it's probably been asked a million times before...

TJV

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but I'll ask quickly anyway...

Is the Zeiss Biogon T* f4.5 21mm rangefinder coupled for accurate focusing?

Thanks in advance...
Tim
 
If you are going to use it on a Contax II/III you have no problem. It will focus down to the closest setting of the rangefinder coupling. On cameras like the Nikon Rf's the depth of field takes care of any small disrepancy between the Contax and Nikon mount. If the lens has been converted to a screw or M-mount, check it out first. A lot of the Biogons were converted to screwmount and some couple to the Leica (and thus to ZM and Bessa rangefinders) but many were made in an uncouipled mount. It is not impossible to use without coupling as the depth of field is substantial.
To my knowledge, Zeiss never made an official screwmount version so most of these conversions were made by outside machinists and technicians. Some were good and some really fouled up the lensmount!
If you are using a M mount camera, my suggestion is to spring for the new ZM 21/4,5. It is actually an improvement over the old version (and that is no mean feat!). This lens is now my benchmark for 21mm focal length optics!
 
Thanks Tom.
I'm seriously thinking about a new ZM one as I've seen so many good comments about it, from yourself and others. The slow 4.5 doesn't bother me as I'd only use it outside in good light. I could never justify the price of a new Leica 21 as it's a FOV that I'd only occasionally have a use for.
 
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