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Archive 2009Zeiss Contax N50f1.4 and N85f1.4 on 5D2: pics
p.1 #1Zeiss Contax N50f1.4 and N85f1.4 on 5D2: pics
Just wanted to share some Bo Ming converted Zeiss Contax N 85f1.4 and 50N1.4 pics. The lenses perform very satisfying on a 5D2. AF of the 85 is rather quick (a bit quicker than the Canon 85f1.2L), also it offers real manual focus in contrary to the Canon. LoCA is quite pronounced at both lenses at f1.4 until f2.5 due to the absence of aspherical lenses. AF of the 50 is a bit disappointing slow ... but at least it has AF :-) and for my candid pics it proofed mostly to be sufficient, not for sports obviously. I never used a 50 mm lens much, more the combination of 35 and 85 but with the Contax N I really got in love with this focal length. It's the thing of equivalent fov to the human eye I assume which attracts me.
Let's start with two N85 shots at f2 from Guangzhou, China.
In the first pic i reduced the saturation in the oof areas for more concentrating the view to the colorful center candy part.
Let's start with two N85 shots at f2 from Guangzhou, China.
In the first pic i reduced the saturation in the oof areas for more concentrating the view to the colorful center candy part.
Nov 27, 2009 at 02:04 AM
p.1 #3Zeiss Contax N50f1.4 and N85f1.4 on 5D2: pics
Clearly very nice lenses 
Nov 27, 2009 at 02:25 AM
p.1 #4Zeiss Contax N50f1.4 and N85f1.4 on 5D2: pics
can't wait for my N50 and N85 to come back.
Nov 27, 2009 at 02:36 AM
p.1 #5Zeiss Contax N50f1.4 and N85f1.4 on 5D2: pics
actually the pics look a bit oversaturated in Safari browser, if I drag them to PS, it's more like they are meant to be
Nov 27, 2009 at 02:37 AM
p.1 #6Zeiss Contax N50f1.4 and N85f1.4 on 5D2: pics
id love to get my hands on a 50N but never see them for sale
Nov 27, 2009 at 03:12 AM
p.1 #7Zeiss Contax N50f1.4 and N85f1.4 on 5D2: pics
I posted some shots from N 50 awhile back after I got it back from conversion.
My copy needed +20 AF micro-adjustment setting on both my 1ds3 and my 7d.
It is now very accurate AF and I just found out from Bo Ming that there is a way to program the lens with micro-adjustments for near,mid,and infinity distances.
AF is not that slow, yes slower than my canon L lenses.
I enjoy the typical Zeiss rich color and contrast from this lens and now have an AF 50 to go along with my Rokkor 58 1.2. I agree that this lens is very sharp from f 2.8 on and is ok wide open. Sometimes the bokeh can be a little busy, but most of the time it is ok. I chose the N 50 over the sigmalux both of which are fine AF alt 50's with different looks.
Chris, can we see some wide open N 85 shots?
My copy needed +20 AF micro-adjustment setting on both my 1ds3 and my 7d.
It is now very accurate AF and I just found out from Bo Ming that there is a way to program the lens with micro-adjustments for near,mid,and infinity distances.
AF is not that slow, yes slower than my canon L lenses.
I enjoy the typical Zeiss rich color and contrast from this lens and now have an AF 50 to go along with my Rokkor 58 1.2. I agree that this lens is very sharp from f 2.8 on and is ok wide open. Sometimes the bokeh can be a little busy, but most of the time it is ok. I chose the N 50 over the sigmalux both of which are fine AF alt 50's with different looks.
Chris, can we see some wide open N 85 shots?
Nov 27, 2009 at 03:16 AM
p.1 #8Zeiss Contax N50f1.4 and N85f1.4 on 5D2: pics
Thanks for posting these. I'm very interested in the N85 although the prices I've seen are pretty steep. I really like my C/Y 85 f/1.4 but focusing stopped down is slow and not always accurate when I'm shooting portraits.
Nov 27, 2009 at 03:41 AM
p.1 #9Zeiss Contax N50f1.4 and N85f1.4 on 5D2: pics
Thanks Christoph! Very nice. Love the detail/sharpness wide open!
Nov 27, 2009 at 04:26 AM
p.1 #10Zeiss Contax N50f1.4 and N85f1.4 on 5D2: pics
Cristoph, is the N 50 the same optically as the Planar 50 (ZE, ZF, ZK)?
Nov 27, 2009 at 04:32 AM
p.1 #11Zeiss Contax N50f1.4 and N85f1.4 on 5D2: pics
Christoph,
Very nice photos indeed, and great lenses!
Btw, regarding the N85 corner sharpness wide open, I believe this lens has been designed as a portrait lens, unlike the C/Y which is optimized for landscapes at infinity, so the wide open softness is intentional.
Very nice photos indeed, and great lenses!
Btw, regarding the N85 corner sharpness wide open, I believe this lens has been designed as a portrait lens, unlike the C/Y which is optimized for landscapes at infinity, so the wide open softness is intentional.
Nov 27, 2009 at 04:58 AM
p.1 #12Zeiss Contax N50f1.4 and N85f1.4 on 5D2: pics
philber wrote:
Cristoph, is the N 50 the same optically as the Planar 50 (ZE, ZF, ZK)?
The N50 should be identical or very close to the C/Y. The ZE has a slightly modified design.
Cristoph, is the N 50 the same optically as the Planar 50 (ZE, ZF, ZK)?
The N50 should be identical or very close to the C/Y. The ZE has a slightly modified design.
Nov 27, 2009 at 05:00 AM
p.1 #13Zeiss Contax N50f1.4 and N85f1.4 on 5D2: pics
wayne seltzer wrote:
I posted some shots from N 50 awhile back after I got it back from conversion.
My copy needed +20 AF micro-adjustment setting on both my 1ds3 and my 7d.
It is now very accurate AF and I just found out from Bo Ming that there is a way to program the lens with micro-adjustments for near,mid,and infinity distances.
AF is not that slow, yes slower than my canon L lenses.
I enjoy the typical Zeiss rich color and contrast from this lens and now have an AF 50 to go along with my Rokkor 58 1.2. I agree that this lens is...Show more →
Wayne, could you please explain how to adjust the lens for near, mid and infinity distances respectively? I found my both N85 & N50 had back focus issue at minimum focus distance and front focus issue at mid to infinity range.
Thanks
I posted some shots from N 50 awhile back after I got it back from conversion.
My copy needed +20 AF micro-adjustment setting on both my 1ds3 and my 7d.
It is now very accurate AF and I just found out from Bo Ming that there is a way to program the lens with micro-adjustments for near,mid,and infinity distances.
AF is not that slow, yes slower than my canon L lenses.
I enjoy the typical Zeiss rich color and contrast from this lens and now have an AF 50 to go along with my Rokkor 58 1.2. I agree that this lens is...Show more →
Wayne, could you please explain how to adjust the lens for near, mid and infinity distances respectively? I found my both N85 & N50 had back focus issue at minimum focus distance and front focus issue at mid to infinity range.
Thanks
Nov 27, 2009 at 10:51 AM
p.1 #14Zeiss Contax N50f1.4 and N85f1.4 on 5D2: pics
Apollow13zx,
I assume you saw the procedure on the Conurus site:
http://support.conurus.com/viewtopic.php?t=56
On page 2 he describes the latest 3.0 firmware procedure using a table for
a lens whose minimum aperture is f32. You can find a table on page 1 which
is for a f16 lens like hte N85 and N50 and use the values for selecting each of the three programmable values for min,med,infinity focus distances and for programming the actual adjustment value. I haven't tried it yet as my N50 seems to be focusing fine with just my one micro-adjustment of +20 in my camera.
I am sure you can also post your questions to Conurus on the thread above.
I still may try this out so I will let you know if I am able to do it successfully.
Let me know how it goes.
Nov 27, 2009 at 01:01 PM
p.1 #15Zeiss Contax N50f1.4 and N85f1.4 on 5D2: pics
Wayne,
Thanks for your reply. I'll try it out and see if it's works.
Thanks for your reply. I'll try it out and see if it's works.
Nov 27, 2009 at 01:54 PM