Zeiss ZM vs. Contax G lenses

[Michael Brandt]

Hey everyone,

I posted this question on the Contax site, but thought it might be wise to get the opinions of other M8 users on this.

I recently found a place in Japan that converts Contax G lenses to M mounts. I'm sure some of you have already seen this and I think its really exciting. They actually take the glass out of the barrel and place it into a manual focussing barrel. Apparently this guy is a genius and can do this with many types of lenses. great!

So, my question is: How different is the new Zeiss ZM line of lenses compared to the Contax G lenses in terms of bokeh, sharpness, color rendition and all that other good stuff? I've always loved my zeiss glass and now there are even more options.

Here is the link:

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.hayatacamera.co.jp/&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhttp://www.hayatacamera.co.jp/index.html%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dsafar i%26rls%3Den

Click on: Various Services

then Click on Miyazaki Products.

then scroll down

Thanks in advance

Michael

[awilder]

Maybe I'm biased , but I've always felt the G series Zeiss lenses were a tad better optically than the ZM line having tested the 45, 28, and 90 when I owned them. They were better than my Leica gear which tested better than similar lenses in the ZM line. That said, given the cost of conversion, I'd only do it if I already had the lenses to begin with and would not spend the extra money tro purchase a G lens just to convert it to M.

[bottley1]

...if these lenses are better than Zeiss ZM lenses I will eat my lens hood haha! :p

[photovdz]

better than put the G Lenses in a manual barrel... why would'nt they make A G3 with a RF that would drive the G lenses... and a optionnal autofocus...
I'v got a G2 and 5 lenses, I love the lenses... I hate the autofocus... totally unfriendly...and the manual focus of the G2 is even more unfriendly...

[kbg32]

Yes, the G lenses are fantastic. Better then the ZM line? Not sure. I have 3 ZM lenses and they're unbelieveable.

Is it me? I never had any problems with the G2's auto focus.

[furcafe]

I've also never had any problems w/the G2's autofocus that weren't my own fault.



Is it me? I never had any problems with the G2's auto focus.

[Cron]

also no problems with autofocus of the G2;
if interested in Contax G - pics, look at my flickr - will post some pics of Croatia there the next week made with my G2

[steamer]

I've had a few misses with the 90mm but I'm not sure if it was my fault or the camera.

[Michael Brandt]

haha, I'm glad you can all focus your G2's well. For the record, I don't have a problem with the focus either.
I'm going to send off my Contax G 45mm Planar, when i get it back, I'll run some tests and post some pics.
cheers

Michael