grantray
Established
I used to think the swc was the ultimate fixed-lens wide angle camera. And then I found this.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Hologon-Ultrawi...590746915QQcategoryZ15234QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Wouldn't happen to be anyone here who knows anything about the lens quality of one these, would there?
-grant
http://cgi.ebay.com/Hologon-Ultrawi...590746915QQcategoryZ15234QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Wouldn't happen to be anyone here who knows anything about the lens quality of one these, would there?
-grant
JoeFriday
Agent Provacateur
whoa. I'm not an ultra-wide geek, but I am a Zeiss freak.. that's one sweet little camera
I believe this lens was also made in Leica M-mount in small (expensive) numbers, and is also very similar to the 16mm f/8 that fits the Contax G... which can be had from KEH for around $1600 as I recall. Vignetting is reportedly strong enough to make a center-grad filter a desirable accessory, losing about 2 stops in effective speed. One then might consider the Cosina/Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5, the exotic made ordinary, and weigh this against the Zeiss... 
sf
Veteran
yeah, I've seen that camera on that site a few times. I guess no one wants to spend that much when they could buy two more useful cameras for the same price (or 4). The hologon is like the unicorn of lenses. If you showed a picture of the thing to someone who has never seen one, they'd assume it was either a hoax or something other than a lens. If you have a hologon, you have something highly sexy, highly rare, and highly narrow in its usefulness. I think that about sums it up. I think it would be a GREAT thing to buy if you are a retailer that rents out equipment. THat thing would be out daily and pay for itself in year.
Glazers . . .are you reading this. . .
Glazers . . .are you reading this. . .
yossarian
Well-known
And in the late '70s you couldn't GIVE them away...(sigh)
ZeissFan
Veteran
I have had one of these for about two years. I received only the camera, and the viewfinder was fogged. Henry Scherer wanted $75 to clean the viewfinder. I did it myself in about an hour -- although it requires a semi-extensive disassembly of the camera.
I've since picked up the grip ($100) and the owner's guide (for $3), and I'd really like to find the graduated center-spot filter.
Optically, it's a very interesting camera. There is no focusing involved, as depth of field at f/8 on a 15mm lens is extensive. The photos are very sharp with plenty of contrast.
This camera, more than any other -- including the XPan, is very sensitive to the camera being at a proper angle to get the shot you want. Slightly tilting the camera on the X, Y or Z axes radically alters the perspective. Gives you some wild perspectives, if you're seeking that.
I have a short writeup on this camera on my own site:
http://elekm.net/pages/cameras.html
"Contarex Hologon" under "Zeiss Ikon"
After the demise of Zeiss Ikon, left over lenses were refitted to the Leica M mount. The Distagon is a much more useful lens, as is the Cosina Voigtlander Heliar. Both have variable apertures and the ability to focus, although the need to focus with a 15mm lens probably isn't necessary once you've hit f/5.6.
The Hologon is a fixed f/8 aperture, and you adjust exposure by changing the shutter speed. The Contarex Hologon's shutter maxes out at 1/500, so it is slightly restrictive in what film you can use, especially if you're shooting in daylight or in very low light.
I've since picked up the grip ($100) and the owner's guide (for $3), and I'd really like to find the graduated center-spot filter.
Optically, it's a very interesting camera. There is no focusing involved, as depth of field at f/8 on a 15mm lens is extensive. The photos are very sharp with plenty of contrast.
This camera, more than any other -- including the XPan, is very sensitive to the camera being at a proper angle to get the shot you want. Slightly tilting the camera on the X, Y or Z axes radically alters the perspective. Gives you some wild perspectives, if you're seeking that.
I have a short writeup on this camera on my own site:
http://elekm.net/pages/cameras.html
"Contarex Hologon" under "Zeiss Ikon"
After the demise of Zeiss Ikon, left over lenses were refitted to the Leica M mount. The Distagon is a much more useful lens, as is the Cosina Voigtlander Heliar. Both have variable apertures and the ability to focus, although the need to focus with a 15mm lens probably isn't necessary once you've hit f/5.6.
The Hologon is a fixed f/8 aperture, and you adjust exposure by changing the shutter speed. The Contarex Hologon's shutter maxes out at 1/500, so it is slightly restrictive in what film you can use, especially if you're shooting in daylight or in very low light.
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grantray
Established
Thanks for the info. For the few I've located on the net, I think I'll opt for another ZM lens or three first. (cheapest Hologon I saw was $3300) Of couse, if I happen to find one in a junk store for less than or equal to a new CV lens...
ZeissFan
Veteran
The Contarex Hologon might go down in history as one of the most unique and expensive mass-production point and shoots in history -- because that's basically how you use the camera.