Voigtlander Adapter: vintage Nokton 1.5/50 to Contax IIa

[Bill Ely]

I am thinking about buying the Voigtlander "C" adapter that allows use of a vintage (1954) Voigtlander "Nokton" 1.5/50 lens on a vintage (1954) Contax IIa 35mm rangefinder camera.

The problem is that it does not come with an instruction pamphlet, so I am not sure I am going to be able to put it on correctly.

I have been told that it is a "no brainer". If all you do is remove the "old" lens from the Contax; affix the adapter; and then put in the lens, I think that I will be OK. However, if it is more complicated than that, I may be in trouble.

Could someone who has used this adapter "walk me through" the instalation of it, in some detail, both as to affixing it to the camera, and then affixing the lens to the adapter?

I will really be grateful!

In lieu of that, is there a Cosina sevice unit that I can call in the USA to see if I can get a service tech to help me?

Many, many thanks for any help that anyone can provide!

Bill Ely

 

[Pherdinand]

I have a question: why would you do that? OK, maybe you have that lens already for other cameras...but if not, it would be a better choice to pick up a sonnar for the contax, i guess.

 

[rover]

Being a hopeless 50mm lens luster, I understand fully. After all, the Nokton was slated by Zeiss to replace the Sonnar before the Contax RF line was discontinued. Yes, I have Contax lust to use both a 50/2 and 50/1.5 Sonnar, but I would also buy this adaptor and buy a 50/2 Ultron and 50/1.5 Nokton.

Bill, I have only see photographs of this adaptor. From those my take is that you mount the adaptor onto the lens and then it will mount on the camera as any other lens.

 

[JoeFriday]

I was also considering getting that same adapter, until I realized, as Pherdi said, that you can get the Sonnar or Jupiter equivalent for about the same as the cost of the adapter alone.. but whatever works for you, Bill

btw, have you seen THIS ONE on the 'bay?

 

[rover]

I think there was a prior thread about these adaptors here. The one on ebay is said to be of lesser quality than the one sold by Gandy, but it works without problem I believe. (if I am remembering correctly) The one on ebay is offered regularly by this seller.

 

[Pherdinand]

Interesting idea nevertheless, esp. for some who have invested into the voigtlander lenses already.

 

[Roger Hicks]

The original f/1.5 Nokton (the first post-war rare-earth fast 50, as far as I know)is, in my experience, a vastly better lens than the f/1.5 Sonnar. I've owned/used both. No contest.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[furcafe]

I have 1 of these adapters & I find it easier to attach the adapter to the lens 1st. It's hard to describe (easier to show in person), but IIRC (not having the lens & adapter in front of me) to attach the lens you line up the aperture indicator mark on the Nokton w/the dot on the adapter & twist until the lens locks w/a click (the Nokton should have a locking tab)--I can't remember if it's clockwise or counter-clockwise, so try both directions. Once the adapter & lens are coupled, they become just like any other inner-bayonet lens (e.g., 50mm Sonnar or Tessar) in Contax RF mount.

I am thinking about buying the Voigtlander "C" adapter that allows use of a vintage (1954) Voigtlander "Nokton" 1.5/50 lens on a vintage (1954) Contax IIa 35mm rangefinder camera.

The problem is that it does not come with an instruction pamphlet, so I am not sure I am going to be able to put it on correctly.

I have been told that it is a "no brainer". If all you do is remove the "old" lens from the Contax; affix the adapter; and then put in the lens, I think that I will be OK. However, if it is more complicated than that, I may be in trouble.

Could someone who has used this adapter "walk me through" the instalation of it, in some detail, both as to affixing it to the camera, and then affixing the lens to the adapter?

I will really be grateful!

In lieu of that, is there a Cosina sevice unit that I can call in the USA to see if I can get a service tech to help me?

Many, many thanks for any help that anyone can provide!

Bill Ely

 

[wlewisiii]

Roger,

Can you explain this in a bit more detail? I'd be interested in knowing why you feel that way about the lens. So examples, possibly? 🙂 Thanks.

William

 

[furcafe]

My experience is different. I don't find the Nokton to be "vastly superior" to the Sonnar (based on owning 10 f/1.5 Sonnars, pre & post-WWII, & 2 Noktons). In my usage, the Nokton is slightly sharper & more flare-resistant wide-open, but that's offset by the fact that it's heavier (than the post-WWII Sonnars, anyway); my assessment is pretty much the same for the f/2 Sonnars v. the Ultron. However, I tend to shoot in the f/1.5-f/4 range, so perhaps the Nokton is more superior to the Sonnar in the smaller apertures. My understanding is that Zeiss Ikon planned to use the Nokton as the standard lens for the Contax IV not on account of its superior performance, although that may have been a factor, but mostly because it was easier & cheaper to manufacture.

The original f/1.5 Nokton (the first post-war rare-earth fast 50, as far as I know)is, in my experience, a vastly better lens than the f/1.5 Sonnar. I've owned/used both. No contest.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[Bill Ely]

Many thanks! These are just the type of instrctions that I needed! When I get the adapter on Saturday, I will let you know what happens! Many thanks, again!

Bill Ely

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear William,

Sharper and more flare-resistant: exactly. Also significantly higher resolving power. But while I have owned/used 3 original Noktons over 30 years I've only owned/used 2 Sonnars, not 10 -- though I have to ask why, if they are that good, you need 10 of them! Then again I preferred Xenons to Sonnars too, and I've had two Xenons.

Quite honestly I'd go for the Cosina Voigtlander Nokton (which I still own and use) in place of any of them.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[wlewisiii]

Makes sense. I was curious, not having used any of the 1.5 lenses 🙂 I do have a prewar uncoated Sonnar 50/2 collapsable that I love, though that and a couple of Jupiter 8's are the extent of my experiance. I'll be happy to buy a CV Nokton if they'd just make an SC mount version... 😀

Thanks for the explaination.

William

 

[furcafe]

I have 10 f/1.5 Sonnars just because I'm a bit of a Sonnar collector & enjoy having them in all their variations (same goes for the f/2 rigid & collapsible Sonnars). Also, when you buy everything off eBay like me, not every lens arrives in the condition you expect & the damaged ones usually aren't worth selling!

Dear William,

. . . I have to ask why, if they are that good, you need 10 of them! . . .

Cheers,

Roger