Using Zeiss Hologon 16/8 on M8 and on M9

[Raid Amin]

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I haven't used a Hologon since 1973, but I know since using much later CV super-wides that it is what we call a 'pioneering' design and pioneers got arrows in the back. Its only virtue is its tiny size. Enjoy.

 

I have leaped without looking. No shame. In fact as I type this I'm working on another wide-angle 4x5 camera sans bellows or a wind-prone skin. Machinists love me.

Such exploratory work can be very exciting and rewarding in the end. Go for ii.

[james.liam]

It is not about being the most sensible! I like to experiment and to explore, so trying out a "legend" such as the Hologon is very tempting. 

 

 

Perhaps the best results would be to try it on a Contax G2 before subjecting it to the 'sex change'.

[Raid Amin]

If I don't like it, I can sell it.  I want to try out the lens on a  digital Leica.

[Alberti]

Tip: apart from the color shift, when you use it in bw keep the dark sides due to the misalignment of the micro-prisms (supposed to be better on the M10 than the older M240).

Imho that has nice character.

[Raid Amin]

I will start out here at home with color, and if I don't like what I manage to get, I will switch to B&W with the Hologon. Thanks.

[pico]

A center filter might be useful.

 

Enjoy and please share your results.

[Raid Amin]

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I have the center filter. My set is like new (never used).

[Alberti]

Just to correct myself, even if years later:

On 1/20/2018 at 8:53 PM, Alberti said:

Important:

• Cannot be used:

––Hologon 15mm f/8

The Hologon 15mm f/8 is of course the original Zeiss/Leica version with fixed aperture; the later 16mm f/8 is different, and has been converted with custom and mass-made adapters quite succesfully (using the said 21mm pre-asph 6-bit code because that also has the exit pupil quite low probably).

[LikesLife]

 

On 1/18/2018 at 3:26 PM, Etruscello said:

If you are talking about the Contax lens, I did have it adapted for use on the M8 (by DAG). The adaptation was excellent, the results were not: extreme red corner discolorations, very difficult to fix PP. The lens did work wonderfully, however, on my M6 (film). I hope this helps. It’s the limit of my experience. I sold the lens and now fully enjoy the super wide CVs (including the 10mm) on my M 240, with no corner discolorations. To

Hi, I have read that the focus lever may interact with the lever on the left side of the mount of the M6 or M5. Did you made comparable experiences? How to use this lens on a m6?

 

would really appreciate whether you could comment on these questions,

greetings

michael

[audiophileguy]

I had very good results using a modified Hologon with my M6 and M7 film cameras.  The results with film were really good, but clearly suffered from vignetting and could only be used in bright light because the lens is relatively slow, particularly with the neutral density filter in place to minimize vignetting.  When I switched to M digital bodies I learned that the back of the Hologon was so close to the sensor that it was dangerous and (according to Leica) not to be used. I now use the Zeiss 15mm 2.8 lens with my M10R and it is an incredible lens.  Still a bit of vignetting, but at f2.8 it is fast enough to be used in virtually any light.  As stated before, it is certainly big, and I must use my electronic viewfinder with it (which I prefer to an external viewfinder, and works perfectly), but I absolutely love it. 

[BastianK]

Am 25.3.2023 um 22:18 schrieb LikesLife:

 

Hi, I have read that the focus lever may interact with the lever on the left side of the mount of the M6 or M5. Did you made comparable experiences? How to use this lens on a m6?

You can find a lot of information regarding your question(s) here:
https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-contax-g-16mm-8-0-hologon/

[Torontoamateur]

I am thinking of an M4-P with Ilford delta 400 as the combo for this incredible lens.  Sometimes with Delta 3200. Why not embrace the Grain? Could be awesome