jcb4718
Well-known
I have a Zeiss Opton 50mm f1.5 lens (Contax mount) in perfect condition. What is the best way to mount it on my Barnak (L39) camera?
Adapting a Contax lens to Leica L39
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Robert Lai
Well-known
I would ask you not to ruin a perfectly good Contax lens. Zeiss doesn't make these any more. For Contax users such as myself, they are beautiful lenses that image superbly.
You can get an Amadeo adapter (I think).
The same Sonnar design is available for much less money as the Jupiter 3. If you have to hack a lens, try the Russian one first.
You can get an Amadeo adapter (I think).
The same Sonnar design is available for much less money as the Jupiter 3. If you have to hack a lens, try the Russian one first.
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
There were several adaptors made in the past for Contax to LTM mount such as Orion and the Cooke-Perkins.
These are now expensive and more of a collectors item, so Amadeo is the most bang for your buck.
None of these adaptors required any modifications to the Contax lens.
These are now expensive and more of a collectors item, so Amadeo is the most bang for your buck.
None of these adaptors required any modifications to the Contax lens.
Amadeo makes no LTM adapters for that,
but does make a great M adapter
https://shop.cameraquest.com/nikon-...x-rangefinder-mount-to-leica-m-mount-adapter/
it would be better for you to buy an M body with Amedeo adapter
(any M mount camera, does not have to be Leica)
than to spend $ to convert the 50/1.5 lens mount
but does make a great M adapter
https://shop.cameraquest.com/nikon-...x-rangefinder-mount-to-leica-m-mount-adapter/
it would be better for you to buy an M body with Amedeo adapter
(any M mount camera, does not have to be Leica)
than to spend $ to convert the 50/1.5 lens mount
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
He did in the recent past I believe, because I was tempted to buy one and remember looking at one.
I can't be imagining that, geez I hope not 😀
Steve M.
Veteran
Oh, go ahead and hack it to fit whatever camera you want to shoot it on. It's just stuff, a hunk of metal and glass, and there are plenty more around. I saw twelve on eBay alone. Save your compassion for living beings 🙂
I also would prefer to shoot it on a small and light screw mount Leica. Never liked the Contax and Nikon rangefinders cameras. They're too big for 35mm format, and the focusing mechanisms seem needlessly complicated. Keep in mind the Opton is a large diameter lens and you might end up w/ some of your viewfinder blocked on a screw mount camera.
I also would prefer to shoot it on a small and light screw mount Leica. Never liked the Contax and Nikon rangefinders cameras. They're too big for 35mm format, and the focusing mechanisms seem needlessly complicated. Keep in mind the Opton is a large diameter lens and you might end up w/ some of your viewfinder blocked on a screw mount camera.
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Liberate the optical block from the Contax mount.
Get a Jupiter-3 where the glass is bad but the focusing mount is still good.
Unscrew the optical block from that.
Insert the Contax optical block, with the addition or omission of (home made or factory made) shims.
Test for correct focus close up and wide open on a digital camera, with a known accurate adapter. Any focusing error in the far distance will be covered by the increased depth of focus so infinity will be good too.
And you will have an excellent LTM 50mm Sonnar.
But, buying a pristine Jupiter-3 and shimming it to focus perfection will probably get you there sooner and cheaper...
Get a Jupiter-3 where the glass is bad but the focusing mount is still good.
Unscrew the optical block from that.
Insert the Contax optical block, with the addition or omission of (home made or factory made) shims.
Test for correct focus close up and wide open on a digital camera, with a known accurate adapter. Any focusing error in the far distance will be covered by the increased depth of focus so infinity will be good too.
And you will have an excellent LTM 50mm Sonnar.
But, buying a pristine Jupiter-3 and shimming it to focus perfection will probably get you there sooner and cheaper...
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