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Leica R and Contax some questions?

J

Jacob Callaghan

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Hello there REDUSERS,

So i am looking at piecing together a small Leica or Contax kit.

I am thinking a 24 or 28 mm, 35-70, 50mm, and a tele zoom.

I know both Leica and Contax make great lenses and very similar focal lengths. I am not here to ask what is better. Aslo i have never shot with either. But i seem confused on the look of each lens. I have been searching the web and have come across people saying that Leicas are more cool and organic, and that Contax are more warm and punchy. And then i have also read that Contax are more cool and organic and less contrasty and Leicas are warm and beautiful and punchy.

I am looking for a cooler lens set with less contrast. I know the Leicas cost more.... But what of the two is more on the colder less contrast vintage side? If i would be better off with a different lens set than these two please give insight on that as well.

Thanks,

Jacob
 
The Leica's R are excellent. The 70 180 zoom is also excellent up against the very best cine lenses. Id suggest

19mm V2
28mm
50mm Sumicron or Sumilux E60 is excellent
The 35 70 macro zoom is very good there is a 35 70 f2.8 ASPH which is very expensive and the 70 180 as mentioned is also excellent.

In my view check out both lens sets device the look you want. For my money Leica have a more organic look.
 
I have shot with both, and the Contax certainly appeared more lowcon...even when shooting on MMs (the later era Contax with contrastier coatings).

The older Contax AEs can be very organic, esp if you buy the very early serial #s (ie high 5s, low 6s). The Leicas are very pretty though, for sure.

That said, I have an enormous collection of modded Contax glass, and love them. The 21 2.8, 35 1.4, 50 1.4, and 85 1.4 are certainly world class. The 35-70 zoom has a deep, almost cult like following in the stills world...stopped down to 5.6 and f8 it rivals or surpasses many primes on full frame, and has a 3D rendering and coloring thats earned it a deep, loyal following.

Basically, you cant go wrong with either! Good luck!

Best
 
I am with Nick on this one.. You can not go wrong with either. I will give you my two cents. Since I have owned sets of both of these.

Leica IMHO give a really deep rich color compared to the Zeiss. Something about Leica glass gives a really great look right off the bat.

Zeiss on the other hand seem more true to color of what the lens sees. Also both are insanely sharp.

I think it comes down to cost. Either set you will love. Whatever you can get the best deal on would be great.

If you look around you can get a great set off Zeiss ZE or ZF for close to the price of the Contax.

I just picked up a 35mm F/2 Zeiss ZF for $450
I already own the
28mm ZF.2 2.0 1,000
15mm F/3.5 1,500
18mm F/3.5 685
50mm F.1.4 ZF 425

I am on the lookout for a 100mm Makro and a 21mm. Both do not come up cheap often. But when they do I will pounce.

So depending on your budget.

If you can get the ZF or ZE I would go for that over the Contax. But for the money.. Contax and the Leica R lenses have tremendous bang for the buck.

Remember to include a good variable ND filter and Hot mirror filter with your kit. They will save your butt many times when shooting outside.

Having said all that.. I always regretted selling my Leica 35mm F/1.4.. I still miss. If money were no object I would have kept them all.

feel free to PM me if you want some more help while choosing.
 
I personally love the look of Contax and Leica...and prefer them often to modern glass. Especially when shooting at high resolutions (4K, 5K, 6K), I think the character of these lenses adds tremendous depth and texture. The beauty of them is...stopped down, they are also very very sharp. My Contax glass at F4 is superb in studio conditions!
 
leicas are super organic and deep and warm and contax is sharper more clinical more "zeiss" and colder

its really dependent on what kinda look your project calls for.
 
Saumene Mehrdady said:
leicas are super organic and deep and warm and contax is sharper more clinical more "zeiss" and colder

its really dependent on what kinda look your project calls for.
Click to expand...

Modern Zeiss is definitely more clinical than Leica R, but the difference in coating between the modern zeiss series and Contax is pretty big.

Contax (AE especially) is in no way clinical. Extremely organic and much less contrast than Leica R, while still retaining that Zeiss microcontrast/pop.

In short I'd say Leica R makes nearly everything pretty, whereas Contax are more true to life.
 
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