Use Contax G lenses on Leica

[barrykawa]

I noticed these converted Contax G lenses for sale for use on a Leica M camera. I used to have a Contax G-2 and liked the lenses a lot, but not the camera. Anyone think it would be good to use these Contax lenses on an M6?

http://www.japanexposures.com/lens/

 

[splitimageview]

Absolutely, these lenses are superb. I had a G1 with the 28, 45, and 90 and they were probably the best lenses I've ever owned...planning to eventually get the 28 and 45.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/megaperls/

 

[Debusti Paolo]

I have a contax g2 with 15mm zoerk heliar,21,35,45 & 90 lenses..I have to say that the 21 biogon is better than my 21 elmarit asph (better flare resistance)and the 45 is better than the 50 /2 (also for bokeh...) and are a lot cheaper than leica lenses.....😉

 

[barrykawa]

Thanks! The 28mm would look nice on my M6, and be cheaper than the Leica equivalent. Guess it is a good way to get the benefits of the Zeiss quality lenses with rangefinder focusing. I always got a lot of out-of-focus shots with my G-2, I guess I always had trouble getting that little AF bracket set on what I wanted to focus on.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

I have a 28mm G-Biogon at JapanExposures/Hayata right now being converted to M-mount. So far, the process has been pretty painless. Happy to let you all know how it goes. As some forum members know, I have a 45mm lens converted by Mr. Miyazaki that I enjoy using on my M8. JapanExposures (formerly Megapearls) solves the shipping/translation problem that I had to solve for the first conversion. All at the same price!

Will report in to the group when the lens arrives back in the US. I should note that the aperture is friction only - no click stops.

Ben Marks

 

[jmkelly]

Yes but at over $500 per conversion, the ZM 21mm/2.8 Biogon is a better value than the converted G lens. The 45mm and 28mm G lenses make sense. I'm interested in the converted 90mm G Sonnar.

 

[raid]

John,

What is it about the G 90mm lens that makes it so valuable to you? I am just curious since I will be getting 28-45-90 set soon.

 

[jmkelly]

Raid... it's a... Sonnar!

It makes lovely images on the G1, but I don't give the G1 the love some of my other rigs get. The Zuiko 85/2 is wonderful, but I want to have an RF option. I have the chrome Nikkor 85/2 Contax-mount and an Amadeo adapter - beautiful images but a heavy rig. I had a thin 90mm Elmarit but sold it - not as compact as I wanted, a very long focus throw, and the signature was not to my taste. The Miyazaki conversion of the G Sonnar should be the lightest and most compact lens in the class.

 

[ferider]

Hi John,

the M-Hex 90 might do the trick. A pretty close copy and very well built.

Roland.

PS: my name is John and I'm a "Sonnar-holic" .... 🙂 🙂

 

[enochRoot]

i was getting ready to pull the trigger on one of these until i found out how much the dollar seems to have tanked against the yen?! yikes!

 

[raid]

John: This is a good point. A Sonnar is worth walking a mile for ... [or was that a Camel?]
I will first try out th G1, and then maybe get one lens modified. Maybe not

 

[jmkelly]

Hi John,

the M-Hex 90 might do the trick. A pretty close copy and very well built.

Roland.

PS: my name is John and I'm a "Sonnar-holic" .... 🙂 🙂

😀😀😀 Yes, I am. And beyond the reach of any recovery, I fear!

Funny you should mention the 90mm Hexanon - I'm just waiting on the mail. Isn't it an Ernostar 3e/3g design? The G Sonnar is 5/4, like the Zuiko 85mm/f2.

 

[enochRoot]

actually i just found this:

This compact selection is only 22.5mm longer than the standard 50mm barrel and weighs only 330g. It has a 3-group, 3-element front lens with a single-group, 2-element back lens.

 

[sniki]

Does anybody know where I can just see and really buy (shop) these lens downtown in Tokyo?

sniki

 

[Atom]

I was going through http://www.matsumoto-camera.com/ inventory and found an already converted Contax 90/2.8 for 48,000 yen. By my converson around $550 usd. Doesn't seem so bad. There are a few images there, it's about 4 pages into the leica lens list. I don't read Japanese so unfortunately I don't know anything more.

 

[splitimageview]

Hmm, I couldn't find the 90, but there is a 28/2.8 Contax-G conversion listed on page 1 of the lenses.

 

[Benjamin]

So how does one focus the G lenses on a Leica, seeing as the are auto-focus and are focused with the thumbwheel on a the G1 and G2? I'd thought about it before but was told that it was impossible..


Cheers, Benjamin

 

[splitimageview]

The glass is removed from the Contax barrel (except for the 90) and placed into a new barrel with a focusing helical. In the case of the 90 a focusing helical is added. More info here: http://www.ziforums.com/showthread.php?t=106

 

[splitimageview]

More info here

 

[Benjamin]

Oh ok, thanks for the info.

Still, it seems like a lot of money to pay for a lens without click-stops. Don't you agree?

Benjamin