50mm Zeiss Sonnar in ltm - converted from Contax mount

FrankS

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I'm wondering how many of us own 50mm Zeiss ltm lenses that began their lives in Contax mount, but have been converted to ltm? Typically these would be the more desirable f1.5 versions, but there may be some f2 versions like mine as well. Also, do any of us own the rare real deal: factory converted to ltm?
 
I'm not sure it was done at the Zeiss Factory, but mine should be a conversion (s/n is from a batch in Contax mount). Never saw a barrel like this :

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LTM Convertions?

LTM Convertions?

I asked about this very thing after finding my IIIA had a tough (sticky) way of working . The reply suggested a conversion would be cost prohibitive. Is this a job that is easily doable? The glass on the Contact seems purity good, not wanting to hi-jack this thread, just wondering.
 
I asked about this very thing after finding my IIIA had a tough (sticky) way of working . The reply suggested a conversion would be cost prohibitive. Is this a job that is easily doable? The glass on the Contact seems purity good, not wanting to hi-jack this thread, just wondering.

You could find a Jupiter-3 (or 8 if you have a f2 lens) mount, but this should work for pre 1945 Sonnars only. You can also buy an adapter, it works with 50mm lenses and it should be much cheaper than converting a lens from scratch. I use an adapter with my Zeiss-Opton Sonnar.
 
i have one of each - 1.5 and 2. they're lovely little things. both are uncoated and converted, and reside in russian hardware.
 
I have four converted Zeiss lenses, and I like using them all.

1. I have a 50/2.8 Tessar that was custom adapted (beautifully done) from the M42 mount into ltm. The glass is very clean. The Tessar offers something different from the Sonnar.

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I spotted this lens on ebay several years ago. I may have paid $225-$250 for this very clean lens.



 
2. Years ago I found my first converted Zeiss Sonnar 50/1 ltm. It looks beautiful, and the glass is very clean. Even DAG commented on how clean the glass is. The barrel looks like it came from en Elmar. The serial number makes it one of 200 Contaflex lenses that were traded by Germany to Sweden for iron ore.

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4. I lucked out by getting a genuine ZK with German glass, as evidenced by an inspection of the rear element. The glass is crystal clean.

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I have a wartime Contax RF 5cm/1.5 (T coated) converted to LTM at the factory, probably right after WWII (under Soviet "supervision"). The really rare ones are lenses converted by Zeiss, primarily for the military, before & during WWII. The only 1 I've ever handled/used is dexdog's experimental one (for the German army) from 1933.

Also have a pre-WWII 5cm/1.5 (uncoated) converted to LTM via Jupiter-3 barrel by Brian Sweeney.

I'm wondering how many of us own 50mm Zeiss ltm lenses that began their lives in Contax mount, but have been converted to ltm? Typically these would be the more desirable f1.5 versions, but there may be some f2 versions like mine as well. Also, do any of us own the rare real deal: factory converted to ltm?
 
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