Robert Capa - Contax IIA & Nikon S - what lenses ?

CameraQuest

CameraQuest

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Yesterday I read a very beautiful and well done book called "Robert Capa: The Paris Years 1933-54" Turns out Capa replaced his Leicas in 1937 with the Zeiss Contax II. His ikonic D Day pics were with the Contax. Later he added a Nikon S.

Does anyone know what lenses he shot with besides the Zeiss 50/1.5 and 50/1.4 Nikkor?

Stephen
 
Good question - every single picture of Capa with Contax that I can find has an inner mount (i.e. 50mm) lens. Mostly the f/1.5, but going by the aperture tabs also a collapsible f/2 on some of the WWII period portraits.
 
Pretty sure I've seen photos of him w/the collapsible 5cm/2 Sonnar on his Contax II. Also, the 13.5cm/4 & 8.5cm/2 Sonnars, I think. I don't have it w/me, but Richard Whelan's Robert Capa: The Definitive Collection has many photos of him w/his gear.
 
I found a pic showing Capa and his Contax, with a 85/2 Sonnar mounted,
oddly he did not have an accessory viewfinder mounted.

I'm guessing the super lenses of the time, 35/2.8 Biogon, 50/1.5 Sonnar, 85/2 Sonnar were pretty safe bets in his kit.

It fascinates me the iconic results he produced with equipment and films (ie outdated technology) that most photographers would probably laugh at, if forced to use the same.

Stephen
 
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