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Contax C/Y 28mm F2 Mirror problems with 5dMKII
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 1:02 pm    Post subject: Contax C/Y 28mm F2 Mirror problems with 5dMKII Reply with quote
Hi people!

I've got this lens, and I've got the common problem of hiting the mirror of my 5d MKII when I focus between 2m and infinity. I'm working with a Happypage adapter, have anyone tryed with another thiker adapter without mirror problems?... have anyone filled down the rear element of this lens with success?... I'm looking for information about that, but I can't find anythig, only people that shaves the mirror of the camera, but I don't like that solution a lot...

Many thanks!!

Last edited by Ruifer on Fri Sep 17, 2010 1:23 pm; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 1:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I wouldn't recommend a thicker adapter as you will lose infinity focus, and on a wide prime on a full frame body... Surprised

HappyPageHK's adapters are usually spot on thickness wise. Hopefully someone here can help you modify the lens in a way that's reversable.


PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 1:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
There is no permanent solution for the 5D other than shaving the mirror.
With a 5DMkII you could shoot in Liveview mode with the following procedure:

1- focus lens to closeup
2- turn on liveview
3- focus to infinity and shoot
4- focus lens to closeup
5- turn off liveview

Using a thicker adapter may let you clear the mirror but for sure you would lose infinity. So it's the same type of solution as putting your leg in plaster when you have your shinbone broken and you need to run.


PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 1:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hehe, yeah Orio, that's the way Im doing it right now, but obviously it's a bit unconfortable... and I hate to use the screen to take pics! hehe. I know about losing infinity with a thicker adapter yes :-/

Mainly I would like to know if somebody has modified the rear elements of this lens with succes, cause it seems that the rear glas is almost at the same level than the metal parts on it, so I don't know if filing down the metal it will hit the glass directly... Exclamation

Thanks guys!


PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 1:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Ruifer wrote:

Mainly I would like to know if somebody has modified the rear elements of this lens with succes, cause it seems that the rear glas is almost at the same level than the metal parts on it, so I don't know if filing down the metal it will hit the glass directly... Exclamation
Thanks guys!


Why messing with such an historical lens?
Please don't.
This and the other Distagons of the time (1.4/35 and 3.5/15) are Dr.Glatzel's legacy to the world. We have the moral duty to preserve them. We are not speaking of a mass produced 30$ value 50mm lens. There are not so many Hollywoods around and if we start messing with them, there will be even less.

If shooting directly is high priority for you and you don't want to shave the mirror (which morally is the best solution, as it's a mass product replacing which costs about 300 Eur, and contrary of the Hollywood, the 5D Mark II will be worth about nothing in 10 years from now anyway), then please sell the lens to a good person and buy the ZE or ZF version.


PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 2:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Orio wrote:

Why messing with such an historical lens?
Please don't.
This and the other Distagons of the time (1.4/35 and 3.5/15) are Dr.Glatzel's legacy to the world. We have the moral duty to preserve them. We are not speaking of a mass produced 30$ value 50mm lens. There are not so many Hollywoods around and if we start messing with them, there will be even less.


I'd rather see more good pictures taken with this lens than have the peace of mind that the lens isn't modified to make it usable on a 5D... Lenses are made to be used, not to be museum pieces!


PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 3:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
AhamB wrote:
Orio wrote:

Why messing with such an historical lens?
Please don't.
This and the other Distagons of the time (1.4/35 and 3.5/15) are Dr.Glatzel's legacy to the world. We have the moral duty to preserve them. We are not speaking of a mass produced 30$ value 50mm lens. There are not so many Hollywoods around and if we start messing with them, there will be even less.


I'd rather see more good pictures taken with this lens than have the peace of mind that the lens isn't modified to make it usable on a 5D... Lenses are made to be used, not to be museum pieces!


This argument raises so many times that it's becoming annoying.
Yes, the old lenses are made to be used. Which does not mean abused.
One thing is a $10 Helios-44 that has been made in dozen of thousands of copies.
Another thing is the Distagon Hollywood, which is a piece of the history of lens making, has been made and sold in a limited number of copies (a few thousands only), and deserves to be treated with respect.
Or would you cut a part of Raffaello's Madonna del Cardellino just to make it fit a standard sized mall picture frame because hey, that painting deserved to be seen?
If you read again, I did not say that he should lock his lens in the museum. I said "sell it to a good person" meaning someone which will use it properly, and buy a Z Distagon 2/28, which is not a piece of trash, but the modern-day rielaboration of the Glatzel lens, is on par optical quality wise, and can be mounted and used on this 5DII without the need for defacing it.
If you people don't understand the historical value of certain lenses, and why should we respect them, and preserve them, I wonder why you are here at all.
Sorry for the rant, but I have had really enough of people wanting to deface beautiful masterpieces of photographic craft, like if there wasn't enough of other great lenses around to be used without creating damage.


PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 3:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Orio wrote:
If you people don't understand the historical value of certain lenses, and why should we respect them, and preserve them, I wonder why you are here at all.
Sorry for the rant, but I have had really enough of people wanting to deface beautiful masterpieces of photographic craft, like if there wasn't enough of other great lenses around to be used without creating damage.


We're talking about shaving a bit off a rear element retainer, hardly a "defacing" imo... I'd prefer not having to modify such a lens because I do appreciate their mechanical beauty too, but if I had the 28/2 and if I was sure I could make it usable on my 5D I wouldn't hesitate to do so. The Z* is significantly more expensive (almost two times in some cases).


PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 3:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
AhamB wrote:

We're talking about shaving a bit off a rear element retainer, hardly a "defacing" imo... I'd prefer not having to modify such a lens because I do appreciate their mechanical beauty too, but if I had the 28/2 and if I was sure I could make it usable on my 5D I wouldn't hesitate to do so. The Z* is significantly more expensive (almost two times in some cases).


And a replacement 5D mirror is significantly less expensive than a Contax Distagon 2/28.
So you don't even have the financial argument to support your choice.


PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 6:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Orio, are you telling that I'm a "bad person"?... Wink

You both are right. First of all, I'm the FIRST person who dislikes to modify such a lens, but at the same time I want to use it without problems. The mirror replacement is a good idea, but thinking about costs, it would be (plus the lens cost) almost the same cost of a new zeiss 28/2, wich is not far away form the old one rendition, so... I really don't know.

Orio, I know what I buy and I'm not rich, this investment doesn't was a whim. I've got Contax 35/1.4, 50/1.4, 85/1.4, 135/2.8, 28/2.8... and now 28/2. It's posible that I'm not going to modify the hollywood, cause if I need take pics faster I can use the 28/2.8 anyway.

I'm just asking to think about the options I've got. I'm sure about one thing: this lens is for me. I'm not thinking about selling it, and if at the end I modify this lens it gonna be just for me, and it will be the same holly distagon as allways, and for me, not for the humanity.

Anyway, I don't like the idea of modifying such a lens at all, I don't like it AT ALL.


PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 6:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
And, probably we are talking for nothing in here, cause I repeat: it seems that the rear glas is almost at the same level than the metal parts on it, so I don't know if filing down the metal it will hit the glass directly.


... shit Orio... you've made me feel a bad person for a moment... but just for a moment Razz


PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 7:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
And relax.......


PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 7:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Ruifer wrote:
Orio, are you telling that I'm a "bad person"?... Wink


Of course not! I just wanted to say that you should try to sell it to someone who is aware of the value (not just financial) of the lens and ready to take care of it.

Quote:
The mirror replacement is a good idea, but thinking about costs, it would be (plus the lens cost) almost the same cost of a new zeiss 28/2, wich is not far away form the old one rendition, so... I really don't know.


The mirror shaving is something that will fix this and ALL other mirror-problematic lenses that you might get in the future.
This is also something to think about.
And, you can revert to a new mirror any time you want, with a reasonable expense.
On the other hand, once you have filed metal off the Hollywood, you will never be able to set it back the way it was.
And, the lens will lose value on the used market as well.

Quote:
I'm just asking to think about the options I've got. I'm sure about one thing: this lens is for me. I'm not thinking about selling it, and if at the end I modify this lens it gonna be just for me, and it will be the same holly distagon as allways, and for me, not for the humanity.


We don't own anything in this world. We are only borrowing the things. As the famous Italian bike runner Gino Bartali once said: "the last suit that a man wears is without pockets".
So you will not be the end story of your Hollywood (unless you destroy it). Someone else will have it in the future. And as you will be ideally handling it to him/her, and to the future, as a testimony of the top lelel of the optical craftamnship of the 20th century, you should feel the responsibility of doing what you can to preserve your copy. Everyone should do the same with their copies.

Quote:
Anyway, I don't like the idea of modifying such a lens at all, I don't like it AT ALL.


Good. This is a good starting point. Very Happy


PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 7:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Of course!, it was always my starting point man. I was just asking!.

Have you read the lenses I've got?... If you have, it got to be easy for you to understand that I'm not watching the holly just from a financial point of view and how much I appreciate those lenses. But obviously, I must to be practical at the same time and try to get the best from this wonderful piece of glass... before I pass away Wink


PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 7:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
To everyone his role and his mission then Wink
Mine is trying to salvage as many precious lenses as I can. Smile


PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 8:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
You know what?, I've just put all the Canon history in my right hand and all the Contax/Zeiss in my left hand.... and I almost fall down to the left.

Fuck the 5D mirror! (at the end of the warranty time). Tonite we all gonna sleep nice, and God is not going to kill another kitty Wink


PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 8:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Wise words Very Happy
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