Help for an alt newbie - Contax 28mm 2.8 Distagon

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Mike Lucas
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p.1 #1 · Help for an alt newbie - Contax 28mm 2.8 Distagon

Just picked up what seems (to me) to be a mint condition Contax Carl Zeiss 28mm f/2.8 Distagon T*. A couple of questions that I should have asked before I bought it.

1. Are there any clearance issues with a Canon 5D Mark II on this lens?
2. Adapter - I've seen Happypage and Big IS and a quick google search gets me an Adorama adapter - any thoughts about what might be best?
3. Price - I paid $200 - it came with front/back caps, a Hoya 55mm UV filter and lens bag - no box or hood. Did I overpay?

Thanks for any help.

Nov 02, 2009 at 11:16 PM

trifox
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p.1 #2 · Help for an alt newbie - Contax 28mm 2.8 Distagon

1 - No -- well -- some mm may play some role .. I would say - NO problem on 5D Mk II but the issue may vary.
2 - no idea
3 - overpay

You're lucky man !!

Is it MM version or AE?

I hope this helps ..

P.S. this lens won't let you down

btw..

tf

Nov 02, 2009 at 11:24 PM

Mike Lucas
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p.1 #3 · Help for an alt newbie - Contax 28mm 2.8 Distagon

How do I tell whether it's AE or MM? - the inside of the front says:
Carl Zeiss Distagon 2,8/28 T* 652xxxx.
The aperture ring goes from 2.8 to 22 as does the focus scale, the focus ring starts at 0.25m and 10".
The lens has "Lens made in Japan" on the side.

As to the price - it was sort of the blind leading the blind - the guy who was selling it couldn't find much either about the right price - I offered $200 and he took it.

Nov 02, 2009 at 11:32 PM

trifox
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p.1 #4 · Help for an alt newbie - Contax 28mm 2.8 Distagon

If you can see the last aperture number 22 in GREEN COLOUR -- that's MM version ..

tf

Nov 02, 2009 at 11:42 PM

Mike Lucas
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p.1 #5 · Help for an alt newbie - Contax 28mm 2.8 Distagon

It's AE. No green. Does that affect the value?

Nov 02, 2009 at 11:48 PM

Lotusm50
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p.1 #6 · Help for an alt newbie - Contax 28mm 2.8 Distagon

Not sure the 28/2 was ever made in an MM mount. I don't think that fro this lens there would be a difference in value that you might need to worry about.

Nov 03, 2009 at 12:17 AM

Mike Lucas
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p.1 #7 · Help for an alt newbie - Contax 28mm 2.8 Distagon

Unfortunately, it's a 2.8 not a 2 - $200 would have been a real steal for the f/2 version.

Nov 03, 2009 at 12:22 AM

helimat
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p.1 #8 · Help for an alt newbie - Contax 28mm 2.8 Distagon

This website is a great resource for Contax users.

Nov 03, 2009 at 12:22 AM

philber
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p.1 #9 · Help for an alt newbie - Contax 28mm 2.8 Distagon

Mike, even if you have a problem with the lens hitting the mirror on your 5D II, it is nothing that 10 mn of simple filing won't sure. I know, I did it for my Contax 25, and I am NOT a capable do-it-yourselfer. Incidentally, the 25 is listed as problem-free on the 5D, and mine wasn't with my HappyPageHK adapter, so don't fret if yours gives you initial trouble.
Regarding adapters, not all are created equal. Some can be very thin, leading to more mirror issues than others. Some offer AF confirm, Av mode, EXIF etc, others not. So choose with care.
And most of all, have fun with your new lens. It should be a blast!

Nov 03, 2009 at 09:58 AM

StevenPA
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p.1 #10 · Help for an alt newbie - Contax 28mm 2.8 Distagon

Lotusm50 wrote:
Not sure the 28/2 was ever made in an MM mount.

I've seen a few (very few) over the years. This one's not mine.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Nov 03, 2009 at 01:59 PM

jjlphoto
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p.1 #11 · Help for an alt newbie - Contax 28mm 2.8 Distagon

StevenPA wrote:
I've seen a few (very few) over the years. This one's not mine.

28/2.0 MM version, made 1986~89. I've seen perhaps three come up for sale over the years. Based on the above photo, it is one of the few MM's that do not have the newer style Japanese style aperture blades, as all manufacture of the 28/2.0's was kept in West Germany.

Nov 03, 2009 at 02:15 PM

StevenPA
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p.1 #12 · Help for an alt newbie - Contax 28mm 2.8 Distagon

John, yep, the other side of the lens confirms West German manufacture.

What do the newer Japanese style aperture blades look like?

Nov 03, 2009 at 03:09 PM

jjlphoto
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p.1 #13 · Help for an alt newbie - Contax 28mm 2.8 Distagon

StevenPA wrote:
What do the newer Japanese style aperture blades look like?

On a German style, stop the lens down one or two clicks. You notice a hook or J shape at the tip of the blade, protruding into the actual aperture opening. This is the famous Zeiss "Ninja Star" you often hear reference made to. That shape gradually disappears as you close down further, and the shape of the aperture opening itself becomes pretty much generic. Japanese style blades do not exhibit that particular hook shape at the tip. The aperture opening immediately becomes generic beginning with the first click down from wide open.

One of the more notable examples of the change is the 85/1.2 50th compared to the 85/1.2 60th (the later one having Japanese style blades). Collector seek out one or the other because it is primarily the shape of those tips that effects the type of bokeh one prefers.

The 28/2.8 AE/MM's were always assembled in Japan, beginning in 1975. I'm guessing that it always had Japanese style aperture blades, but I may be wrong.

Nov 03, 2009 at 03:29 PM


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