Fun with the NEX cameras....

[Irenaeus]

QUOTE=barjohn;231739]I would like to see a reasonably fast 24 or 28 that works well enough for every day use. The 40 works great except for the effective 60 mm field of view.[/QUOTE]

Have you considered the Minolta Rokkor 28/2 which they made for the CLE? The color signature should fit in pretty well with your 40/2, it's tiny and its notorious "dreaded white spot disease" can be permanently cured by at least one repairman, John Van Stelten. (His shop is near Fort Colllins, Colorado. You could google him or just phone him at (303) 665-6640.)

Those spots are caused by crystals forming in the black anti-reflective paint inside the lens barrel, which leach out (probably after exposure to high heat) and are deposited on the lens element. He takes the lens apart (which is, apparently, rather labor intensive) removes the old paint, repaints the barrel with paint that won't ever produce such spots and you're good to go. It's not inexpensive, but lenses that already have the problem should be discounted commensurately and I found the package doable.

[One warning: The longer those spots remain untreated on the lens, the larger they grow and the more likely it is that they could etch the glass permanently. That's not a problem with the earlier, tinier, stages of the condition, though.]

He's a good workman, excellent to deal with and did a great job for me in January. Unfortunately, I was using it on an RD1 and, though the image quality was exquisite, my focusing ability was not, and I sold the whole outfit a few months later. If I found that the NEX would enable me to use manual focus again, however (and if my Contax G 45/2 didn't work out with the NEX) the 28/2 Rokkor would definitely be on the shortest of my short lists!

It's a real gem!

Irenaeus

[Irenaeus]

My Apologies! The Minolta Rokkor-M mount lens I was extolling in the previous post is NOT a 28/2 but a 28/2.8! So it really doesn't meet your need for speed, barjohn, does it? (It's still a stellar lens in all those other respects, though....)

Selective Wishful Thinking Memory Loss strikes again — perhaps i need to stop doing this sort of thing after midnight"

Back to bed,

Irenaeus

[Razii]

Originally Posted by TEBnewyork

Well Sony is about to release an alpha mount Zeiss 24 f2. No clue of size or price.

http://sonyalpharumors.com/sr5-good-...-next-tuesday/

I will be really surprised if it's less than $1000

As for size, i would guess about twice the size of Sony 50mm F1.4

[barjohn]

I'm familiar with the Rokkor 28/2.8 and its infamous white spots. I haven't seen many for sale in some time. Probably for that reason. It is good to know it can be fixed but of course if the total price takes it into the used Leica 28 price range it wouldn't make sense.

[Irenaeus]

My total cost for an otherwise excellent spotted lens and repair was $500 plus shipping.

Yes, I've wondered why there haven't been many on the market, too. It may, indeed, be that people have given up on getting their investments back on the bad ones.

It may also be that they like what they're getting from their very good ones.

Happy hunting,

Irenaeus

[ken_vs_ryu]

I'm looking for a cle kit.

[Irenaeus]

I know from nothing about this particular item, but here's a CLE in Singapore on rff:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/phot.../23209/cat/all

[fordfanjpn]

Originally Posted by ustein

>I find the out-of-camera HDR pictures a bit flat.

That is fine for B&W. Much easier to make images less flat than the other way round.

Uwe, your B&W images are amazing! This is exactly the kind of tonality I have been trying (unsuccessfully) to get for years. Can you comment on your process for getting these gorgeous B&W images? I looked at your B&W Resolver script, but the results look different. Any help in this area, or better yet, a new DOP script, would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

Bill

[fotoingo]

Here are some more pictures I shot with the Contax G 45mm f2 and the 90mm f2,8.
Most of the shots were taken wide open.

Hopefully I will receive the 35mm f2 in 2 days too. I´m really curious how it will perform because it will replace the 28mm which is no good on the NEX
( because of the rounded glas element at the end of the lens ? )

The 45 and 90mm are absolutely brilliant !

[douglasf13]

I look forward to hearing about your results with the 35mm G, fotoingo. I have a feeling that lens will be my standard lens when NEX arrives.

[ken_vs_ryu]

how easy is manual focusing on contax G lenses?

[Terry]

Fedex delivered my Contax adapter today. The lens I bought came last week and was absolutely pristine. It is hard to believe it was ever used (I would venture a guess that it really hasn't been used).

[ustein]

Originally Posted by fordfanjpn

Uwe, your B&W images are amazing! This is exactly the kind of tonality I have been trying (unsuccessfully) to get for years. Can you comment on your process for getting these gorgeous B&W images? I looked at your B&W Resolver script, but the results look different. Any help in this area, or better yet, a new DOP script, would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

Bill

I think this one was shot as in Camera HDR and converted in Lightroom to B&W. The results of the B&W Resolver can be tweaked in many ways.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by TEBnewyork

Fedex delivered my Contax adapter today. The lens I bought came last week and was absolutely pristine. It is hard to believe it was ever used (I would venture a guess that it really hasn't been used).

Great! I can't wait to hear a report.

[fotoingo]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

I look forward to hearing about your results with the 35mm G, fotoingo. I have a feeling that lens will be my standard lens when NEX arrives.

Yeah, I hope it will not let me down when it comes to image quality. (The internet says it is the "black sheep" of the G-Line but I read that means it is still much better than most 35mm primes)
Then it will be my "standard 50mm" too. f2 is not f1,8 or f1,4 but nontheless nice (and one stop better than the -no good on the NEX- 28mm f2,8.

Originally Posted by ken_vs_ryu

how easy is manual focusing on contax G lenses?

Really easy The screen is sooo crisp and with the magnification turned on (via the lower button next to the display) the focussing is a real joy.

Originally Posted by TEBnewyork

Fedex delivered my Contax adapter today. The lens I bought came last week and was absolutely pristine. It is hard to believe it was ever used (I would venture a guess that it really hasn't been used).

Nice. I wish you much fun using it.
My lenses (or better the whole kit (G1 + flash + bag + 28mm+45mm+90mm) looked pristine too. I guess we both were really lucky.
Which lense/s do you own or will you use ?
I´m looking forward to see some of your pictures soon

[monza]

Ingo those are fantastic photos.

The 35/2 Contax G Planar is very under rated, it is my favorite adapted lens on micro 4/3 and I'm sure it will be also on NEX. It focuses closer than Leica RF lenses, too.

[fotoingo]

Originally Posted by monza

Ingo those are fantastic photos.

The 35/2 Contax G Planar is very under rated, it is my favorite adapted lens on micro 4/3 and I'm sure it will be also on NEX. It focuses closer than Leica RF lenses, too.

Thank you ! Those lenses make pics look better with no afford, haha.
I love the bokeh/colours.

I would love to see some pics taken with the 35mm from you.
Maybe you got a link for me or something ?

[Terry]

OK Here is my standard test scene....weather not as nice.
It is a pretty far distance across the bay. It seems to be a keeper.
For some reason the forum software keeps trying to make the crops 1200 pixels when I upload no matter which method. PM me and I will send the full files.


f2


f8

[Terry]

Two close ups one without much in the background the other with a really complex background closer to the subject both at f2

[Terry]

And now for your porn

[douglasf13]

Sold! Everything looks good to me. I'm cleaning my ZA 24-70 for sale as we speak. BTW, how is the focusing mechanism on that adapter, Terry?

[Terry]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

Sold! Everything looks good to me. I'm cleaning my ZA 24-70 for sale as we speak. BTW, how is the focusing mechanism on that adapter, Terry?

Because it sticks out a bit it is really easy to focus.

[Terry]

My little brain is whirling away here but dang these lenses already were made to AF. If there is some way that Sony could take the design and throw an E mount on it with AF they would have a complete goldmine. I'm perfectly happy with the aperture on the lens and I'm sure others that would buy these for the NEX cameras wouldn't mind either. How amazing would that be! Voila! the premium lens lineup is completely solved (at least at 35, 45, 90).

[douglasf13]

Yeah, AF with these lenses would be incredible. Is the manual focusing action smooth with the adapter?

[Terry]

A little hard to describe it is smooth but feels a bit bumpy compared to my 50 lux. You can go way past infinity. I guess since I'm in live view it doesn't bother me. Robert (monza) has been using the Contax on m4/3 for quite a while and I know he's got an adapter coming so hopefully he can chime in here. I just like the way it feels and the size and the IQ and the bokeh and......

[douglasf13]

I'm on board. That planar looks to be the ticket for the 35mm focal length. Thanks!

[sebboh]

fotoingo: those shots are spectacular. contax g is looking very promising.

here are a few more shots from pen f 42mm f/1.2, all wide open again:







sooner or later i'll stop the lens down and take a landscape shot with it. first i need to find myself some landscape though.

[espressogeek]

I like the way that 42 draws when shot wide open. Bring back the swirl. :-)

[jonoslack]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

Sold! Everything looks good to me. I'm cleaning my ZA 24-70 for sale as we speak. BTW, how is the focusing mechanism on that adapter, Terry?

You'll regret it . . .I've been using mine today!
Shot at f4 . . . Caspar says PLEASE keep it:

[jonoslack]

Originally Posted by TEBnewyork

And now for your porn

Wonderful Terry - and lovely shots too . . . I'm still sobbing that i sold my father's complete set of Contax G lenses a couple of years ago to a penniless student for a song

[tom in mpls]

My Sony E-mount rear lens caps arrived today. Excellent fit and quality.

I thought the package contained my M adapter, so I'm disappointed. But pleased to have proper rear caps.

[MPK2010]

Originally Posted by TEBnewyork

Two close ups one without much in the background the other with a really complex background closer to the subject both at f2

Nice! I particularly like the ethereal rendering of the plants in the second shot. Would you say that so far you are happy with the out-of-focus rendering across the board?

[MPK2010]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

I'm cleaning my ZA 24-70 for sale as we speak.

Wow, this is inconceivable to me, unless I was selling the body too! Just goes to show how many different ways there are to put these cameras to good use.

[sebboh]

always have been a big fan of swirls, for select situations anyway. it seems to function pretty well as a portrait lens.

Originally Posted by espressogeek

I like the way that 42 draws when shot wide open. Bring back the swirl. :-)

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by MPK2010

Wow, this is inconceivable to me, unless I was selling the body too! Just goes to show how many different ways there are to put these cameras to good use.

I've owned the ZA 24-70 since February of '08, but I haven't used it in over a year. I'm officially a prime snob. It's officially for sale over on Dyxum.

[MPK2010]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

I've owned the ZA 24-70 since February of '08, but I haven't used it in over a year.

Fair enough -- sounds like a breakup that's best for all involved!

Originally Posted by douglasf13

I'm officially a prime snob.

Best of luck resisting the M9!

[douglasf13]

Funny you say that. I've been trying to avoid the M9 for 8 months!

[MPK2010]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

Funny you say that. I've been trying to avoid the M9 for 8 months!

Yeah the M9 is extremely tempting. For me personally, if I didn't prefer the zoom for landscape my money might have gone towards an M9 rather than the Sony full-frame. But I sure can't justify both! And since landscape is my priority, I can't see ditching the A850. So I'm going to try to use these NEX cameras + 1-2 primes for the kinds of photography I'd use an M9 for if I had one.

[ken_vs_ryu]

third party batteries are now on eBay if you need 600+ shots a day.
http://sonyalphanex.blogspot.com/201...attery-on.html

[douglasf13]

Any more reports on that Contax 35, Terry?

[jonoslack]

Originally Posted by MPK2010

Yeah the M9 is extremely tempting. For me personally, if I didn't prefer the zoom for landscape my money might have gone towards an M9 rather than the Sony full-frame. But I sure can't justify both! And since landscape is my priority, I can't see ditching the A850. So I'm going to try to use these NEX cameras + 1-2 primes for the kinds of photography I'd use an M9 for if I had one.

But the M9 is great for landscape - a small 35, and it almost goes in your pocket - vertical stitches . . it's wonderful.

[Terry]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

Any more reports on that Contax 35, Terry?

Real job took over for a couple east coast days. No laptop for upload.

[fotoingo]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

Any more reports on that Contax 35, Terry?

Anything special you wanna see ?
My 35mm should arrive tommorow

[espressogeek]

Has anyone tried to throw an IR filter on one a NEX to check the IR response?

[Mimaki]

Sold my 28mm Elmarit, waiting for tests on ZM 25/2.8, ZM 35/2 and VC 35/1.4 before I purchase a replacement.. the wait is hard

[MPK2010]

Originally Posted by jonoslack

But the M9 is great for landscape - a small 35, and it almost goes in your pocket - vertical stitches . . it's wonderful.

But it can't really be that easy, can it? The truth is I've been so happy with the Sony for landscape that I just can't see switching at the moment. But a real match for the M lenses could one day prove irresistible. Perhaps by the time you find yourself with an NEX I will have set aside an equivalent amount of money towards an M9.

[hot]

[tom in mpls]

Has anyone had experience using the Leica 35 cron ASPH?

[jonoslack]

Originally Posted by MPK2010

But it can't really be that easy, can it?

YES I thought the same, until I was skiing, actually it started with the M8 - portrait mode, manual exposure and WB - 6 or 7 shots, 5 minutes in photoshop - hooray!

Originally Posted by MPK2010

The truth is I've been so happy with the Sony for landscape that I just can't see switching at the moment. But a real match for the M lenses could one day prove irresistible. Perhaps by the time you find yourself with an NEX I will have set aside an equivalent amount of money towards an M9.

Well, I wouldn't be without my A900 either - I think it's becoming the longest I've had a camera, but it's a bit bulky (or, at least, the lenses are).

I actually went to the store today with intent (and wallet) . . but started fooling with a Pentax K7 and their limited primes while I was waiting, and now I'm having confusions!

[fotoingo]

I received the Contax G 35mm f2 today and since it mostly rained and I had to work I only got to shoot the nice "Test-Chart" wall I shot with the other Contax lenses and the Sony Zoom.

I´m sorry to say that but the 35mm is NO comparison for the 45mm or 90mm.
the edges (and more) at f2 are terrible. At f5,6 the sharpness is okay but not great.
So what do you win over the also not very nice 28mm f2,8 ?
One f-stop and less vignetting.

I really hoped that the 35mm would be more or less like the other two lenses but it isnt.

I will test it with some real life pictures in the next days and then I will see if it is a keeper (until I get my hands on something better) or if I sell both the 28mm and 35mm.

The 45mm and 90mm are SO perfect but I really want one more lens as a -50mm- . Anyone has some testpictures (from a wall or something similar) at 200 iso with open aperture and with f5,6 from the Pen F Pancake 38mm f2,8 or the "normal" 38mm f 1,8 ?
Maybe you -> sebboh or Vivek ?

I someone is interested I can upload the Contax G testfiles once more now including the 35mm pics.