Zeiss-Opton Biogon with m4/3?

[jamesmck]

Can anyone say if, with adapter, my Zeiss-Opton Biogon, 2.8/35mm (about 1953) will mount safely on a Panasonic G1? Has anyone here used this lens on an m4/3 camera? The adapter vendor warns "Focus infinity (For lens with focal length over 50mm) [ http://tinyurl.com/3y9qmto ]." What will be the impact of this limitation with the 35mm Biogon?

 

[Vickko]

I am guessing that the warning means the lens won't focus to infinity (i.e. lens closest into camera body).

I am also guessing the the 3.5cm Biogon has a rear lens cell that protrudes pretty far into the camera body. The pre-war lens wasn't even compatible with the Contax IIa; I would think it doesn't fit into a 4/3 camera.

The post war had a lens cell that didn't protrude as much.

Here are my test results:
1. Amadeo gold Contax-M mount - won't mount the 3.5 post war Biogon and allow focusing. For some reason, it clicks at infinity and doesn't allow the focusing to work.

2. Chinese Nikon RF to M mount, uses Kiev mechanics - allows 3.5 Biogon to mount, and Novoflex 4/3 to M adapter mounts to Pana GF1, and no lens interference. I think this combo would work fine !!!!

Vick

 

[jamesmck]

Thank you, Vick. Bear with me here, as I am on shaky ground and want to understand. Is the reason that this adapter http://tinyurl.com/3y9qmto will not focus to infinity with a 35mm lens because the rear element cannot come far enough into the body? If so, is your 2-adapter method (Nikon RF to M mount + Novoflex 4/3 to M) meant to be a solution for this? I hope I am understanding correctly. I take it that there is no single Contax --> m4/3 adapter that would work with the 35mm Biogon.

 

[Vickko]

I don't know if there is a single Contax to 4/3 adapter. I have a Leica M to 4/3 adapter, and a Zeiss Contax to M adapter, and I attached the two together, and then the 3.5cm Biogon, and it all worked.

The rear is doesn't even protrude into the body of my GF1.

Regarding the infinity focus, to focus to infinity, the lens has to come closer to the sensor. If it can't come close enough, then you can't focus at infinity.

Vick

 

[jamesmck]

Thanks, Vick. I'll have to think hard about whether this much of an investment in adapters is worth it for an occasional use of the Biogon.