Since the filter threads across the set are wildly different (from 55 to 72mm), standardizing the filter threads to 77mm allows you to own one single set of filters which can quickly switch lenses without the need for tons of step rings. And needed a new line of lenses for 35mm still photography. Contax Zeiss Survival Guide : r/SonyAlpha - Reddit Collapse. Zeiss and Yashica lenses are all in all rumored to be better, but are much more expensive. I havent tested these much yet, and I ended up not doing standard outside diameters. They cover full frame, are super easy to adapt to many other mounts and never lose their value. Contax Zeiss Survival Guide In reply to Giovanni_1968 9 months ago While this site is targeted to adapting Zeiss Contax lenses for video, it also seems to be the go-to guide for the rest of us with respect to these lenses. adapters work fine ($15) (They are conservative and tend to overcompensate by a millimeter or two, so they can make your glass focus past infinity at the tail end, a bit annoying but nothing terrible). Lucky for me my 50 and 85/1.4 were already MMJ. One last note on their generations, MMs were mostly made in Japan, so theyre called MMJs, while AEs were made in Germany and named AEGs. It was a time when I didnt shoot much, but I went on long bike rides. (Heres where I beleive the Leica Rs have a clear advantage, their 19mm is a 2.8which is pretty amazing). It was released in 1932. This page was generated at 05:50 PM. Lastly, now that we have a great Contax guide on VLFV, my plan is to concentrate on individual Contax Zeiss reviews, so look out for those in near future. So I figured I would write up a little CONTAX SURVIVAL GUIDE that tries to answer them all at once Contax Zeiss should be on your radar for a couple of reasons. The main difference being that a normal . Eastern Zeiss instead consolidated all their smaller name brands into PENTACON. You can either build a $1500 set or a $10000 set and youll always impress with the results. X. X. I took this question to Instagram again and got really good arguments for both sides. I know organic is a hackneyed term, but it fits. Standard lens, cant really make a set without a 35mm in it, right? I was just ahead of the game, so it wasnt necessary on my case. Thank you! Unfortunately, it predates the Distagon 28/2.8. freelance filmmaker and an anamorphic lens freak TitoFerradans,is exposing us to hisContax Zeiss CineTune-Up Guide. DaVinci Resolve Quick Tip What Are Power Bins and Why Are They So Useful? I plugged in the focal length in white so theyre easy to read in dark sets. The last decision I had to make was between the 18mm f/4 and the 15mm f/3.5. The optics in these Zeiss are very similar, if not the same as the current Zeiss still lenses, a different coating on the glass is the main difference. I'm not that far from NYC, and head down every so often. If I have a motor on the iris, itll have to be adjusted every time the lens is swapped. The only thing I could maybe do later is update the markings on each lens with fluorescent paint like what you see here, by Moritz Schierenbeck on VLFVs facebook group. The downside of such magnification is that the focus ring travels a lot, pretty much doubling the physical length of the lens. When the AE's flare, they generally flare white, evenly, and when overwhelmed by a direct source, can reveal a touch of green ghosting. This stumps everyone. The process turned out alright and the gears worked great, but later on I learned some useful tricks. cinema5D GmbH, Kranzgasse 22/9-10, A-1150 Vienna, Austria. It was a time when I didnt shoot much, but I went on long bike rides. Still on the DIY train, a friend and I had just bought a 3d-printer, so I started making my own focus gears. In my experience, Japanese and German lenses are equally good. This website or its third-party tools use cookies, which are necessary to its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the cookie policy. How to Cine-Mod old Contax Zeiss Lenses from eBay on a Budget The f/2.8 never really impressed me, even though its regarded as one of the best budget 28mm out there. If you want to get in the same room and do a test to compare the 50/1.4 to a ZE/ZF, I'd be more than willing; just shoot me a line. Im a big fan of these lenses and have been building my own set for the last few years, but Im nowhere close to creating a buyers guide, so Im very happy that a good friend of VLFV, Tito Ferradans has written the amazing guide below, which doesnt just introduce and explain various aspects of ContaxZeisslenses but will also show you how to tune them up for video use! That's what I'm thinking, though no official sources have been cited on the tests, it may have been pulled from articles or done independently, not sure. Almost six months after I wrote this guide, I decided to update it with a quick survey of what lenses to consider - a general overview of the Contax lineup, if you will. I needed a proper case! My favorite lens switched to the 85/1.4 after that, though. Ron also offers the full mod service for great prices, including focus gears and lens mounts. I also feel that the ninja-star may funkify the bokeh a bitgive it a touch of painterly magicbut that may just be meand this wild opinion is something I may need to test out a bit more! Or do what I did and find an affordable Standard Prime 16mm T2. Now Im gonna move into streamlining it for shooting and making it the best possible lenses to handle on set. Leica Rs are much prettier. If you dont have a 3d-printer, Im selling all the gears I made for my set on eBay! Quite remarkable sharpness at F2.8 for such a small and cheap lens. These lenses thread the fine line between organic and sharp, a line as thin as depth of field on an 85/1.2 wide open, only second to Leica. Related Topics . Thats NOT to say all the designs are the same. Learned a ton. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisels Cinematography Tips on Filming a Blizzard in June, Useful Tips on Working with LED Walls in Mixed Reality, Creating Full Soundscapes The Huge Impact of Foley and Sound Effects, DJI Inspire 3 Drone Everything You Need to Know, In the Spotlight With FUJIFILM Featuring Anna Andersen and Nilu Amin, In the Spotlight With FUJIFILM Featuring Rachael Porter, In the Spotlight With FUJIFILM Featuring Gina Hackett, In the Spotlight With FUJIFILM Featuring Adriana Bernal Martnez, Im selling all the gears I made for my set on eBay, I made a tutorial on how to make focus gears, but I was warned by my followers on Instagram about the edge the AE had over the MM, he can provide caps with stickers already on them, see here, by Moritz Schierenbeck on VLFVs facebook group. Or get a Duclos/Tokina 11-16. All Time Today Last Week Last Month. That said, many still photographers (and DPs) have gotten magic out of these lenses at an F2 or faster. Having them separate also gives me versatility on pricing, since the main set can still go out without them for a more accessible price. If you want something ready to use from the get-go, Id say this is not for you. I paid around $250.00 for my 35-70/3.4 and around $800.00 for my 21/2.8 both in mint condition! Super Speeds and Standards for cinema. Momentum picked up and I saw myself getting ready to DP a webseries pilot. The Contax I is a high-end 35mm rangefinder camera made by Zeiss Ikon to compete with Leica models. Standard lens, cant really make a set without a 35mm in it, right? These have even less elements (5?). Caps & gears cool. Plus, fitting these is never a one-slip move. The process turned out alright and the gears worked great, but later on I learned some useful tricks. I'm liking my 28:2.8 AE. That would be asking a lot of these budget lenses. In mint condition, comes with lens hood. So not everything has gotten better over time. RED V-RAPTOR 8K VV Lab Test: Rolling Shutter, Dynamic Range and Latitude plus Video! The Contax Zeiss Distagon 'Hollywood' 28mm F2.0 is a classic fast wide for full frame and is incredible on Super 35mm as well. Theyre fully manual focus and aperture -, have solid metal construction, long focus throw, and a great feel overall. http://www.ebay.com/itm/EX-Modified-item3a8193c812, If this is your first visit, be sure to The first one is AE and the second one is MM. That meant getting a few more lenses and upgrading various aspects I had neglected so far. You have a wide range of lenses to pick from and equally different price tags. Well done mate. I went for the fastest lenses and snuffed out the AEGs I had, in favor of the prettier bokeh of the MMJs. WOW! And other people too. Would I be crazy to say I kinda prefer my 85mm f2.8 to my 85mm f1.4. Not too sure but it seems likely. I almost went for the wrong one with my MM obsession, but I was warned by my followers on Instagram about the edge the AE had over the MM. But at F2 and 2.8you def notice it if you have a very busy frame with lots of bokeh. At this point the price argument was adding a lot of weight. Pm for pics. I also added the f-stop for each lens and its minimum focus in meters and feet. Sonnar originally meant "Sunny", because historically these used to be the bright, fast designs when they first came out. Above $2500 cameras tend to become increasingly specialized, making it difficult to select a 'best' option. It all started when I stumbled upon a post on Craigslist from a guy selling his Contax Zeiss set. The rubber grip on the focus ring of the lenses is awesome because it prevents the gears from sliding, but its also a pain because it makes the fitting a lot harder. It is smoother one direction than it is the other too which is peculiuar. Its also quite similar to the modern 15/2.8 ZF/ZE offered by Zeiss, just a 2/3 stops slower. While this site is targeted to adapting Zeiss Contax lenses for video, it also seems to be the go-to guide for the rest of us with respect to these lenses. Its also a big change in size and weight, almost doubling its predecessor. I almost went for the wrong one with my MM obsession, but I was warned by my followers on Instagram about the edge the AE had over the MM. Also ZF/ZE's tend to. If you dont have a 3d-printer, Im selling all the gears I made for my set on eBay! So all you do is get a Cine Ring with the rear thread of your lens and thats gonna make it standard! to use on my Komodo. Could it be that yours was bumped once in it's lifetime, if it's not the adapter? Sharp wide open and has a floating element.