Contax PC Distagon

[fuwen]

This lens was bought with a story



Was actually looking for a Schneider 28/2.8 PC lens. I thought for architecture photography the wider the angle the better for coverage. However, after talking to many experts, it seems the Schneider 28 PC is too old a design for digital photography. A safer bet will be the Contax 35/2.8 PC Distagon, which by Zeiss standard has much higher resolution for modern digital sensors and a 60mm coverage for a high quality 10mm shift. I happened to bump into a local seller selling one which would save me some money, and was about the same budget as a Schneider 28 PC.

The PC Distagon I bought comes with a set of Contax 86mm filter, Contax 70/86 adpator ring and Contax metal hood 1. The previous owner of the lens who sold the lens to this seller that I bought the lens from, took out the front filter secure ring, and secured the filter glass with the metal hood 1. The filter/hood is attached to the lens with the 70/86 adaptor.

http://www.fuwen.net/index.php/home/my-digitals/35-2-8-pc-distagon-t/155-35-2-8-pc-distagon-t

 

[fuwen]

Lens in normal position

Lens in maximum 10mm shift position

 

[fuwen]

Rear of PC Distagon, showing design allows shifting of rear lens element.

 

[fuwen]

It is very lucky for me that the seller who I bought the lens from, is a professional architecture photographer! He explained to me that although wide angle and super wide angle are good for coverage, many of his clients prefered the more natural redering of the 35mm focal length. For me as I get older now adays I tend to shoot very wide (18mm) and very long (600mm). This lens will finally bring me down to earth back to the basic fundamental of natural perspective. I attached below two photos taken by the PC Distagon, and one taken by Zeiss ZF 15/2.8 Distagon for comparison.

Admiralty House, A7R2, f8, 1/250, ISO 100.

Admiralty House, A7R2, f8, 1/250, ISO 100.

Admiralty House, A7R2, f8, 1/250, ZF 15/2.8 Distagon T*, ISO 100.

 

[fuwen]

The PC Distagon is of very high resolution. See the photo below and the cropped of the area centre and below.

Shop house at Tanglin Halt, A7R2, f8, 1/50, ISO 100.

 

[fuwen]

Sembawang Park, A7R2, f8, 1/100, ISO 100.

 

[fuwen]

Kampong Glam, A7R, f8 1/60, ISO 100.

 

[fuwen]

Photos of the PC Distagon were taken by A7R with Milvus 50/2 Makro Planar T*, f11 1/15, ISO 800.

 

[ricohflex]

Howdy, Fuwen

Bought this Zeiss 35mm Perspective Correction lens a long time ago . Checked my records. I bought it on 15 Feb 1992. Used for a while and traded it in for something else.
Just wanted to try it out. It was probably launched in 1988.

 

[overworked]

Congrats. This is a very high resolution lens and worth every penny u spent. The colour saturation out of camera is fantastic, at least on my copies.
Enjoy.