ynp Posted June 21, 2014 Share #1 Posted June 21, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Does anybody use Contax 654 AF lenses with their Leica s2/S ? I wonder if the autofocus is reliable with the S/Contax adapter. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 21, 2014 Posted June 21, 2014 Hi ynp, Take a look here Contax 645 lenses on S2. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
darylgo Posted June 21, 2014 Share #2 Posted June 21, 2014 The autofocus on my S2 is better than native autofocus on the Contax 645. Better speed, less hunting, and dead accurate. The manual focus 120mm Contax Macro requires use of the focus indicator spot in the viewfinder and is very accurate. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase this adapter for it's quality and functionality, although pricey Leica did make this adapter up to their normally high standards. I tested the following lenses: 35mm, 45mm, 55mm, 120mm Macro, 140mm, 210mm. The only lens that performed poorly is the 210mm, the lens has defective electronics and it is not an S2 issue. The 1.4x teleconverter also works well with lenses it is designed for. I haven't tested the 80mm or 350mm lenses. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Black Posted June 22, 2014 Share #3 Posted June 22, 2014 Do you mean "your" 210/4 had issues, or all 210/4 will have issues? Thank you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
darylgo Posted June 22, 2014 Share #4 Posted June 22, 2014 Do you mean "your" 210/4 had issues, or all 210/4 will have issues? Thank you. I meant my copy of the lens has issues. I could send it for repair but the lens is poor compared to the Leica 180mm or alternative lenses such as the Hasselblad 180mm and stellar Mamiya 200mm F2.8. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
menos I M6 Posted June 23, 2014 Share #5 Posted June 23, 2014 YNP, go ahead, get the adapter! It was one of my first purchases - in fact, I bought the adapter unseen the day, it was announced and collected Contax 645 lenses thereafter to use on the S2 next to the S2 lenses. Daryl's issue mentioned regarding the 210mm lens is likely indeed an issue with his sample. the 210/4 has a stellar reputation and my two samples (I bought accidentally two of them) are spot on, both with and without the 1.4x TC (which is indeed fantastic and a must buy if you go for the 210 or even the 140mm stopping down). In my opinion the two must have lenses are: 80/2 (nothing comparable in medium format really) 120/4 APO-Macro (get the split prism manual focussing screen also, it works beautifully) Also make sure you get the extension tubes - extremely versatile and with full AF functionality. I wish, Leica would offer Leica S mount auto extension tubes. The only lenses I didn't try: shorter than 80 (except the 45-90 zoom, which I have collecting dust in storage after I find I am not really a zoom person with the S2), 350mm. I find the 140 Sonnar an interesting focal length, Leica S glass does not cover (although optically the weakest). It's a nice portrait lens and does a ~200/4 with 1.4 Mutar in a pinch, best stopped down to f5.6 or f8 though. Some early adapters had firmware issues, needing replacement. Leica was very quick and accommodating though, replacing mine with a perfect sample after I found the S2 would loose the lens electronically after going to standby. The replacement adapter works perfect without any issues. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
darylgo Posted June 23, 2014 Share #6 Posted June 23, 2014 Dirk +1 on the 120mm Macro, a phenomenal lens. The manual focus of the 120mm lens may be it's saving grace. All other lenses are autofocus which could be a future support issue, however I placed a call to Tocad and the nice people there indicated they will repair and support the equipment as long as they have parts availabilty. Thank you for the information on the 210mm, I will send mine to Tocad for repair estimate. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynp Posted June 24, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted June 24, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thank you all for advice and info. Appreciateed!! I have ordered the adapter and want to start with the Contax 45mm lens. A couple of questions if you don't mind. Is the Contax Makro 120/4 the same leis optically as the Zeiss Hasselblad V Makro 120/4? Is the Vario worth buying while I am saving for the Leica Vario lens? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterv Posted June 24, 2014 Share #8 Posted June 24, 2014 There's a nice long thread about the Contax lenses and Leica S adapter here: Contax 645 Lenses on Leica S - The GetDPI Photography Forums 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
darylgo Posted June 24, 2014 Share #9 Posted June 24, 2014 (edited) The Hasselblad 120/4 Makro for the V system is a totally different lens. If shooting macro the Hasselblad is your lens, a phenomenal optic that will yield beautiful results at any aperture at close distances, also it will do nicely with portraiture I have heard. At infinity it is not up to the standards of the Contax 120/4 Macro. The Contax lens is optimized for both close and infinity focus, it is superb @f5.6, f8 and f11 at any distance. Both are great lenses, pick the one that best suits your purpose, although the Contax lenses are Leica-S-lens-like in function, the Hasselblad V series is not auto anything and will require more manual work such as opening the aperture for viewing/focus and stopping down to taking aperture. The Contax 120/4 is manual focus also. Re: 45mm Contax lens is a fine lens, the 55mm however is a sharper optic. Initially sold as a budget lens it is much sought after and commands a higher price. Either will shine on the Leica S. Edited June 24, 2014 by darylgo 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterv Posted June 24, 2014 Share #10 Posted June 24, 2014 Is the Vario worth buying while I am saving for the Leica Vario lens? Some test shots here: http://www.reddotforum.com/showthread.php/1354-Leica-S2-and-Contax-45-90-4.5 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynp Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share #11 Posted July 13, 2014 Yesterday I borrowed a contax- Leica S adapter, they sell them for US$2670 here in Russia, btw. We shot 8 oil paintings of different sizes with cross polarization and the Contax Makro worked fine with my S2. I even tried our 55mm distagon for stitching of the largest painting, and results are reasonably good. Thank you all for the information and advice. This forum is a knowledge well! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynp Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share #12 Posted July 13, 2014 Some test shots here: http://www.reddotforum.com/showthread.php/1354-Leica-S2-and-Contax-45-90-4.5 Thank you for the lead. I subscribed there on the red dot board. Interesting discussions there. My wife has always wanted to visit Miami and DALE Shop would be a highlight of the trip. Yevgeny 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynp Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share #13 Posted July 13, 2014 The Hasselblad 120/4 Makro for the V system is a totally different lens. If shooting macro the Hasselblad is your lens, a phenomenal optic that will yield beautiful results at any aperture at close distances, also it will do nicely with portraiture I have heard. At infinity it is not up to the standards of the Contax 120/4 Macro. The Contax lens is optimized for both close and infinity focus, it is superb @f5.6, f8 and f11 at any distance. Both are great lenses, pick the one that best suits your purpose, although the Contax lenses are Leica-S-lens-like in function, the Hasselblad V series is not auto anything and will require more manual work such as opening the aperture for viewing/focus and stopping down to taking aperture. The Contax 120/4 is manual focus also. Re: 45mm Contax lens is a fine lens, the 55mm however is a sharper optic. Initially sold as a budget lens it is much sought after and commands a higher price. Either will shine on the Leica S. Thank you for the info. My daughter shoots film with her Contax. She has only two lenses: 55mm. and 80mm. I bought the 120mm Makro for both of us. And I am impressed. The lens works very well, less sharp than the 120mm AF for Sinar-M, but more than enough for my purposes, when the Sinar 54H is over kill. Yevgeny Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynp Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share #14 Posted July 13, 2014 YNP, go ahead, get the adapter! It was one of my first purchases - in fact, I bought the adapter unseen the day, it was announced and collected Contax 645 lenses thereafter to use on the S2 next to the S2 lenses. Daryl's issue mentioned regarding the 210mm lens is likely indeed an issue with his sample. the 210/4 has a stellar reputation and my two samples (I bought accidentally two of them) are spot on, both with and without the 1.4x TC (which is indeed fantastic and a must buy if you go for the 210 or even the 140mm stopping down). In my opinion the two must have lenses are: 80/2 (nothing comparable in medium format really) 120/4 APO-Macro (get the split prism manual focussing screen also, it works beautifully) Also make sure you get the extension tubes - extremely versatile and with full AF functionality. I wish, Leica would offer Leica S mount auto extension tubes. The only lenses I didn't try: shorter than 80 (except the 45-90 zoom, which I have collecting dust in storage after I find I am not really a zoom person with the S2), 350mm. I find the 140 Sonnar an interesting focal length, Leica S glass does not cover (although optically the weakest). It's a nice portrait lens and does a ~200/4 with 1.4 Mutar in a pinch, best stopped down to f5.6 or f8 though. Some early adapters had firmware issues, needing replacement. Leica was very quick and accommodating though, replacing mine with a perfect sample after I found the S2 would loose the lens electronically after going to standby. The replacement adapter works perfect without any issues. I tried the 80mm. on my S2 for a casual portrait outside and was impressed. Very unusual look I liked very much. I am looking locally and on eBay for a clean 80mm. now. Thanks for your advice. You definitely know what you are saying here and elsewhere. Yevgeny Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
menos I M6 Posted July 14, 2014 Share #15 Posted July 14, 2014 Yevgeny, the look of the 80/2 can even be more exaggerated by using a Contax Auto Extension tube and getting closer. S2 + 80/2 Planar + auto extension tube: portrait - man from old quarter by teknopunk.com, on Flickr On the other side of the spectrum, the 80/2 Planar is simply beautiful stopped down to f4 - f5.6. I compared it with the latest Schneider Kreuznach 80/2.8 Xenotar in Exakta 66 mount, Carl-Zeiss Planar 80/2.8 CFE and 70/2.5 Summarit on one occasion. It was surprisingly an even draw between these lenses when stopped down to f4 (the Xenotar and Planar CFE being neck to neck wide open btw). I did not expect the 80/2 Planar to perform this well, as I anticipated it's imaging character wide open would reach far into the stopped down apertures. It doesn't - it's a great, modern lens. If at all I found it even to be a tiny bit better by a hair into the corners in detail, when comparing to the Xenotar and 80/2.8 Planar up to f4 where they really are almost indistinguishable. The 80/2 Planar has an entirely different character though than the super sharp, high contrasty 70 Summarit and renders as the 120 APO-Makro in a typical Zeiss fashion. It is one of those lenses that have been overused for it's novelty, while it really is a high performing lens when used in normal condition, not wide open. The Auto Extension tubes are in my opinion a must have (especially if you plan to use the 140/2.8 and 210/4 Sonnar for close-ups). The most useful being the shortest one (I believe it is 16mm), which really cuts the somewhat longer minimum focus distance of the Contax lenses. Here is where the Leica S lenses natively win big - they focus very close and perform. The Contax extension tubes retain full Auto Focus, Auto Aperture and EXIF with the Leica S system. The 80/2 Planar has become a bit difficult to find now since the Leica S adapter has been the first adapter, making it possible to use them on another medium format system other than its Contax 645 body, while it remains a favourite of many wedding and fashion photographers for it's uniqueness wide open on 645 film and digital with the Contax body. Good luck hunting one ourself ;-) 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterv Posted July 14, 2014 Share #16 Posted July 14, 2014 Happy to hear you guys are getting good results with the Contax lenses on the S. One thing I don't understand though, is why Leica still haven't made available the ACR lens profiles they promised when they announced the adapter, over a year ago. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
menos I M6 Posted July 14, 2014 Share #17 Posted July 14, 2014 Happy to hear you guys are getting good results with the Contax lenses on the S. One thing I don't understand though, is why Leica still haven't made available the ACR lens profiles they promised when they announced the adapter, over a year ago. As it looks like they will probably never materialise. I have t add though that it is trivial to do the corrections manually within Lightroom (I believe ACR provides a similar functionality to Lightroom's lens correction module?). Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterv Posted July 14, 2014 Share #18 Posted July 14, 2014 Yes, it's the same raw conversion engine with the same lens profiles. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynp Posted July 14, 2014 Author Share #19 Posted July 14, 2014 The Contax 55mm. Distagon showed very little distortion and it was totally correctable in LightRoom. It is also so light , that I want to make it my standard lens on my S2. It becomes 40 something mm. in 135 format terms and I love my M-Rokkor on the M9. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.