Amasing document on Zeiss lenses

[joachim]

Hi,

I discovered this yesterday. It is an amasing historic document of what Zeiss had been capable of in the late 50ies and early 60ies. Not sure whether it has been discussed here before, sorry if so. Many of these graphs outshine what is presently offered new: http://www.imx.nl/zeiss.html

 

[harry01562]

I found this info some time ago when looking over Erwin's new site. I haven't seen any discussion of the info here. As I don't own any Contaflex equipment, I just read it over and probably drooled a bit. It also made me aware that the same info for the Sonnar etc on the Contax isn't as easily available.

He's a very opinionated writer, but he does seem to back up most of his assertions with some other data. I've always enjoyed reading his other things on Leica and Canon.

Harry

 

[VinceC]

I've never had any desire to use a Contarex. I've heard nothing but marvelous things about the Contarex lenses. But their downfall is the Contarex body -- all 2 pounds / 910 grams of it.


http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/pp/zeiss/contarex/contarex.htm

 

[julianphotoart]

Hopefully many on RFF know about Ivor Matanle's two books on collecting and using classic cameras.

He said the Contarex was so beautifully made that, even if one never used it, one should nevertheless still have one simply for the joy of holding and fondling it and curling up by the fire with it. Since, for every other camera he reviewed, it all came down to usability, his words about the Contarex were praise indeed.

And if you're wondering, of course that's the reason I went out and got one. Usability be damned. I did a posting about it with photos.

 

[outfitter]

Some of those Contarex lens formulas (but not the mounts) showed up on early SLRS with Zeiss lenses (e.g. Rollei QBM mount lenses and Contax SLRS). I suspect the Contax RF 21mm Biogon is the same formula.

 

[Mazurka]

Some of those Contarex lens formulas (but not the mounts) showed up on early SLRS with Zeiss lenses (e.g. Rollei QBM mount lenses and Contax SLRS). I suspect the Contax RF 21mm Biogon is the same formula.

First, neither the Contarex or any other SLR used Biogon lenses which have never cleared the reflex mirrors.

Second, the Rolleiflex and C/Y SLRs came out 20 years before the Contax G system, so Zeiss had more than sufficient time to develop new formulae for the G (and they did.)

 

[furcafe]

Aw, you should give them a try, Vince. The Contarex bodies aren't really that heavy, especially when compared to their contemporaries w/comparable features, e.g., Contarex Bullseye w/Nikon F Photomic, Contarex Special w/Nikon F w/plain prism, etc.

I've never had any desire to use a Contarex. I've heard nothing but marvelous things about the Contarex lenses. But their downfall is the Contarex body -- all 2 pounds / 910 grams of it.


http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/pp/zeiss/contarex/contarex.htm