raid
Dad Photographer
If the G1/G2 lenses have a slight advantage optically over th ZM lenses, can this be actually seen from the optical designs?
Convert G lenses to Leica M-mount
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F.Rokkor
Newbie
The price for a conversion of a provided lens by yourself is not shown on JapanExposures web site, where all price include a lens sourced locally.
Actually a G45 conversion is quoted ¥54,000 versus ¥68,000 for a pre-converted lens.
As both designs are symmetric ones (opposite to retrofocus for SLR) you cannot. At least you can think of the more lens elements, the less aberrations you will get, but it's not always true. Based on Zeiss official MTF figures, the G21 is slightly better than ZM21 (and Elmarit ASPH 21) for vignetting and distortion. But those figures don't tell anything about flare resistance, handling, mechanical quality, ... 🙂
F.Rokkor
Newbie
Forgive me : actually ZM and G 28mm are symmetrical designs.
For 21mm, the ZM seems a retrofocus design while the G isn't.
f16sunshine
Moderator
Sorry for the delay. I had some trouble with the RFF console this morning and then had to go to work (imagine that). Here are a couple of quick pix of the G45 Planar. You can see the small focus "tab" on the one shot. The lens is actually a joy to use re-barreled like this. The one thing I would like is click stops for the aperture. On the other hand some of my old Zeiss Opton lenses have none and it does not bother me. In heavy sun with a UV/IR cut filter on I use a G90 hood. It is a bit large but does not vignette on either the M8 or R d1s. When I don't have that filter on I use a small vented hood.
Not sure what the consensus is but I think those damn cut filters flare too much for "Naked" use. The price was 52000Yen at the time for conversion plus another $100 for the lens and I suppose another $40 for a LTM-M adapter. I will get the G21 and G28 done this fall if it goes as planned. The 90 I'll take a pass. I just don't use anything longer than 75 on an RF.
Not sure what the consensus is but I think those damn cut filters flare too much for "Naked" use. The price was 52000Yen at the time for conversion plus another $100 for the lens and I suppose another $40 for a LTM-M adapter. I will get the G21 and G28 done this fall if it goes as planned. The 90 I'll take a pass. I just don't use anything longer than 75 on an RF.
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Nando
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I haven't ordered any of the converted G-lenses (yet) but I just wanted to say that Dirk and Kurt are stand-up guys. Service and communications are top-notch. I've ordered some books from them as well as a Hirano leather case for my Spotmatic II (happens to be the first Spotmatic case that Hirano Kazuhiro made 🙂 ).
raid
Dad Photographer
I may get the 45mm Planar converted one day.
It is the only lens for me that I value enough to spend $500 on to have it converted.
It is the only lens for me that I value enough to spend $500 on to have it converted.
F.Rokkor
Newbie
I have had a nice email correspondance with Dirk also (before and after ordering the lens), and the service provided is great as well.
raid
Dad Photographer
Dirk loaned me a 28mm and a 45mm converted lens to try out. That was cool.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Holy moses...I am coveting the crap out of that lens. Beautiful.
andtky
Newbie
I too have just the best experience dealing with Dirk Rosler from Japanexposures. He was very helpful. I had the G Sonnar 2.8/90mm converted for M8 recently and the quality of conversion is very good and solid. The focusing is light, the whole lens rotates. The aperture has no clicks, therefore sometimes gets changed by accident when focusing. I have to learn to feel the grip of the "focusing ring" - the ring on the lens is unfortunately ribbed only from 2/4. Here are some examples of shots wide open from M8.
Andrej
Andrej
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andtky
Newbie
andtky
Newbie
I did a simple focus test of the converted G-Sonnar lens on Leica M8. I was pleasantly surprised that I could not find any focus shift at different apertures. The focus accuracy of this lens is also incredible. Most of my Zeiss ZM lenses show more or less focus shift at low apertures (especially the 1.5/50mm ZM Sonnar).
The test photos of the G-Sonnar are here:
http://members.chello.sk/akratky/Tests/G-Sonnar_2.html
To see higher resolution files click on the thumbnail and then "Download".
The previous sample pictures at higher resolution are here:
http://members.chello.sk/akratky/Tests/G-Sonnar.html
I like the bokeh of this lens.
Andrej
The test photos of the G-Sonnar are here:
http://members.chello.sk/akratky/Tests/G-Sonnar_2.html
To see higher resolution files click on the thumbnail and then "Download".
The previous sample pictures at higher resolution are here:
http://members.chello.sk/akratky/Tests/G-Sonnar.html
I like the bokeh of this lens.
Andrej
F.Rokkor
Newbie
No it's not, because of register distance of arround 2cm for Leica M & Contax G lenses versus arround 4cm for Contax/Yashica, Nikon F, whatever 24x36 SLR mount...
F
former member
Guest
Yes, I've seen it done. Convert a Contax mount lens to Nikon RF mount.
http://rcbooth.zenfolio.com/p795106375
Nikon S-Mount has a much shorter register distance than a Nikon SLR.
http://rcbooth.zenfolio.com/p795106375
Nikon S-Mount has a much shorter register distance than a Nikon SLR.
BTMarcais
Well-known
I think he probably means for the contax or nikon rangefinder mount, not the SLR's.
Since the contax G lenses don't have a focusing ring, I see where the OP is going with this- the nikon/contax RF mounts have a built-in focusing helical. But only for the 50mm lens I believe. So I think we'd run into issues anyway here, since we'll have to figure out some way of focusing the lenses, NONE of which are 50mm... (45mm being the closest)- might as well convert them direct to M or LTM.
-Brian
F
former member
Guest
raid
Dad Photographer
Yes, he really is skilled. He could do wonders ...
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Definitely something perversely awesome about that. What would be even more so is screwing an Amedeo contax-to-leica adapter in there.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
His "Antarctic" Leica is also a hoot.
f16sunshine
Moderator
Here is a DIY conversion that Koji did. G-90 to M42 Reflex.
http://www.pbase.com/kkawakami/contax_g_sonner_90mm_modification
http://www.pbase.com/kkawakami/contax_g_sonner_90mm_modification
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