Zeiss quality...

[Philip Whiteman]

... is hard to resist, isn't it. I thought I would be content with a Kiev and its associated lenses - then I bought and recommissioned a Contax II (a process described here in past threads). Hmm - although the earliest Kiev I have (a 1953 2, the exact Contax II clone) is very nearly as nicely made, its Jupiter 8 lens is crude looking by Zeiss standards, however well it might perform. So now I have had to go and buy an Opton Sonnar (beautifully finished)... Oh, and a 432/5 35mm finder (ditto) to use with my Jupiter 12. Now I am looking at post-war Biogons and a Contax IIa - argh! Where does it stop?

 

[xayraa33]

... is hard to resist, isn't it. I thought I would be content with a Kiev and its associated lenses - then I bought and recommissioned a Contax II (a process described here in past threads). Hmm - although the earliest Kiev I have (a 1953 2, the exact Contax II clone) is very nearly as nicely made, its Jupiter 8 lens is crude looking by Zeiss standards, however well it might perform. So now I have had to go and buy an Opton Sonnar (beautifully finished)... Oh, and a 432/5 35mm finder (ditto) to use with my Jupiter 12. Now I am looking at post-war Biogons and a Contax IIa - argh! Where does it stop?

There are much worse addictions to be saddled with.

 

[Crazy Fedya]

It doesn’t stop. It evolves. 😉

If you get post war Biogon, you are in for a treat.

 

[Steve M.]

I'm not sure which J-8 lens you had, but mine was one of the later black ones in LTM mount and it was a very well built lens. The pics from it were wonderful. FSU glass is usually very, very good. The cameras.....not so much 🙁

I buy lenses for the images they are capable of making.

 

[Cascadilla]

It can easily become an obsession limited only by the size of your bank account and the tolerance of your significant other. That said, at least you're buying lenses that make great images, and most of the Zeiss lenses of that vintage that I've seen have fewer issues with haze and coating damage than comparable Leica ones. Beware of the Contax lenses from the late 1950's, since the early epoxy lens cement doesn't always age well.

 

[ptpdprinter]

I buy lenses for the images they are capable of making.

All lenses make images they are capable of making.

 

[35photo]

I'm not sure which J-8 lens you had, but mine was one of the later black ones in LTM mount and it was a very well built lens. The pics from it were wonderful. FSU glass is usually very, very good. The cameras.....not so much 🙁

I buy lenses for the images they are capable of making.

I only look at images that a person makes the lens is an extension of the person... The person is the most important thing in making an image... If you can't pick up a holga and make great images then I say look no further then yourself as the problem...

 

[Larry Cloetta]

I only look at images that a person makes the lens is an extension of the person... The person is the most important thing in making an image... If you can't pick up a holga and make great images then I say look no further then yourself as the problem...

I can't pick up a Holga and make great images.. but I can make images that look like they came from a Holga or off of Instagram. I myself is the problem, but that's common knowledge.

 

[Pioneer]

I only look at images that a person makes the lens is an extension of the person... The person is the most important thing in making an image... If you can't pick up a holga and make great images then I say look no further then yourself as the problem...

That may be so but I am pretty confident that you will not be able to do everything you would like photographically with a Holga.

I am not knocking the Holga, I love mine. But I can't think of very many other cameras with more limitations than a Holga.

 

[Philip Whiteman]

The great thing is that the FSU - the old 'Russian' - cameras do continue to provide inspiration. And yes - any of this equipment is only as good as the person using it: rubbish in and rubbish out, and all that. However, 1970s and 80s Kievs (and not their lenses) have away of rubbishing anyone's efforts! The thing I was alluding to here was the alluring quality of Zeiss stuff, as - bit by bit - you discover it. It is all so beautifully made, one mechanical work of art after another. And it'd not necessarily about money - my Contax II, with its collapsible f2 Sonnar (easily the best uncoated Sonnar I have seen since) came for a grand total last year of £25 (just over $30). Having had no luck in making 70s and 80s Kievs work (other people can do it) my experience as a fix-it-yourself person is that Contaxes are just so much better made that they are the better bet, even if they generally cost a more.

Jupiters, especially the early ones, deliver super results - and a J8, with the benefit of coating, is more contrasty than an uncoated Sonnar (and probably sharper than a hazy knackered old Sonnar). However, pick up a post-war Opton or 'Carl Zeiss' Sonnar - exquisitely finished in plated brass - and you just think 'Wow!' The 35mm Zeiss finder I have just bought evokes the same feeling - it came at the price of two (excellent) 1950s or 60s polished alloy J12s (yep: buy one of those first, then worry about the finder) but when you look at the fit and finish of the Zeiss item you find it hard to thing that it's not worth - yes - the investment.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I only look at images that a person makes the lens is an extension of the person... The person is the most important thing in making an image... If you can't pick up a holga and make great images then I say look no further then yourself as the problem...

Unless of course you are trying to shoot wildlife or sports or macro or low-light or underwater or -- well, pretty much anything that requires more than a box camera.

Also, ask yourself why remarkably few good photographers use nothing but Holgas, even if they pull off the stunt of getting a good picture once from a Hokga.

If you can't understand that, then look no further then yourself as the problem...

Cheers,

R.

 

[ForestCap]

The 432/5 finder is maybe the best peephole (non-brightline) 35mm finder you can find. It has three lens elements and a black paper cut frame to guide your eye and to avoid blurry edge as possible as it can. Not to mention the fluffy material they used for the inner surface of the finder to reduce reflection.

I use a 1950 Kiev II with a 1949 ZK 50/2 as go to lens. I also have a couple of J8s, a Helios -103, an uncommon Arsenal J-12 and a rare Acall 35/3.5. The later J8Ms have crude engravings but the coatings and click stops make up for it. the Kiev 2 is fun to shoot with. Never used any Contax RFs, but I think the Kiev is as good as a Contax-style RF can be.

 

[Ronald M]

It stops like socialism, when there is no more money.

Or you can not carry more stuff and can`t decide what to bring and come to your senses.

Or you run out of storage space.

We should start an equipment anonymous group with 12 step program. Only problem is you have to hit rock bottom and admit you need help. Then there is the never ending recovery stage.

Future is bleak for those affected. Sorry