p.1 #1 · How does Contax N lenses compare to ZE/ZF lenses?
I'm thinking of converting a Contax N 50mm f1.4 lens to Canon mount thru Conurus.
But how does this lens compare to the current ZE and ZF versions in terms of sharpness?
Is it worth converting it or should I just get the ZE or ZF version?
thanks!
p.1 #2 · How does Contax N lenses compare to ZE/ZF lenses?
I believe the 50 and 85 isnt the same design as their manual focus equivalents. The other N lenses do not have an equivalent in ze/zf. That being said I don't know how they compare.
p.1 #3 · How does Contax N lenses compare to ZE/ZF lenses?
The 50mm is the same design as the ZE version but it has autofocus. From my experience both Contax 50/1.4 (C/Y and N-series) are sharper wide open than the ZE. The Contaxes have a bit cooler colors too.
p.1 #4 · How does Contax N lenses compare to ZE/ZF lenses?
Dergiman wrote:
The 50mm is the same design as the ZE version but it has autofocus. From my experience both Contax 50/1.4 (C/Y and N-series) are sharper wide open than the ZE. The Contaxes have a bit cooler colors too.
How can N be sharper than ZE if it is the same design?
ZE had to be adapted to different glass types, and is not the same as N, which is closer to Y/C.
Anyway, I looked at the various MTF charts, scratched my head, and decided to compare. I have no N, but two Y/C samples and one ZE sample. The left column is a subject at 50 m with the focus on the flowers. In the right column the subject is at 75 cm. All images are f/1.4, image center, unscaled 5D Mkii crops, no sharpening anywhere. It is the best I can do with each lens and the results are reproducible. I explored several other subjects, but the outcome is the same each time in that I prefer YC1. ZE clearly has more spherical aberration than Y/C, but there is also a difference between YC1 and YC2. Differences in color balance are negligible.
p.1 #6 · How does Contax N lenses compare to ZE/ZF lenses?
Awhile back we had a thread discussing the differences between c/y, ze, and N 50 planars.
I remember Lotusm50 posted some comparison pics.
The c/y and N are definitely cooler in WB than the newer ZE.
They share the same basic design, # of gross and elements.
The N has 7 aperure blades and I think ZE has more,9?.
Lotus preferred his N version over the C/Y and ZE which he also has.
I have N 50, 85, and 70-200.
The N 85 is a totally different design than C/y, ZE, and ZA 85's.
The N 85 is a jewel of a portrait lens with great combo of sharpness and smooth bokeh, even wide open.
p.1 #7 · How does Contax N lenses compare to ZE/ZF lenses?
Yeah i have a n digital and n24-85, 50, and 85. I absolutely love the 85. Just thinking of buying another n50 to use it on a canon body.
thanks for the info. I guess i will go with the n50.
p.1 #8 · How does Contax N lenses compare to ZE/ZF lenses?
Toothwalker sample shots are very revealing. The Contax 50/1.4 has almost no veiling haze wide open, while the ZE has quite a lot of it. That was my experience as well. I would say the Contax is the better lens up to 5.6. the N version is exactly the same.
As for the 85, the Contax and the ZE seem to be similar but the N is a different design optimized for portraits.
