Contax 21mm on Leica

[angeloks]

Hi,

I'm looking for a 21mm lens as I am selling my SLR gear. I want something sharp with low distortion and relatively good wide open (doh). I've been using the 20mm Voigtlander lens SL-II, but I was very disappointed with the results at f3.5 (soft corners, vignetting). I checked the Biogon f2.8 and C-Biogon f4.5, they seem quite nice. But what about Contax 21mm converted to M mount? I heard good things about this lens in the Contax system. How does it compare to the M Biogons? Is it worth getting? Also, has anyone tried other converted lenses from Japan Exposure? The 28mm seems very nice...

Regards,

 

[Roger Hicks]

I've had two original 21mm Contax-fit Biogons with Leica adapters and they were both excellent. But then, so are my 21/4 Voigtländer and 21/2.8 Kobalux. That's why no more Biogon.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Bruin]

The Contax is the smallest and lightest 21/2.8 and outperforms the current ZM (though it hardly makes a difference in the pics). Not long ago I asked Japan Exposure about the cost of a M-mount conversion...let's just say it's a lot cheaper to get a dedicated G1 body for it.

Sounds like the C-Biogon is what you want if you can live without f/2.8.

 

[angeloks]

Thanks for your replies. I totally forgot about the Kobalux. It seems like a good option, I think that f2.8 could be useful! I kinda like the big finder...

 

[Roger Hicks]

Thanks for your replies. I totally forgot about the Kobalux. It seems like a good option, I think that f2.8 could be useful! I kinda like the big finder...[/QUOTE]

Have you tried it? Appalling barrel distortion, and inconveniently huge.

Cheers,

R.

 

[angeloks]

I've looked through it once. I guess that it didn't look that bad compared to the 12mm finder I'm use to. Really, I'm not that picky as long as it gives me an idea of what's gonna be on the film! On the other hand, I was planning to use the 0.58 finder to guess the 21mm framing.

 

[David Murphy]

Thanks for your replies. I totally forgot about the Kobalux. It seems like a good option, I think that f2.8 could be useful! I kinda like the big finder...[/QUOTE]

Have you tried it? Appalling barrel distortion, and inconveniently huge.

Cheers,

R.

Does the Kobalux lens have barrel distortion or just its finder (or both)? It's certainly not an easy lens to find, at least at a reasonable price. Personally I also have high regard for the Voigtlander 21/4.

 

[mrisney]

Normally the 21mm is affordable - in champagne/silver at least. I have been watching this one though http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140393046317

Yeow, I didn't realize black finish 21mm commanded such a premium. I have noticed that there is a market for the finder. I love mine, I couldnt afford an Elmarit 21mm. But I agree, a G2 body can be picked up, sometimes with a 45mm for under $500. I would just get a dedicated body. Slightly off topic, is it me or does anyone else notice that the Zeiss lenses for the G's produce a somewhat pink'ish red tone ? Sharp as they are, I can't help notice that the majority of the images I look through the flickr groups http://www.flickr.com/groups/g1g2/ , that are not B&W look ruddy or flesh-y

 

[Roger Hicks]

Does the Kobalux lens have barrel distortion or just its finder (or both)? It's certainly not an easy lens to find, at least at a reasonable price. Personally I also have high regard for the Voigtlander 21/4.

Dear David,

The finder. There's a tiny amount of barrel distortion in the lens (as you'd expect with a 21/2.8 from 15-20 years ago) but as the price indicates, not enough to worry about or even notice unless you're trying to show it up with dead straight lines close to the edge on the long axis.

My 21/2,8 Elmarit-M was stolen in Moscow 20 years ago. It was a better lens than the Kobalux but not enough better that I bought another Elmarit-M. Today if I NEEDED a 21 (and didn't already own 2, now that I sold my last adapted f/4.5 Biogon) I'd think hard about the Summilux but I don't use 21s enough to justify the money.

Cheers,

R.