helimat wrote:
Thanks again for your insight. I had heard some of the negative aspects of the Contax line, however I also find myself drawn to the Zeiss 50/1.5 Sonnar... And to be frank, it would end up seeing sporadic use, primarily a display piece. That's if I even get it, something else shiny could capture my attention instead.
Helimat, if you're looking for a fast Sonnar without getting into a separate Contax or S-mount system, I highly recommend the Canon 50mm f/1.5 LTM. I've posted a few examples upthread, and it's become one of my favorite lenses, despite being the newest (to me).
dourbalistar wrote:
Helimat, if you're looking for a fast Sonnar without getting into a separate Contax or S-mount system, I highly recommend the Canon 50mm f/1.5 LTM. I've posted a few examples upthread, and it's become one of my favorite lenses, despite being the newest (to me).
helimat wrote:
Thanks for the tip! Definitely interesting, I'll keep my eye out. Do you use it on Leica M? If so, how is the calibration?
Yeah, I use it with my Leica M5. The whole "Sonnar focus shift" issue is a bit mysterious to me, so I'm not sure how to answer the calibration question. I don't have a digital rangefinder with live view to test how the lens is calibrated or whether it focus shifts at particular apertures. That said, I had a few shots on my first roll where the actual focus point ended up slightly in front intended focus point, but not sure if that was missed focus or camera/subject movement. Since then, when shooting around f/2.8 or f/4, I'll back the focus off slightly towards infinity. By doing that, I think I've sorted out any focus shift with my particular copy, or at least I haven't had any more shots with obvious missed focus (knock on wood). Regardless, as with all vintage lenses from the mid-1950s, condition and copy variation matters, so YMMV.
dourbalistar wrote:
Yeah, I use it with my Leica M5. The whole "Sonnar focus shift" issue is a bit mysterious to me, so I'm not sure how to answer the calibration question. I don't have a digital rangefinder with live view to test how the lens is calibrated or whether it focus shifts at particular apertures. That said, I had a few shots on my first roll where the actual focus point ended up slightly in front intended focus point, but not sure if that was missed focus or camera/subject movement. Since then, when shooting around f/2.8 or f/4, I'll back the focus off slightly towards infinity. By doing that, I think I've sorted out any focus shift with my particular copy, or at least I haven't had any more shots with obvious missed focus (knock on wood). Regardless, as with all vintage lenses from the mid-1950s, condition and copy variation matters, so YMMV....Show more →
OK, good to know. Thanks
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dourbalistar wrote:
Can you spot the wildlife?
Nikon FM2n, AI Nikkor 50mm f/1.8S, Kentmere Pan 400, developed in LegacyPro L110 at 1:31 for 5.5 minutes.
If you're drawn to Sonnar lenses, don't let focus shift issues put you off. It only took me about one roll of film to sort out how to work around it. Once you sort it out for your lens, the signature Sonnar focus fall off makes it all worth it.
dourbalistar wrote:
If you're drawn to Sonnar lenses, don't let focus shift issues put you off. It only took me about one roll of film to sort out how to work around it. Once you sort it out for your lens, the signature Sonnar focus fall off makes it all worth it.
Oh, not put off at all. Always looking for a new challenge! Plus I can practice on my M10-P.
helimat wrote:
Oh, not put off at all. Always looking for a new challenge! Plus I can practice on my M10-P.
With a digital rangefinder, you should be able to figure it out pretty quickly. Here's another example of taken with the lens - can't remember the exact aperture. Probably somewhere around f/5.6 to f/8?
Leica M5, Canon 50mm f/1.5 LTM, Ultrafine eXtreme 400, developed in LegacyPro L110 at 1:31 for 5.5 minutes.
helimat wrote:
Thanks again for your insight. I had heard some of the negative aspects of the Contax line, however I also find myself drawn to the Zeiss 50/1.5 Sonnar... And to be frank, it would end up seeing sporadic use, primarily a display piece. That's if I even get it, something else shiny could capture my attention instead.
I'd suggest that, rather than buy a Contax camera to use the Zeiss 50/1.5 Sonnar, you consider an Amedeo Contax 50mm to Leica M adapter.
I have the Amedeo Nikon 50mm to Leica M adapter which I use with a Nikkor-S.C 50/1.4 (S-mount) lens and it works so well that last night I bought an S-mount Nikkor-H.C 50/2, which (apart from lacking the essentially unusable f/1.4) is regarded as superior to the 50/1.4. One cool feature of the Amedeo adapters is that they reverse the wretched "wrong" Nikon/Contax focusing direction.
Both those pics are pretty much the worse lighting for color reversal film! The dynamic range is so limited, it really needs evenly lit subjects.
It's why my freezer is full of slide film - I never use it!
In the right situations, it is fantastic. But for me that requires planning for specific applications/projects. The majority of my images are unplanned/spontaneous and negative film is so much better for that.
helimat wrote:
Thanks again for your insight. I had heard some of the negative aspects of the Contax line, however I also find myself drawn to the Zeiss 50/1.5 Sonnar... And to be frank, it would end up seeing sporadic use, primarily a display piece. That's if I even get it, something else shiny could capture my attention instead.
The Helios 53mm 1.8 lens on my Kiev 4 (Contax copy) really is great. And that camera/lens combo is super cheap. I'd honestly recommend that if you want to scratch that Contax itch, because once you use it, it will pretty much be a very occasional re-use..
I've posted a few examples upthread, and it's become one of my favorite lenses, despite being the newest (to me).
Here's another example of taken with the lens - can't remember the exact aperture. Probably somewhere around f/5.6 to f/8?
