Contax G: 35mm Planar vs 45 mm Planar

[Bob Michaels]

Geez Bob, you sound so Spock/Vulcan like here! I don't give my cameras pet names or anything, but my emotional response to a camera is based partly on "objective" factors like function or quality, and partly on a subjective cool factor. To my mind, the Contax G cameras have a high cool factor, not unlike feeling a little self important when signing a document with an expensive pen.

Sooner: my comment was not directed to you. And, I have no problem with those who are attracted to cameras for subjective reasons. I just commented that is not me.

I'm one of those with both a Mont Blanc and a Tiffany pen (both gifts) stuffed somewhere in a desk drawer and write with a $1.99 UniBall because it works better for me.

 

[sooner]

No problem, Bob, I was just giving you a hard time, in part because if everyone here at RFF viewed their cameras as mere pedestrian tools then about the only active thread would be the "repair" one. There's certainly nothing wrong with your approach. Maybe if I were able to take more and better pictures then I would be less enamored with the cameras themselves!

 

[shadowfox]

Construction-wise, the 35/2 has more glass elements (7 as opposed to 6 on the 45mm).

Doesn't it means that the images are better corrected and depends on the coating, have more contrast?

Would love to get a 35/2 for hands-on testing, though.

 

[joachim]

Construction-wise, the 35/2 has more glass elements (7 as opposed to 6 on the 45mm).

Doesn't it means that the images are better corrected and depends on the coating, have more contrast?

Would love to get a 35/2 for hands-on testing, though.

Nops it doesn't. The 35 is wider, which in this range of focal length means more difficult to build. Zeiss needs the additional element to have a few more parameters (curvature, thickness, placement, glass indices) to play with.

I have both lenses in question. I think the key difference between the lenses is the 10mm in focal length. The 35mm gives a wide angle perspective, which the 45mm obviously does not. In many situations I encounter, pictures from the 45mm are typically to compressed for my liking and doesn't offer enough breathing space.

My advise is, if you want a 35mm by the 35mm, if you want slightly longer get the 45mm. If you want a 35mm but came to the conclusion the Planar 35mm is not up to your liking get a different camera system, which offers a 35mm lens you like. Using the 45mm (because someone on some internet forum said this is better) when what you want is a 35mm just isn't right.

 

[Arvay]

My advise is, if you want a 35mm by the 35mm, if you want slightly longer get the 45mm. If you want a 35mm but came to the conclusion the Planar 35mm is not up to your liking get a different camera system, which offers a 35mm lens you like. Using the 45mm (because someone on some internet forum said this is better) when what you want is a 35mm just isn't right.

I like 35 biogon on my ZI. Also I have 35 Ultron on Leica.
The question was not about what to choose, but what makes the price difference for 35 and 45. And I supposed that the optical quality of 35 is superior to 45. I can not explain myself the difference by 10 mm focal difference

 

[furcafe]

I've never noticed a huge price difference between the 35 & 45 Planars. To the extent there is 1, I think the main reason is that the 45 was the standard "normal" lens that came w/every new G1 & G2 & is therefore much more common. As far as optical quality, the 45 is well-known as being superior to the 35, particularly wide-open; it's not that the 35 is a bad lens, it's just not as awesome as the 45.

I like 35 biogon on my ZI. Also I have 35 Ultron on Leica.
The question was not about what to choose, but what makes the price difference for 35 and 45. And I supposed that the optical quality of 35 is superior to 45. I can not explain myself the difference by 10 mm focal difference

 

[Arvay]

I've never noticed a huge price difference between the 35 Biogon & 45 Planar.

http://cgi.ebay.com/MINT-Contax-45mm-f2-Planar-T-WA-Lens-Boxed-G-Mount-G2_W0QQitemZ350052218509QQihZ022QQcategoryZ48550QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem45

http://cgi.ebay.com/MINT-CONTAX-CARL-ZEISS-PLANAR-T-35MM-F2-0-G-G2-MOUNT_W0QQitemZ320242806751QQihZ011QQcategoryZ30062QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem 35

I never tried to compare Biogon and Planar. I said I love biogon on my ZI

I was talking about 35 Planar and 45 Planar for G Series...

 

[furcafe]

Sorry, that was a typo. I meant 35 Planar. I have no personal experience w/the ZM lenses, but I have both lenses for the G series & I agree w/the consensus that the 45 is better, optically, especially @ f/2. However, I don't think that explains the price difference. If anything, that would reduce the price of the 35.

http://cgi.ebay.com/MINT-Contax-45mm-f2-Planar-T-WA-Lens-Boxed-G-Mount-G2_W0QQitemZ350052218509QQihZ022QQcategoryZ48550QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem45

http://cgi.ebay.com/MINT-CONTAX-CARL-ZEISS-PLANAR-T-35MM-F2-0-G-G2-MOUNT_W0QQitemZ320242806751QQihZ011QQcategoryZ30062QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem 35

I never tried to compare Biogon and Planar. I said I love biogon on my ZI

I was talking about 35 Planar and 45 Planar for G Series...

 

[Captain]

The Contax G aren't cameras that have to be repaired, they are cameras in which electronic dead components have to be replaced by working ones. This implies that there are spare parts in stock somewhere, and that the repairman that has to do the components swap not only has the part available but can know which one made it for a defective camera, and which one has to be taken off the camera shell in order to be replaced by a new one.
Just check by yourself - there are many countries in which nobody can service the Contax G cameras any longer already.

So really its just spares availability so any country that has spare parts will be fine. 😉 I was just having a bit of a stir really as sometimes forums get very American centric and forget that there really is larger world out there. Many times I hear the term "best in the world" when in reality its the best in the USA. Its that world series syndrome whereby has nothing to do with the world LOL. In Australia we still have a factory CLE technician, although now retired still fixes them and has some parts, long after anything could be done in the good ol Us of A. 😉

 

[Arvay]

I should admit that I seriously doubt abt the spare parts in Russia. We have no Cotax/Kyocera service as far as I know

 

[myoptic3]

The prices have fallen so much on the G cameras and lenses (thank you digital!), that you can pick up one of the G1's w/ a 45mm lens for peanuts. I found mine on eBay for $245 for the kit. As good as the 45mm lens is, the 90 takes better photos to my eyes, although focusing it in low light is a hit or miss affair. Great bokeh. Since you can pick up a G body for so little, it really doesn't make sense to have it repaired anyway, assuming they can repair it. Just buy another body. These cameras have a LOT of electronics, and are designed to be used, not set up in a closet for long periods of time. Use them regularly and keep them away from moisture and they will go on and on.

 

[Bob Michaels]

I have both lenses in question. I think the key difference between the lenses is the 10mm in focal length. The 35mm gives a wide angle perspective, which the 45mm obviously does not. In many situations I encounter, pictures from the 45mm are typically to compressed for my liking and doesn't offer enough breathing space.

My advise is, if you want a 35mm by the 35mm, if you want slightly longer get the 45mm. If you want a 35mm but came to the conclusion the Planar 35mm is not up to your liking get a different camera system, which offers a 35mm lens you like. Using the 45mm (because someone on some internet forum said this is better) when what you want is a 35mm just isn't right.

Well said! I wish I could have said it so few words.

 

[Arvay]

Well said! I wish I could have said it so few words.

Definitely. But unfortunately this is the answer for the other question, not for asked one.

Anyway I received few answers for MY question.
Tanks for them

 

[Hacker]

Just check by yourself - there are many countries in which nobody can service the Contax G cameras any longer already. LOL actually...

Get it converted and RF coupled to fit a Leica M.

 

[Bob Michaels]

Definitely. But unfortunately this is the answer for the other question, not for asked one.

Anyway I received few answers for MY question.
Tanks for them

Arvay: hopefully I did answer your original question earlier and complied with your request for photo examples earlier in this thread.

 

[Highway 61]

Definitely. But unfortunately this is the answer for the other question, not for asked one.

Anyway I received few answers for MY question.
Tanks for them

Take it that way :

- the 45 is an outstanding lens, probably a lens that will leave its track behind in the history of photographic tools, it delivers something "special" even at f:2, it's not expensive because it was the "kit" lens from the first Contax G1 production batch (early 1994). Its focal length is 45mm, very close to a "standard" 50mm one.

- the 35 is an excellent lens, but some other 35mm lenses are as good as it is, if not a bit better at f:2, including some "casual" SLR lenses like the good'ol Nikkor AI-S 35/2. It's a 35, with the FOV you're used to with any other 35.

The 35 was manufactured later, as a standalone production run, when the Contax G2 was released (spring of 1996 IIRC). It was manufactured in less numerous items than the 45. The Contax G1 with still the silver label in the film cartridge chamber won't take it. As for R&D, it costed more to Zeiss-Kyocera than the 45. Hence its highest price on the second hand market, because when new it costed way more than the 45. So, unless they give them away, 35 Planar G owners won't sell it for what a 45 sell.

Hope this matches what you wanted to read.

 

[Arvay]

Take it that way :

- the 45 is an outstanding lens, probably a lens that will leave its track behind in the history of photographic tools, it delivers something "special" even at f:2, it's not expensive because it was the "kit" lens from the first Contax G1 production batch (early 1994). Its focal length is 45mm, very close to a "standard" 50mm one.

- the 35 is an excellent lens, but some other 35mm lenses are as good as it is, if not a bit better at f:2, including some "casual" SLR lenses like the good'ol Nikkor AI-S 35/2. It's a 35, with the FOV you're used to with any other 35.

The 35 was manufactured later, as a standalone production run, when the Contax G2 was released (spring of 1996 IIRC). It was manufactured in less numerous items than the 45. The Contax G1 with still the silver label in the film cartridge chamber won't take it. As for R&D, it costed more to Zeiss-Kyocera than the 45. Hence its highest price on the second hand market, because when new it costed way more than the 45. So, unless they give them away, 35 Planar G owners won't sell it for what a 45 sell.

Hope this matches what you wanted to read.

Yes, thanks. Now the situation is clear. I will complete my coming G1 with 45 as I understood it has great quality for its price. KEH selling them cheap.

Thanks to all who spent time for answers.🙂

 

[Issy]

I though abt the price difference. 35 is twice or three times as much as 45. I would like to know why 🙂

More based on supply and demand versus quality... at any one time, there are 5x ro 10x 45's for sale on ebay versus 35's.

The 45 is the best value (performance versus cost) of any system.

b