Rayt
Nonplayer Character
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.
rxmd
May contain traces of nut
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
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.
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.
Rayt
Nonplayer Character
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...
I sent a lens to DAG in mid-March for a similar adjustment...it's not done yet.
Rayt
Nonplayer Character
I just bought an S2 off of evilbay. Thanks for all your comments.
jsuominen
Well-known
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.
Highway 61
Revisited
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.
micromontenegro
Well-known
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.rxmd
May contain traces of nut
I doubt it, you'd have to change the pitch of the in-body focusing helical.
Philipp
Or get an M mount adapter with a Kiev helical ('amedeo.m' on ebay) for your Contax lenses.
rxmd
May contain traces of nut
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.
rxmd
May contain traces of nut
OK, I thought you shifted it to close focus. You still have to account for the unexpected DOF behaviour of course.
Highway 61
Revisited
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...
micromontenegro
Well-known
I can vouch for Amedeo's adapters- he really does a first class job. I lent him some of my lenses for testing at his beginings, and thus saw him work.
micromontenegro
Well-known
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...
By all means! See the mail I just sent you: the costumes are hard at work