Carl Zeiss G Biogon 21/2.8 converted to Leica M mount by MS Optical on a Leitz Minolta CL, handmade Hirano leather camera case.
“I had forgotten what the old Zeiss sharp looked like….. some of my images are so sharp!!!â€
From California, USA
Converted Contax G lens for Leica M Packages are suspended since 2021/22. You can still send us lenses for conversion as per normal procedure. Thank you for your interest and support over the last years.
As an alternative to sending us your G lens for conversion, we are pleased to offer rangefinder-coupled Carl Zeiss Contax G lenses pre-converted by MS Optical ready for you to use on your Leica M mount camera. We hand-select the source lenses and then have them converted for you ready to use with minimal wait or cost. Prices include the lens itself and worldwide express shipping!
- Image gallery of converted lenses
- Lens comparison photos with Carl Zeiss G Planar 45/2
- Review of the converted Biogon 28/2.8 and Planar 45/2 by Ken Rockwell
- Sample images on ZeissImages.com and Flickr
- FAQ
- Original G lens specs
- Contact Us
List of pre-converted Carl Zeiss Contax G lenses
| Lens | Converted Stock | Non-converted Stock | Price incl. shipping | Comment | Purchase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G Hologon 16/8 | No | No | ¥259.000 | Available | Click here to purchase |
| G Biogon 21/2.8 | No | No | ¥159.000 | Available | Click here to purchase |
| G Biogon 28/2.8 | No | No | ¥129.000 | Available | Click here to purchase |
| G Planar 35/2 | No | No | Â¥129.000 | Unavailable – source lens scarce | |
| G Planar 45/2 | No | No | ¥119.000 | Available | Click here to purchase |
| G Sonnar 90/2.8 | No | No | ¥139.000 | Available | Click here to purchase |
| G Sonnar 90/2.8 Black | No | No | ¥149.000 | Available | Click here to purchase |
| Leica Minilux Summarit 40/2.4 for Leica M | No | No | ¥139.000 | Available | Click here to purchase |
| Etsumi Metal Inner Lens Hood 46mm | ¥3,900 | Stylish compact hood, see here | Click here to purchase |
Please note that the above prices are for lenses which have been converted (i.e. lens included). For conversion only of your own lenses, please contact us.
Please use the links to order (Paypal account is not required to make payment). Orders of multiple items is possible. Payments are in Japanese yen (rates for guidance only, currency conversion rates of your financial institution apply).
Converted stock is shipped immediately, non-converted stock within one week, non-stock of either within approx. 10 days.
Each lens undergoes testing and a detailed individual certificate is provided (in Japanese). Included in the test are:
- measurement of focal length
- general focussing test
- focussing cam test
- chromatic aberration
- assessment of glass, polish, lens assembly, color transmission and coating
- interferometer test
Carl Zeiss G Biogon 28/2.8 converted to Leica M mount by MS Optical on a Konica Hexar RF. MS Optical Smart Slit Hood M46
Image gallery of converted lenses
“Based on classic optical designs, but newly formulated for the G series, the lenses take advantage of the latest advances in optical computation and glass technology. The result is arguably the best across-the-board performance of any 35mm camera lens line.â€
Note about usage of converted lenses on Epson RD-1: due to properties of the Epson RD-1 camera body/mount, converted lenses need to be adjusted individually with the camera present. Unless you wish to send your RD-1 to us we recommend against using converted lenses on the RD-1 as it may cause focussing errors. This issue does not affect other cameras, including the Leica M8, which operates flawlessly with the converted G lenses.
Optically, I prefer the Zeiss-for-Contax G 21mm f/2.8. It’s slightly sharper wide open and has far less distortion than this Leica 21mm f/2.8. I can see distortion with this Leica lens, but I can’t see any with the Zeiss-for-Contax G. According to the manufacturers’ data, the Zeiss-for-Contax G has only one-third the distortion of this Leica lens. That’s because the Zeiss lens appears not to be a retrofocus design, while this Leica lens is.
Ken Rockwell, in his review of the Leica 21mm f/2.8 ASPH
Contax Carl Zeiss G Sonnar T* 90mm f/2.8 (Black) on Leica M8. Photo courtesy of S Lee.
FAQ
Do the converted lenses have the same properties, e.g. close focus, as the originals?
The lenses will retain most of their specs (see also below). Obvious physical differences are weight and physical dimensions. The front of the lens is almost unchanged so filters and accessories will not be affected. As for close focus, it will be similar to the original specification and the detailed test certificate accompanying each lens will state it, along with other individual details pertaining to that lens.
The aperture ring mechanics are replaced so there won’t be click stops for the aperture settings, similar to view camera lenses. The helicoid will have a depth of field scale that the original G lenses do not have (except the 90/2.8 which retains its original shell).
Is is possible to convert the Contax G 35-70 zoom lens to Leica mount?
Unfortunately the 35-70 zoom can not be converted.
Are the converted lenses rangefinder-coupled?
Yes, with the exception of the Hologon 16, which is not coupled on the G system either.
Will the converted lenses have 6-bit encoding?
Yes — the M mount ring will have a recessed area to apply the bit coding marks and you can code the lens non-permanently by means of a marker pen.
Can the lenses be encased in barrels with colours other than black?
At this point we can only offer a black finish, no matter if your source lenses are champagne or black G lenses (except the 90/2.8 which retains its original shell).
Can I have my lens converted to Leica L rather than M?
At the core the lenses will be converted to LTM mount lenses. However their use as L lenses directly on camera requires some additional technical calibration with the camera so we decided that for customers outside of Japan we would only offer M mount conversions. The M mount will be semi-permanently fixed and can be removed if you really wanted to, but doing so may create focussing issues so it is not recommended.
I have a set of of G lenses that I am thinking of converting. Do you offer any quantity discounts?
Unfortunately there is no quantity discount available. The conversion is a service rather than a physical product, which makes quantity discounts for difficult to justify as the time it takes to convert a lens does not change even with many lenses. In the case of multiple lenses we will try adding another bonus like free return shipping or lens hoods/filters for your lenses.
Original Contax G Lens specs
| Lens | Close Focus, m | Optics | f/min | blades | Hood (Contax G) | filter size, mm | Length, mm | Weight, grams |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16/8 | 0.3 | 5/3 | f8 | / | / | / | 11 | 125 |
| 21/2.8 | 0.5 | 9/7 | f22 | 7 | / | 55 | 35.5 | 180 |
| 28/2.8 | 0.5 | 7/5 | f22 | 6 | GG-1 | 46 | 30.5 | 150 |
| 35/2 | 0.5 | 7/5 | f16 | 7 | GG-1 | 46 | 31.5 | 150 |
| 45/2 | 0.5 | 6/4 | f16 | 6 | GG-2 | 46 | 38.5 | 190 |
| 90/2.8 | 1 | 5/4 | f22 | 8 | GG-3 | 46 | 63 | 240 |
Data sheets including MTF charts for Contax G lenses can be found at Carl Zeiss AG.
Contact Us
If you would like to discuss or order lens conversion, please contact us with your request using the form below and we will provide further details.
[…] Converted Contax G lens for Leica M Packages […]
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[…] Originally Posted by madprof44 Actually more skeptical than hopeful. Posted a question/RFI on Amazon, rather than reword it why don't I just repeat it here. The short version: I'd love to hear of others' experience but for the moment I'm sitting tight – unless someone convinces me otherwise. Regret if this repeats what others' have written. I haven't used any of the CZ Contax G to M 4/3rds adapters that have been hatching for the last couple of months but would dearly love to put my lenses on a digital camera. But I very much doubt however that the focus issue can be resolved–putting a focus ring on the adapter seems both extremely limiting and a disaster-in-waiting. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Contax G (I have the G2), it was the most modern rangefinder ever built, with auto-focus, TTL metering, motorized film advance, a real-world flash synch, and much else that Leica never deigned to descend to (and let me hasten to add that I'm a life-long Leica fanatic). The lenses are superb, in competition with Leica's best and little else. But Contax is gone now and the orphaned lenses a victim of the system's uniqueness, far too complex to be worth the effort and unavoidable compromises. The problem is that the camera and lens system are auto-focus only. The "manual" mode is controlled by a small wheel on the camera but the only way to tell you're in focus is by looking at an LCD display in the finder. There is also no in-lens focus indicator or even a depth-of-field scale on the lens body. Without a focus ring, focus is driven by a small screw through the mount; it must be this relatively tiny part that the adapters latch on to and drive (yikes!). Attaching an unknown manufacturer's bolt-on makeshift to a lens as intricate as a fine watch is just too great a risk at the moment, but that't just me, and I'd much appreciate hearing from anyone who has tried it. If it works and works reasonably well (as in knowing whether you're in focus within a few seconds, and whether fine focus is possible) the M 4/3rds will begin to live up to their potential. And not only will these lenses be deservedly resurrected it should help everyone, as all manufacturers will be under pressure to produce better lenses at reasonable prices (the CZ lenses are so much better than anything on an SLR it hurts). Enough of my fears, let's hear from the folks who've done more doing than worrying. If you want to spend the money Converted Contax G lens for Leica M Packages | japan exposures […]
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[…] Re: which lens & second hand prices I have no experience with other M 21s sorry. According to a French reviewer (IziBook.eyrolles.com) who tested them on the M9, the Skopar outperforms the Super-Angulons 21/3.4 & 21/4, Elmarit 21/2.8 pre-asph and Biogon 21/4.5. He did not test the Biogon 21/2.8 on my sample of his book though. The Biogon 21/2.8 for Contax G1 & G2 can be converted by Japan Exposures if i read well their ad (Converted Contax G lens for Leica M). […]
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