Adapters/Contax/Contarex....what is the truth?
I have just received from an e-Bay member an CZ Distagon 2.8/32 #4388457. Unfortunately I had bought an CO/Y-EOS adapter, but there is no way this lens will fit.
We need clarification from the experts as to which Contax/CZJ/Contarex lenses ARE adaptable to Canon EOS bodies via these adapters.
Could some expert please (once and for all) explain this matter to the rest of us as it seems to be very confusing, with all sorts of subtle ramifications.
Thanks
cm
We need clarification from the experts as to which Contax/CZJ/Contarex lenses ARE adaptable to Canon EOS bodies via these adapters.
Could some expert please (once and for all) explain this matter to the rest of us as it seems to be very confusing, with all sorts of subtle ramifications.
Thanks
cm
0
Comments
The first Contax cameras in common use were the Contax RangeFinder 35mm bodies. The lens mount is commonly abbreviated as the Contax RF.
In the late 1940s the first Contax SLR was developed, the Contax S. That camera used the venerable M42 mount, as did Praktica, Pentax and Mamiya. In 1946 the Contax F was developed and had an automatic diaphragm mechanism. The lens mount was still the M42 but both the lenses and the camera have linkage to operate the diaphragm.
In the 1950s and 1960s the Contarex and Contaflex were designed and used a proprietary bayonet mount that is almost the inverse of what other manufacturers ultimately used.
By the 1970s Contax was struggling and, in order to stay alive, entered into a relationship with Yashica. The resulting Yashica/Contax lens mount revitalized the Contax name in lenses since you could buy an inexpensive Yashica SLR and add a very nice Zeiss-Contax lens to the front.
In 1994 Contax was back building rangefinder cameras with the G series and Contax G lens mount.
Around 2000-2001 Contax developed the N-series SLRs with the Contax N mount. This culminated in the Contax Digital N in 2002.
As far as I know only the Contax-S/M42 and Yashica/Contax (C/Y) mount lenses are easily adapted to the Canon EOS cameras via simple adapter. A fairly good reference for the lenses is at:
http://photo.net/equipment/contax/shea-lenses
A pretty good view of the C/Y mount is here (scroll down around 75 percent):
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-99.html
A pretty good view of an M42 mount is here:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4GGoCaglvKw/RqGXsumFYWI/AAAAAAAAICE/fXco_0ilDgg/IMGP9489.JPG
Zeiss lenses made for the M42 mount:
http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/14317/m42-mount-lens/
Note that none of these lenses which can be easily adapted to the Canon EOS cameras will have either autofocus or autoexposure, although when manually stopped down they can be used in Aperture Priority mode.
The best way to go, new Zeiss lenses with EOS mount (auto-aperture and manual focus with focus confirmation):
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/zeiss_for_eos.html
http://www.zeiss.com/C12567A8003B58B9/Contents-Frame/858DBBBBD2FB78A6C125711800592377
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
As a side note I have a Vivitar 220/SL camera that I just pulled the stuff on to check the model and also found that I purchased in Feb. 12, 1977 which uses the M42 mount. If I take a notion to run a roll of film through it, the advantage of my hearing loss it that I can just stick a 675 hearing aid battery in it and have use of the meter (everything is manual though for actually setting anything).
Using an adaptor I am still having fun with the few lenes that I purchased for that camera; but now use on a Canon EOS D60. In fact, just this spring I bought a 2X tele-converter to use with an old 200mm Vivitar lens and it works fine if you have time to set eveything.
Jane B.
Hi Jane,
I have been trying for some time to determine the original MSRP of the Vivitar 220-SL, but have been unable to do so. Do your records have that info? Thanks. Rodger (you can reply to me at carterrodger@hotmail.com)
That may be as close as i ever get, although I did find the 250-SL with an MSRP of $250. I understand that the 220-SL was almost the same camera, but with a couple features less, so I assume its MSRP would have been somewhat less. Of course, the price you paid may not have been the full MSRP.
Rodger
It appears that the 250 did have a few more features than the 220.
Thanks Jane. For some reason that I do not understand, the spec. that is most difficult to find for old cameras is the MSRP even though that is the primary spec. that every buyer is concerned with. Reviewers will do pages on a single camera without ever mentioning the price. I have over 600 cameras in my collection, but with 4% no MSRPs have been found despite a great deal of effort. The 220-SL is one of them.
Rodger
Hi
could you help please?
Was there any adapter made/sold to fit other lenses E.G. M42 to the contarex bullseye SLR's?
I would like to use my Contarex with different lenses (yes on film)
stampmoney.
In a word, no, I don't think that it's possible (without using optics and without loosing function) to adapt between the different Contax lens mounts or to use a different manufacturer mount lens. You must use the lenses designed for that camera.
There are 3 considerations which make lens adapters possible and which make them practical. The "practical" is by far more difficult.
2) Flange diameter. It's generally easier to adapt a lens with a smaller diameter mount to a camera body with a larger diameter mount, to allow for both the physical differences and the control differences.
3) Control mechanics, and/or control electronics in the case of lenses using electrical and electronic control.
Now that you know the terminologies, please research for yourself the reasons why such an adapter would be impractical.
As an aside, if you should collect Contarex lenses it would appear fairly easy to use them on several mirrorless digital bodies*, as well as some Canon "EOS" and Olympus "4/3rd Standard" bodies*.
https://www.google.com/#q=contarex+lens+adapter
*(... with enough limitations to render them somewhat impractical.)
If you wish to use M42/Universal thread mount lenses, either purchase an old Pentax M42 mount body (potentially also some Ricoh, Mamiya and Yashica bodies with M42 lens mount), or use a "chipped" M42 to Canon EOS adapter on a Canon dSLR.
A chipped adapter will retain some metering function on many Canon dSLRs, as well as focus confirmation.
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=219950
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=113569
http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=329591&postcount=21
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums