Contax Biogon 21mm f4.5 example images

[WJJ3]

The 21mm Biogon shot on my Nikon S2

Ice cream

 

[flavio81]

Contax IIa, Carl Zeiss Biogon 21mm f4, 1/250 f16, Ilford FP4 125

What a great shot!

And the image quality is absolutely world class. Even more impressive considering this lens is from the early 1950s and the first lens to offer such a wide angle on 35mm cameras!

 

[Shafovaloff1]

The photography above is just great! Thanks for posting.

 

[davidswiss]

How do people think they compare with the more modern skopar 21mm that were on offer a few years ago ?

 

[Cascadilla]

How do people think they compare with the more modern skopar 21mm that were on offer a few years ago ?

They are both excellent lenses in my experience. Having click stops on an easily seen f/stop ring on the Voigtlander lens is certainly more convenient than the placement of the f/stop settings and lack of click stops on the Zeiss Biogon, but optically I think I like the Biogon just a little bit better. This is subjective and based on the two lenses that I own--others may feel differently.

 

[davidswiss]

They are both excellent lenses in my experience. Having click stops on an easily seen f/stop ring on the Voigtlander lens is certainly more convenient than the placement of the f/stop settings and lack of click stops on the Zeiss Biogon, but optically I think I like the Biogon just a little bit better. This is subjective and based on the two lenses that I own--others may feel differently.

Thanks for that.

 

[WJJ3]

How do people think they compare with the more modern skopar 21mm that were on offer a few years ago ?

I think they are very different lenses. There are 2 Color Skopar 21s, and both are modern high contrast lenses. The 21mm f4.5 Biogon is not high contrast and appears to be less sharp at larger apertures. If you are considering the Biogon, then you are either shooting a Contax or Nikon RF, so the choice is fairly simple: get the Biogon for classic rendering or get the Color Skopar for modern rendering.

 

[largedrink]

Here's another example with the Biogon.

Contax IIa, 21mm Zeiss Biogon lens 100th at f11, Ilford FP4 125

Trees and leaves by Hugh B, on Flickr

 

[davidswiss]

I think they are very different lenses. There are 2 Color Skopar 21s, and both are modern high contrast lenses. The 21mm f4.5 Biogon is not high contrast and appears to be less sharp at larger apertures. If you are considering the Biogon, then you are either shooting a Contax or Nikon RF, so the choice is fairly simple: get the Biogon for classic rendering or get the Color Skopar for modern rendering.

I do have an F4 Skopar and am happy with it on my Contax IIa, but have seen a Biogon at a local auction so wondered about the differences.

 

[WJJ3]

e-9826

 

[davidswiss]

I got the Biogon, though haven't had a chance to use it yet. On reading Henry Scherer's comments about repairing the Biogon 21mm he sees a problem with them being out of focus, from the factory.
http://zeisscamera.com/services_21biogon.shtml
Anyone else found this ?

 

[das]

Any Biogon that has never been serviced probably needs service today. A good time for the tech to check the focus at the same time. I've been debating getting mine converted to RF-coupled M mount as I never use Contax or Nikon RFs. But it's a $$$ conversion.

 

[davidswiss]

First with yellow filter second with orange and third with none. Ilford HP5-400. Contax IIa Biogon 21mm f4.5 both from around 1954.

 

[dexdog]

Zeiss 21mm f4.5 on Contax IIa
Sorry, I goofed up. The pic I originally posted was NOT the Contax 21/f4.5. This one is however. Fujicolor 200. I have posted this pic in the past.

 

[yossi]

Nikon S2/CZ Biogon 21mm/4.5.
(It's a shame that I shot it with an expired UFX400 film, I really should have used a better film like TX or double-X.)

 

[dexdog]

Pichincha pyramids, Pichincha province, Ecuador 2005. Wide open, Contax IIa, Fujicolor 200. Yeah the lens vignettes/darker corners a bit at f4.5, but I still love this lens. Not too bad on mirrorless digital, but really shines on film.

 

[Gregm61]

IIA and 21mm f4.5 Biogon.

 

[largedrink]

Petone wharf by Hugh B

Contax IIIA, Carl Zeiss Biogon 21mm f4.5, Ilford FP4 125

 

[wes loder]

I posted some pictures taken with the 2.1cm Biogon to the gallery several weeks ago. Seems to be an excellent lens. Ergonomics kinda' suck.

 

[Gregm61]

Yes, applying modern expectations for system ergonomics overall to the Contax rangefinder system in general, much less one specific lens; well, that’s why there aren’t more users in addition to there being a relatively small number of 21mm f4.5’s ever produced, much less still available to choose from today.

In the next couple of weeks I plan on doing a dual-system shoot that’ll last a few days, carrying the IIa and 21mm f4.5 and s Leica M4 with 21mm f3.4 Super Angulon, both loaded with FP4 Plus.

I enjoy both systems for what they are.