Contax RF lenses

<p>I recently came into possession of two nice looking Contax rangefinders. One is a Contax IIa and the other a Contax IIIa. Neither have lenses. I avoid buying on Ebay but a quick look around there showed a handful of lenses for these camera at insane prices.<br>

I'd like to get a good Sonnar for use with one of these. I'd prefer a West German lens. Any suggestions ?</p>

<p>Thank you</p>

<p>Keh.com has a 50mm f2 Sonnar for $109. It is East German, though.</p>

<p>The Jupiter-9 in Kiev (Contax) mount is a very fine copy of the Sonnar 85mm f/2 lens. It surely isn't West German or even German except in ancestry though.<br /> I've had good luck with a series of ex-Soviet "Contax" lenses, and they have modern coatings, unlike the hard-to-find pre-war Zeiss lenses.<br /> I too would recommend KEH, their prices are normally quite competitive. I don't know if they will take a "want list" or not.</p>

<p>Lately, lens prices in general seem to have gone wild, so "insane" may turn out to be the situation now, especially for Western Zeisses. :(</p>

<p> </p>

<p>AFAIK the only Kiev lenses that WON'T fit the post-war IIa and IIIa is the 35 mm Jupiter 12 (and the pre-war CZJ lens it's based on won't fit either). I have 50 mm Jupiter 8 and Jupiter 3 lenses (f2 and f1.5 Sonnar clones) for my Kiev 4a, both of which are good--the f1.5 better, possibly because mine is earlier and closer to it's Zeiss roots.</p>

<p>The Helios-103 is also a nice sharp lens (1.8/53mm).</p>

<p>I would like to know, too, of others' experiences with the Jupiter 12 on Contax RF. <br>

According to Karen Nakamura's article on Nikon and Contax RF lenses, the rear element of the non-retrofocus Jupiter 12 "almost touches the focal plain curtains on the Nikon/Contaxes". </p>

<p>==</p>

<p>The new Voigtlander 35/2.5 for Nikon/Contax seems reasonable at under $500. Might take the plunge, but I'm definitely on the hot pursuit of a "bargain" pre-war 3.5cm Biogon.<br>

Gene, I highly recommend Essex Camera repair in Carlstadt, NJ for CLA and shutter overhaul on the Contax rfs. I had my III overhauled and Sonnar 1.5 cleaned last autumn for under 200 bucks. Even though I purchased both the camera and lens for well under $100, any investment in restoring a clean, good-looking Contax rangefinder is a sound one, IMHO.<br>

I'm not missing my M3 much. I would however, feel a loss if I had to sell the Contax any time soon , or my latest Voigtlander Prominent for that matter.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Good advice Gabor. I'll note the address.</p>

<p>Gene, I have a Jupiter-8 lens in Kiev/Contax mount that I will give to you; just let me know where to send it. Try it out and if you don't like it, you're welcome to sell it or pass it along to someone who will use it.</p>

<p>I'll second the recommendation on Essex Camera, which a few months ago did a great job of overhauling my Nikon S2, including replacement of the shutter curtains.</p>

<p>Do visit Cameraquest, Gene. The Voigtlanders, up to 35mm will work very well. For anything about that you can get either Soviet lenses or Nikkor lenses especially made for Contax ( Nikkor "C"). They are generally cheaper than Nikon S lenses. Also, I do not see why Zeiss lenses should be astronomically expensive. Shop around.</p>

<p>Dan B. I have a Jupiter 8 on a Kiev 4. I appreciate the offer.</p>

<p>You bet, Gene. I should have known with your extensive collection that you probably already have one! Good luck tracking down a Sonnar.</p>

<p>My father purchased a Contax IIIa second hand in 1958, along with it came a Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 5cm f2 collapsible lens. He shot with this camera until 1969 when he bought his Nikon F. I shot with his Contax for a few years and found the Sonnar to be a superb lens. I don't know if it was a pre-war lens or an East German lens, but it was superb in any case.</p>

<p>I have a Jupiter 8, and mine is c@#p. Also have a couple of F2 Sonnars, and they are brilliant. Also have a 1.5 Sonnar, pre-war, which is remarkable for an uncoated fast lens. I can let you have a Sonnar, but may have to get a little something for it, plus the post to the US is getting a bit expensive....let me know.<br>

BTW, how much nicer do the Contaxes handle than the Kievs!</p>

<p>Email sent.</p>

<p>Always late tothe show. I too want Contax lenses but they are too expensive. I think the Voigtländer is the best route for the money.. which I don'T have anyway. I have rarely seen a postware Biogon 35mm,21mm go under 500,00 Euro. I often see pre-war lenses go reasonable but they are pre-war uncoated. But come on, reasonable for a Zeiss lens is often still pushing it.<br>

I'Ve seen good prices for pre-war 3.5 collapsible Tessars and F2 Sonnars. The 135 is almost always available at a good price.<br>

The 35mm pre-war Biogon is reasonable considering it will only fit pre-war Contaxes and Kievs. Typically around 200,00€ Frankly the Kiev/Jupiter 12 might have the advantage, merely because it's coated. And all of you who got your II/IIIa at bargain super cheap prices, I hate you! I guess you'll have more money for lenses!! I like the Helios 103. The Jupiter 8 I have is Ok as lens but the mount is so stiff I have a hard time getting it off the Contax, My only Contax lens I got with the camera, a 3.5 Tessar is a bit "hazed". In the right lighting it does ok</p>