Zeiss Contarex 21mm Biogon converted to M-mount?

[johnastovall]

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Has any one ever seen a Zeiss Contarex 21mm f/4.5 converted to an M-mount?

 

Has anyone ever had such a conversion done or who might do it?

 

I have a perfect condition one as part of my old Contarex systems and would like to use it. I know it wouldn't be coupled but it had to be used with MLU on the 'Rex and took amazing sharp pictures.

[Hacker]

I have seen the Contax G version being converted to LTM, RF coupled. Done in Japan my MS Optical.

 

What about adapters? There will not be any RF coupling though.

[johnastovall]

Have not found anyone who's ever made a Contarex to anything adapter. Only a few Contarex lenses had manual f-stops the rest were set by the body. Very advanced for a SLR made in the early '60's.

 

It really does not need coupling since at f/8 everything from 2ft to infinity is in focus.

 

It's going to require a custom adapter to be made and I'm trying to find some shops to talk to about it.

[MP3]

This Contarex Biogon is an excellent performer in 21mm league.

I got mine 2 years ago, a Hong Kong lens workman made a tailored M adapter for me.

It is not RF coupled (work perfectly and easily with hypo-focusing for 21mm)

I then handed him my John-milled LTM8 6-bit adapter, the workman managed to

filed a 6-bit mark on the Contarex to M adapter for me. I coded it as the Elmarit 21

and put a 49mm B+W 486 UV-IR Cut Filter on it. It sings and give wonderful pics ! ......

Highly saturated Contarex colors it gives ...... Super stellar performer.

 

The workman is Mr Mount Yip, he used to make the adapter in batches and put some on ebay

as well, though a recent ebay search return no result. If you are interested on this path,

PM me and I shall forward you his phone contact. Gook Luck.

[johnastovall]

This Contarex Biogon is an excellent performer in 21mm league.

I got mine 2 years ago, a Hong Kong lens workman made a tailored M adapter for me.

It is not RF coupled (work perfectly and easily with hypo-focusing for 21mm)

I then handed him my John-milled LTM8 6-bit adapter, the workman managed to

filed a 6-bit mark on the Contarex to M adapter for me. I coded it as the Elmarit 21

and put a 49mm B+W 486 UV-IR Cut Filter on it. It sings and give wonderful pics ! ......

Highly saturated Contarex colors it gives ...... Super stellar performer.

 

The workman is Mr Mount Yip, he used to make the adapter in batches and put some on ebay

as well, though a recent ebay search return no result. If you are interested on this path,

PM me and I shall forward you his phone contact. Gook Luck.

 

Excellent information, this is what I've been wanting to hear. PM sent.

[Theodor Heinrichsohn]

This Contarex Biogon is an excellent performer in 21mm league.

I got mine 2 years ago, a Hong Kong lens workman made a tailored M adapter for me.

It is not RF coupled (work perfectly and easily with hypo-focusing for 21mm)

I then handed him my John-milled LTM8 6-bit adapter, the workman managed to

filed a 6-bit mark on the Contarex to M adapter for me. I coded it as the Elmarit 21

and put a 49mm B+W 486 UV-IR Cut Filter on it. It sings and give wonderful pics ! ......

Highly saturated Contarex colors it gives ...... Super stellar performer.

 

The workman is Mr Mount Yip, he used to make the adapter in batches and put some on ebay

as well, though a recent ebay search return no result. If you are interested on this path,

PM me and I shall forward you his phone contact. Gook Luck.

 

I can certainly confirm that the Biogon performance is excellent. It exhibits very fine and even coverage over the whole 24x36 frame. Mine was acquired while I was living in Tokyo 20 years ago and was converted there to a screw mount for use on my IIIg. I also used the lens on my M's (except the M5) using a normal Leitz screw to M adapter. I have not tried it on the M8 but am now encouraged to do so by the above post.

Teddy

[Mascarpone]

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Now that is good news. I have a 21mm Contarex Biogon sitting around and it is waiting to be used... but not by me. As soon as I have the adapter I will put lens and adapter into the Classifieds section here :-)

[luigi bertolotti]

I can certainly confirm that the Biogon performance is excellent. It exhibits very fine and even coverage over the whole 24x36 frame. Mine was acquired while I was living in Tokyo 20 years ago and was converted there to a screw mount for use on my IIIg. I also used the lens on my M's (except the M5) using a normal Leitz screw to M adapter. I have not tried it on the M8 but am now encouraged to do so by the above post.

Teddy

 

You say "converted" in the sense it was not an adapter, but a direct machining of the lens ? Do you think it would be possible to have a similar adapter/converter working also for "standard" Contarex lenses ? I know the problem of the diaphragm setting would be a lot tricky... but I would like a lot to be able to use my Distagon 18... even at some "fixed" aperture like 5,6 or 8... and maybe this could be possible.

[Theodor Heinrichsohn]

You say "converted" in the sense it was not an adapter, but a direct machining of the lens ? Do you think it would be possible to have a similar adapter/converter working also for "standard" Contarex lenses ? I know the problem of the diaphragm setting would be a lot tricky... but I would like a lot to be able to use my Distagon 18... even at some "fixed" aperture like 5,6 or 8... and maybe this could be possible.

 

Hi Luigi,

Yes, Contarex bayonet was removed and replaced by an aluminium piece which ended in a screw that fits the screw Leicas. I then fitted a normal L to M adapter and used the lens on my film Leicas as well as the IIIg (without the bayonet adapter, of course). I have no knowledge of other Contarex lenses and therefore am unable to answer your question. Good luck with your efforts.

Best regards,

Teddy