hkrazerx wrote:
The Contax G21 and G28 are stellar. Where do you buy the adapter? I remember Japan Camera Hunter had this service some years back.
rework-lens on eBay sells a conversion helicoid. He actually just updated the design in the last 6 months, it has a similar scalloped focus ring to the 35/1.7 ultron, the haptics of which were somewhat divisive if i recall.
The conversion process was super simple:
0. Set aperture on donor Contax to wide open (will look like f5.6 when the lens is not mounted on G1/G2 body), and same on the conversion helicoid.
1. Remove retaining ring from donor lens with included rubber tool
2. Remove 4 screws
3. Gently pull optical block out of donor lens (along with shims) and place into the conversion helicoid, making sure to align the aperture nub with the aperture fork inside the conversion helicoid (I like to look down the back of the helicoid while I am sliding it into place to make sure I am lined up)
4. Use 4 screws to remount optical block in new helicoid
5. Check rangefinder calibration, and then repeat steps 2,3,4 with varying stacking of shims until focus accuracy is obtained.
I have always wanted a 21mm in my kit. My favourites were the Contax 21 Distagon, Zeiss Milvus 21mm, and the 21 SEM Leica, which I use now on my M11.
However I am waiting with great interest the Thypoch 21. I now have the Simera 28, 50 and 75 and I really enjoy them, as they are relatively lightweight for such a fast lens, and they perform very well indeed.
So if the reviews are favourable on the 21 I might add that to the Simera collection, as having a fast 21 in the bags certainly more versatile.
You won’t regret getting the Thypoch 21, especially when you already have the 28,50,75.
The 21/50/75 makes for an excellent setup
Doug Ball wrote:
I have always wanted a 21mm in my kit. My favourites were the Contax 21 Distagon, Zeiss Milvus 21mm, and the 21 SEM Leica, which I use now on my M11.
However I am waiting with great interest the Thypoch 21. I now have the Simera 28, 50 and 75 and I really enjoy them, as they are relatively lightweight for such a fast lens, and they perform very well indeed.
So if the reviews are favourable on the 21 I might add that to the Simera collection, as having a fast 21 in the bags certainly more versatile.
rework-lens on eBay sells a conversion helicoid. He actually just updated the design in the last 6 months, it has a similar scalloped focus ring to the 35/1.7 ultron, the haptics of which were somewhat divisive if i recall.
The conversion process was super simple:
0. Set aperture on donor Contax to wide open (will look like f5.6 when the lens is not mounted on G1/G2 body), and same on the conversion helicoid.
1. Remove retaining ring from donor lens with included rubber tool
2. Remove 4 screws
3. Gently pull optical block out of donor lens (along with shims) and place into the conversion helicoid, making sure to align the aperture nub with the aperture fork inside the conversion helicoid (I like to look down the back of the helicoid while I am sliding it into place to make sure I am lined up)
4. Use 4 screws to remount optical block in new helicoid
5. Check rangefinder calibration, and then repeat steps 2,3,4 with varying stacking of shims until focus accuracy is obtained....Show more →
I had done the rework lens conversion for the 21mm Contax G. I will add two small details:
1. For your step 0, if you don't set the aperture to that setting, the lens assembly will not drop out.
2. When adjusting rangefinder calibration, you remove shim if back focus, adding shim if front focusing.
The conversion is very straightforward. The only problem I ran into is the wax or anti-seize stuff on the 4 retaining screws. One of the screws got rounded off. I was lucky to be able to use pliers to unscrew it. Otherwise, one can get this done under 30 minutes.
The lens however, will have noticeable vignette on my m11p even at f8. The center of the lens is sharp. As mentioned, the housing has similar design to the Voigtlander 35mm f1.7, so if you don't like the haptic of that lens, you will not like rework-lens housing.
hanay78 wrote:
@fritzx6@, @hkrazerx@, @nehemiahphoto@, @bwcolor@ are ZM 21 and contax G 21 not the same lens? And if so, which one performs better?
Sorry--missed this. No they are not the same. Similar technical IQ, though I think the G21 is slightly better. More importantly to me, the G lines draws with much less digital looking/older colors/contrast. Similar to the CY line. The ZM has a distinctly more digital feel to files. I do think you give up flare resistance improvement though when you use G over ZM lenses (G21 vs ZM 21, G28 vs ZM 28).
I have a strong preference, rendering wise, for the G line.
