Archive 2009 · Contax 50mm infinity focus on 5d

Norman my love
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Contax 50mm infinity focus on 5d

Went on VAC last week and used my Contax 50mm F1.4 on my 5dII. Originally the mirror hung up, but I shaved the lens and made it work. There must be only a hair space for the mirrorclearance, because I had to shave it good! Anyway I was viewing my photos and infinity is soft. I then viewed the pics taken with my new 70-200 F4 and was shocked at how clear the faraway granite was. I am using the Haoda or the Happypage adapters and they seem good. Does anyone know how to fix this problem?

Aug 11, 2009 at 08:52 PM

JimBuchanan
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Contax 50mm infinity focus on 5d

One of the only ways to judge infinity focus of a lens is to view wide open, infinity shots of geometric objects like telephone poles at several miles away, 100% on screen. Viewfinder judgements will not work.

Although, off shore adapter precision is not ideal, I would submit the lens could be at fault after decades of use, misCLA'd, etc.

I just finished tuning a C/Y 50/1.7 lens and the screws are right underneath the rubber focus grip. Couldn't be easier to get to, and any snug fitting adapter will do because you are adjusting the lens to the adapter, not the other way around.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2639/3814049606_a034fc1720_o.jpg
For a personal touch, I also installed my own EF bayonet and remove all offending C/Y "fins":
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3505/3814049690_7c137ca058.jpg

Aug 12, 2009 at 12:09 AM

trumpet_guy
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Contax 50mm infinity focus on 5d

For the CZ 50/1.4 you will probably want to attempt the (fairly easy)
tuning procedure that Shirozina details here:
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/593894

I did so to my CZ 50/1.4 and it did the trick.

This adjustment works fine because then entire optical system moves as a single group,
so it doesn't matter whether you shim/shave the adapter or adjust the helicoid.
The latter is much simpler.

Tim

Aug 12, 2009 at 01:30 AM

Norman my love
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Contax 50mm infinity focus on 5d

Thanks you guys for the info. I think that the rubber is tight!. If I don't do a good job, do either of you do this for other people for a charge? I shaved my fins only due to mirror hangup.

Aug 12, 2009 at 08:34 PM

Pixel Perfect
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Contax 50mm infinity focus on 5d

I'm confused, I had the CZ 50 f/1.4 and it didn't need any mods, and it's not listed as needing mods on a 5D.

Aug 12, 2009 at 11:33 PM

trumpet_guy
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Contax 50mm infinity focus on 5d

No, I'm not doing any adjustments for others. But this is one that is
not difficult to try on your own.

Aug 12, 2009 at 11:59 PM

m-a-x
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Contax 50mm infinity focus on 5d

Pixel Perfect wrote:
I'm confused, I had the CZ 50 f/1.4 and it didn't need any mods, and it's not listed as needing mods on a 5D.

Same here!

Aug 13, 2009 at 04:33 AM

jamesdak
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Contax 50mm infinity focus on 5d

m-a-x wrote:
Same here!

Well, we all know there are variances with the 5Ds though. My CZ 50/1.4 does hang up the mirror on my 5D but only when I shoot vertically. So it must be a very close tolerance with this lens.

Aug 13, 2009 at 07:16 AM

Norman my love
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Contax 50mm infinity focus on 5d

M-a-x: did you have the contax yashica lens or the new cz lens? Mine is the Contax yashica lens and other peple have also had to grind off the fin and the auto aperature lever.

Aug 13, 2009 at 08:58 PM


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