tic
Established
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):
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
Established
A few examples from my Nex-5 with the CZ postwar Biogon 35/2.8 for Contax RF:
Matthieu
Member
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.
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
South Florida Man
Great stuff. How versatile is the NEX?
Matthieu
Member
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
Member
Here are a couple more shots wide open. The first is hand-held, ISO 1600 at 1/25.
Brad Buszard
Established
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.
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
Member
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.
