Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

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Archive 2009 · Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

dave chilvers
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p.1 #1 · Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

I noticed this morning that Ffordes Photographic in the UK has a AE and a MM version for sale second hand.

I have two of the MM versions, I purchased one and was absolutely blown away on my 1dsmk3/5d2 and when another one came up for sale I purchased it and stuck it away for the future( as you do)

Yeh! I know that f3.5 isn`t all that exciting but this lens is small and light and really does produce excellent results. What I`ve noticed is that using a micro adjust adapter I can honestly say that focus between the focus screen and live view is about as close as I`ve ever seen, so much so that I can reliably use the split image screen in the mk3 or the Eg-s screen in the 5d2 without having to check live view (which is very handy as I generally walk around hand held) and is something I`ve found difficult to achieve with most other lenses (other than my 21 and 25 that rely on DOF to get you where you want)

If you told me that some images were taken with a Leica M series 90 apo I`d believe it.
So there you have it! I just thought I`d share because some time ago I remember someone who was looking for just that lens and they don`t come up as often as other focal lengths (maybe because f3.5 wasn`t as popular back in the film days)

You can lead a horse to water but you can`t make it drink

Can I just say that I have no connection with Ffordes or any other dealer come to that but have purchased from them on a number times and found there description and return policy to be as good as it gets.( they will send anywhereBTW)

Oct 06, 2009 at 01:30 PM

AhamB
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p.1 #2 · Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

Just having a look there.
How can the 85/1.4 only be 10 pounds more expensive than the 85/2.8? o_O
(Or maybe I should ask the question the other way round.)

Oct 06, 2009 at 02:58 PM

Anden
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p.1 #3 · Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

The 85 1.4 has a fair amount of dust on the rear element. It will probably be sent away for cleaning they told me earlier today. It was in good condition otherwise except for a small scratch in the coating on the edge so it might be a great deal for someone. Ffordes are great to deal with!

A

Oct 06, 2009 at 03:13 PM

philber
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p.1 #4 · Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

Dave, what is the difference between a AE and a MM lens please?

Oct 06, 2009 at 04:23 PM

dave chilvers
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p.1 #5 · Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

philber wrote:
Dave, what is the difference between a AE and a MM lens please?

I think the AE was later for more up to date cameras but they both work OK with adapters on my canons.

Most of my Contax lenses are MM but I have a couple of AE and they are fine.

Oct 06, 2009 at 04:49 PM

pdmphoto
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p.1 #6 · Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

The MM are the later lenses, which support program and shutter priority modes. The other distinction is that Zeiss no longer will service AE lenses, only MM.

Oct 06, 2009 at 06:27 PM

kosmoskatten
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p.1 #7 · Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

The MM lenses have the smallest aperture numbered in green as well.

Oct 06, 2009 at 06:35 PM

jcolwell
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p.1 #8 · Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

Here's an excellent discussion of Contax manual focus SLR lenses, including the difference between AE and MM, and other interesting stuff - thanks to Tom Shea.

http://photo.net/equipment/contax/shea-lenses

Oct 06, 2009 at 09:10 PM

philber
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p.1 #9 · Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

Thanks for the advice, guys!

Oct 06, 2009 at 09:57 PM

dave chilvers
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p.1 #10 · Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

I first fell upon the lens from here http://www.photozone.de/active/survey/querylens.jsp where the stopped down was 100/100 and wide open was 94/100 which is only achieved by few lenses.

Oct 06, 2009 at 11:10 PM

philber
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p.1 #11 · Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

No doubt about it, a brillliant lens, but here is my dilemna. I already own and love my ZE 85. I had planned to buy a 100 macro (CZ, the new Canon, or a Leica). Wouldn't buying a third lens in this focal length be just a tad excessive?

Oct 07, 2009 at 05:30 AM

rico
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p.1 #12 · Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

philber wrote:
No doubt about it, a brillliant lens, but here is my dilemna. I already own and love my ZE 85. I had planned to buy a 100 macro (CZ, the new Canon, or a Leica). Wouldn't buying a third lens in this focal length be just a tad excessive?

Only a tad, which means you should buy it right away, and then buy a few more! Near this FL, I have six lenses: Leitz Elmarit 90 version 1 and Leitz Elmar 90 3-element in M mount; CZ S85, P100, S100 and SP100 in C/Y mount. Besides their native bodies, these are usable on Canon EOS. Each has a completely different optical (and mechanical) character. The afore-mentioned Sonnar 100 is among my top three of 30 lenses in my stable.

Oct 07, 2009 at 07:38 AM

philber
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p.1 #13 · Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

I can understand that, rico, and thanks for the info. But how do I then decide which lenses go into my bag for the day and which ones stay home?

Oct 07, 2009 at 07:58 AM

montespluga
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p.1 #14 · Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

Thanks Dave for that hint ;-)

I like my Sonnar 85, but that 100 mm looks to be a bit better - in terms of distortions too.
That weight for a 100 mm - unbelievable 280 gramms

on the german side of Zeiss but not the english, the datasheet is still available. Go for "Downloadcenter - Historische Datenblätter

Does someone tried painting reproductions with that lens? Should be fine - following the specs...

Oct 07, 2009 at 10:31 AM

Conner999
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p.1 #15 · Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

Dave - how do you find the bokeh?

Oct 07, 2009 at 01:58 PM

montespluga
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p.1 #16 · Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

Sonnar's are known to have a superb bokeh; the Sonnar 85 has one of the nicests I ever seen, it' s smooth like butter. The architecture of the two lenses is pretty the same. Look
here

Dave might correct me if I'm wrong for the 100....

Edited on Oct 07, 2009 at 02:23 PM · View previous versions

Oct 07, 2009 at 02:11 PM

kleinssz69
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p.1 #17 · Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

Going from memory here, but is there not a problem with these hitting the mirror on a 5D?

Oct 07, 2009 at 02:20 PM

dave chilvers
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p.1 #18 · Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

kleinssz69 wrote:
Going from memory here, but is there not a problem with these hitting the mirror on a 5D?

Both of mine clear 5D2

Oct 07, 2009 at 06:03 PM

dave chilvers
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p.1 #19 · Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

Conner999 wrote:
Dave - how do you find the bokeh?

I don`t normally study bokeh but I`ll have a look see what I`ve got or shoot a couple

Oct 07, 2009 at 06:04 PM

Conner999
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p.1 #20 · Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

Thanks. It will very of course by background, etc, but just curious as have been thinking of the 100/3.5 on/off for some time.

Oct 07, 2009 at 06:06 PM

dave chilvers
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p.1 #21 · Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

dave chilvers wrote:
Conner999 wrote:
Dave - how do you find the bokeh?

I don`t normally study bokeh but I`ll have a look see what I`ve got or shoot a couple

From what I can find it looks fine, I`ll shoot a couple in the morning wide open

Oct 07, 2009 at 06:07 PM

Conner999
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p.1 #22 · Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

No need to go to any trouble.. was more just interested in your impressions (smooth, 'buttery', busy, etc, etc).

Oct 07, 2009 at 07:27 PM

montespluga
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p.1 #23 · Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

In the UK the terminology would be: bokeh like the green butter from Ireland

Oct 07, 2009 at 07:35 PM

Qwerty64
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p.1 #24 · Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

It's a pretty amazing lens, my favorite in the 85mm-105mm range.
You can see my lens test here: http://forum.manualfocus.org/viewtopic.php?id=11431

Oct 07, 2009 at 08:07 PM

kosmoskatten
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p.1 #25 · Contax 100 3.5 lenses available

They sometimes surface fairly cheap over here in Sweden, there is one available for around $160 over here in very fine condition. I don't know if it is a good deal compared to what they have on offer overseas.

It is one of the few lenses in the Contax range that I haven't used. The one I ordered turned out to have a scratch on the front element so I sent it back straight away.

Oct 07, 2009 at 08:43 PM


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