old Biogon 21 or VC

[S.H.]

Hello,

For some time now, I am wondering if a Biogon 21 (the classic one for contax IIa) could be interesting in my case. Here is my RF gear :
- Leica (M3/4/8)
- Contax II / Kiev 2 (also have a IIa and a Kiev 5 which need some slight repairs / adjust)

I "only" have a w-nikkor-c 2.8cm LTM as a wide angle. I would like to try something wider, not too costly and saw that Amedeo produce an uncoupled wide adapter for Contax/Nikkors lenses. I'd like to use it on both contax/leica. So obviously, there are two potential candidates:

- a biogon 21
- a VC 21
(I think nikkor wides are scarce and quite pricey, and the russar is not cheap either and hard to find in Kiev mount)

It seems that the VC is also quite rare, so it leaves the biogon.

Do it compare to the old Super Angulon in Leica M mount? What could be the current realistic price range (~400-500€)? Is it really usable with an adapter? Any other thoughts about that?

Thank you for your input. 🙂

 

[Highway 61]

The classic Super Angulon is a f/3.4, the Biogon is a f/4.5.

Their results are fully comparable IMO.

Expect to pay $750~$900 USD for a nice Biogon with caps, which is a bit over €500.

The huge advantages of the Biogon are even illumination of the film frame with very little light fall-off and almost no distorsion.

The VC may have a bit more of distorsion and a bit of light fall-off at f/4 but is no slouch, either. I had one, which I sold out, because I had the Biogon too and it was not necessary for me to keep both, but I would have kept it if I hadn't owned the Biogon (I still have the Biogon).

The VC will cost you less than half the price of the Biogon. And be aware that a defective Biogon (oil on the blades, haze, any other internal problem) will cause you problems to have it serviced because repairers often don't have the special tool to remove the internal barrel.

Not too sure about this but the VC, thanks to its tiny rear group, may very well work with the regular RF-coupled Amedeo adapter, which is for sure not the case of the Biogon.

You can also try to get a Biogon in Contarex mount and have it definitely converted into an M-mount lens.

 

[S.H.]

Thank you for your helpful remarks. I will try to find either a biogon or VC 21 in contax mount, it could be a nice present to myself 😛.

 

[S.H.]

Very interesting tip, thanks!! What are these lenses ?


However, any idea where to find this VC ? I looked on the bay for some months now, no dice. Not one on the second hand market. I live in France, there is not much choice for the Nikon/Contax RF mount here 🙁; RF Nikkors and modern Voigtlanders SC are rare. But I'm not in a hurry...

 

[S.H.]

Thanks for the link, I will ask him if there is a VC 21 left.

 

[Highway 61]

The SC 21/4 with finder priced at $419 is in green so it's in stock.

Be prepared to pay VAT and customs taxes on the declared value, French customs are now chasing everything which can earn them some money.

But it's a terrific lens at half the price of the Biogon so it's worth it.

 

[Highway 61]

Ok, there is ONE way to make the SC-mount CV 21/4 work on a regular coupled Amedeo adapter. You have to machine down part of the rear housing as shown in this photo: <skip>


Down size. by edozakura, on Flickr

The part of the rear housing which has to be machined down is easily removable (one set screw holds it) so there is no need of dismantling the whole lens, and a good amateur machinist owning a turret could do it easily. Nice trick actually.

 

[S.H.]

This trick is very interesting, as I know at least one repairman / machinist who should be able to do this (and it is a friend!).

This lens is really interesting, at around 400 EUR (including customs 🙄). I think I will buy it.

I too noticed that French customs modernized their setup: I bought in the US bits and pieces under 100 EUR no problem, but last year my contax IIa + sonnar opton 1.5 got caught. Clever buggers. Anyway I don't regret it, because this sonnar is really really good! (it still costs way less than a summilux even with an amedeo adapter and the contax body and the customs, and it is better for microdetails than my '61 summilux which gather dust 😛)

 

[dexdog]

I have used a Contax RF 21mm Biogon on a leica M2 using one of Amedeos non-focusing Contax/Nikon to Leica M adapters. These adapters are slightly offset (1mm or so) to allow lenses like the 35mm Biogon and 35/1.8 S-mount Nikkor to be mounted on the Leica without hitting any internal parts. I had to turn the rear flange on the 21mm Biogon to get it around the rangefinder pick-up arm, but it worked well, and took decent images. Not sure if it works on a M3, though.

 

[Highway 61]

The rotating rear flange of the Biogon is a light baffle and I would remove it were I to use my Biogon with an adapter.

I sometimes think of removing it for good anyway because IMO it's pretty useless and just a pain in the ass when removing the lens if it has rotated the wrong way inside the Contax IIa chamber when the lens got mounted...😉

 

[aehlen]

Has anyone got this biogon to work on a m9 or m9 monochrom? I have this lens and wan to shoot some black and white with it on my m9. I know the color shift sucks I have the a7r for that lol. I know how to take the rear baffling off is that all or do I need to take of the spring loaded collar also?

 

[mauro scacco]

Has anyone got this biogon to work on a m9 or m9 monochrom? I have this lens and wan to shoot some black and white with it on my m9. I know the color shift sucks I have the a7r for that lol. I know how to take the rear baffling off is that all or do I need to take of the spring loaded collar also?

I also just now (re)acquired a fantastic biogon 21 for contax RF, lens i have owned someyears ago, and my curiosity is if possible using it also on a A7 sony with adapter... 🙂 thx

 

[mauro scacco]

my old biogon at work in Anzio Beach Head Rievocation, with a contax II

Lo sbarco di Anzio-Rievocazione by Mauro Scacco, on Flickr

Lo sbarco di Anzio-Rievocazione by Mauro Scacco, on Flickr