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.
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
Veteran
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.
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raid
Dad Photographer
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
Moderator
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.
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.
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raid
Dad Photographer
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.
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
Moderator
My Bad
I was using protocol from another forum I post in. I will edit the post.
I was using protocol from another forum I post in. I will edit the post.
outfitter
Well-known
raid
Dad Photographer
There are "genuine" ones and there are "fakes" and there are hybrids and there "home-made" ones, so anything is possible.
Nick De Marco
Well-known
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
Thanks
michaelging
Established
michaelging
Established
raid
Dad Photographer
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
Established
Sorry, the IIIa it was late last night.