venice)?
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Yes they are all designed to cover Full Frame Photography, so will cover Monstro, Mini LF and Venice. That is part of their appeal.
 
Domingo Lamarre said:
Anyone knows if and how the Contax Zeiss will work well with the new coming Komodo camera? Would it be possible change the Contax with a RF mount instead of the EF?
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What others have said. Just use an RF to EF adapter. Much easier.
 
Can anyone comment on the build quality Kimcamera PL versions of the contax? He seems like he is the only one that will do the 35 speed, for some reason the others like GL Optics and someone else I asked wont do that lens, which has held me off from getting these PL modded. Kimcamera has pics of all these older great photo lenses rehoused and they look good in the pics, and the price is good. Soooo, whats the catch. I can't seem to find much at all as far as firsthand user experience with these. It seems like maybe he puts a shell on these and leaves the internals but I have no idea, I think i remember hearing that.
You can see Kimcamera on social media and eBay.
 
Jake Wilganowski said:
Can anyone comment on the build quality Kimcamera PL versions of the contax? He seems like he is the only one that will do the 35 speed, for some reason the others like GL Optics and someone else I asked wont do that lens, which has held me off from getting these PL modded. Kimcamera has pics of all these older great photo lenses rehoused and they look good in the pics, and the price is good. Soooo, whats the catch. I can't seem to find much at all as far as firsthand user experience with these. It seems like maybe he puts a shell on these and leaves the internals but I have no idea, I think i remember hearing that.
You can see Kimcamera on social media and eBay.
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Yeah I've seen those on the webs too. I think they are shells also. Don't know why the 35 Speed is so hard to mod.
 
Id be fine with shells really if the build quality is good, hoping someone will chime in here that has held one of the Kimcamera conversions, Contax or not....
 
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