p.1 #1 · Zeiss Contax AEJ vs MMJ what's the difference?
Looking at some Zeiss C/Y lenses and have come across these two definitions.
Can anyone tell me what the difference means? Origin of country made in? Lens coating?
Any help appreciated, thanks!
p.1 #2 · Zeiss Contax AEJ vs MMJ what's the difference?
Had to do with multi mode metering on Contax bodies. Today, unless you're shooting film on one of those bodies, the only implication is ninja star bokeh, which only shows with points of light.
p.1 #3 · Zeiss Contax AEJ vs MMJ what's the difference?
AE is AutoExposure (older Contax camera control)
MM is multi-mode (newer Contax SLR control)
G is made in Germany
J is made in Japan
Coating developments are more or less continuous, and so it's likely that coatings changed (slightly) both between AE and MM variants, and within variants, for lenses with long production runs.
One of the most consistent difference between AE and MM lenses is the geometry of the diaphragm blades, and the shape of the aperture. Most (if not all) AE lenses have "ninja star" aperture shapes within about two-stops of wide open. This 'shape' is also seen in bright specular highlights. For example, the 50/1.4 shows ninja star for f-stops between about f/2 and f/2.8, while the MM version does not (see photo, below).
p.1 #5 · Zeiss Contax AEJ vs MMJ what's the difference?
Jim, thank you so much for that excellent comprehensive explanation. Guys like you make it such a pleasure to be a member of this board. Greatly appreciate your input. 😊
p.1 #8 · Zeiss Contax AEJ vs MMJ what's the difference?
Humble_Glory wrote:
Hi Jim,
Do you have any information on the differences betweeen Contax Distagon 28mm f/2 AE and MM?
Hi Humble,
Not specifically. I own the SMC Pentax 28/2, which has the same optical formula as the Contax Distagon 28/2 "Hollywood". The design for this lens was reputed to be a joint Zeiss/Pentax project. It's an excellent lens. I call mine, "Vancouver", which is Hollywood North.
p.1 #9 · Zeiss Contax AEJ vs MMJ what's the difference?
jcolwell wrote:
Not specifically. I own the SMC Pentax 28/2, which has the same optical formula as the Contax Distagon 28/2 "Hollywood". The design for this lens was reputed to be a joint Zeiss/Pentax project. It's an excellent lens. I call mine, "Vancouver", which is Hollywood North.
Thanks for this fascinating piece of information. I had no idea that the design of the Distagon C/Y 28/2 and the SMC Pentax K 28/2 was the result of a Zeiss/Pentax collaboration. After reading a bunch of user reviews (all uniformly positive) of the Pentax lens, I started looking at samples and all I can say is Wow!. Does the Zeiss Hollywood have exactly the same smooth bokeh?
p.1 #12 · Zeiss Contax AEJ vs MMJ what's the difference?
"Vancouver" seems harder to find than "Hollywood". Haven't seen one for sale in the local B&S for years!
jcolwell wrote:
Hi Humble,
Not specifically. I own the SMC Pentax 28/2, which has the same optical formula as the Contax Distagon 28/2 "Hollywood". The design for this lens was reputed to be a joint Zeiss/Pentax project. It's an excellent lens. I call mine, "Vancouver", which is Hollywood North.
p.1 #14 · Zeiss Contax AEJ vs MMJ what's the difference?
Humble_Glory wrote:
"Vancouver" seems harder to find than "Hollywood". Haven't seen one for sale in the local B&S for years!
genji wrote:
The "Vancouver" certainly does seem rare though ...one sold on feeBay at the beginning of this month (from a seller in Singapore!) for USD899.99.
Thanks. Added to Lens$db. Sold on 31 March (I missed it).
p.1 #15 · Zeiss Contax AEJ vs MMJ what's the difference?
genji wrote:
The "Vancouver" certainly does seem rare though one sold on feeBay at the beginning of this month (from a seller in Singapore!) for USD899.99.
More than what i paid for my "Hollywood". recently got Nikkor 28 1.4, another excellent lens to shoot at 1.4, way cheaper than 28 Lux.
p.1 #16 · Zeiss Contax AEJ vs MMJ what's the difference?
jcolwell wrote:
Thanks. Added to Lens$db. Sold on 31 March (I missed it).
Another sold in late January for EUR599. This might sound like heresy but I think I'd purchase the Vancouver in preference to the Hollywood. Though I'm hoping that Zeiss releases a 28mm Loxia that has some of the Hollywood's DNA.
p.1 #17 · Zeiss Contax AEJ vs MMJ what's the difference?
Humble_Glory wrote:
More than what i paid for my "Hollywood". recently got Nikkor 28 1.4, another excellent lens to shoot at 1.4, way cheaper than 28 Lux.
The Nikkor 28/1.4 is a wonderful lens, the only modern Nikon lens that I truly liked. Once I got the Alt religion, the Nikon flange distance was too limiting so I sold the 28/1.4 (making a 50% profit) as well as all my other Nikon gear. But the lenses that Nikon made through the fifties in LTM mount are special, particularly for someone who frequently works, as I do, at close distances. I have the 50/2 (multiple copies), 50/1.4, and 105/2.5 and, to quote Dante Stella, "they offer great performance, even compared to modern lenses".
