Zeiss Opton Sonnar on a Kiev

[Stephanie Brim]

I tried the Sonnar. The results are hanging in the bathroom shower drying as I type this.

I decided that I wanted to try some Pan-F out and what better lens, in my opinion, to try it out on? Went down to Brushy Creek and took some halfway decent photos. I'll take them tomorrow to be scanned.

Brian, at first glance it appears that the camera is focusing the lens very well. I took a couple of shots at f/4 at the closest focus point and some cloud shots at infinity. We'll see when I get them scanned.

But anyway, there's just one thing that I don't like about this camera. I hate focus locks. I tend to sometimes overshoot my focusing and, if the shot is close to infinity, the focus lock engages and I have to push the little button by the focus wheel to unlock it. I wish I could do something about that.

 

[darkkavenger]

But anyway, there's just one thing that I don't like about this camera. I hate focus locks. I tend to sometimes overshoot my focusing and, if the shot is close to infinity, the focus lock engages and I have to push the little button by the focus wheel to unlock it. I wish I could do something about that.

I think that's one of the charms of the camera. I hated it at first, but then I got used with it. The most problematic thing is that when you own both Kievs, pre-war Contax and post-war Contax you might be quite disturbed because the wheel turns the same way for Kievs and pre-war contaxes, but it turns the opposite way for post-war contaxes, which can be quite a hassle if you use both cameras on a regular way.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Hehe.

I'm slowly getting used to focus lock. Maybe it'll teach me NOT to accidently overthrow my focus. 😀

 

[Pherdinand]

the focus lock lever can be disengaged. But it needs minor disassembly of the camera body.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Eh, maybe someday. I want to use it as is for a while. I think that once I get the hang of the Contax grip I'll be fine.

 

[shadowfox]

Stephanie, I'm looking forward to see your pictures. Wow, does the Sonnar comes with your Kiev?

In my test roll, I didn't encounter problems with the focus lock probably because I never tried to take a landscape-ish picture (infinity focus).

 

[Stephanie Brim]

You need the focus lock to get the lens of safely. If you are not going to change lenses often, you might be able to block the pin from engaging. Look at the camera, and the locking pin near the lens mount, near the main viewfinder. Block it in the unlocked position, as the J-12 and Telephoto lens do. Remove your block to change lenses.

On the Sonnar: F4 will uslually have enough DOF to cover focus error. Try it wide-open and close-up, then at infinity.

I think I may have some wide open shots on another roll sitting beside me on the desk. That's tonight's development, methinks. I'll try it wide open, though. while we're at Hayden Park tonight. I'll shoot what's left of the roll of Pan-F that I kinda took half of yesterday. 😉

 

[rpinchbeck]

I"ve been meaning for some time to conduct a side-by-side experiment between a Sonnar Opton 1.5, a pre-war Sonnar Jena 1.5 and J-3 wide open to see if there are any differences.

Maybe that could be my excuse to get out of doing yard work tomorrow...

Russ Pinchbeck

 

[Stephanie Brim]

My excuse to get out of yard work is the whole baby thing. Seems to be working well so far. 😀

 

[LOOP]

Stephanie: pictures ??

Stephanie: pictures ??

Hello , I can say that I am a Zeiss fan ( it comes from my father who worked (was obliged to work ) for this factory during the second WW.
The opton 50 mm 1.5 is one of the best lens ever made. ..Some of my pictures with this lens are on Photo net. I am not intelligent enough to find a way to post pictures out of Apple I photo in RFF.
I'll be happy to look at the color rendition that you get with your lens !!!!:angel:

 

[Stephanie Brim]

I don't shoot color film at all right now, so they're all black and white shots. Hope those are good enough. 😉

 

[outfitter]

I"ve been meaning for some time to conduct a side-by-side experiment between a Sonnar Opton 1.5, a pre-war Sonnar Jena 1.5 and J-3 wide open to see if there are any differences.

Maybe that could be my excuse to get out of doing yard work tomorrow...

Russ Pinchbeck

I've finessed the prewar/postwar dichotomy; Henry Scherer just shipped back to me today a prewar f1.5/50mm Sonnar that was non-factory coated after the war. It was a so so performer (with oily diaphragm blades) - now Henry says it is "fine and sharp" and I look forwarded to wringing it out. There is something about the weight of prewar lenses that builds confidence. I expect to have a lens with prewar character but with slightly better contrast and resistance to flair, it should be interesting.

Michael

 

[rpinchbeck]

I've finessed the prewar/postwar dichotomy; Henry Scherer just shipped back to me today a prewar f1.5/50mm Sonnar that was non-factory coated after the war. It was a so so performer (with oily diaphragm blades) - now Henry says it is "fine and sharp" and I look forwarded to wringing it out. There is something about the weight of prewar lenses that builds confidence. I expect to have a lens with prewar character but with slightly better contrast and resistance to flair, it should be interesting.

Michael

My pre-war (1936) CZJ Sonnar 1.5 is coated too. Dunno if it was coated after the war, probably. It's a fantastic performer. See my gallery image: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=57171
I had taken a side-by-side comparison of this lens and post-war Sonnar Opton 1.5. The result, very marginal difference in contrast.

Cheers,

Russ Pinchbeck

 

[outfitter]

My pre-war (1936) CZJ Sonnar 1.5 is coated too. Dunno if it was coated after the war, probably. It's a fantastic performer. See my gallery image: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=57171
I had taken a side-by-side comparison of this lens and post-war Sonnar Opton 1.5. The result, very marginal difference in contrast.

Cheers,

Russ Pinchbeck

Beautiful Russ, I look to forward getting my hands on mine next week. I think there will be something special about using a F1.5 Sonnar in the original configuration - not to mention that solid feeling and heavy brass and chrome mount. Every uncoated prewar Sonnar I've tried has been surprisingly good (well I shouldn't be surprised as I know better). BTW the last time I was in Calgary I was staying with a friend in Red Deer (assassinating various ungulates)

Michael

 

[Stephanie Brim]

And the moment we've all been waiting for: photos! Sorry in advance to everyone on dialup. 😀

So far so good. I plan to try it wide open and close up tonight, so hang in for more.