raid
Dad Photographer
Mark,
That would be great indeed. It would cause GAS, but what the heck!
That would be great indeed. It would cause GAS, but what the heck!
Contax IIaand IIIa: Two Beauties
- Thread starter raid
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Sonnar Brian
Established
> The post-WW2 Biogon from Carl Zeiss Jena is the pre-war design that the J-3 is copied from.
I think you mean "that the J-12 is copied from". The J-3 is based on the pre-war 5cm F1.5 Sonnar.
I think you mean "that the J-12 is copied from". The J-3 is based on the pre-war 5cm F1.5 Sonnar.
David Murphy
Veteran
Hi Raid. Yes I did sell you the IIIa and I'm glad to see it working and in good hands. The post-war Biogons seem to go for around $400-$450 for a good user -- so far a bit beyond my reach. I still enjoy the J-12 however -- nice to have and fun to use. I use it on my Contax II and Kiev.
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raid
Dad Photographer
Brian Sweeney said:
I am sure that Mark meant the J12.
Brian,
Have you found any real differences between the J-3 and a Zeiss Jena Sonnar 5cm/1.5?
raid
Dad Photographer
David Murphy said:
David,
I thought so. That IIIa was repaired well, and now it functions really well.
I am still shooting my first roll with the J12.
dexdog
Veteran
raid said:
Yes, I meant the J-12. I never can remember correctly what the various Jupiters are called. Maybe I should just begin saying 35mm Jupiter, instead.
raid
Dad Photographer
Mark,
I even nearly bought the wrong FSU lens one time! In the final pm exchange, the seller corrected my error, and I appologized for not going through an online sale [not on ebay]. I confused the J-9 with the J-12. Which stands for which lens.
I even nearly bought the wrong FSU lens one time! In the final pm exchange, the seller corrected my error, and I appologized for not going through an online sale [not on ebay]. I confused the J-9 with the J-12. Which stands for which lens.
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Vics
Veteran
Raid, I too love my Leica, but my IIIa with the W-Nikkor 35/2.5 (with Nikon focusing no problem) is just a joy! The lens is very Summicron-like, and quite a pancake to boot. I also have the Sonnar 50/1.5. This was my Dad's camera and was in non-op condition when I got it. Henry Sherer overhauled it in 2003 and it's worked perfectly ever since! It's my go-everwhere kit.
Enjoy,
Vic
Enjoy,
Vic
raid
Dad Photographer
Vics said:
Vic,
I have the Sonnar 5cm/2 but hope to get one day a nice 5cm/1.5 [old style]. I now have the 35mm Biogon as a loaner with me. Both lenses are superb. I did try out "your" Nikkor 35mm/2.5 in my test of 35mm-40mm lenses.
hugivza
Well-known
I thought that Robin was merely indicating that he had kept abreast of the interchange to date. I agree that they are a nice pair. Iwas interested to read of the 21mm Biogon and to see the results. I have a 35mm, but my interest has definitely been awakened in the 21mm, as I find that the 35mm is just not wide enough. Is the 21mm very common - I have not seen one advertised, but then again Oz is not exactly at the centre of the camera retail market.
dexdog
Veteran
hugivza said:
Introduced in 1953, about 8000 were made before Contax went belly-up in the early 1960's. Not an especially common lens, but they do show up occasionally on eBay, and normally sell for about $700 or so, without the finder. The finder appears to be less common than the lens itself.
The 21mm is an outstanding performer- very little distortion for such a wide lens, really sharp from edge to edge, and great color rendition. Unfortunately, the file size limitations on RFF will not allow resolution high enough to get a sense of what the lens can do.
Otovalo market, Ecuador, June 2005. Contax IIa, Zeiss 21mm lens. Film is Fujicolor 200.
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raid
Dad Photographer
Mark,
You really know which lenses to get. It takes taste to identify which lens is really worthwhile to buy and use. Not all expensive lenses are worth buying.
The lack of distortion in Biogon lenses is just great.
You really know which lenses to get. It takes taste to identify which lens is really worthwhile to buy and use. Not all expensive lenses are worth buying.
The lack of distortion in Biogon lenses is just great.
dexdog
Veteran
raid said:
Not really, Raid. My simple solution is to just buy them all😀
