Contarex lens advice

[rajmohan-fotograf]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post in mflenses, although I have been reading many very informative posts and discussions over the past couple of years!
I recently bought a Zeiss Ikon Contarex (original, Bullseye) which is on its way to me. I like the cameras from the 50s - the look, feel and engineering (some might say over-engineering!), and can't wait to use it! Among my other cameras, I have a Voigtlaender Vitessa T, Leica IIIf, Exakta Varex and Contax IIa, so the quirks (some might say pains!) in using these lovely machines don't worry me.

Before I can use the latest beauty, I need to buy a lens for it. I've done some research and I'm on a relatively tight budget. It looks like many people speak highly of the Planar 50/2. But the cheaper lenses are the Sonnar 135/4, Tessar 50/2.8 and Distagon 35/4. I'd be very grateful for your opinions on these (and any other) lenses with which you have experience. Also, apart from eBay, which can be a bit of a lottery, would you recommend more reliable sources for such old items?

Thank you very much,
Raj

[scsambrook]

Hi there Raj ! Welcome aboard !

Having owned and used a Contarex in the pre-digital era, I can assure you that there are no 'poor' Contarex lenses. Provided you buy lenses in good condition, you will be delighted with the results on either film or digital media. But, remember that these are all lenses from the 1950s to the early 1970s and despite some of the hyperbole you'll see on the internet they are not necessarily any better than some other, later, designs. However, the 50/2 Planar, the 35/4 Distagon and the 135/4 Sonnar are all pretty much hard to beat.

If you want to read a contemporary in-depth review of the lenses, the British Journal of Photography did a detailed examination of the Contarex system when the final 'electronic' models came on the market. I can let you have the details if you want them.

Buying these things privately on eBay is - as you recognise - always a gamble. In the UK, I know there are dealers who specialise in theses 'exotics' and will tell you clearly and honestly just what you are buying. Whereabouts in the world are you?

From your post, it appears you may have bought a body with the intent of using it with film - excellent !

[rajmohan-fotograf]

Hi Stephen,
Thank you very much for your reply - sorry for my delayed response.
If you could send me the info from the British Journal of Photography, I'd be very grateful!
I took the plunge on the 35 and 85, in addition to the 50 and 135 (having loved the handling of the latter two). I've put a couple of rolls through the C-Rex with the 50 and 135, and am eagerly waiting for the results. I've also got an adapter for the C-Rex lenses for my Sony, so I can see how they perform with a digital sensor (using old MF lenses on digital bodies is my preferred way to shoot digital).
Thanks agin for your comments.
All the best,
Raj

[scsambrook]

Well done! When you get the other two lenses and have taken some photos on the Sony, please do let us see them on here. Happy snapping

[rajmohan-fotograf]

Thank you, Stephen - I will.

You mentioned the info from the British Journal of Photography on Contarex - any chance you have details of this?

Raj

[scsambrook]

Raj - I sent you a PM.