Nikon RF lens on Zeiss Contax body?

Rayt

Rayt

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I am thinking about getting the new Zeiss 50/1.5 Sonnar S but don't have a Nikon body. Can it focus properly on a Contax IIa body if I stop down to f/2.8 and subject is at least 10 feet away? If this sounds like a stupid idea then I'll think about getting a Bessa R2s but really prefer to avoid it. Thanks.
 
I guess f/2.8 and 10 feet or more should be enough to cover the focusing discrepancy. The question is whether you're getting much out of the lens then. IMHO Sonnars are meant to be used wide open. There are several options for Contax 50s if you restrict yourself to f/2.8 or less; the point of a fast 50 is debatable if you don't use it fast 🙂

Philipp
 
Buy a Nikon S2 to go with it. A user S2 body should be in the $300 range these days. My "beloved beater" was $400 with a 5cm F1.4 Nikkor.

Or just have the lens shimmed for the Contax. Otherwise, it is going to close-focus on the Contax and the F1.5 shift will make it worse.
 
Brian Sweeney said:
Or just have the lens shimmed for the Contax. Otherwise, it is going to close-focus on the Contax and the F1.5 shift will make it worse.
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I didn't know that! I'll contact DAG and see if he can do it. Thanks!!

I have been following the back focus discussions with the ZM version and seems many folks are happy with the lens at f/2.8 so...
 
Highway 61 said:
You must get a Zeiss-Opton not a later "Carl Zeiss" although they are 100% identical because the later ones used a glass cementing glue that doesn't hold up well with time.
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I didn't know, there is a difference between "Zeiss-Opton" and "Carl Zeiss" version. I have Zeiss-Opton Sonnar on Contax IIa and I enjoy the lens. Here are some shots with it (mostly at wide open f/1.5, f/2 and f/2.8) on IIa:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsuominen/tags/sonnar5015/show/

My only complaint is a tiny beep-hole finder of IIa compared to Nikon S2. If you have modern S-mount C-Sonnar 50/1.5, the best thing you can do, is getting S2. Which you (I mean Rayt) already did. Shimming that nice lens sounds almost "a murder" to me, in case you don't own two pieces of them. 🙂
 
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I have a Zeiss-Opton 50/1.5, had a second but sold it, and have a later Zeiss 50/1.5. It need work regarding the spacing of the rear module. and the main stand-off ring was off. But the lens coating and cemented pairs were fine. I f there is a problem with later lenses, noting serial numbers might be worthwhile. Mine is in the 14x range.
 
Brian Sweeney said:
If there is a problem with later lenses, noting serial numbers might be worthwhile. Mine is in the 14x range.
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Actually the discrepancy is within the "Zeiss Opton" or "Carl Zeiss" name on the postwar West-German lenses front namerings.

"Zeiss Opton" Sonnars were Canada balsam cemented.
"Carl Zeiss" Sonnars were synthetic (1st generation of epoxy ?) cemented. This is that glue that separates with time in about 80% of the "Carl Zeiss" Sonnars.

Prewar and postwar "Carl Zeiss Jena" Sonnars were Canada balsam cemented.
 
Rayt said:
I am thinking about getting the new Zeiss 50/1.5 Sonnar S but don't have a Nikon body. Can it focus properly on a Contax IIa body if I stop down to f/2.8 and subject is at least 10 feet away? If this sounds like a stupid idea then I'll think about getting a Bessa R2s but really prefer to avoid it. Thanks.
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😀 I am actually thinking of doing the reverse: getting a Nikon body and "deshim" it for my Contax lenses... I am guessing it can be done.
 
No. The focus error between the Nikon and Contax is 1" at 36". The manufacturer chose Infinity as the "sweet Spot". That was a mistake, as ALL of the error occurs when the focus is close-up. I shifted the Sweet Spot to 8ft. That split the error between close up and infinity, so the DOF at F1.5 covers the residual error.
 
micromontenegro said:
😀 I am actually thinking of doing the reverse: getting a Nikon body and "deshim" it for my Contax lenses... I am guessing it can be done.
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I have a spare complete Contax IIa helical. I can ship it to you so that you can fit it on a Nikon RF body shell (I think it's not undoable once you modify its frame a little bit). OK it's a bit rusted but this may help the costumes not to put tariffes on it... 😉 🙂
 
Highway 61 said:
I have a spare complete Contax IIa helical. I can ship it to you so that you can fit it on a Nikon RF body shell (I think it's not undoable once you modify its frame a little bit). OK it's a bit rusted but this may help the costumes not to put tariffes on it... 😉 🙂
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By all means! See the mail I just sent you: the costumes are hard at work 😀
 
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