For years I enjoyed the Zeiss images in the alt threads, they started me shooting c/y on a 5DII, and now with an A7RII. Today, I ran into an affordable, mint Contax N 24-85. Purchased before I saw that the non af Kipon adapter is hard to find. Looking at the price of the Fringer, I'm wondering now whether to return it, or double down. I was surprised how light the 24-85 felt, and love the idea of it being a single lens I can take for landscape work on a tripod. So, I've got to ask. Is the 24-85 all that? ...Show more →
A slippery slope ahead Once you get the Fringer other CN lenses will tempt you. The 24-85 performs very well using the Fringer on the Sony AxII cameras and you may find that the tripod is not needed if you use IBIS in the A7RII.
Slippery indeed. I ended up returning it, it was a tough choice. In may ways, the 24-85 represented my first lustful feelings towards exotic alt glass. Before mirrorless, I watched somewhat amazed at what folks went through to get their lenses converted by Conorus. If I had found what appeared to be a reliable, manual focus adapter for a sane price, I would have stuck with it. If I had a waiting stable of CN glass, I would have probably gone in with the Fringer. That was a close brush with the lovely CN, sad that it was not to be.
thanks, but i was just borrowing it for a week. i decided it's way too big for me and i prefer the 80 lux's rendering if i'm going get a big expensive ~85.
I can't be much happier than I am with my second copy of the N 24-85 with Kipon on the A7ii. Has almost all of the goodness of the 37-70 Vario-Sonnar and much nicer range. No, it isn't supremely sharp in the last few corner pixels, but I. don't. care. It delivers. Here it is in a variety of situations.
Once you get the Fringer other CN lenses will tempt you. The 24-85 performs very well using the Fringer on the Sony AxII cameras and you may find that the tripod is not needed if you use IBIS in the A7RII.
It delivers. Here it is in a variety of situations.
