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Other ways to use the Zeiss 1.5 Sonnar

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MaxBerlin

Well-Known Member
My IIIa is just a little more unreliable than my film processor. Are there options to use a lens like this on a digital camera - Like a NEX ? Thanks
 
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Old_Contax_User

Active Member
Hi Max,

I use a Nocto (Yokohama Japan, web site in Japanese only) adapter for all my classic Contax lenses on an NEX 7. I understand that Kipon makes an adapter for the 50mm Zeiss lenses to NEX, but I think that a quality adapter is needed for a quality lens.

Bill
 
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MaxBerlin

Well-Known Member
This would be more of an experiment for me. I really like the way my Sonnar 1.5 feels and would like to see the results on digital - shame to relegate it to film.

Any chance you could post a link for that adapter ?

I tried googling but no luck.
 
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Old_Contax_User

Active Member
Hi Max,

Tried to post the Google translate link but no go. I suggest yo search for "nocto.jp" then select a translator. On the left side of the main page you will see some thumbnails. Click on the picture of an Olympus with a Contax adapter on it. 3rd from top. On the new page scroll down to the items withno picture shown. The 6th from the top in the left column is the Contax-C to NEX adapter at 52500 Yen. It is currently out of stock, Kipon has a CRF-NEX adapter on e-bay at $185.07. A lot less than the Nocto at $600+. It ma serve your purpose. It was not available when I got the Nocto.

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Hope this helps.

Bill
 
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MaxBerlin

Well-Known Member
Bill

I went a step lower and picked up one of those $20 models.

Given that I only have the 1 very nice sonnar and it's not as heavy as an 85 1.2 I saw no need to buy a premium version

It should be here today so I'll let you know how it works out.
 
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Old_Contax_User

Active Member
Max,

Best of luck with the new adapter.

If it has an internal bayonet mounting and a focusing helix it will work. No need to worry about a focusing scale or depth of field scale as you're focusing thru the lens at your working f-stop. The same applies to any focus shift you may hear of (not an issue when viewing snd focusing thru the lens.

The post war 1.5 Sonnar's optimal f-stop is between f5.6 and 8. On the NEX 7 I would not stop down below f11 on any lens due to the defraction limit set by the high resolution sensor.

Again best of luck and enjoy your new adapter and Sonnar 50mm 1:1.5 on the Nex 7.

Bill
 
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MaxBerlin

Well-Known Member
Bill

It turned out to be the wrong adapter but a set of Contax extension tubes also arrived yesterday so I have plenty to experiment with.

I may tr this again some time later.
 
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Old_Contax_User

Active Member
Contax rfdr adapter

Hi Max,

Sorry to hear about the adapter. The price sounded too low for a double bayonet and focusing helix adapter. See the following link to view the correct adapter from Kipon.

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Be careful buying a less expensive adapter as many are for the outer bayonet only and will not take the 50mm lenses.

See my flickr pics as the newest is with a pre-war CZJ 5cm f1.5 Sonnar on the NEX 7. It's a little out of focus so I'll re-shoot it today.

I use NIK Software's Tonal Contrast, Contrast Only and Sharpener Only on the ARW file and then remove color noise with Photoshop. Finally I convert to a JPG and apply Versace's Midtone Contouring, flatten and save.

Bill
 
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Old_Contax_User

Active Member
Hi Max,

The re-shoot done and only latest of 50mm 1.5 macro on Flickr.

Now I have to go out and shoot something the 1.5 was made for, to get you more interested in using it on you NEX 7,

Bill
 
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