CONTAX CY lenses on Canon EOS Bodies

[fotografz]

Whew Matt. that is good to hear. I ordered one for my 20D also with the Hi-Lux option. It's going to be so cool using some of the smaller C/Y lenses on the 20D... like the 25/2.8 and the 28-85. I'm using a Leica 50/2 on the Canon also, which is really inexpensive and nothing in Canon's line up can touch it.

Here's my latest darlin'. 35-135 on the 1DsMKII. Also fabulous for a zoom. What a way for Zeiss to live on into the future huh?

 

[deshojo]

"What a way for Zeiss to live on into the future huh?"
- I think few would have imagined this situation 5 years ago, but whatever it takes!

I just can't understand people dumping their top grade Zeiss lenses, only to buy into second rate consumer junk, purely for the sake of a little auto-convenience. Quality is still quality: Sell in haste, repent at leisure.

I remember reading that the 35-135mm has been cited by a Zeiss engineer as their finest zoom, heavy but worth the weight.

I've just managed to bag a mint- 85mm f1.2 50yr Anniversary lens on eprey for US$2,700. There was another on a few days ago starting at US$4,000 so I was surprised to get it for that. I'm really looking forward to using that beast.

I'm spending far too much though, I have to calm down, it's like an addiction... maybe just one little S2B...

 

[fotografz]

OMG Matt !!!!, I waited until 2 minutes before that 85/1.2 auction ended to punch in a $3,000. bid ... and thought it might be one of us here and backed off ...AND I WAS RIGHT !!!!

So, if you ever go to sell it, you have to give me first dibs ; -)

BTW, the other one was a $4,500. "buy it now", and it was yanked early from sale because it's worth over $5,000. You did good man!!!

I also missed a chance at a brand new, in the box, never been touched 35-135 yesterday for $1,200. You snooze you lose.

 

[djg]

Matt, from what I understand, the best performing Zeiss zoom is the 35-70/3.4, followed closely by the 28-85 and 35-135. But who really knows! I tend to believe this based on the results I've had with the 35-70 and what I remember from my 35-135 on my RTS III, but it's just a guess, really. I do love the results I get from my 35-70!

Marc, how's focusing the 1DsII with the 35-135 in the shadows? Have you done a head-on between the two?

 

[albert4321]

Matt, Son from FM forum indicated that the CZ 85mm f/1.2 50 annv. require shaving to fit on the EOS1 body. No word on the 20D body though.

 

[fotografz]

I'd wager the 35-70 would be the best, just because it's so much less range to deal with when designing the lens. It's like the discontinued Canon 20-35/2.8 which kills the 17-35 and 16-35 in overall optical performance.

I like the 35-135 just for the range, and was surprised by the optical performance for such a long throw.

Head on between the two... what two?

focusing in the shadows? Do you mean in low light? I use AF lenses in low light.

 

[albert4321]

Can anyone tell be the performance difference between the CZ 35-70 vs 28-85 on EOS-1 body beside the range?

 

[djg]

Albert, from Marc's post above and based on the MTFs, I would guess the 35-70 is the somewhat better performer, though the 28-85 is no slouch.

 

[deshojo]

Well thanks very much for backing off on that bid Marc! I did actually bid just over that but you saved me about $350 (so fair play, if I do ever sell I'll let you know first). I thought that other one disappeared quickly, I didn't realise they were going for so much more - bargain!

DJ- I would tend to think you are right on the performance order of the zooms. I would be surprised if a 4x zoom would beat a 2x from the same manufacturer. Maybe he was giving more emphasis to useful range rather than just performance. I've only used the 28-85mm and I'm pretty happy with that.

Albert - Thanks for that warning, I'll be careful when I try it. I'm hoping it's ok after looking at Ken's post (first in this thread) he says the 135mm f2 won't fit the eos 1 either, but mine fits my 20D with no problems, so fingers crossed.

 

[fotografz]

I had to grind down the aperture lever on the 60 Macro cause it was hitting the mirror box on the 1DsMKII, so I lost auto aperture on my RX. But it's a Macro so I could care less. But on a lens that expensive, I don't know ... Let me know what you find out about that, because I will still be hunting a 85/1.2.

Side note (off topic but related), Just got a Hassey to EOS adapter and wowser! does that ever extend the use of Zeiss MF lenses just like with the Zeiss 35 stuff we're doing. I walked around the house late last night with the Canon 1DsMKII set to ISO 500 to 3200 and shot with a 110/2 F. Amazing lens. Adapters are worth their weight in gold IMO ; -)