Equivalent of Contax 45mm f2?

LeicaFoReVer · 08-27-2010

Recently I bought G1 with 45mm. I am impressed with its quality but I could not feel great about the focus mechanism of G series...

So If I want to get rid of my 45mm, which lens would be in equal quality for my M6, (with a similar price range)?

I am looking for similar characteristics...no swirly bokeh, similar sharpness...

I believe current formula summicron is of equal charateristics but it has higher price...

crist · 08-27-2010

Hi, check this

http://www.japanexposures.com/lens/
converted contax G lens for leica M

LeicaFoReVer · 08-27-2010

I know this but it comes to quite high prices, right?

digitalintrigue · 08-27-2010

ZM Planar 50mm. Or just practice more with the G1 focus. If you know what the camera wants, you'll nail focus every time.

raid · 08-27-2010

I felt quite at home with my G1 from the first roll.

misterb · 08-27-2010

Another option is to get a G2. I found the viewfinder and focussing better than the G1.

kzphoto · 08-27-2010

I had the pleasure of using a g2 / 28, 2.8 for a month or so. It's a great camera. No focusing issues, but it did have some trouble focusing out doors.

68,000 Yen for a 45/2 conversion isn't over the top if you love the lens.

kg4nih · 08-28-2010

Another "vote" for the ZM Planar 50mm. I have, use and very much like both. Each is my "standard" lens for my ZI and G2 respectively.

uhligfd · 08-28-2010

Some lenses simply have no equivalent. So bite the bullet and learn to use this one, maybe on the G2 if the G1 does not suit you; and the same holds for the Zeiss G 21mm 2.8 lens, if you have one.

Two of the best lenses ever made history wide.

cidereye · 08-29-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by misterb

Another option is to get a G2. I found the viewfinder and focussing better than the G1.

Agreed, I still use both but the rear focus lock button on the G2 is one of the very best features of the camera and one I initially thought:- "Why?".

The VF is not dramatically larger (it's no Leica M granted!) but it is a fair bit larger over the G1 and this obviously makes the camera a lot nicer to use.

digitalintrigue · 08-29-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by cidereye

The VF is not dramatically larger (it's no Leica M granted!) but it is a fair bit larger over the G1 and this obviously makes the camera a lot nicer to use.

Hmm. AFAIK the viewfinders are the same.

misterb · 08-30-2010

To get the most out of the G lenses, I shoot color, usually Fuji Reala 100 and lately Kodak Ektar 100. Eye popping colors!

No contest between the Leica and Contax G viewfinders (Leica's so much better), but the eye relief of the G2 is significantly better than the G1.

Trouble focusing out doors??

Phantomas · 08-30-2010

Great, thanks for the reminder. Just sent them a question and if the reply is possitive i will be buying this lens!
Seriously, the sharpest RF lens i've ever seen. Love the results it produces. As a matter of fact it's one of the main reasons I keep my G1.

LeicaFoReVer · 08-30-2010

which one are you getting phantomas?

Phantomas · 08-31-2010

The 45mm of course, what else

Upon closer inspections I have some tiny reservations. Two actually: conversion changes min focus distance from 0.5 to 1m (not so close for tight portraits); and ergonomics seem not the best (the way the aperture is changed, would need to hold the lens while changing aperture (no click-stops either)).
Now I need to decide if the above is bad enough, coz otherwise that Planar is one fantastic piece of glass.

binky · 08-31-2010

Phantomas, for portraits, the G90 is not that shabby (actually, quite a bargain...for a G)

but I agree, that either the G45 or G21 is reason enough to own a G1/2 (A used set is comparable in price to a converted lens)

Phantomas · 08-31-2010

Binky - I'm not a fan of anything longer than 50mm on an RF. Prefer SLR for long lenses. And while it's true that 45mm is not per se a portrait lens, I do like to have the ability to get in closer than 1m.
G45 is really the only lens that blows me away from G series. The others are excellent, no doubt about it, but to me not as unique as 45mm. (Haven't tried the 21 though).

binky · 08-31-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phantomas

Binky - I'm not a fan of anything longer than 50mm on an RF. Prefer SLR for long lenses. And while it's true that 45mm is not per se a portrait lens, I do like to have the ability to get in closer than 1m.
G45 is really the only lens that blows me away from G series. The others are excellent, no doubt about it, but to me not as unique as 45mm. (Haven't tried the 21 though).

I understand...a few times I was tempted to order one through Dirk and mount it on a CLE. I have a G2, but I still think about just having a light kit with several lens....

it's a beauty...

your choice is not easy

John

cidereye · 09-01-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by digitalintrigue

Hmm. AFAIK the viewfinders are the same.

What I was meaning is that the eyepiece on the G2 is aprox 1/3 larger so it's a lot easier to sight than the G1.

Japan---Exposures · 09-01-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phantomas

Conversion changes min focus distance from 0.5 to 1m (not so close for tight portraits)

Not quite, the lens is tested for rangefinder accuracy up to 0.8m, but the helicoid may actually turn further than that so you may get closer focus, just no RF coupling.

Debusti Paolo · 09-01-2010

you can try the summilux 50 asph & the noctilux !!!!!!!