Patrick O'Sullivan
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A few months ago I decided to get my Contax set re-housed. I bought 3 50mm f1.4s and sent them to three different places to see what would come back. Originally I wanted a PL set but after I got all three back it was clear that GL Optics was the winner and Nan (the main GL guy) won't do Contax in PL so I went with EF.
I shipped off the rest of my set (21 f2.8, 28 f2, 35 f1.4, 85 f1.4) and crossed my fingers that Nan wasn't a complete scam and that eventually I'd see my beloved Contax set again. Well, I got them back a few days ago and I have to say that I really like the work he has done. Yes they are significantly heavier but no where near being actually heavy. I like the feel, The focus is smooth and so is the iris. Across the board they are all fairly identical in terms of feel. No bumps or hiccups. The finish is nice as well. No scratches or scuffs.
They look the goods and now operate like true cinema glass. Obviously he hasn't been able to fix any of the other flaws in the stills glass as it is just a rehouse so yes there is still breathing but the mechanics are what I was after and the ease of standard fronts that can take a clip on matte box.
Nan was great with emails and answers to all my questions and more often than not I had an email response from him before I had a chance to close my browser. All the packaging and handling was good and he immediately sent through a tracking number as soon as he shipped them.
I will post some detailed photos so everyone can have a closer look when I get some time tomorrow. I've always been a sucker for superspeeds and this is probably as close as I will get to a set of my own. If you are looking for a rehouse on your contax I don't think you will be disappointed.
And just before anybody asks, no I wasn't asked to review the set I am just passing on info for those looking.
Just to make sure all the glass was as I remembered I went out and just started playing around on my day off. No lights or crews or anything. Mostly selfies which made focusing fun.
This is what came of it:
- I'll post a video if I ever get around to editing it all.
I shipped off the rest of my set (21 f2.8, 28 f2, 35 f1.4, 85 f1.4) and crossed my fingers that Nan wasn't a complete scam and that eventually I'd see my beloved Contax set again. Well, I got them back a few days ago and I have to say that I really like the work he has done. Yes they are significantly heavier but no where near being actually heavy. I like the feel, The focus is smooth and so is the iris. Across the board they are all fairly identical in terms of feel. No bumps or hiccups. The finish is nice as well. No scratches or scuffs.
They look the goods and now operate like true cinema glass. Obviously he hasn't been able to fix any of the other flaws in the stills glass as it is just a rehouse so yes there is still breathing but the mechanics are what I was after and the ease of standard fronts that can take a clip on matte box.
Nan was great with emails and answers to all my questions and more often than not I had an email response from him before I had a chance to close my browser. All the packaging and handling was good and he immediately sent through a tracking number as soon as he shipped them.
I will post some detailed photos so everyone can have a closer look when I get some time tomorrow. I've always been a sucker for superspeeds and this is probably as close as I will get to a set of my own. If you are looking for a rehouse on your contax I don't think you will be disappointed.
And just before anybody asks, no I wasn't asked to review the set I am just passing on info for those looking.
Just to make sure all the glass was as I remembered I went out and just started playing around on my day off. No lights or crews or anything. Mostly selfies which made focusing fun.
This is what came of it:
- I'll post a video if I ever get around to editing it all.
