Experience with Contax G adapters for Nex 5N

[digimax]

Hi,

All my lenses with different adapters focus beyond infinity, even the metabones. It is normal.

Even adapters from the same manufacturer has different tolerances. I've contacted Metabones and they told me about this because my older adapter cannot focus to infinity with my Biogon 28mm. However, according to them, their adapters are designed to work with G lenses in such a way that they focus a little beyond infinity.

A side effect for my old adapter is that it reduces the minimum working distance to an amazing 16-19cm!

[elixir]

To enhance the experience using G lenses with the Nex 5N, I strongly recommend getting the EVF. It is definitely a good addition to the camera. I'm getting short-sighted and the evf even allows for diopter adjustment.

The main benefits for me includes:

1. Better/ steadier hand-holding position when using the evf (like a DSLR), resulting in less camera shake, thus sharper pictures.

2. Precise manual focusing (together with focus peaking) is possible now. I am using the Nex 5N with my Contax G lenses, and precise manual focus is possible and easy now. U can magnify any spot for precise focus in the EVF.

3. The EVF offers a wealth of shooting info during shoot, eg iso, exp compensation and etc.

4. Good viewing even in bright situations. Using the LCD screen in such situation is such a pain.

5. Diopter adjustment!

[nsalman]

Hi, anybody using the 28mm with the nex 7?

[digimax]

Hi, anybody using the 28mm with the nex 7?

It has been frequently reported that there will be colour shift at the corners for this combination.

[elixir]

I have a friend who has the nex 7 and he tried my g28, and yes, there is purple fringing. It's really a shame, as G28 is really a very fine lens. Using the metabones adapter, you can do macro w the g28. And the focal length is very usable. Neither too wide nor narrow, and is perfect if you would like to go light and have a one lens setup.

[elixir]

Would also like to share information about the G35 on Nex 7. My friend who had wanted to get a 35mm did a comparison among the various 35mm lens. The candidates were G35, ZM 35 F2, CV 35mm F1.4 , CV 35mm F1,2 ii.

These are just our quick observations. It applies to Nex 7 only.

1. ZM 35 F2. There is purple fringing so it's out of his selection. Must be the Biogon design.

2. CV 35 F1.4 . Contrast is lower. It is easier to focus with Zeiss lens in magnified view, as the focus peaking dots are more obvious with zeiss lens. Lens is generally not as sharp wide open.

3. CV 35 F1.2 ii. Contrast is lower and sharpness not quite there wide open. Nice bokeh though. Granted that it is a F1.2 lens, and sharpness and contrast becomes better at F2, but then Bokeh not as dreamy at f2. This is a hefty lens and on the nex 7, it is front heavy and balance on camera is not good. My friend passes on this as he can't imagine lugging out the setup.

4. G35. No purple fringing! This is a planar design and differs from the Biogon. If you look at the rear elements, it is like the G45 and does not protrude out. For almost the entire frame, picture is sharp wide open. Well, as well discussed in the forums, the 4 extreme corners are slightly softer.

To my friend, as extreme corner sharpness is not a factor in his consideration, he hunted for a mint copy in eBay. He is a happy man now.

I apologise for the brief observation as we did not go deep enough as to evaluate the various factors in each of the lens, but to eliminate the choices based on our quick judgements. To some people, the use of an adapter focus ring may turn them off immediately. Other considerations would be a lack of distance scale, and the mismatching of lens color to the black body. One plus I can think of using the G35 with metabones is that it can focus much closer than m mount lens. Well I know that there are helicoids adapters out there for m mount lens but their built are questionable.

If money is no object, I'm sure that 35mm FLE is a good candidate. I had it briefly and really marvel at its quality. Wide open its sharp and i could hardly notice a difference stopping down. But could not justify its price and sold it to a friend overseas where supply was scarce. However, I have not tried it in nex 7 though and cannot verify if there's purple fringing.

[metranquility]

Wow, what a post ... The 35mm f2 contax g planar is quite ex on eBay though compared to the sharper 45mm, but I think on the Nex, it's easier to work with, considering the 1.5 crop factor.. Thanks for the sharing, really appreciate it

[elixir]

Yes. It has become the accidental hero. It did not sell as well as the other G lenses, and its scarcity has pushed its price above the rest of the G lenses. 35mm is a very useful focal length for the cropped sensor and this lens is almost like a pancake. Smaller than the G45, which makes it more handsome and handling is sweet.

[nsalman]

Thank you for the reply. I did not know about the purple fringing when using the 28mm with 7 and only brought that lens for a Sarawak holiday trip. Sad to say, most of the shots had to be cropped.

[ezekiel]

I am that friend... Lucky enough to know Elixir to try out his private arsenal of 20+ (30+ by now? ) legacy lenses.

Was so impressed by the G35 i ended up getting it from eBay at a hefty premium and loving it... Wish it was black like my g45 and g90 though.

Thanks for the recommendation and lens testing from ur private collection Guru Elixir Heheh.

Would also like to share information about the G35 on Nex 7. My friend who had wanted to get a 35mm did a comparison among the various 35mm lens. The candidates were G35, ZM 35 F2, CV 35mm F1.4 , CV 35mm F1,2 ii.

These are just our quick observations. It applies to Nex 7 only.

1. ZM 35 F2. There is purple fringing so it's out of his selection. Must be the Biogon design.

2. CV 35 F1.4 . Contrast is lower. It is easier to focus with Zeiss lens in magnified view, as the focus peaking dots are more obvious with zeiss lens. Lens is generally not as sharp wide open.

3. CV 35 F1.2 ii. Contrast is lower and sharpness not quite there wide open. Nice bokeh though. Granted that it is a F1.2 lens, and sharpness and contrast becomes better at F2, but then Bokeh not as dreamy at f2. This is a hefty lens and on the nex 7, it is front heavy and balance on camera is not good. My friend passes on this as he can't imagine lugging out the setup.

4. G35. No purple fringing! This is a planar design and differs from the Biogon. If you look at the rear elements, it is like the G45 and does not protrude out. For almost the entire frame, picture is sharp wide open. Well, as well discussed in the forums, the 4 extreme corners are slightly softer.

To my friend, as extreme corner sharpness is not a factor in his consideration, he hunted for a mint copy in eBay. He is a happy man now.

I apologise for the brief observation as we did not go deep enough as to evaluate the various factors in each of the lens, but to eliminate the choices based on our quick judgements. To some people, the use of an adapter focus ring may turn them off immediately. Other considerations would be a lack of distance scale, and the mismatching of lens color to the black body. One plus I can think of using the G35 with metabones is that it can focus much closer than m mount lens. Well I know that there are helicoids adapters out there for m mount lens but their built are questionable.

If money is no object, I'm sure that 35mm FLE is a good candidate. I had it briefly and really marvel at its quality. Wide open its sharp and i could hardly notice a difference stopping down. But could not justify its price and sold it to a friend overseas where supply was scarce. However, I have not tried it in nex 7 though and cannot verify if there's purple fringing.

[digimax]

I believe when the G Zeiss lenses were compared, they were benchmarked on the G1/G2 and often put against M system. The G35 is said to have weaker corners, but because of the crop factor on NEX, they are negligible or avoided altogether. To me, the magic is with its out of focus rendition.

When it comes to discussion on lens performance, some people compare the lenses directly using Contax's MTF charts. You might realize though, that the MTF and len diagram are very similar to the well-favoured Leica Summicron-M 35mm Pre-ASPH.

[egegegeg]

guys, I recently got the 45mm G lens, really need some advice on a good place to get a metabones adapter for NEX. Thanks

[elixir]

I got it from eBay. Think that will be the best place.

[egegegeg]

there's also this shogun adapter, looks very similar to metabones, I wonder what's the difference

[Errz]

just bought 2 Contax lens. G45 & G90. wow.. they r real sharp wide open.

the metabones is really a pain to put in and take out.

[metranquility]

Oh but the metabones is a lovely adapter to use. Wait till you try those cheapo china $50 adapters.. Stiff and a pain to use.

But yeah, understand your problem. Without two adapters, it's difficult to switch btw the two lenses.

[Errz]

Oh but the metabones is a lovely adapter to use. Wait till you try those cheapo china $50 adapters.. Stiff and a pain to use.

But yeah, understand your problem. Without two adapters, it's difficult to switch btw the two lenses.

i have 2 adatpers lol. i think its better to have one for each lens.

[metranquility]

Wah $$$$ .... You good la...

[elixir]

Now that u have experienced their magic, u should also try the G28 (for Nex5N) and G35. G28 is particularly nice if u use with the metabones, since MFD is even shoter. I find it a good one lens setup if u dun want to bring so many lenses out.

[Errz]

Now that u have experienced their magic, u should also try the G28 (for Nex5N) and G35. G28 is particularly nice if u use with the metabones, since MFD is even shoter. I find it a good one lens setup if u dun want to bring so many lenses out.

hehe. wait i got more of the other magic ($$) first. spend too much already

i have the CV 35mm F1.2 II . just need a lens around 35mm equivalent on crop

am using Nex-7