Welcome to the Zeiss User Forums!

[Amin Sabet]

This is a place for those of us who enjoy and/or are interested in Zeiss cameras and lenses to exchange thoughts, techniques, and photographs. Although this site is focused on Zeiss gear, it should go without saying that photos taken with non-Zeiss gear are also welcome throughout the forums.

Members are welcome to create albums (http://ziforums.com/album.php?u=1), create/join groups (http://ziforums.com/group.php), post reviews (http://ziforums.com/reviews/), and start blogs (http://ziforums.com/blog.php) here in addition to participating in the various forums.

[Let Biogons Be Biogons]

Looks good, Amin. Good luck with it

[Amin Sabet]

Thanks LBBB!

[naaldvoerder]

Whow, finally.... I'm a Contax film-camera user. I own 3 body's and 7 wunderfull Zeiss lenses in C/Y mount. I hope it's ok for me to stick around?

Jaap Jan

[Amin Sabet]

Hi Jaap Jan,

Of course you are most welcome here! Looking forward to seeing some of your work with this great gear.

[Brian]

I've got several west-german Carl Zeiss Opton lenses, and Carl Zeiss lenses after the "Opton" was dropped in the signature. My lenses are Contax mount, for the Contax IIIa.

Which forum is the best to post these on? The CZJ forum is independant of Mount. Maybe the "Contax" forum? That one includes several mounts, through to "G". Just a thought.

[Amin Sabet]

Hi Brian,

I agree that the Contax forum under RF photography may be the best place for threads specific to these lenses, but really you can post these anywhere you see fit. In time, I suspect we'll see threads about them in both of those forums and perhaps others as well. I hope that all these subforums don't have a restrictive effect. If in doubt, you can always post in the 'Open Discussion' forum :).

On a related note, I wasn't sure exactly how to organize the forums. It seemed to me that either there needs to be some redundancy, as you have found, or a risk excluding certain groups of Zeiss users. I chose redundancy. For example, a CZJ lens for medium format could go in the CZJ forum or the medium format lenses forum.

I'm open to suggestions for how re-organize the forums to be less redundant without excluding anyone. Otherwise, everyone just post wherever you think is best!

[Brian]

I'm going to suggest that the "Classic Contax" might get its own forum. It is a very different camera from the modern namesake. I don't want to get anyones hope up that a 1931 Tessar for the Contax will fit a "G" series camera.

I see some avid "Classic Contax" users in the group. I've just added a Contax II, now at Eddy Smolov for a CLA. Might even see some postings on Kiev's, Jupiters, and even Nikon RF lenses in Contax mount.

[Amin Sabet]

Brian, I'm sending you a PM for clarification.

[Brian]

Sent a reply.

William and I will have to make it a mission to get you set up with a Contax II.

[Amin Sabet]

Sounds like fun! I pm'd you one more forum splitting question.

[Tom A]

Of course there will be "cross overs" occuring. I tend to use Contax lenses on my Nikon Rf's (21f4.5, 28f8.0, 35f2.8, 50f1.5) and also Nikkor lenses on my Contax IIa (when they fit). Would these be acceptable too?
Tom

[Amin Sabet]

Of course there will be "cross overs" occuring. I tend to use Contax lenses on my Nikon Rf's (21f4.5, 28f8.0, 35f2.8, 50f1.5) and also Nikkor lenses on my Contax IIa (when they fit). Would these be acceptable too?
Tom

Hi Tom,

Any cameras and lenses are welcome for discussion wherever seems sensible. Another example would be Ikon or Bessa users discussing or posting photos from Leica lenses in the ZM/VC forum. I don't think there's any reason to be restrictive about it.

I'm open to any suggestions about creating, splitting, moving, or merging forums, but for now I was thinking there was pretty good coverage.

[Brian]

I've been using converted Classic Contax lenses on my Bessa R2 and Canon P's. I've also shimmed a Nikon S2 for Contax mount, and shimmed a 50mm F1.5 CZO Sonnar for the Nikons.

[r.reeder]

Hi. Rich Reeder here. I'm looking forward to lurking & finding out more about ZI. I've got an Ikoflex TLR, model IIA (early version). It seems to be a soild camera. I also use Ciroflex, but the Ikoflex just seems to be a tad more solid. (I'm assuming that the Ikoflex cameras come under the pervue of this group. (?)) Anyway, thanks.

[Amin Sabet]

Hi Rich, welcome to the forums! Yes, the Ikoflex falls within our scope, but I'd be interested to see photos taken with your Ciroflex as well!

[Tom A]

Just a wish for the best of the season to everybody and in particular to Amin for going to the trouble of setting up this forum.
Merry Christmas
Tom

[Amin Sabet]

Thanks Tom!

Merry Christmas everyone, and best wishes for the holiday season!

[back alley]

Just a wish for the best of the season to everybody and in particular to Amin for going to the trouble of setting up this forum.
Merry Christmas
Tom

hear! hear!

great site and lots of good folks here too.

and my thanks also amin.

joe

[raid]

Hello All,
I am happy to see a website dedicated to anyZeiss lens. I have several Zeiss lenses for the 35mm system with the Rollei QMB mount, in addition to the Rolleiflex TLR cameras with Zeiss lenses and RF lenses made by Zeiss [and Zeiss Jena].

Thank you, Amin.

Raid Amin

[Amin Sabet]

Hi and welcome, Raid!

[raid]

Thank you, Amin. A separate Zeiss site is always welcome. Postings will be more focused.

[johan1967]

Nice to have a dedicated forum for Zeiss (and Voigtlander as I understand). I own 3 Zeiss-lenses for my Nikon-camera, but I noticed that on some Nikon-forums it is not always appreciated when I start talking about these lenses. So this forum is an outcome.

I hope this forum will be very successful. Thanks for setting this up.

[Brian]

Well, you can talk about Zeiss lenses on Nikon cameras here!

I know what you mean about some other forums not appreciating it. I've used Zeiss lenses on my Nikon RF's for years. Even modified a Nikon S2 to focus with the Zeiss-Opton Sonnar 50mm F1.5 wide-open and close-up.

[Amin Sabet]

Nice to have a dedicated forum for Zeiss (and Voigtlander as I understand). I own 3 Zeiss-lenses for my Nikon-camera, but I noticed that on some Nikon-forums it is not always appreciated when I start talking about these lenses. So this forum is an outcome.

I hope this forum will be very successful. Thanks for setting this up.

Thanks Johan. I had a similar experience before starting these forums.

Well, you can talk about Zeiss lenses on Nikon cameras here!

Or Nikon lenses on Zeiss cameras for that matter ;).

[outfitter]

Great new fprum. My father thought the sun rose and set on Zeiss Ikon so I my interest in all things Zeiss goes back quite a way. If my signature photo ever shows up that's me on my father's shoulders circa 1948 holding my first camera an early Zeiss Ikomat 520 in 4x6 - still use it occasionally.

[Brian]

Welcome to the forum, great Avatar with you on your Father's Shoulders!

[Amin Sabet]

Best avatar yet :).

[tenderobject]

hi guys! this would be my first post.. zeiss ikon fan from manila, philippines.. i love zeiss folders and contax (although i'm using copies right now :( ) trying to find luck with contax IIa..

what made me interested with zeiss is the history and to the point that my first RF camera is a contax copy (kiev 4).. later on i've decided to search more info about zeiss ikon.. got tons everywhere.. after GAS attacked. i bought some classic ZI from super ikonta B, (which i always use for MF shooting) Zeiss Nettar and those cute little 35mm scale focus cameras like contina and contessa for collection (i might use them sometime).

i'm trying my luck for a good working condition super ikonta C or anything RF coupled folders and especially the cute contax IIa RF but unfortunately i can't find a good deal :( hopefully soon... hopefully here. :)

thanks guys! lastly, since i'm a zeiss fan or addict. i have my boy named to DZ (darvish Zeiss) lol... too bad for a dad :P

[s.west]

Hello All,

I am new here as well. I don't own a single Zeiss camera, but have a Tessar lens in my webcam! Seriously, I really enjoy the knowledge here and especially the lens "hacking" threads. I hope to learn a lot. I have a Dremel and I am not afraid to use it.:D

[Brian]

My dremel has never been used for anything but lens hacking.

But the Hand Drill with a triple-0 bit gets much more use.

[xzamagni]

Hallo, nice to have found a forum like this one.
I'm a new member and a Leica user (film only).
I have a nice f1,5 Sonnar for Contax, that I miss when I'm using the Summicron...
I'm reading with much interest the archive, specially about conversions!
Regards,
Claudi

[Brian]

Welcome to the forum! The wartime and prewar Sonnars, those with Sn below 3Million, are easy to convert to Leica Thread Mount. If you wish to do this, and need some tips- feel free to post here!

[xzamagni]

Welcome to the forum! The wartime and prewar Sonnars, those with Sn below 3Million, are easy to convert to Leica Thread Mount. If you wish to do this, and need some tips- feel free to post here!


Thank you Brian!

[xzamagni]

Brian, I'm starting! I have a prewar Sonnar to convert, and have just bought a Jupiter-3 on ebay. It should take some 2 or 3 weeks to receive the Jupiter.

In the meanwhile, can you please show me special threads on such conversion? Thank you.

Claudio

[Brian]

Start with this one:

http://ziforums.com/showthread.php?t=93

Also: check the Sonnar for haze on inner surfaces. I usually find some on each side of the aperture mechanism. If the Lens is a "T" coated lens, there are some hidden set screws.

See this thread for hints on taking the rear module out.

http://ziforums.com/showthread.php?t=120

If you start a thread in the Repair Section and can post some pictures of yours, we can do a step-by-step for the conversion.

I'll be checking back in tomorrow. What is the approximate SN of the lens? That helps with some of the specifics on its construction.

[xzamagni]

What is the approximate SN of the lens?

It's 1 million and something; I'm away from home for at least 7 days, and I can't be more precise. I will follow your threads this evening. Thanks.

[Brian]

Anything below 3Million will convert using a J-3 mount. The "T" coated lenses have the hidden set screws.

Yours is going to be easy. My best Converted Sonnar right now is 1.75million.

[naruto]

hi folks. I see a lot of familiar faces here. :)

I registered a while back, but never got around posting in the Welcome thread. I have a single Zeiss lens, a CZJ 50/1.5 LTM, one of Brian's J-3 conversions. Otherwise, I am huge Sonnar optic nut. I also love vintage lenses and their unique signatures.

[Brian]

Hello there!

I've been known to post some images taken with non-Zeiss optics...

Post some with the Zeiss, and whatever else you have! Hmmm. Some pictures with YOUR Zeiss are already posted here...

[naruto]

Hello there!

I've been known to post some images taken with non-Zeiss optics...

Post some with the Zeiss, and whatever else you have! Hmmm. Some pictures with YOUR Zeiss are already posted here...

Done Brian. :)

I just remembered, 4~5 years ago when I had a Canon EOS SLR, I used a Zeiss Jena 50/1.4 with it. It was the best photos I ever got from that system. The only other lens I had was the kit lens. :P

[Peter_S]

Hi,

I am also new. I am fairly new to photography, but am eager to learn. I am shooting with compacts exlusively because most of my photography takes place in high and remote mountain regions.

Most of my best photos have been shot with a Contax TVS III (one shot won a mountain film festival photo contest), but I did put a few non-Zeiss photos, within reason I think. It feels like a small and quite forum, so I think any sort of good activity is good. I am shooting with Sigmas now, feeling that their digital photos resemble best what I could get out of analog, but with a distinct touch. Still, I cannot let go of my TVS III just yet and think I will take it along on my next trip again with b/w film (I have a yellow filter from an old 6x6 that fits).

This forum seems to be one of the few places left at all where Zeiss fans meet. I hope we can keep it up.

Cheers,
Peter

[Brian]

Welcome aboard, be sure to post some pictures in your gallery.

I'd like to see some photo's from your Contax TVS III. I need to replace the Leica Mini with a P&S.

[Peter_S]

Brian, thanks for the welcome!
I posted some in my gallery.

http://www.ziforums.com/album.php?albumid=174
http://www.ziforums.com/album.php?albumid=180

I like the Contax TVS III a lot, but a lot seem to prefer the TVS or TVS II, mostly I think for the fixed lens and ability to put on filters. I like the zoom. However, since my digitals are fixed lens. I can also have a yellow filter that fits the TVS III.

In any case, a really beautiful camera.

Peter

[Brian]

Those photos are beautiful, and really show what these cameras are capable of. So many people referred to them as "Posh Point and Shoots". I'll never use that term again!

[Peter_S]

Thank you Brian!
You are right, a highly capable little camera. "Posh Point and Shoot" does not do justice given what it can do. That said, images are outstanding even if you only point & shoot, possibly better than with other "point and shoots".

Cheers!
Peter

[chrisk]

Hello,
Désolé je comprends l'anglais, malheureusement je n'arrive pas à l'écrire.
Je possède un Leica M7 et un Zeiss Ikon avec un c-biogon 35mm/2.8.
J'avais également un biogon 35mm/2.0, mais ce dernier était un moins piqué que la version c.
Dans le passé, j'avais un Contax G2 avec un 28/35/45/90mm que j'ai revendu.
Vous aurez compris, je suis un fan des optiques Zeiss !
J'en profite également pour vous souhaiter un joyeux noel.
Cordialement.

[Amin Sabet]

Welcome, Chris, and best wishes for a merry Christmas for you and yours as well!

[m00nscape]

Hi Admin ... Hi all, ......... I'm a nubie "m00nscape" Keith if you prefer and my first CZJ was purchased today, and will I hope, arrive soon!!
I figure I'm going to be needing help from you folks, and look forward to getting to know some of you.

[Brian]

Welcome aboard. The gallery allows 1MByte files, 1024x1024 max resolution.

Any questions on the lens, either the projects section or Carl Zeiss Jena section is a good place to post.

[Rene Apilado]

Hi everyone. I registered a week ago but got around to posting just now. I have several Zeiss cameras and lenses, mainly Contax II and IIa bodies and normal lenses although I also have a Contessa 35, Contax T and a Contax G1 with 28mm Biogon. I'm looking forward to participate here and get to know you guys.

[Brian]

Welcome aboard!

That is quite a collection of Contax systems that you have. I look forward to seeing some of the photo's in the gallery.

[Amin Sabet]

Welcome Rene!

[keule]

Hello, i just registered to say hello.

Here it is: HELLO ! :hello:

About me: Im am a german hobby photographer (holiday, family, motocycletours). Most Photos i take with Fuji F31, Pentax DSLR or with filmcamera Leica CM (f2.4/40mm).

Now i think about buying a new filmkamera Zeiss Ikon with Sonnar T* 1.5/50mm ZM.
Complete Set will cost 1425,- Euro at a zeiss-dealer near by me. (new, 3year warranty included) >> WOW! :eek:

(On the other side i think about buying a used Leica M6 TTL + Summicron. Dont know, what is the rigth decision?)

[Contarama]

Hello Keule...welcome to ZIForums sir.

I say keep the money in your land and buy a ZI body and a 85mm MADE IN GERMANY!!!

[Peter_S]

Willkommen Keule!
The Zeiss Ikon Body is Made in Japan, the M6 in Germany...I would still take a Zeiss, simply for their general philosophy and customer support and because my photographic journey has always involved Zeiss lenses (on Contax bodies).

That said, the M6 is nice; you probably will want a M6 TTL though. Check the Leica User Forum for (perhaps slightly biased) opinions of M6 TTL/M7 vs Zeiss Ikon. Both seem to have advantages, and you may be able to use them to decide which is best for you.
Also - if you go down the analog rangefinder route, have you considered medium format? The Mamiya 7 is very nice!

Viele Grüße aus Österreich,
Peter

[keule]

Thank you for your comments. Tomorrow I'll take both cameras in my hands.
Leica M6 works without batteries, the ZI does not work without batteries.
(I dont know if i ever will need a cam without batteries)


@Peter, viele Grüße nach Austria! :D

[Contarama]

Thanks for correcting my misinformation Peter! :) I am often a dunce like that...hahaha

The 85 lens and one other lens are the two MADE IN GERMANY lenses for the ZI. That is what I was trying to say I think.

[Paola Marinangeli]

Hello to all ZI Forums members and Forum Administrators and congratulations for the idea to create a Zeiss Users forum. My name is Paola, I am an Italian amateur photographer with a small collection (43 pieces) of Classic Cameras that I love to use as well. Most favorite brands are Leica, Rolleiflex, Hasselblad and just a few days ago I have bought after long search, a wonderful Zeiss Ikon Contax IIIA with the fantastic Sonnar 1.5 - 5cm and I am so happy for the purchase. The reason why I have decided to join this community is to learn something more about the Zeiss system and share experiences and comments. The Zeiss name is not completely new to me, having in my collection two lovely folders an Ikonta 521-16 and a Super Ikonta 531, then I know very well the superior level of quality typical of all Zeiss produces lenses, from the Planar and Xenar and Sonnar from Rolleiflexes and Hasselblad cameras. Now it is time for me to test the quality of the mythical Contax IIIA, from the design point of view it is a great camera, with such a fascination of its own. I would like to show my new camera to all of you and take the chance to wish all Zeiss Users Forum a wonderful 2011

Paola

[Peter_S]

Ciao Paola!
Welcome to our small community. I am looking forward to see photo of and taken with your gear, and any other photo-/Zeiss-related impressions.

Best,
Peter

[Brian]

Welcome aboard, Beautiful Contax IIIa with an incredible lens.

Be sure to post some images in the gallery when you get them back, you will be amazed by the rendering of this lens.

[Paola Marinangeli]

Thanks a lot Peter for yr welcome message, I will start to test the camera tomorrow and very curios to see the results. I am so fond of Zeiss Lenses mounted in the Rolleiflexes and Hasselblads and now I have the chance to test the Sonnar 1.5, heard from several sources this is a fantastic lense. We'll try to do my very best with this lovely camera.
Paola

[a.q kevin]

Awesome