Contax 21mm f4.5

[Darinwc]

Does anyone use the Zeiss Biogon 21mm f4.5?
It seems to be more of a shelf queen.
I see very few example images.

Is it really that bad of a lens?

 

[Rangefinder 35]

Yes, it's bad. It has a cyan fall off at the edges. It's possible to correct it in Photoshop, but why bother? I made a mistake taking it with me to Patagonia, and still feel the headache...

 

[Doug]

Lovely little lens on a film camera, optical problems on digital (full-frame) due to the steep ray angles toward the edges of the frame. I finally sold mine and got a Super Elmar instead.

 

[Cascadilla]

My 21 mm Biogon is fantastic on 35 mm film, virtually distortion free and sharp to the corners. It definitely isn't a shelf queen. I haven't tried it on a digital camera--I don't own a mirrorless, and it would only do extreme closeups if adapted to my DSLRs.

 

[micromontenegro]

I used it as my normal lens as long as I used film. Excelent lens.

 

[Highway 61]

Yes, it's bad. It has a cyan fall off at the edges. It's possible to correct it in Photoshop, but why bother? I made a mistake taking it with me to Patagonia, and still feel the headache...

You and Doug may both speak of the modern ZM Biogon 21/4.5 T* in Leica M mount made in Japan by Cosina while the OP's question may be about the classic Carl Zeiss Biogon 21/4.5 in Contax RF or Contarex mount, made in Germany in the 1950's.

 

[Doug]

True for my comment... but I have assumed, perhaps incorrectly, that the two vintages of 4.5/21mm Biogons are optically fraternal twins. And the older variety would likely only be used with film, where its performance is stellar. 🙂

 

[Cascadilla]

My lens is the classic 21 first made in the 1950's for then current Contax IIa/IIIa cameras.

 

[johank]

Is there a Lens Shade Hood for the 21 4,5?
If so anyone knowing it's CZ number?

Mine is also from the 50s and a lovely lens.

 

[Bill Jones]

Is there a Lens Shade Hood for the 21 4,5?
If so anyone knowing it's CZ number?

I've been using it on film since 1967 and never saw a lens shade for it. I know they never catalogued one in the USA. I use a filter step up ring 40.5mm to 46 mm as a shade. You have to watch out for interfering with the viewfinder and range finder wndows with a shade.

Bill

 

[Cascadilla]

A shade for this lens is problematic--I have Hoya 40.5 mm yellow and red filters that vignette. The step up ring suggested above is probably your best bet.