DSLR Pros, question about lens mounts...

[Zenmervolt]

Are there any DSLRs on the market that use the Zeiss/Contax bayonet mount? I have an old Contax 139 Quartz 35mm with some Zeiss glass that I simply adore and I have no clue if there's any current DSLR that will allow me to mount these lenses to it. I'm not about to switch to a DSLR until I can use my lenses.

ZV

 

[NutBucket]

Not that I know of unless its something ultra expensive. Although, Zeiss is going to be releasing some new glass with a Nikon mount.

 

[Zenmervolt]

I'm half tempted to just find a good used RTS III body and keep shooting film until they stop making the stuff.

ZV

 

[Deleted member 4644]

Just ebay your lens while its still worth something and buy a Nikon D50 or D70!

I am about to get one as a self-graduation present.

 

[yhelothar]

Canon EF mount has adapters to just about every mount out there.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: LordSegan
Just ebay your lens while its still worth something and buy a Nikon D50 or D70!

I am about to get one as a self-graduation present.

I wouldn't worry terribly about his stuff losing value.

 

[imported_Snagle]

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
Canon EF mount has adapters to just about every mount out there.

yep. it will work on Canon EF mount cameras with an adapter.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: LordSegan
Just ebay your lens while its still worth something and buy a Nikon D50 or D70!

I am about to get one as a self-graduation present.

I wouldn't worry terribly about his stuff losing value.

It probably will actually as it falls further into obscurity. But I like it too much to get rid of it. I think it does a lot better with colors than the other lenses I've used. It's certainly a lot brighter. I gain at least a full F-stop over other lenses when I'm using the Zeiss glass.

ZV

 

[squirrelman]

I'll third what the others are saying about Canon with the EOS mount. It adapts to just about everything, including the contax/yashica mount whic your Zeiss lenses should be. Infact its actually pretty common for pros as canons wide angle lenses aren't known to be very good. Many people use Zeiss or Leica lenses to make up for this. The Zeiss 21/2.8 is somewhat of a holy grail now cause of this, they sell for over $3k now. A number of places sell the adapters including
Fotodiox
and
Cameraquest

 

[jiwq]

Originally posted by: squirrelman
I'll third what the others are saying about Canon with the EOS mount. It adapts to just about everything, including the contax/yashica mount whic your Zeiss lenses should be. Infact its actually pretty common for pros as canons wide angle lenses aren't known to be very good. Many people use Zeiss or Leica lenses to make up for this. The Zeiss 21/2.8 is somewhat of a holy grail now cause of this, they sell for over $3k now. A number of places sell the adapters including
Fotodiox
and
Cameraquest

What I still don't get is why Contax adapters cost an arm and a leg just for a metal ring. M42 adapters are much cheaper. What makes one piece of metal more expensive than another?

 

[yhelothar]

wow $85...

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: jiwq
What I still don't get is why Contax adapters cost an arm and a leg just for a metal ring. M42 adapters are much cheaper. What makes one piece of metal more expensive than another?

The Contax/Zeiss system was a pretty expensive system in its day and it's not common. The lenses are among the best ever made and still fetch high prices. So you have something that is in demand among professionals but was not produced in large numbers, and those who have these lenses are not about to get rid of them. So the adaptor is critical to these people because they won't use a body that cannot mount their lenses and because of this, the adapters can be incredibly expensive.

It's similar to people who shop for a Rolls Royce. If they want one, then nothing else on the market will do.

ZV

 

[squirrelman]

Actually the contax adpater is just as expensive as the Leica adapter and the Nikon adapter. The reason they are more expensive is they are bayonet mounts so they are harder to make the adapters for then the M42 which is a simple screw mount. The m42 is called the univeral mount, so adapters are easy and available for basicaly every mount.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: LordSegan
Just ebay your lens while its still worth something and buy a Nikon D50 or D70!

I am about to get one as a self-graduation present.

That's great. You've recommended a box now how about a lens?

BTW-If you say kit lens I'm not going to take anything you say about photography seriously.

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: LordSegan
Just ebay your lens while its still worth something and buy a Nikon D50 or D70!

I am about to get one as a self-graduation present.

That's great. You've recommended a box now how about a lens?

BTW-If you say kit lens I'm not going to take anything you say about photography seriously.

Get a Sigma 18-200mm F4.5-6.3 FTW!!! LOL. Just kidding before I am given a sever beating by ATOT.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: LordSegan
Just ebay your lens while its still worth something and buy a Nikon D50 or D70!

I am about to get one as a self-graduation present.

That's great. You've recommended a box now how about a lens?

BTW-If you say kit lens I'm not going to take anything you say about photography seriously.

THE KIT LENS! or maybe the Quantaray 28-80mm.