Collapsable 50mm lens for Contax IIa

[guangong]

I would like to make my Contax IIa somewhat more compact and pocketable by using a collapsable 50mm lens. I know that a 3.5 Tessar lens was one made by Zeiss in a collapsable mount but the reference accessible to me is unclear if this lens is even coated. I have heard also of a Sonnar in collapsable mount. Are my fellow APUG members aware of any other collapsable mount lenses available for the Contax IIa that they could recommend? Or that fit the Contax IIa that I should stay away from? I would prefer avoiding pricey "collectables". Yes, I know that the Contax is not exactly a lightweight camera, but I often carry my Leicas or my Nikon F (with standard prism and pancake 35mm) in a coat or jacket with box pockets and would like to have the same option with my Contaxes. Of course, with less robust clothing I carry a small, light Minox or Olympus XA.

 

[frank]

Check out the CV line of lenses for contax.

 

[flash26c]

I have a 2.0f 5cm T Sonnar and I think it's a winner.

 

[IloveTLRs]

... I have heard also of a Sonnar in collapsable mount. ...

Yes, the Sonnar 50mm f2 (you can find pictures of it here.) It is an excellent lens, though you need to find one in good condition. Being prewar lenses they are uncoated and more than a few are foggy and/or scratched (judging from ebay.)

 

[Xmas]

The Kiev factory made collapsible sonnars 48-49 coated on cloned German production lines but they too are rare.

An uncoated Sonnar with hood is an ok lens.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Pancake lenses were made for the Contax. You would have to research whether one would fit the IIa.

 

[aoresteen]

Pancake lenses were made for the Contax. You would have to research whether one would fit the IIa.

I'm not aware of any 'pancake' lens for the Contax IIa. There is a 45mm Tessar Pancake for the Contax RTS in C/Y SLR mount but not in a rangefinder mount.


The Voigtlander S lenses are fairly small - I use the 25mm on my Contax IIa. The Voigtlander 50mm S lens will not focus correctly on a Contax IIa.


The Zeiss 2.8CM Tessar is very small but the OP wants a 50mm.


The only real choice are the pre-war collapsible 5cm f/3.5 or f/2.8 Tessar lenses. I've never heard of a collapsible Sonnar for the Contax RF lens. If there is one it's rare and would be pricey.


http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Contax_rangefinder_lenses?action=edit&section=12


As mention before, pre-war lenses are uncoated. You could have one coated by Focal Point - John Van Stelten:

http://www.focalpointlens.com/fp_intro.html

My guess it would be $400 or more to have it done.

I'd buy the nicest 50mm f/3.5 collapsible I could find and have DAG camera CLA it. Use it after it's been serviced and if you think coating will improve it then contact Focal Point.

Good luck!

 

[Knjy]

Carl Zeiss Jena F2.0 collapsible Sonnar

The F2.0 pre-war Sonnar is collapsible and makes a good compact outfit for travelling when mounted on a Contax lla. These are occassionally available and can be found in fairly good nick - if you are lucky. The glass used was very soft so many have cleaning marks that cannot be economically removed. It renders softly at F2.0 and improves after F4.0 when it becomes fully usable. The F2.8 and F3.5 uncoated Tessars are ergonomically challenging and I would avoid these as the Sonnar outperforms them, is more common and is easier to use. Expect tp pay USD 150/£100 for a decent example. I used one for a couple of years and found it rather charming.
There were no collapsible Zeiss lenses made for the Contax after the war.
Good hunting