Contax G to M

[splitimageview]

Yes, I've used the MS conversion...ergonomics leave a lot to be desired. Turn the focus and the aperture ring turns...move the aperture and it wants to turn the focus. No click stops. Difficult to set the aperture.

This conversion has the front part of the original Contax lens, so the same aperture ring and exactly the same (positive) feel. The back half has a super smooth helical and a nice sized focusing grip in just the right location. Ergonomics feel like a factory built lens.

 

[shermanmagazine]

Sounds pretty great.

I'm obviously eager to know more, as I'm sure are others. (Such as what the remaining steps are to determine if this is a viable conversion solution beyond a one-off.) I would imagine that this is probably just one of many project pursuits on your plate, but I'm pretty curious as to whether you think this conversion is months and months (years?) away from any kind of thumbs-up or broader availability. What sort of things do you imagine would be refined? Is it aesthetics (such as finish matching), or is it actual functionality?

 

[nonot]

I'm interested too, there's going to come a day when my G2 body bites the dust and replacing it won't be an option. But if possible I'd like to be able to continue using these lenses on my M. These conversions look really promising, and while the MS versions are great, I wasn't thrilled with the build of the one I almost purchased.

 

[splitimageview]

A few test shots taken at 2 or 2.8.

 

[raid]

Very sharp ... very nice.

 

[watanabe]

Interested in how this pans out. Have been considering selling my G lenses and switching to a ZM or two to gain a real helical mount.

 

[splitimageview]

 

[seakayaker1]

The M9 with the Zeiss 45/2 Planar looks beautiful!


Any word on availability to perform conversion and cost. Would love to be able to use the Planar on my Leica M's!

Congratulations!

 

[partitura]

DigitalIntrigue - You do seem to have lots of intrigue (living up to your name 😉 ) in regards to this fascinating Contax G to M conversion! The photos of the conversion look really good. Can you give those of us who are so interested in this possibility any crumbs of information? ETA, cost, whatever?

 

[Benjamin Marks]

Much nicer looking than my MS-optical conversion! The image quality is great on my converted lens, but the handling is a bit fiddly.

Ben

 

[marduk]

I second that, Robert 🙂 Would love to get a little bit of information.

 

[Vintageboy1227]

May I know if this can do to my G35/2??

 

[dreilly]

Just got a 45/2 in bargain condition (it's missing a little cap on the focus ring but otherwise it's perfect) and used it for a shoot mounted on my Nex 5n. It's a cracker of a lens, really very sharp. I would love to convert this to M and use it on my digital rangefinder (which for the moment is a M8 though I'm thinking back to the R-d1). Anyway, keep us posted if this is viable and if so, I want to be on the conversion list.

 

[sanmich]

In the waiting list too..
I would love a 45 and a 28.
(Hope it will end up to be affordable)

 

[kzphoto]

Any updates on this? I am holding out on replacing a 21mm lens...

 

[dreilly]

Digitalintrigue is a little more involved in this than he was, and he's respecting the rules here by not posting further on this topic. I sent him my 45/2 and from there's it's off to Taiwan for the reconstructive surgery. I'll post my impressions when I get it back.

 

[nex100]

how much does it cost you for each conversion?

 

[dreilly]

The 45mm is costing me $450 including shipping. I got mine pretty cheap, so the final price will be a bit less than a Zeiss 50/2 ZM Planar (which I tried, by the way, and wasn't wowed with).

 

[furcafe]

So folks interested in this conversion should contact Digitalintrigue directly?

Digitalintrigue is a little more involved in this than he was, and he's respecting the rules here by not posting further on this topic. I sent him my 45/2 and from there's it's off to Taiwan for the reconstructive surgery. I'll post my impressions when I get it back.

 

[froyd]

Looking forward to a review of the lens' mechanics from the first brave folks who've sent the lenses in for surgery.