Contax RF virgin question - please tell me about 50/1.5 lens

[Sonnar Brian]

You bought the later post-war, West German 50mm F1.5 Sonnar.

It has a variable stand-off ring and is easy to modify to focus on a Nikon. Move the optics out about 0.5mm in the mount to compensate.

Or, you can modify a Nikon camera as I did. Move the Helical out 0.5mm and recalibrate the Rangefinder for it.

Carl Zeiss 50mm F1.5 on the Nikon S2, wide-open and close-up.

At F4, subject moved while taking photo.

You can also use it on a Contax camera, but i would suggest a CLA on the camera.

Contax II with a 1955 J-3, after a trip to Eddy Smolov.

 

[ZeissFan]

Thanks for clarifying, and sorry that I've been steering this in the wrong direction. What's your feeling on the price, then? (BIN $249, accepted offer $200).

Price is always a tricky thing. Generally, I think of price ranges, and the postwar f/1.5 50mm Sonnar seems to sell from about $125 to $160, give or take $25. So, the price (I think) is on the high side but not unreasonable. $250 would be too much -- I wouldn't pay that amount.

I probably wouldn't pay more than $150 for this version of the Sonnar.

A BIG HOWEVER: Prices on used gear rise and fall. And what seems reasonable or unreasonable now might seem like a bargain or horribly overpriced at a later or earlier date. And as always, you always factor in what a person is able or willing to pay.

The Contax I is a quirky camera. The early models were only average while the later models are thought to be better than the first models (although not everyone agrees).

The Carl Zeiss lenses were always the best part of the Contax I. They generally were considered to be better than their respective Leitz counterparts.

 

[jonmanjiro]

AMEDEO ... on ebay. He makes the very best adapters.They go for about $230 or so.

Amedeo has one for Contax on Ebay now (link)!

 

[raid]

I know; he contacted me about it. The problem is that I already have spent too much on the last two lenses. What a bummer.

 

[f16sunshine]

My sonnar 1.5/50 is an opton version. It's a wonderful optic. Also look for the 2/85 and 4/135.
I'm prepairing some shots with the 2/85 for a new thread.
Samples from that lens seem to be in short supply on the web.

 

[raid]

Andy,
People here will make bids on ebay auctions, so it is not a good idea to say you are bidding on any specific item.

 

[f16sunshine]

My Bad
I was using protocol from another forum I post in. I will edit the post.

 

[outfitter]

I'm afraid the lens you bought is a fake (i.e. a Ukrainian Jupiter-3 disguised as genuine Zeiss). I can't say for sure, as I don't have a 50/1.5 of my own to compare it to, but those aperture blades sure don't look right.QUOTE]

The blades and inscription are consistent with the late Stuttgart lenses marked "Carl Zeiss"; those blades are bright and the marking is f = 50mm not f = 5cm (which was used on Carl Zeiss Jena and FSU lenses). Basic fairness would seem to require you know something (even a little something) about the history and variations of the 1.5 Sonnar before you start declaring one a fake. Even then I would go very east making pronouncements about lenses you haven't actually seen - not even useful photos!

 

[raid]

There are "genuine" ones and there are "fakes" and there are hybrids and there "home-made" ones, so anything is possible.

 

[Nick De Marco]

just picked up a Bessa for Contax lens camera. Apart from the 50/1.5 and CV lenses, which other Contax/Jupiter or Nikkor lenses does anyone recommend for this camera?

Thanks

 

[michaelging]

photo taken last weekend with the 50mm 1.5 Opton Sonnar

photo taken last weekend with the 50mm 1.5 Opton Sonnar

photo taken with a Contax IIIa , shot on Tri.x Dev in D76. Scanned on a Nikon coolscan V,

 

[michaelging]

same camera, with 135mm sonnar telephoto

same camera, with 135mm sonnar telephoto

photo shot with the Contax IIIa using the 135mm sonnar , shot wide open


Raid , It has been corrected thanks

 

[raid]

photo taken with a Contax IIIc , shot on Tri.x Dev in D76. Scanned on a Nikon coolscan V,

This is a good photo. Thanks.

Did you mean to say Contax IIIa or IIIc?
The Leica IIIc I know, but I am only aware of a Contax III and IIIa.

 

[michaelging]

Sorry, the IIIa it was late last night.