johnastovall
Light Hunter - RIP 2010
Has any one ever seen a Zeiss Contarex 21mm f/4.5 converted to an M-mount?
Has anyone ever had such a conversion done or who might do it?
I have a perfect condition one as part of my old Contarex systems and would like to use it. I know it wouldn't be coupled but it had to be used with MLU on the 'Rex and took amazing sharp pictures.
Has anyone ever had such a conversion done or who might do it?
I have a perfect condition one as part of my old Contarex systems and would like to use it. I know it wouldn't be coupled but it had to be used with MLU on the 'Rex and took amazing sharp pictures.
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
I haven't seen any Contarex lenses converted to screwmount. However I have seen and even owned a couple of the Contax mount ones that had been turned into LTM lenses. Some of these conversions were good, but most of what I have seen has been rather crudely done.
Considering the back focus available on your Contarex lens, it should be possible to machine or make an adapter. You would need a body mount bayonet from a thrashed Contarex and either have a threadmount cut on an extension tube or simply turn the a tube with sufficient diameter in the front to handle the body mount ring and, if my memory serves me right - a taper down to the diameter of the screw to bayonet adapter.
It would be a rather heavy package though, and as you said, uncoupled. With a 21 it is not really a problem and f4.5 maximum aperture will caver up a lot of sins in focussing!
Considering the back focus available on your Contarex lens, it should be possible to machine or make an adapter. You would need a body mount bayonet from a thrashed Contarex and either have a threadmount cut on an extension tube or simply turn the a tube with sufficient diameter in the front to handle the body mount ring and, if my memory serves me right - a taper down to the diameter of the screw to bayonet adapter.
It would be a rather heavy package though, and as you said, uncoupled. With a 21 it is not really a problem and f4.5 maximum aperture will caver up a lot of sins in focussing!
W
wlewisiii
Guest
I have not seen it done. That said
PLEASE DO NOT DESTROY A CONTAREX LENS!!!!!
This lens was made for the Contax mount. Why rape the few that were made for the contarex mount?
William
PLEASE DO NOT DESTROY A CONTAREX LENS!!!!!
This lens was made for the Contax mount. Why rape the few that were made for the contarex mount?
William
Erik L
Well-known
sounds like you have a very rare lens there.
Wimpler
Established
I have a 135mm f2.8 olympia sonnar in contarex mount that is sitting here uselessly. These lenses deserve better. Anybody any other ideas? If someone is converting these, let me know please.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
I've seen a Contarex-to-M conversion, but so long ago that I have no recollection of how it was done. I suspect that Contarex-to-39mm should be feasible too.
Contact SRB -- http://www.srbfilm.co.uk/ -- who can almost certainly do it either reversibly, or via an adapter that will allow the use of any Contarex-mount lens on the front and a Leica on the back. Of course you'll have no RF coupling, but that ain't a problem with 21mm (would be with an Olympic Sonnar).
If the lens is as rare and valuable as some seem to think, you might do better to sell it and buy something that goes straight on -- though it is a nice lens (I had one from a Contax with an M-adapter).
Cheers,
Roger
Contact SRB -- http://www.srbfilm.co.uk/ -- who can almost certainly do it either reversibly, or via an adapter that will allow the use of any Contarex-mount lens on the front and a Leica on the back. Of course you'll have no RF coupling, but that ain't a problem with 21mm (would be with an Olympic Sonnar).
If the lens is as rare and valuable as some seem to think, you might do better to sell it and buy something that goes straight on -- though it is a nice lens (I had one from a Contax with an M-adapter).
Cheers,
Roger
raid
Dad Photographer
I have only two Contarex lenses:
50mm/2.0 and 180mm/2.8.
Why butcher a first class classic and performer?
Not everything has to be in M mount.
50mm/2.0 and 180mm/2.8.
Why butcher a first class classic and performer?
Not everything has to be in M mount.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Raid,
It needn't be butchery. I have a Nikon-to-M adapter which SRB made for me. Actually, it's Nikon F-to-screw-mount, now I think about it -- that was cheaper, and I already had a screw-to-M adapter. The F-lens bayonets into the front, just as it would onto extension tubes, and the adapter bayonets (or screws) into the Leica. I would be surprised if they could not do the same with Contarex.
Cheers,
Roger
It needn't be butchery. I have a Nikon-to-M adapter which SRB made for me. Actually, it's Nikon F-to-screw-mount, now I think about it -- that was cheaper, and I already had a screw-to-M adapter. The F-lens bayonets into the front, just as it would onto extension tubes, and the adapter bayonets (or screws) into the Leica. I would be surprised if they could not do the same with Contarex.
Cheers,
Roger
raid
Dad Photographer
Hello Roger,
Of course, there is nothing wrong with using an adapter here. I was more thinking of having to permanently change the Conatrex mount to M mount.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with using an adapter here. I was more thinking of having to permanently change the Conatrex mount to M mount.
ZeissFan
Veteran
The Carl Zeiss 21mm Biogon for the Contarex is slightly different from nearly all other superwide SLR lenses.
Like a rangefinder lens, the rear element sits deeply in the camera. It required the user to raise the mirror before mounting. That meant the photographer zone focused the lens and used an auxiliary viewfinder mounted to the camera for framing the shot and never required the camera's viewfinder for anything.
I would think that a Contarex to M conversion wouldn't be too difficult. But the cost might be prohibitive for a one-off conversion (done properly), and it might be cheaper and easier to pick up a Contarex Bullseye body instead.
The downside, of course, to the Zeiss Ikon Contarex system is its physical size and weight. And it's far from discrete.
I think the reason that you've never seen one converted to an M mount is that this is the identical 21mm Biogon for the Contax.
Like a rangefinder lens, the rear element sits deeply in the camera. It required the user to raise the mirror before mounting. That meant the photographer zone focused the lens and used an auxiliary viewfinder mounted to the camera for framing the shot and never required the camera's viewfinder for anything.
I would think that a Contarex to M conversion wouldn't be too difficult. But the cost might be prohibitive for a one-off conversion (done properly), and it might be cheaper and easier to pick up a Contarex Bullseye body instead.
The downside, of course, to the Zeiss Ikon Contarex system is its physical size and weight. And it's far from discrete.
I think the reason that you've never seen one converted to an M mount is that this is the identical 21mm Biogon for the Contax.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Mirror-up wideangles were pretty much the norm when the Contarex was introduced: Nikon's 21/4 I know (I've had one) and I believe also Canon's 19/3.5. And the 12/5.6 Voigtländer has been made in Nikon F mirror-up form too. There may be others.
IF the OP can find a Contarex mount -- off a scrap camera, from an extension tube or bellows -- then the cost will be surprisingly modest: my F adapter used an extension tube, I think, but these are hardly uncommon for Fs. If the mount has to be made, it will cost quite a lot more.
The adapter route would also have the advantage of a more easily reparable body than a Contarex, to say nothing of the size and weight.
Cheers,
Roger
johnastovall
Light Hunter - RIP 2010
Thanks for some good ideas getting a parts body or bellow for a mount and having an M-mount fitted to that looks like a good way to go.
I would love to keep using all my Contarex lenses and Bullseye body but the bodies can no longer be reliable repaired. I hate to see that lovely glass just sit there so if I can use the 21 on my M bodies and the 250 Sonnar on a 5D it all to the good.
I would love to keep using all my Contarex lenses and Bullseye body but the bodies can no longer be reliable repaired. I hate to see that lovely glass just sit there so if I can use the 21 on my M bodies and the 250 Sonnar on a 5D it all to the good.
M
M like Leica M6
Guest
Repairing Contarex bodies... well, that's a chapter on its own. FInding spare parts is difficult and sometimes impossible, and these repair jobs are very expensive. What you get after the repair is a very heavy, old-fashioned camera.
I own a C-Bullseye, a 2/50 and a 4,5/21 with a finder. Repairing the bullseye would cost me 500 bucks. :bang:
If it were possible to convert the two lenses to a modern mount, I would love to have it done, but I think that is impossible.
It makes more sense if I offer the whole stuff to someone who really wants it and buy some new Zeiss lenses for my M6. :angel:
I own a C-Bullseye, a 2/50 and a 4,5/21 with a finder. Repairing the bullseye would cost me 500 bucks. :bang:
If it were possible to convert the two lenses to a modern mount, I would love to have it done, but I think that is impossible.
It makes more sense if I offer the whole stuff to someone who really wants it and buy some new Zeiss lenses for my M6. :angel:
micromontenegro
Well-known
I'd sell the Contarex Biogon, buy a Contax one, an Contax-to-M adapter from Amedeo, and probably a couple of beers with the remaining money
M
M like Leica M6
Guest
Come on, it can't be worth that much money... how much is the adapter and the Contax 21?
micromontenegro
Well-known
Wow, you are right! The last C-Rex Biogon completed in the bay went for $409! A few years ago, it was unthinkable to find that lens under $900
I think I am going to get one to complement my Contax RF one
Al Kaplan
Veteran
A lot of things are cheaper these days. It's a great time to buy a house too.
M
M like Leica M6
Guest
In the USA maybe... but I did not know that Lehman was in the photographic busines... 
M
M like Leica M6
Guest
In the meanwhile I found out two things:
- There are adapters for Contarex lenses on ebay for 4/3 digital cameras, the cost around 40 Euros.
- There is one repairman in Hongkong who makes adapters for Contarex lenses on Leica M. I do not have the name and email address yet, but as soon as I know more I will add that to my classified ad here as I am offering my Biogon for sale.
- There are adapters for Contarex lenses on ebay for 4/3 digital cameras, the cost around 40 Euros.
- There is one repairman in Hongkong who makes adapters for Contarex lenses on Leica M. I do not have the name and email address yet, but as soon as I know more I will add that to my classified ad here as I am offering my Biogon for sale.
Dunk
Established
Just had this Biogon refurbished ie stripped, cleaned (defungused) repolished and recoated. Managed to find a proper lens hood today on Ebay ... will post some better pix later in the week when the hood arrives. This lens and 50mm Planar and 85mm Sonnar were away for 2 years receiving their TLC . I chased up the repairer every few months and during the penultimate phone call was advised, "I told you he died ... didn't I?"
RIP and thanks for doing a decent job ... even though it took so long. No, am not going to reveal the repairer's name but suffice to say there are not many who are capable of this type of work. Don't think I'll ruin the lens by having it converted to an M fit .. not much point as will still need to use the viewfinder.
Cheers
dunk
RIP and thanks for doing a decent job ... even though it took so long. No, am not going to reveal the repairer's name but suffice to say there are not many who are capable of this type of work. Don't think I'll ruin the lens by having it converted to an M fit .. not much point as will still need to use the viewfinder.
Cheers
dunk
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