The image below of the battery has a nice 3D pop to it. It was taken at F5.6, so the background is a more abstracted but not significantly more than the F8 or F11 on the previous pages.  The battery has nice separation from background and the Leica M8 is still recognizable as a rangefinder. The Contax N macro renders its bokeh in a very unique. The bokeh looks soft, diffused. The difference is hard to describe, but it very different than Canon bokeh - and different from other Contax (Zeiss) lenses. The color palette discussed in the first part of the review was a great surprise. After using the lens for several more months, the bokeh is probably the macro’s most distinctive trait. The lens definitely has its own one-of-a-kind fingerprint.

AND NOW THE UGLY

The subtitle might be a bit over-the-top. My only gripe is the colored fringing in the bokeh edges - it tends to be blue on the left and red on the right. All bokeh from any camera lens always has fringing to some degree, so this is very particular gripe on my part. In the case of the Carl Zeiss lenses, the color of the fringing (in the bokeh) can make it more noticeable at times. Again, I want to stress, this fringing in the background blur. Most people probably would not notice this - it is simply a matter of me being hyper-sensitive. The lens pouch in the middle picture shows the fringe, but I de-saturated the color during the post-processing.

I look at other print adds and see the same thing, and of course think, “ahh - another Zeiss!” The only lens to have noticeably LESS fringing in the bokeh was the Canon 135L F2. But, the 135L does not deliver the “pop” and its micro contrast drops-off at the edges and corners, so it is a trade-off. Nor is the 135L completely fringe free - it too has some fringing in the bokeh - just not as much as the Contax 100/2.8 N.

CONCLUSION

Using the 100/2.8 N has been a pleasure with zero technical hiccups. If asked I would recommend the lens, but with one caveat - the weight. If you don’t mind a heavier lens, then it may very well be an excellent general use lens. I’m so biased with the Contax 100mm F2 Planar, that it’s very hard for any other lens to compete. The Contax C/Y 100mm Planar is a lousy product lens, so the 100/2.8 N is a perfect complimentary lens.

And I will stress again the amazing attention to detail on Bo-ming’s part. His work is excellent and I hope he is able to offer more such conversions in various mounts in the coming years. Owning a converted Contax lens is almost a one-of-a-kind experience - and it is very difficult to put a value on that. For those who do not value the Zeiss look, then these lenses and conversions are probably lost on them. But for those who treasure the Zeiss rendering, then Bo-ming’s services are essentially invaluable.  Published December 2007.

April 26, 2008 Update - It has been about 4 months since selling the Contax N 100mm F2.8 Makro-Sonnar to help pay for the Phase One P25. In March 2008 I purchased a Canon 1Ds Mark III and I am seriously considering buying another Contax N 100mm F2.8 for conversion. I still have the Contax C/Y 100mm F2 Planar and a Hasselblad CFE 110mm F2 Planar, so adding the Contax N 100mm is very, very - did I say very? - very redundant. That said - I really liked the Contax N 100mm F2.8 for product work. With paired when a Canon 1Ds Mark III, I believe the pair would perform within 85-90% of Phase One P25 digital back.