I've been thinking about getting the Contax 24-85 and converting it via Conurus for use on my 5DII. I have the 24-105L (came withe the body) and while I find it to be very convenient, something seems to be lacking. I don't know if it's the camera or the lens yet since I've only had both for a day. I'll do some more shooting today and this weekend with other lenses (Tamron 28-75, Canon 50mm f/1.0 !!!, and my magic drainpipe).
On a separate note, I've been pretty happy with my Tamron on the 5D classic, but it's been giving me an Err99 more and more frequently. I bought it used and abused, though, so I've gotten more than my money's worth out of this guy. Any ideas on repair costs? I only paid $145 for it, so I'm not certain how much I'd want to put in for a repair. Especially if I get the Contax.
EDIT: P.S. I love your pictures, Brainiac. I've been a silent fan of yours for awhile now.
FM member pascal03 had a converted one listed for sale at the Conurus boards. May still be available.
I like my Contax 24~85. With the new high MP sensors, it seems that any lackings in Canon glass are rearing their ugly heads, so Zeiss is in a position to really shine here. Both Zeiss and Leica use glass from the Schott Glassworks, which has a reputation for being the finest optical glass manufacturer.
Can`t speak for the 5D11 but on the 1dsmk3 (similar) the 24-105 is handy when you need that range with IS but it is a much better lens on the 1dsmk2. Those 21 million pixel need the very best that you can get hold off.
Have you considered a Contax 35-70? very sharp everywhere and cheap, I have that lens and use it in conjunction with a Contax 25 2.8 and Contax 21 2.8 on the mk3.
Don`t forget when time permits to make use of the live view, you`ll be surprised the difference between that and the focussing screen
dave chilvers wrote:
Don`t forget when time permits to make use of the live view, you`ll be surprised the difference between that and the focussing screen
+1 great advice, even if you are using an AF lens, it seems like liveview is still more accurate.
dave chilvers wrote:
....but it is a much better lens on the 1dsmk2. Those 21 million pixel need the very best that you can get hold off....
Exactly. If the lens simply can't deliver enough l/mm, all you get with a higher MP camera like the 5DMKII is magnified mush. One of the hallmarks of German optics is their ability to deliver more l/mm than their Japanese counterparts (not in all cases, but most). The highest resolving lens ever made available to the consumer market is the new Zeiss Biogon 25/2.8 ZM. That baby can deliver 400 l/mm!
I'm not knocking Japanese optical lens design at all however. I own many Canon lenses, my Canon 35/2.8 TS, a great lens. The Canon tele's are second to none, case in point, the 200/1.8L. And don't forget, the Nikkor 14~24.
jjlphoto wrote:
Exactly. If the lens simply can't deliver enough l/mm, all you get with a higher MP camera like the 5DMKII is magnified mush. One of the hallmarks of German optics is their ability to deliver more l/mm than their Japanese counterparts (not in all cases, but most).
Is this resolution shown somewhere, like some shots with tech pan?
Some points to the OP:
I have the CZ 35-70, CZ 35-135 and 24-105L
You could consider the 24-70L
I expect we will have a new 24-70L next year. It needs to be updated for 20+mp cameras.
The contax zooms are slow, heavy, sharp wide open, and built much better than the 24-105L. No one but you will know if you prefer the lens over Canon. These zooms all seem to need some grinding to clear the mirror on the 5D and 5DII. My 5D models seems to have identical mirror clearance.
I don't know if the 'N' version has the same clearance issue.
i prefer the N24-85 to the 24-105L. color, bokeh, lack of distortion, size and handling all to my liking. if i needed IS, i might feel otherwise. i had to sell my N24-85 awhile ago to fund other gear. was able to buy it back later happily (thnx JB). i've used it on a 1D IIN, 5D, 1Ds, and 1D - very pleased.
On a slightly different note, I am about to buy my first Zeiss lens. I have sold my 28-70 F2.8L and my 70-200 F4L to fund some different stuff so . . .
Q1. Zeiss 24-85 or 28-85? i realise the 28-85 is a better performer but the 24-85 can be converted to EF
also
Q2. can the 24-85 be used stopped down? i read somewhere that it is like the 24-70 f2.8 where the aperture is controlled by the camera, but looking at pics of the 24-85 there seems to be an aperture ring . . . help please as I want to be able to use this manually straight away without sending it to be modified untill sometime next year.
The 24-85 is an N lens. It has electronic aperture and AF. It needs to be converted to EOS mount by Conurus in Canada. Conversion turns it into a fully compatible EOS lens with AF and auto-aperture.
The 28-85 is an older manual focus Contax/Yashica lens. A Contax/Yashica -> EOS adaptor must be attached, and there will be no auto-focus or automatic control of aperture. When you turn the aperture ring the aperture will shut down and the viewfinder will get darker, making it a bit harder to focus.
Optically the older 28-85 may have a slightly higher sharpness ceiling at optimal apertures, but the newer lens has less disturbing barrel distortion at the wide end. The N lens is much more convenient and is shorter and lighter.
sorry to be a pain but can the 24-85 via an adapter work fully manually without having it modified to ef by conorus? can the aperture be stopped up and down via what looks like an aperture adjustment ring on the lens itself?
sorry to be a pain but can the 24-85 via an adapter work fully manually without having it modified to ef by conorus? can the aperture be stopped up and down via what looks like an aperture adjustment ring on the lens itself?
A
No, N lenses need to be modified to work physically. But the non N, usually called Contax Yashica mount (C/Y or CZ) work with minor customization.
I have tamron 28-75 that was having different problems (Some other err, but only after taking a picture) and sent it to Tamron and it was around $150 to fix. I had bought it used, it is now in better condition than when I bought it.
It takes about 4-6 weeks to get service from Tamron.
the zeiss N zoom is, from my experience, better in every way...except for using in the rain etc as it does not have the weather proofing of the canon, which is why I sold mine and replaced with a 24-105 (since sold for 24-70).
Perhaps it never would have made a difference but confidence using the zoom lens in all weather is important for me.
