NEX with Contax RF lenses

[tic]

So, is anyone using Contax RF lenses on their NEX?

I know there is a Voigtländer Contax RF to Nex-adapter for external mount lenses only. I used my M-to-NEX adapter with a Contax RF-to-M adapter that takes both internal and external lenses. I've wanted to try this combo out since I got my NEX-5 a few weeks ago, but I've been having so much fun with the kit lenses and my M-mount Biogon 35/2 ZM that I didn't get around to it until today.

I tried the adapter combo with three lenses: CV 21/4 (Nikon S/Contax RF-mount), post-war Zeiss Opton Biogon 35/2.8 and post-war Carl Zeiss Sonnar 50/1.5. All seem to work just fine!

I'm particularly excited over the Biogon 35/2.8 (which I guess is the basis for the modern Biogon-C 35/2.8). Since I like to keep my modern 35/2 Biogon on my Leica M2, having the old Contax RF Biogon on the NEX-5 would mean I don't need to switch lenses between the cameras. On the other hand, the field of view of the CV 21/4 would be 31,5mm equivalent which might be more useful.

Can't wait to get some better weather and light (we had snow today, in may?!?) and to recover from a slight ailment so I can get out and try the kit out.

Below is a boring test shot of an orchid with a sickly out of focus background, taken with the Sonnar 50/1.5 at f=1.5 (some CA that I would expect to go away stopped down a little):

 

[tic]

A few examples from my Nex-5 with the CZ postwar Biogon 35/2.8 for Contax RF:

 

[Matthieu]

I wanted to post sooner, but my account was not activated until today.

I've bought an old pre-war Contax III, which still had its Sonnar 50/1.5 attached. It's uncoated, but it still is far better than the Jupiters I have . By the way, I'm sorry for my lack of vocabulary for the descritptions to come.

Wide open, there is quite a lot of light, but the lens still maintains a good contrast and sharpness, giving the overall photo a dreamy look. Closing it at 2 removes that look, but the lens gains in sharpness and contrast. By 5.6, the lens has a completely different character, giving a very faithful reproduction of the scene. I'll be using it as a portrait lens, and I don't think that the native e-mount 50mm will replace it.

Here are a few boring shots to show the lens's characters, first wide open, then f4 and f11, as well as two bokeh shots at f1.5 and f2.8.

 

[kshapero]

Great stuff. How versatile is the NEX?

 

[Matthieu]

Well, it should be much easier when the focus peaking software becomes available. Do note that the adapter required for the 50mm Sonnar runs at $250-300. Had I known before purchasing this lens, I might not have done so. It's probably easier to go with a leica M adapter and CV or ZM lenses, especially since a modern version of this Sonnar is available.

 

[Matthieu]

Here are a couple more shots wide open. The first is hand-held, ISO 1600 at 1/25.

 

[Brad Buszard]

Biogon G in low light

Biogon G in low light

Here are two I took last week in Luray Caverns, VA with the Contax G Biogon 28mm. They're at ISO 800 and 1600 respectively. I use the Metabones adapter, which is finicky to attach to a lens initially, but which works just fine once you have the lens on.

 

[Matthieu]

It's unfortunate the Jupiter-12 35mm 2.8 won't fit one the mirrorless bodies: it's a very good lens. I took those shots by putting the adapter on the NEX and holding the lens against it: it then focuses closer than the 0.9m or so written on it, and it won't focus any further. These are all wide-open.