p.2 #1 · Trying to pick an alt portrait lens [Contax vs Leica R]
cogitech wrote:
It's funny; the things I don't appreciate about "the (Contax) Zeiss look" (particularly for portaits) are all the things others seem to love about it. Think of all the things you love about the look and you'll have an approximate list of what I am not so keen on (particularly for portraiture).
Having said all this, I must also say that the Contax 21/2.8 Distagon is in my top three of all-time favourite lenses I have ever owned and I forever regret letting mine go. For landscape work, I am a huge fan of "the Zeiss look", but that is where it ends... well sort of. There is one Zeiss I used for portraiture quite extensively and enjoyed; the Contax 135/2.8. It is particularly unique among the others I have tried - it is the least "Zeiss-like", I suppose. ...Show more →
+1, though i do really like the c/y 35/1.4 for portraits.
p.2 #2 · Trying to pick an alt portrait lens [Contax vs Leica R]
I don't shoot portraits at such wide apertures: best is f/5.6, plus or minus a stop. Choices then would be CZ S85/2.8 C/Y, Leica Elmarit-R 90, and CZ S100/3.5 C/Y. All have clean rendition and beautiful bokeh. My absolute fav, however, is the Leitz Tele-Elmar 135/4 in Visoflex mode (I mount it on Canon 1Ds). The lens is about $300, and $100 for the additional hardware. Shot at f/5.6:
p.2 #3 · Trying to pick an alt portrait lens [Contax vs Leica R]
Vote for C/Y 100mm f/2. The zeiss 100mm is a new designed version, which is improved in every respect comparing with old design lenses like leica 90 or contax 85. I have zeiss 100mm and 85mm. I would love zeiss 100mm f/2 much more than 85mm.
p.2 #4 · Trying to pick an alt portrait lens [Contax vs Leica R]
I have all three and for me all of them are great for portraiture shots. My Contax 85 prones to have purple fringing at WO though.
For skin tone color, I prefer the Summilux-R 80.
But color can be adjusted via PP anyway
