Can I mount Contax G Planar 45/2 on a....

[next1]

micro 43? Yes, I found the answer; via an adaptor.
Can I mount the same lens, on a Nikon D3? I would love to find that answer because these lenses are insanely sharp! I found a series of images with a 90mm lens modified for an F body but still don't know for sure (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jore0902/sets/72157605940236051/)
Did any of you did something like that?

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

No, you can't. The sensor-to-flange distance on a DSLR is too great. That 90mm Sonnar adaptation was a major reconstruction, I believe. There's no adapter that will let you do it.

 

[kzphoto]

How in the hell did it mount on the nikon F? That's so crazy!

 

[kbg32]

You can probably have it done, but only for close-up work, not infinity focus.

 

[sevo]

Yep, none of these Nikon images seem to cover a distance of more than maybe 2-3m. With a shorter lens, the close-up limitation would be even more severe.

 

[kzphoto]

Ahhh! Makes sense. What do they call that? Flange distance?

 

[next1]

How in the hell did it mount on the nikon F? That's so crazy!

That's exactly my point. I can see on the Flickr images that this guy removed the back flange, the black plastic focusing mechanism and then there is a some sort of an adaptor placed between camera and the lens. I don't think that he gives any details but what do I know, I don't speak Chinese.

 

[JonasYip]

Looks like he sawed a good 1cm off the back of the barrel and then just attached an F-mount. There's the additional issue that G lenses don't have focusing rings (screw driven AF only)... wonder what he did about that.

 

[mrisney]

I don't mean to criticize. But why ? A body is just a body, it's more about the lens and film combination. A G1 or a G2 can be had these day for sometimes $250-500, why not just pick up a beater dedicated Contax G1 and play with film combo's (160 Pro S, Portra, Ektar, TriX, etc.). Back to what initially caught me attention, there is a new mount for G lenses to Lumix G's http://contaxgm43.wordpress.com/ Looks interesting, and the thumb wheel looks superior to anything prior. Only problem I see, they can't accommodate the 28mm, the 21mm, or highly doubt the 16mm, those lenses probably protrude to far back against the sensor, or even smash up against it. and the ratio of M43 doubles all focal lengths, so the wide 21mm - if it was to work, would be a 42mm, meh. I have heard that Panasonic will introduce an adapter at Photokina, with a magnifier that will allow Lumix G users to maintain the prime lenses original link. I wonder if there will be a second generation of adapters - especially for the G, that could utilize that, hoping so.

 

[radi(c)al_cam]

As mentioned above, any _adaption_ of a Zeiss "Contax G" lens to Nikon SLR body won't provide infinity focus.

True lens _conversions_ (or modifications -- or even lens organ transplantations) of "Contax G" objectives are quite popular in Japan, e.g.:

http://auphoto.exblog.jp/8166066/, http://tomomimi.exblog.jp/i2/, http://tomomimi.exblog.jp/11506187/

IMHO, the coolest of the Contax-G-glass surgeons is Kawakami-San:
http://www.pbase.com/kkawakami/contax_g_sonner_90mm_modification,
http://www.pbase.com/kkawakami/image/60778132 &c.

do not click if you are faint-hearted: http://www.pbase.com/kkawakami/image/57516953

;-)

 

[splitimageview]

Only problem I see, they can't accommodate the 28mm, the 21mm, or highly doubt the 16mm, those lenses probably protrude to far back against the sensor, or even smash up against it. .

Not sure about the 16 but the 21 and 28 won't fit due to rear element guards. If the guards are removed, these lenses will work, but they are poor performers in the corners due to the oblique angles that the light rays hit the sensor.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

Alexander is correct. The distance to the focal plane at infinity is an inherent feature of a lens. I have a Contax G 45/2 lens which was converted to a Leica s/m mount and then glued into a LTM to M adapter. It works great on a Leica. But the flange-to-film plane distance on a Leica is significantly less than on an SLR. This is because on an SLR, the back of the lens has to be far enough away to allow mirror clearance when the shutter is released.

As a practical matter you CAN get a Nikon F to Pentax 42mm screw-mount adapter, and then a Pentax screw-mount to 39mm step down ring AND THEN mount a Leica thread mount lens on it (see picture below, which is with a Summitar, not a Contax lens). But the set up puts the lens focal node too far away from the sensor plane to focus at infinity and it functions like a bellows adapter. That is: the lens functions like it is a close focus lens only.


So: can it be done with a G-lens? Yes, with great expense. Should it be done? Only if you like macro photography and don't have a cheaper way to indulge your passion. Or you could do it if you like Franken-kameras (see below)

 

[raid]

I would get a Contax G1 or G2 and get it over with. Else, there is too much headache.

 

[next1]

I would get a Contax G1 or G2 and get it over with. Else, there is too much headache.

Agree with you but I'm planing an Olympus E-PL1 (micro 43) and a Contax G 45/2 combo with an adaptor...

 

[next1]

Alexander is correct. The distance to the focal plane at infinity is an inherent feature of a lens. I have a Contax G 45/2 lens which was converted to a Leica s/m mount and then glued into a LTM to M adapter. It works great on a Leica. But the flange-to-film plane distance on a Leica is significantly less than on an SLR. This is because on an SLR, the back of the lens has to be far enough away to allow mirror clearance when the shutter is released.

As a practical matter you CAN get a Nikon F to Pentax 42mm screw-mount adapter, and then a Pentax screw-mount to 39mm step down ring AND THEN mount a Leica thread mount lens on it (see picture below, which is with a Summitar, not a Contax lens). But the set up puts the lens focal node too far away from the sensor plane to focus at infinity and it functions like a bellows adapter. That is: the lens functions like it is a close focus lens only.


So: can it be done with a G-lens? Yes, with great expense. Should it be done? Only if you like macro photography and don't have a cheaper way to indulge your passion. Or you could do it if you like Franken-kameras (see below)

Now that's a Fraken-Kamera !!! 😱😱😱😱