Adapter: Carl Zeiss Sonnar 5/2 collapsible to leica M?

[fabianoliver]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hello all.

Good morning, in my city I saw a collapsible Carl Zeiss sonar 50/2 published.
I know there are some Contax RF to Leica M adapters, but I don't know if this sonnar is from that Contax RF line (I'm a Contax neophyte).
If it were in good condition, is it worth trying? It's $80......
I have a Summitar 50/2, and a Summicron R50/2 apart from some pentax 50's, is it worth trying a Sonnar? I don't necessarily need an adapter with RF coupling since I would use it with an M240 and viewfinder.ve seen in my country a Collapsible Sonnar 50/2

Any comments are appreciated!

Txs

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[gaheris]

I owned this lens for a year or two and I enjoyed the rendering a lot. The to-M coupling adaptor is hard to find now so it might be better for you to find the adaptor first before finding a copy of this lens. 

This very lens was used to shoot the D Day landing by Robert Capa, so a good copy is worth keeping if you enjoy this sort of stuff. Watch out for fakes made from later Russian copies. And don't expect modern performance or colour. It has a pastel-y look that is quite unique in my opinion.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

[UliWer]

Yes, this Sonnar was made for the Zeiss Ikon Contax. At first the 1:2/5cm Sonnars weren't collapsible as Zeiss said that they were small enough (which was right). Though there was public demand for a collapsible version and so they offered it.

It will fit the RF coupled adapter by Amedeo Muscelli as well as the simpler version without coupling - though you must be sure that it is the Contax-Leica version, not the Nikon-Leica one. 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

If the lens is in good condition $80 is a good price. Of course it won't be coated so overall contrast will be low. You will note subtle differences when you compare it to the Summitar - the Sonnar will probably show better resolution though (much) more distortion and a very attractive glow.

Btw: If the lens is collapsible it will be almost guaranteed that it is no fake. The mechanism for  collapsible lenses is rather difficult to produce, so this distracted the "fakers". 

Edited February 18, 2024 by UliWer

[TomB_tx]

That is a Contax RF mount lens, with collapsible mount. The collapsible barrel shows a lot of scratching marks - probably from a lot of use. The Amedeo adapters to Leica M mount are in stock at Cameraquest for $349. They also show the adapter to ltm mount, but it shows out of stock.

I have this lens as well as the f1.5 Sonnar - but have only used them on Contax II and IIa film bodies (as well as a Kiev post war body). Thanks for reminding me - I'd like to get the adapter and try on my M10.

Some reviews indicate the Sonnar f1.5 is better than the f2 model, but I haven't noticed the difference.

[UliWer]

Your question inspired me to an unconventional test with my collapsible Sonnar and the pre-war close focussing device:

 

 

[Pyrogallol]

I have an old Cooke and Perkins adaptor for Contax internal bayonet lenses to Leica screw. It is fixed a infinity and doesnot allow focussing.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Edited February 18, 2024 by Pyrogallol

[fabianoliver]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Thanks all for your comments.

D day, damm!

It shows a lot sign of wear, let's see how is the optics, i'll write to the guy to know the story of this lens.

uff 349$ is expensive, for sure to have it RF coupled is a bonus.....

let's see how it evolves, thanks for your images!!

[fabianoliver]

5 hours ago, Pyrogallol said:

I have an old Cooke and Perkins adaptor for Contax internal bayonet lenses to Leica screw. It is fixed a infinity and doesnot allow focussing.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

nice combo indeed!

[TomB_tx]

As I have few Contax rf cameras and their Zeiss lenses, I finally got an Amedeo Contax to Leica M adapter to try the lenses on digital M cameras. Just got it today, but I am impressed, both with the adapter quality and the results of a quick trial. Trying a 50 f1.5 Zeiss Opton Sonnar on M10 the focus even at 1.5 seems perfect. Of course there is a glow at 1.5, but very crisp by 2.8. Different rotation directions take getting used to. This weekend I hope to try my 135 f4 Sonnar and others.