Contax S2 vs S2b vs Aria to improve my photography?

[Larry Cloetta]

In addition to the 50/1.4 N, I have had the 45/2 Planar for the G, the 50/1.7 C/Y Planar, and the 50/2 Makro Planar ZF. Well, also the C/Y 60/2.8 Makro Planar C, guess that counts too.

Never owned all these at the same time, so it's difficult to compare from memory, and probably inaccurate.

One thing to note, is the C/Y (non-MM) 50/1.4 has the ninja blade aperture, and only 6 blades. MM got rid of the ninja, but still has 6; the N has 7, ZF has 9.

Thanks. I should pay closer attention The Contarex 55mm f/1.4 Planar has 9 as well, which I did not notice until looking at it right now. It might be my personal favorite, though I have never had the N. Of the ones you mention, my favorite has always been the ZF, though it and the Contarex are fairly different. Maybe there is a pattern there. Maybe the pattern has something to do with blades, maybe it's that I have too many lenses.

 

[Freakscene]

I'd disagree with the ergonomic comment with regard to the NX, ergonomics are somewhat challenged on that model. With prices the way they are now, no reason to get an NX anyway, go for the N1.

My only complaint with the N1 is that it's large, and the lenses are large and heavy, much heavier than equivalent AF Nikkors. The only one that isn't an anchor is the slow-focusing 28-80. Optics are fantastic, love the 100 Makro.

I forgot the NX existed, sorry. Yes, it isn't so good, but the N1 is very nice.

Agree that the lenses are big. A 28/2 or 35/2 would be better for me, but the whole world was using zooms by the time the Ns were introduced. The Zeiss 24-85 N was one of the best performing zooms I tested that that time. They have been surpassed subsequently, but a lot of the better lenses are difficult or impossible to use on film.

Marty

 

[Freakscene]

This thread made me get out with the Aria and 50/1.4 just before everything shut down.

Not a great scan from the Epson 4870, but I like the photo. The neg is a little thin - my Xtol is getting towards the date when I normally throw it out and has probably lost some activity.

Marty

 

[p.giannakis]

This thread made me get out with the Aria and 50/1.4 just before everything shut down.

Not a great scan from the Epson 4870, but I like the photo. The neg is a little thin - my Xtol is getting towards the date when I normally throw it out and has probably lost some activity.

Marty

Very nice picture Marty.

 

[Larry Cloetta]

The neg is a little thin - my Xtol is getting towards the date when I normally throw it out and has probably lost some activity.

Marty

Marty,

How long do you usually go with a mix of Xtol before you discard it? (Provided one’s storage methods are optimal.)
As you are the acknowledged Xtol authority in my house.

 

[Freakscene]

Marty,

How long do you usually go with a mix of Xtol before you discard it? (Provided one’s storage methods are optimal.)

6 months in a full bottle with oxygen excluded, kept in the dark at 20C. My investigations suggest Kodak’s recommendations are sound.

I also should add that the package was out of date but well stored before I mixed it, but it provided normal results on process control strips and whole rolls when first mixed.

As you are the acknowledged Xtol authority in my house.

You are very kind. It seems strange that I’ve now been using Xtol for over 20 years. I still think of it as ‘new’, but it is the ultimate real progress in B&W film developers, in both senses of the word - it remains the best in a number if technical characteristics, and it will be the last. There are new developers being mixed by interested people, but I doubt any entirely new classes of developing agents will be identified again. That boat has sailed. But I remain hopeful. I’ve been wrong before.

Marty