WTB: Contax 28mm 2.8 MMJ Lens for C/Y mount in EX+ condition - Leitax modded OK too

[Daniel Reed]

FOUND ONE - THANKS ALL


Hi,

I'm looking around for an excellent copy of a Contax 28/2.8 either in it's native C/Y mount or retrofitted with a Leitax mount.
I'm looking around specifically for an MM version made in Japan, ideally with a serial number starting with 7xxx or better yet 8xxx.
The lens itself should have the aperture marking on the lens for F22 in green like the photo below:

I've been digging around in the usual places, but no luck!


If ya got one you're not using and it fits the bill, by all means sell it to me.
Or if you happen to find or know a seller, I'll gladly pay a finders fee if it all checks out at the end.
:sifone:

PM me with info/asking price, or if my inbox is full, feel free to leave a note below.


Thank You


Regards,
Dan

 

[Nick Morrison]

Fucking great lens. Stopped down it's a monster.

 

[Tom Greenberg]

There's a 28/2.8 MMJ on eBay now which looks like it is in great shape and has a serial number in the high 8's:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ZEISS-28mm-...67289788?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item23265a07bc

 

[Daniel Reed]

Thanks Tom, yeah I already have that 28/2.8 on my watch list; however, I suspect the auction will jump to 28/2 price levels as there are a couple of zero feedback users outbidding everyone... tis a shame.

Speaking of the 28mm "Hollywood", sadly it appears that a good number of unscrupulous sellers are painting the smallest aperture green or calling them MM when they aren't.
Although frankly, beyond the age and maybe a minor improved T star coating, I'm not sure what other difference there is for the 28/2 - as I'm under the impression that model was only made in Germany.

 

[Tom Greenberg]

I can relate, Daniel...I have spent a ton of hours on eBay combing through listings to find my own Contax although my 28/2.8 (AEG) actually came from KEH. I definitely recommend checking KEH several times a day...they add stuff regularly and it often disappears almost instantly...but at least their inventory changes frequently. Very sad to hear about dealers carrying out fraudulent activities (painting aperture numbers green?????)...that crap is bad for everyone. Good luck in your search!

 

[Daniel Reed]

Boom, I just ordered a 8xxx serial Contax C/Y 28/2.8 unused/new-in-box from a shop in Germany for $595 including shipping!

Found it and a couple other 28s on the the DEU version of ebay - http://www.ebay.de/
Out of 2000+ feedbacks, they had only one negative comment from a guy in Hong Kong complaining about a UV filter.

Go-GO-Google Translate !!

If this works out well, as i hope it does, I'll definitely recommend Ebay Germany for finding good condition used glass :coolgleamA:

 

[Shervin Mandgaryan]

The Japanese seller matsuiyastore is also a phenomenal seller to deal with. I just got in a 135/2.8 from him last week, absolutely brand spanking new (zero signs of wear) for $250 shipped. It's tack sharp wide open too.

If you keep an eye out for good deals from Asian sellers on used Contax glass, it may be worth the extra effort... you'll save quite a bit of money and get a near new lens. Looks like he purchases lenses from otherwise shooters or collectors that don't use them anymore... I think the Japanese have a habit of purchasing expensive lenses and never using them, then selling them years down the road for a fraction of the cost... works for me!

 

[Daniel Reed]

Hey Shervin, funny you should mention Matsuiyastore. I just picked up a super EX+ new looking 8xxx serial MMJ Contax 50/1.4 from them recently too for about $460 :thumbsup:


They also had/have an EX+ 50/1.4 AEJ version w/ serial 6xxx for about $100 less, but I'm trying to go with the newest "used" versions of Contax glass for my set.

 

[Shervin Mandgaryan]

That was you eh? I was eyeing that for a bit, congrats pal!

He's my go to seller now for mint Contax glass, he's got quite a selection of MMJ that come up for a good price often. Still blown away by the 135 I got from him... nothing from Canon can touch it wide open... and the colors... oh the colors...

 

[Daniel Reed]

Heh, afraid so! The funny thing was I was eyeing a 50/1.4 MMJ EX+ over at KEH earlier for about 10 mins tops, clicked to put it in my basket - but it was gone and sold just moments before!

The only thing I don't like about KEH is they don't list the serial on the website, you have to call them to find out - although they're great on the phone and always very helpful.

 

[Nick Morrison]

Thanks Tom, yeah I already have that 28/2.8 on my watch list; however, I suspect the auction will jump to 28/2 price levels as there are a couple of zero feedback users outbidding everyone... tis a shame.

Speaking of the 28mm "Hollywood", sadly it appears that a good number of unscrupulous sellers are painting the smallest aperture green or calling them MM when they aren't.
Although frankly, beyond the age and maybe a minor improved T star coating, I'm not sure what other difference there is for the 28/2 - as I'm under the impression that model was only made in Germany.

BTW I've found that almost ALL 28 f2's have very low 6XX-XXX serial numbers. Can't figure out why. Unless, as you say, some unscrupulous sellers are painting the last aperture number green (to look MM)...but not sure why they would...

 

[Nick Morrison]

That was you eh? I was eyeing that for a bit, congrats pal!

He's my go to seller now for mint Contax glass, he's got quite a selection of MMJ that come up for a good price often. Still blown away by the 135 I got from him... nothing from Canon can touch it wide open... and the colors... oh the colors...

What did you get? The 135 2.8 or F2? The MMJ 2.8 Sonnar is OFF THE CHAIN, and for the price..unbeatable.

Some dude a couple of years ago did a test and was blown away...it was sharper then his 70-200 2.8, which all Canon users swear by. He was dumbfounded...HAHA...all form a $300 lens.

 

[Domenic Barbero]

I want the 135 2.0 so bad.

 

[Shervin Mandgaryan]

What did you get? The 135 2.8 or F2? The MMJ 2.8 Sonnar is OFF THE CHAIN, and for the price..unbeatable.

Some dude a couple of years ago did a test and was blown away...it was sharper then his 70-200 2.8, which all Canon users swear by. He was dumbfounded...HAHA...all form a $300 lens.

Indeed, the MMJ 135 2.8. Late 7 serial too. It's mind boggling how sharp it is, and how it doesn't get much better when you stop down to 5.6 or 8. I've got a bunch of EF extension tubes with it and it works incredibly as a macro lens as well. I think if you can deal with the hassle of macro tubes on set, then purchasing the 135 2.0 or 2.8 with some tubes will knock off buying a Macro telephoto. I don't see a performance hit, vignetting or any other negative attributes with using macro tubes at all, except that I'm getting jaw droppingly gorgeous macro shots with now what is a very cheap dual-purpose lens.

 

[Nick Morrison]

Indeed, the MMJ 135 2.8. Late 7 serial too. It's mind boggling how sharp it is, and how it doesn't get much better when you stop down to 5.6 or 8. I've got a bunch of EF extension tubes with it and it works incredibly as a macro lens as well. I think if you can deal with the hassle of macro tubes on set, then purchasing the 135 2.0 or 2.8 with some tubes will knock off buying a Macro telephoto. I don't see a performance hit, vignetting or any other negative attributes with using macro tubes at all, except that I'm getting jaw droppingly gorgeous macro shots with now what is a very cheap dual-purpose lens.

Yes it also has some very even performance across the frame, no drop off. It's a stud. It's well used with macro tubes. The Sonnar's respond well to extension tubes. The 85 2.8 is great with them too. As is the 50 1.7 Planar. For whatever reason, the lenses with the simpler designs seem to respond VERY WELL to Macro Extension tubes.

 

[Daniel Reed]

Yeah Nick, I've even seen a couple 5xxx serials marked as MM with the small aperture tinted green - usually from overseas vendors especially Hong Kong or Poland.

...if memory serves correctly, on Ebay Germany most of the the 28/2 contax glass I saw had 7xxx serials...

...I'm not 100% sure, but I'm under the impression the switch from AE to MM occurred during the late 6xxx serials

Either way, unless there is next to zero doubt about an overseas vendor, just pass.

BTW I've found that almost ALL 28 f2's have very low 6XX-XXX serial numbers. Can't figure out why. Unless, as you say, some unscrupulous sellers are painting the last aperture number green (to look MM)...but not sure why they would...