Contax G-Planar 35mm f2 - Strange marks showing in photos

crth25 · Dec 1, 2017

Hello all,

I recently purchased a Contax G-Planar 35mm f2 lens. Lens was described as mint condition. But after taking it for a test shoot (with a roll of Kodak Color Plus 200) and got the scans back, I noticed there are some strange spots showing in the pic.

Here's the link to flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/141506129@N05/

Those spots are pretty huge and shouldn't be dust spots. After seeing the results, I inspected the lens quite carefully (with a torch) but i didn't see anything suspicious. I started thinking would those spot caused by the film itself? Like maybe that roll of film was defected just by chance...? I would be greatly appreciate if anyone could help here.

Best,
crth25

shutterfinger · Dec 1, 2017

I would suspect processing.

crth25 · Dec 1, 2017

shutterfinger said:
I would suspect processing.

Thanks for your reply - I really appreciate it
It's strange, those marks are actually on the same spot. I just don't understand... In the meantime, i'm planning to shoot another and see.

shutterfinger · Dec 1, 2017

Hopefully you got the negatives back, if so inspect them. If the spots are on the negatives then its storage, processing or manufacture. If the spots are not on the negatives then its the scanning.
If the film was stored in a refrigerator or freezer its likely water spots from condensation on the film.

Patrick Robert James · Dec 2, 2017

Who scanned the film? The spots don't move, so the scanner is probably dirty at the lab. 99.9999% that there is nothing wrong with your lens or your camera.

crth25 · Dec 2, 2017

shutterfinger said:
Hopefully you got the negatives back, if so inspect them. If the spots are on the negatives then its storage, processing or manufacture. If the spots are not on the negatives then its the scanning.
If the film was stored in a refrigerator or freezer its likely water spots from condensation on the film.

I will have the negatives back Monday next week. I will inspect them carefully. Thanks for the tips! I hope there's nothing wrong with my lens.

crth25 · Dec 2, 2017

Patrick Robert James said:
Who scanned the film? The spots don't move, so the scanner is probably dirty at the lab. 99.9999% that there is nothing wrong with your lens or your camera.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Hopefully theres nothing wrong with my lens. I am going to do another test today, should get the result on Monday. I will post update here.

narsuitus · Dec 2, 2017

Also looks like dirty scanner to me.

MattKing · Dec 2, 2017

For clarity, there is no way that any damage to a lens will show as an in focus image on film. Lenses don't focus as close as their own surfaces.
Damage can affect overall sharpness, or the plane of focus, or the lack of distortion of the image, or whether different colours focus to the same plane or whether there is flared light.

crth25 · Dec 5, 2017

Thank you so much for all the feedbacks!
So I got the negatives back yesterday and checked them carefully. I didn't spot anything suspicious. Although there's indeed a mark on one frame which I guessed was from manufacturer - and of course that also shows in the original scan.
I also brought these negavies to my friend's place and scanned with an Epson V800. It also affirms that those spots from original scan was cause by dirty scanner. Not from my lens luckily
After seeing these home scans from Epson V800, I'm thinking to get one and do the scan by myself in the future.
Thx again guys for all your help / feedbacks!
Cheers.

shutterfinger · Dec 5, 2017

crth25 said:
After seeing these home scans from Epson V800, I'm thinking to get one and do the scan by myself in the future.

You may be able to get a dedicated 35mm scanner for less that will do better than a V800.
http://plustek.com/usa/products/film-and-photo-scanners/ 8100 or 8200AI or Se.

BradS · Dec 5, 2017

shutterfinger said:
You may be able to get a dedicated 35mm scanner for less that will do better than a V800.
http://plustek.com/usa/products/film-and-photo-scanners/ 8100 or 8200AI or Se.

Thanks!

crth25 · Dec 6, 2017

shutterfinger said:
You may be able to get a dedicated 35mm scanner for less that will do better than a V800.
http://plustek.com/usa/products/film-and-photo-scanners/ 8100 or 8200AI or Se.

Thanks for the link Shutterfinger Will definitely check them out
Best,
crth25

AgX · Dec 6, 2017

The spot at the right side I do not even see repeating at all.
The spot at the left side could be caused by someting sticking into the camera film gate and obscuring image rays from some directions.
It sure is no lens defect.

Contax G-Planar 35mm f2 - Strange marks showing in photos

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