barrykawa
Member
I noticed these converted Contax G lenses for sale for use on a Leica M camera. I used to have a Contax G-2 and liked the lenses a lot, but not the camera. Anyone think it would be good to use these Contax lenses on an M6?
http://www.japanexposures.com/lens/
http://www.japanexposures.com/lens/
Absolutely, these lenses are superb. I had a G1 with the 28, 45, and 90 and they were probably the best lenses I've ever owned...planning to eventually get the 28 and 45.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/megaperls/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/megaperls/


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Debusti Paolo
Well-known
I have a contax g2 with 15mm zoerk heliar,21,35,45 & 90 lenses..I have to say that the 21 biogon is better than my 21 elmarit asph (better flare resistance)and the 45 is better than the 50 /2 (also for bokeh...) and are a lot cheaper than leica lenses.....
barrykawa
Member
Thanks! The 28mm would look nice on my M6, and be cheaper than the Leica equivalent. Guess it is a good way to get the benefits of the Zeiss quality lenses with rangefinder focusing. I always got a lot of out-of-focus shots with my G-2, I guess I always had trouble getting that little AF bracket set on what I wanted to focus on.
Benjamin Marks
Veteran
I have a 28mm G-Biogon at JapanExposures/Hayata right now being converted to M-mount. So far, the process has been pretty painless. Happy to let you all know how it goes. As some forum members know, I have a 45mm lens converted by Mr. Miyazaki that I enjoy using on my M8. JapanExposures (formerly Megapearls) solves the shipping/translation problem that I had to solve for the first conversion. All at the same price!
Will report in to the group when the lens arrives back in the US. I should note that the aperture is friction only - no click stops.
Ben Marks
Will report in to the group when the lens arrives back in the US. I should note that the aperture is friction only - no click stops.
Ben Marks
jmkelly
rangefinder user
Yes but at over $500 per conversion, the ZM 21mm/2.8 Biogon is a better value than the converted G lens. The 45mm and 28mm G lenses make sense. I'm interested in the converted 90mm G Sonnar.
raid
Dad Photographer
John,
What is it about the G 90mm lens that makes it so valuable to you? I am just curious since I will be getting 28-45-90 set soon.
What is it about the G 90mm lens that makes it so valuable to you? I am just curious since I will be getting 28-45-90 set soon.
jmkelly
rangefinder user
Raid... it's a... Sonnar!
It makes lovely images on the G1, but I don't give the G1 the love some of my other rigs get. The Zuiko 85/2 is wonderful, but I want to have an RF option. I have the chrome Nikkor 85/2 Contax-mount and an Amadeo adapter - beautiful images but a heavy rig. I had a thin 90mm Elmarit but sold it - not as compact as I wanted, a very long focus throw, and the signature was not to my taste. The Miyazaki conversion of the G Sonnar should be the lightest and most compact lens in the class.
It makes lovely images on the G1, but I don't give the G1 the love some of my other rigs get. The Zuiko 85/2 is wonderful, but I want to have an RF option. I have the chrome Nikkor 85/2 Contax-mount and an Amadeo adapter - beautiful images but a heavy rig. I had a thin 90mm Elmarit but sold it - not as compact as I wanted, a very long focus throw, and the signature was not to my taste. The Miyazaki conversion of the G Sonnar should be the lightest and most compact lens in the class.
ferider
Veteran
Hi John,
the M-Hex 90 might do the trick. A pretty close copy and very well built.
Roland.
PS: my name is John and I'm a "Sonnar-holic" ....

the M-Hex 90 might do the trick. A pretty close copy and very well built.
Roland.
PS: my name is John and I'm a "Sonnar-holic" ....
enochRoot
a chymist of some repute
i was getting ready to pull the trigger on one of these until i found out how much the dollar seems to have tanked against the yen?! yikes!
raid
Dad Photographer
John: This is a good point. A Sonnar is worth walking a mile for ... [or was that a Camel?]
I will first try out th G1, and then maybe get one lens modified. Maybe not
I will first try out th G1, and then maybe get one lens modified. Maybe not
jmkelly
rangefinder user
Hi John,
the M-Hex 90 might do the trick. A pretty close copy and very well built.
Roland.
PS: my name is John and I'm a "Sonnar-holic" ....![]()
![]()
Funny you should mention the 90mm Hexanon - I'm just waiting on the mail. Isn't it an Ernostar 3e/3g design? The G Sonnar is 5/4, like the Zuiko 85mm/f2.
enochRoot
a chymist of some repute
actually i just found this:
This compact selection is only 22.5mm longer than the standard 50mm barrel and weighs only 330g. It has a 3-group, 3-element front lens with a single-group, 2-element back lens.
This compact selection is only 22.5mm longer than the standard 50mm barrel and weighs only 330g. It has a 3-group, 3-element front lens with a single-group, 2-element back lens.
sniki
Well-known
Does anybody know where I can just see and really buy (shop) these lens downtown in Tokyo?
sniki
sniki
Atom
Molecular.Atom
I was going through http://www.matsumoto-camera.com/ inventory and found an already converted Contax 90/2.8 for 48,000 yen. By my converson around $550 usd. Doesn't seem so bad. There are a few images there, it's about 4 pages into the leica lens list. I don't read Japanese so unfortunately I don't know anything more.
Hmm, I couldn't find the 90, but there is a 28/2.8 Contax-G conversion listed on page 1 of the lenses.
Benjamin
Registered Snoozer
So how does one focus the G lenses on a Leica, seeing as the are auto-focus and are focused with the thumbwheel on a the G1 and G2? I'd thought about it before but was told that it was impossible..
Cheers, Benjamin
Cheers, Benjamin
The glass is removed from the Contax barrel (except for the 90) and placed into a new barrel with a focusing helical. In the case of the 90 a focusing helical is added. More info here: http://www.ziforums.com/showthread.php?t=106
Benjamin
Registered Snoozer
Oh ok, thanks for the info.
Still, it seems like a lot of money to pay for a lens without click-stops. Don't you agree?
Benjamin
Still, it seems like a lot of money to pay for a lens without click-stops. Don't you agree?
Benjamin
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