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miha_steinb_cher

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Posts posted by miha_steinb_cher

    Zeiss Biotar 75mm 1.5 lens on 5D MK II

    in Classic Manual Film Cameras

    Posted

    <p>Have the very same problem. A cupboard full of Exakta lenses and a Canon EOS 5D Mk II. The first tests were done with a Biotar 5,8 cm f/2 (chrome over brass) with quite unpleasant results.<br>

    The problem, at least as far as I can see it, is not in the rear element but in the bayonet of the lens itself. The adapter mounts exactly as an EF lens, but the rear of the bayonet protrudes deeper into the mirror box. Did measurements on some (well, at least 20) lenses and there is some (manufacturing?) tolerance in thickness of tabs. The lenses with thinner ones might just work, the thicker ones jam (and damage) the mirror.<br>

    Unfortunately, short of modifying the mirror, nothing can be done to enable Exakta lenses use (with infinity focus) on a 5D MkII in a SLR mode. It is not an adapter problem. On the other hand, Exakta lenses could be used in live-view mode.</p>

    <p>Best regards,</p>

    <p>Miha</p>

    Help me build an Exakta System

    in Classic Manual Film Cameras

    Posted

    <p>Steven,</p>

    <p>When I started with Exaktas several years ago, i had a camera and 2 lenses. Ended (so far) with 8 cameras and some 30 lenses. So be careful!<br>

    You can't go wrong with a CZJ Tessar 2,8/50 mm as a standard lens. CZJ Pancoloar 2/50 is faster, a bit sharper, but the difference is gone at ~ f/8 and it has a less pleasant bokeh. Both lenses have an automatic diaphragm. CZJ Biotar 2/58 gives a bit different field of view, has a very pleasant bokeh, is incredibly sharp in the center even wide open, but the corners may be a bit problematic (curvature of the field, I guess). It's a great lens, but wouldn't actually call it a standard one.<br>

    Another great lens is Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 1,9/50. All Schneiders have a bit different contrast and colours than CZJ lenses, it's a matter of taste.<br>

    For wideangles, you can't go wrong with any of CZJ Flektogons. Meyer Lydith 3,5/30 mm is a stunning perfomer and can be obtained for a reasonable price. Don't have much experience with wideangles from the West Germany, though. LM Curtagon 4/28 is to rare to use it much, but the few rolls I took with it yielded some nice pictures.<br>

    On the telephoto side there are three CZJ Sonnars 4/135, 2,8/280 and 4/300 (all available in auto versions). They are all great, but some weightlifting experience may be required for the latter two. Meyers (100, 135, 200 mm) are good lenses, you also can't go wrong with Schneiders or Steinheils.<br>

    KIlfits (macros and supertelephotos) are great if obtained in decent shape.</p>

    <p>If I go out for a walk with an Exakta, I usually take a Pancolar, a Flektogon 4/20 and a Sonnar 4/135 with me.</p>

    <p>Take a look at:</p>

    <p>http://www.photo.net/classic-cameras-forum/00JKzO</p>

    <p>Best regards,</p>

    <p>Miha</p>

    Help with Exakta Cameras and other gear?

    in Classic Manual Film Cameras

    Posted

    <p>There is a nice collection of Exakta gear!<br>

    Both VX and VX IIa are US market versions of otherwise identical European Varex VX and Varex IIa. There is no huge difference between the cameras and lenses and accessories are compatible between the two.<br>

    Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 50mm f/2 is an older (in Exakta terms) Schneider standard lens, later versions are f/1,9. It's a capable performer, but as it's likely a pre-set lens (no shutter-release arm?) and thus less practical to use than later lenses. Biotar 58 f/2 is most likely a semi-auto lens (older manual and pre-set ones were mostly marked 5,8 cm), a shutter-release arm can prove that. Diaphragm must be manually opened after each shot (a lever on the underside of the lens barrel).<br>

    Steinheil München Auto-Quinaron 35 f/2.8 is a nice wide-angle, one of the best ever made for Exakta.<br>

    The very same can be said for Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 135 f/3.5 except it is a telephoto.<br>

    ISCO-Göttingen Westrogon 24mm f/4 is a good (for that time) super wide-angle, made by Schneider's lesser brand. There was no equivalent in Schneider line-up. It's a capable performer even by today's standards.<br>

    Can you post pictures of the cameras and lenses. I'm sure board members will be able to give you even more detailed descriptions with some visual information.</p>

    <p>Best regards,</p>

    <p>Miha</p>

    <p> </p>

    Zeiss lenses for Exakta?

    in Classic Manual Film Cameras

    Posted

    <p>Flektogon 2,8/35 is indeed a fine piece of optical equipment. When compared with more modern lenses, it's main drawback is its slow speed (f/2.8).<br>

    The close focusing function can be quite handy. There's an interesting aperture correction mechanism (when focusing closer and closer, aperture ring moves if set wide open - it display actual aperture, not the one at infinity) that is shared with some other CZJ lenses. Please keep in mind there is a noticeable barrel distortion at those settings, at normal distances the lens is good enough to shoot architecture.<br>

    Compared to other CZJ lenses of same vintage, it flares quite easily (at least my samples - they are without and scratches and clean). The 49 mm filter thread that was probably used for commonality with other CZJ lenses is too narrow. You should either use a step up ring or narrow filters.</p>

    <p>There are some 4-digits CZJ serial number CZJ lenses. They are from the last production batches ever made.</p>

    <p>Best regards,</p>

    <p>Miha</p>

    Exakta VX IIa: which is the better lens, in theory?

    in Classic Manual Film Cameras

    Posted

    <p>Karl,</p>

    <p>In my experience with two copies of both lenses Biotar 2/58 has a much higher central sharpness and somehow worse corner sharpens (it's probably curvature of the field issue, never bothered me enough to do quantitative tests), while Xenon 1,9/50 has a higher contrast. Colour rendering is also quite different. I love bokeh of the Biotar, less so the one of Xenon. Of course, there is a non-negligent difference in focal length.<br>

    The tiny but still hefty Biotar 2/5,8 cm in Exakta mount (chrome over brass, 1946 vintage) is the lens I actually use. On a Canon EOS 1.6X crop digital body. It's the loveliest portrait lens I've ever met.</p>

    <p>Best regards,</p>

    <p>Miha</p>

    Carl Zeiss...then and now

    in Classic Manual Film Cameras

    Posted

    I've got some experience using Exakta mount lenses (CZJ, Meyer, Steinheil) on Canon DSLR (1.6x crop) bodies.

    Honestly, image quality is stunning, way better than current Canon's consumer and prosumer lineup, haven't done

    any tests vs. top-of-the-line L glass (a test was done at a certified Canon repair facility that actually still

    does repairs on my Exakta gear, they've compared my CZJ Biotar 1,5/7,5 cm being CLAed by them versus Canon EF

    85mm/1.2 L; at optimum aperture Biotar was allegedly just a bit sharper, way softer wide open though). Using

    Exakta lenses with an adapter on Canon EOS is really awkward even for an experienced Exakta user, I really

    wouldn't recommend for casual shooting, but it can be fun and worth the effort from time to time.

    <BR>

    <BR>

    Here's a recent sample and a 100% crop::

    <BR>

    <img src=http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/7824874-lg.jpg>

    <BR>

    <BR>

    <img src=http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/7824877-lg.jpg>

    <BR>

    <BR>

    <BR>

     

     

    Best regards,<BR>

    <BR>

     

     

    Miha

    "Carl Zeiss Jena" vs. "ausJena"

    in Classic Manual Film Cameras

    Posted

    Pancolar 2/50 (also sold as Flexon) is a 6 elements in 4 groups double gauss construction. Pancolar 1,8/50 is on the other hand 6 elements in 5 groups. Still a double gauss, though.

    The difference doesn't have anything with Exakta bayonet diameter, the 1,8/50 is simply a newer design. After all, it was available in Exakta RTL mount (same diameter, built-in diaphragm control)

     

    Best regards,

     

    Miha

    Exakta focusing screen

    in Classic Manual Film Cameras

    Posted

    Thank you for your answers!

     

    Long lenses with Exakta are indeed royal pain in the a$$. Nevertheless, I've mastered CZJ Sonnar 4/300 and can produce stunning looking 30X45 cm (12x16") prints with it. Enna 5,6/600 is a very different beast. Can't focus it with standard focusing screens, the ground glass' grain seems to be incompatible with the lens. Same goes with microprisms (a different angle of the prisms would be needed, i guess). It's not just the lens speed. I have no problems whatsoever using microprism screen with Sonnars 4/135 and 2,8/180 stopped down to 5,6. On the other hand, also can't focus well with microprism screen and Biotar 1,5/75 (ground glass works well here).

    Greased ground glass allows me to compose and focus with the Enna, but focusing accuracy suffers. A split image screen may work with some luck and careful eye placement, but as I've already said, I have a pretty bad experience with one. The other option IMHO would be a clear spot & crosshair screen. It should be painfully slow and highly demanding for eyes, but theoretically it should work. I guess i should go back to eFly shopping for some focusing screens. ;-) I'll keep you informed on my findings.

     

    Best regards,

     

    Miha

     

    PS: black upper part of the viewfinder image when using long lenses with Exakta is caused by (too) small mirror.

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