Wide angle for Contax IIa

monopix

monopix

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I've got a IIa with a 50mm f/1.5 Opton Sonnar but would like something wider. My favourite lens is a 28mm but it seems 28mm didn't feature in the lens line up for these. I could cope with a 35mm I guess.

Any thoughts on what's a good buy and what I might have to pay? I would prefer Zeiss and something contemporary to the camera but might consider alternatives (Russian maybe).
 
The FSU J-12 is out of the question for the IIa.
a post war 35mm Biogon of the Zeiss Opton make would be the ideal period piece for your IIa.
the Nikkor S mount 35mm f2.5 and f3.5 would work and they offer super quality.
CV offered a line of lenses for the Contax/Nikon, check Stephen Gandy's online products.
 
monopix said:
I've got a IIa with a 50mm f/1.5 Opton Sonnar but would like something wider. My favourite lens is a 28mm but it seems 28mm didn't feature in the lens line up for these. I could cope with a 35mm I guess.

Any thoughts on what's a good buy and what I might have to pay? I would prefer Zeiss and something contemporary to the camera but might consider alternatives (Russian maybe).
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Several lenses available from Zeiss for the Contax IIa, inlcuding post-WW2 35/2.8 Biogon, 35/3.5 Planar and 35/1.8, 35/2.5 and 35/3.5 Nikkors. The Zeiss lenses will run about 400-500 USD for the Biogon and 500-600 USD for the Planar. Estimates on the Nikkors are 750, 500 and 350 USD, respectively. These guesstimates are based recent USA eBay sales.

The Contax IIa will not accept either the Pre-WW2 CZJ Biogon or its Russian copy, the Jupiter 12 because the large rear element will hit the shutter of the Contax IIa. I used to have a Soligor 35mm lens in Nikkor mount that worked on a Contax IIa (sold it). Nice lens, run about 250 USD on eBay.

A nikkor 28/3.5 will work on a Contax IIa, but expect to pay 700-800 (or more) for a nice example.

Oh, forgot to mention a couple of other Zeiss lenses- the 35/4.5 Orthometar and 35/2.8 Biometar. Unfortunately, both are fairly uncommon, and command collector prices.
 
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monopix said:
I've got a IIa with a 50mm f/1.5 Opton Sonnar but would like something wider. My favourite lens is a 28mm but it seems 28mm didn't feature in the lens line up for these.).
Click to expand...

Zeiss did make a 28 for prewar Contax, but that´s a Tessar f 8! No coatings(or are there?), not coupled to rangefinder. It might fit to a IIa, but I´m not quite sure.
 
3js said:
Zeiss did make a 28 for prewar Contax, but that´s a Tessar f 8! No coatings(or are there?), not coupled to rangefinder. It might fit to a IIa, but I´m not quite sure.
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The 28/8 tessar will fit on a Contax IIa without a problem, but as you stated, not rangefinder coupled and at f8, too slow to be particularly useful. I have read that it was designed for photographing documents on a copy stand, and other reproduction work.
 
I just got myself a used CV 21/4 in Contax/Nikon mount (when they're that wide, Cosina call them "SC" mount, as the focus error is insignificant), and it's a really nice piece of work. I've just started shooting with it, and did not process the film yet, but the viewfinder is very good, and so is the handling.

You could get a 25 (w/ VF) or a 28 (VF in extra) from Stephen Gandy. They'll be new, and you don't have to fight the bidders for a vintage lens.
 
Cough! At those prices, I think the genuine articles are out of the question. I did look at the CV 28mm as a possibility and it looks like the way to go. Thanks for the suggestions all.
 
Good choice! ;)

I think the reason behind the high prices for the vintage lenses is simply their relative scarcity. Getting good quality from focal lengths wider than 50mm, even w/slow lenses, was really pushing optical technology during the "classic" RF period ('30s-60s) & so the lenses were comparatively rare & expensive to begin with.

monopix said:
Cough! At those prices, I think the genuine articles are out of the question. I did look at the CV 28mm as a possibility and it looks like the way to go. Thanks for the suggestions all.
Click to expand...
 
You can still find good Nikkor wides for less than the prices above, especiallly in chrome barrels. The 35/2.5 can be had for well under $300 -- Even Kevin Cameras, the price leader, has some imperfect ones for under $300. The chrome 28/3.5 should be available under $400 on Ebay, unless there's been a recent run-up in prices.
 
The cameraquest CV 28 are not 385 but $299 these days. I got one and still not used it. But the smoothness and elegancy of the lens are remarkable.

Cheers,
Ruben
 
At 299 USD, the CV 28/3.5 is a very good deal considering that the lens is 50 years newer than the Nikkor 28/3.5. Probably outperforms the Nikkor in many areas as well. Also, the 35mm SC lenses are a good deal considering the cost of various Zeiss and Nikkor lenses.
 
It all comes down to whether you want original Zeiss lenses or will make do with Cosina Voigtlander lenses, which are very good optically and mechanically.

It took me roughly six years to find a 21mm Biogon that wasn't unreasonably priced.

The 35mm Biogon is much easier to find.

These lenses are single coated (I believe), and can be prone to flaring. Plus, most of the older lenses will need to be serviced, and there's always the possibility that your lens will have either optical or mechanical problems.

If you're basing your buying decision purely on budget vs. performance, you really can't go wrong with the Cosina glass.
 
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