Contax G lens vs. Zeiss ZM

M

Michael Brandt

Member
Local time
5:51 AM
Joined
Feb 4, 2008
Messages
17
Hey everyone,

Not sure if I should ask this here or on a Leica M page, but I like you guys and gals so I thought I'd start here.

I recently found a place in Japan that converts Contax G lenses to M mounts. I'm sure some of you have already seen this and I think its really exciting. They actually take the glass out of the barrel and place it into a manual focussing barrel. Apparently this guy is a genius and can do this with many types of lenses. great!

So, my question is: How different is the new Zeiss ZM line of lenses compared to the Contax G lenses in terms of bokeh, sharpness, color rendition and all that other good stuff? I've always loved my zeiss glass and now there are even more options.

Thanks in advance

Michael
 
The lenses are absolutely different, a matter of taste I think. I'm a big fan of the 21, the 45 and the 90. SO much so that I replaced the ZM21 with a G2 and the G21. A G21 in M mount would be darn nice- the compactness of this lens is delightful compared to the ZM. Can you post a link to this fella?
 
mabelsound said:
They are really totally different lenses? I sold my G system, but wow those lenses were great.
Click to expand...

You sold it :eek::eek::eek: I remember very well when you got it, it was only recently. There are only a few places where one can (in my view) reasonably go after having been in the G-camp.
 
Michael Brandt said:
Hey everyone,

Not sure if I should ask this here or on a Leica M page, but I like you guys and gals so I thought I'd start here.

I recently found a place in Japan that converts Contax G lenses to M mounts. I'm sure some of you have already seen this and I think its really exciting. They actually take the glass out of the barrel and place it into a manual focussing barrel. Apparently this guy is a genius and can do this with many types of lenses. great!

So, my question is: How different is the new Zeiss ZM line of lenses compared to the Contax G lenses in terms of bokeh, sharpness, color rendition and all that other good stuff? I've always loved my zeiss glass and now there are even more options.

Thanks in advance

Michael
Click to expand...


Michael, you can get the Zeiss MTF, vignetting and distortion data for the ZM lenses here: http://www.zeiss.com/c12567a8003b58b9/Contents-Frame/4e947b071ad2f475c12570f80033cad9
 and the Contax G lenses here: http://www.zeiss.com/c12567a8003b58b9/Contents-Frame/5ed01eb620d0b1cec12570f80033cada

The way I read them, in most cases (the 35/2 being the exception) the new ZM lenses, in particular the Biogons, are not at the level of the older G lenses, in particular in the distortion department. I could imagine two key reasons. The new ZM are designed with digital in mind and/or the longer distance between the last lens vertex and the film/sensor is causing this. The Leica CL and M5 greet ;)
 
joachim said:
You sold it :eek::eek::eek: I remember very well when you got it, it was only recently. There are only a few places where one can (in my view) reasonably go after having been in the G-camp.
Click to expand...

In terms of lenses, you are certainly right. I just didn't enjoy using it. The AF was a real PITA, and I longed for a traditional rangefinder. So I ended up with a Bessa, for now. Maybe a Leica someday. And I have a couple of CV lenses. Not as good as the G glass but very good!
 
The G lenses are more range finder designs watch those rear elements of the 21mm and 28mm stick in the G body They are s good and they are so small and lightweight.
 
I agree the G lens series is excellent, compact, and clearly oriented to thin-body use. I have a pair of G2 bodies and all but the zoom and 15mm, and do enjoy using them despite some occasional frustration over the AF. This was my choice for a Caribbean trip last Fall.

And I also agree that it appears Zeiss has been looking to future use on digital bodies in designing the ZM lenses. Longer, less intrusion into the body, more suitable for digital sensors. That's ok too, as I use them on an M8, my choice for a Mediterranean trip this Spring. :)
 
I love my contax G's. I have 3 bodies and 2 sets of all the prime lenses. My plan was to convert one set for use with my Leica M8.

Hmmm, now I wonder, if the ZM line is designed to deal with digital, how would the G lense perform on a digital body.

Here is a link to the page, its google translated:

http://translate.google.com/transla...ndex.html&hl=en&safe=off&client=safari&rls=en

I asked my Japanese retoucher to do some research for me. He was able to talk to the person who does the conversions. He seems really interesting and capable.
 
Hmm, if I've got my sums right, he's asking about £250 ($500) for the conversion. Which doesn't seem too bad really.

I've used to own a G1 with 45 & 90mm lenses which I thought were great. I've just bought a ZM 50/2 Planar which I'm eagerly looking forward to getting the first roll developed.

I'll let you know what I think.

Bob.
 
Before everyone gets too excited, last I checked they don't deal with overseas customers or those in Japan that don't speak Japanese. The guy at Hayata Labo explained this was to avoid problems with fine tuning and adjustments and communication throughout the process.

The Yashica electro in m mount sounds interesting though.
 
I guess I'm lucky that I have a Japanese retoucher whose helping me out on this. But, there is a camera store based in Japan that also works with Hayata. You can send it through them possibly.
If you buy the ltm to M mount adapter through Hayata or send yours along with the lens you want converted, he will adjust it according to the adapter!
He sells his for around $40.00 so I'm just going to buy his adapter.
I also believe that for insurance reasons, you can send the lens to him via whatever means you like (fed ex, etc.) but he uses a Japanese/US shipping company that costs a bit more but covers insurance. I believe their US branch is in New Jersey.
We are going to talk to him one more time before I send a lens for conversion. I'll fill you in when I get some answers.

here is a link to the other store. Its in Japanese though:
http://www2.mitte.nir.jp/~m-kam/

I'll probably send a my 45mm next week. When I get it back, I'll run some tests and post my super secret findings. If its good, I plan on sending my 21, 28, 35 for conversion! Since I already own the lenses, it will cost around the same as buying voigtlander lenses!

Compai

Michael
 
That is MS r and d (Miyazaki), the company/person that does the lens work. The only English on the page is this: "Sorry,We don't accept the order from outside Japan,and We don't deliver our goods abroad either."

Maybe he has decided to deal with your retoucher who is in Japan? Anyway good luck on this.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom