Contax IIA and 135mm f4 Sonnar

[Greg M]

<p>Completed my IIA outfit last week with this latest, and surprisingly small and lightweight piece. Compared to the 135mm f4 Tele Elmar of the Leica M4 outfit that can feel like a brick to handhold, this guy is positively tiny. These later West German Carl Zeiss lenses are a lot of fun to shoot.</p>

<p>A couple of images of the piece first..</p>

<p><img src="http://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Other/Olympus-E-M1/i-mjwVGVF/0/X2/P5180001-X2.jpg" alt="P5180001" /></p>

<p><img src="http://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Other/Olympus-E-M1/i-PqpV86B/0/X2/P5180002-X2.jpg" alt="P5180002" /></p>

<p><img src="http://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Other/Olympus-E-M1/i-2xTWBWM/0/X2/P5180003-X2.jpg" alt="P5180003" /></p>

<p>A great focal length for taking small areas of a scene and creating several new images.</p>

<p><img src="http://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Other/Contax-IIA-Plustek-8100-Image/i-VcJrBcc/0/X2/Reflections%202-X2.jpg" alt="Reflections 2" /></p>

<p><img src="http://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Other/Contax-IIA-Plustek-8100-Image/i-3RMw5jg/0/X2/Downtown%2017-X2.jpg" alt="135mm f4 Sonnar" /></p>

<p><img src="http://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Other/Contax-IIA-Plustek-8100-Image/i-6rTmDT5/1/X2/B%20of%20A%20Tower%203-X2.jpg" alt="135mm f4 Sonnar" /></p>

<p><img src="http://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Other/Contax-IIA-Plustek-8100-Image/i-BxBjjVb/0/X2/FRB%20Facade-X2.jpg" alt="135mm f4 Sonnar" /></p>

<p><img src="http://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Other/Contax-IIA-Plustek-8100-Image/i-Qq62pKr/0/X2/Mercantile%20Clock-X2.jpg" alt="135mm f4 Sonnar" /></p>

<p> </p>

[rick_drawbridge]

<p>A nice example of a fine lens, <strong>Greg</strong>. While there are a slew of great 135mm lenses from this era, the Sonnar has to be one of the best. Excellent tones and detail in the images. It's amazing how a 135mm lens just seems to "find" images, which is why it's one of my favourite focal lengths.</p>

[CoryAmmerman]

<p>The 135 seems to be a fine lens Greg. You've put it to good use here. Thanks for sharing.</p>

[Greg M]

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>I've just discovered, after weeks of (trying to) working with Silverfast, the wonder that is Vuescan. I had gotten to the point with Silverfast that I could do "OK" with urban landscape/simple detailed images, but landscapes involving lots of foliage/detail just was not doing well. The first few scans I have tried with Vuescan are leaps and bounds better than Silverfast. Now I want to go back and re-do many of my more favorite images. </p>

[rogerwb]

<p>Looks like you have one of the later model aluminum barrel Sonnars. I have a brass barreled one adapted for LTM that is heavy as a hand grenade. A fine lens in any case.</p>

[Greg M]

Hi Roger.

 

Yes, extremely light weight. Like your Sonnar, the 85mm f2 Sonnar I have is a late 40's Zeiss Jena that really weighs down

the IIA. It also may be the sharpest of all the lenses I use on the Contax.

[Mike Gammill]

<p>Nice looking lens and exceptionally sharp images. Thanks for sharing.</p>

[Robin Smith]

<p>Beautiful kit I must say. The chrome lenses are particularly handsome.</p>

[tony_lockerbie]

<p>I do love a good 135, they are somewhat ignored these days, and the Sonnar is the quintessential example. I love the way that all the Sonnars draw, even the East German ones, and you have used yours to really good effect.<br>

You now have a top Contax outfit, good on you! Also love what you do with architectural pics....very nice.</p>