ADAPTERS FOR CANON EF & EF-S BODIES

Aside from the metal fin on the Contax 100mm Planar’s mount, there are no other known adapter issues with this lens and Canon digital SLRs. The metal fin on the rear lens will prevent the lens from mounting on a Canon EF body. When mounting the lens and rotating it, the fin (may) strikes against the AF contacts and could potentially cause damage. In some cases the fin left a rub mark along its travel path when mounted on a Canon 1-series body. Understandably, some people find this upsetting.

Fortunately this is a very easy “fix” and just about anybody can perform the modification with patience and a steady hand. Using a Dremel tool with a sanding disk or cutting wheel, gently sand the fin down by ~1mm. The fin is ridged; one ridge should be enough. The fin does not have to removed, just reduced a little. The metal is very soft and the modification only takes a minute or two. Be sure to cover rear lens opening with painters tape or something similar to keep the metal shavings from falling into the lens. After the fin has been modified, a black Sharpie marker can be used to touch-up the brass metal. When complete most people would not know the lens has been modified.

The metal fin does not effect the 100mm Planar’s operation or performance. The metal fin is there to protect the aperture actuator when the lens is set down on a table without the rear lens attached. With fin shaved, the 100mm Planar will still work on Contax film body SLRs. after the fin has been reduced (or removed), do take care not damage or bend the aperture actuator in normal day to day use.

In my experience the Cameraquest, Kindai and HappyPageHK adapters all worked fine and each reached infinity focus. I am currently using the latest  HappyPageHK’s adapter with the Optix V5 rom chip and it works as advertised. The AF confirmation adapters help with focusing, but it still takes a sharp eye to dial in critical focus. All the Canon focus points work, so off-axis compositions are simpler. The focus confirmation beep indicates the general area, but zeroing in on critical focus comes down to skill, practice and patience (at least when I’m shooting!) When shooting at infinity, I like to use Live View.

CONCLUSION

The Contax 100mm Planar has a unique signature that is not easy to match with other lenses. Time and time again I have sold the lens, and have ended up buying another. My biggest gripe is stop-down metering. When things are moving quickly, opening the lens to F2, focusing, composing, focusing, adjusting metering, focusing again - and then having to stop down to F4 or F5.6 can mean missing the shot. At times I get frustrated and sell the Contax 100mm in favor of the Canon 135L. I like the 135L, but it is more of a telephoto lens. When we travel I tend to get lazy and use zooms more often than not. But if I am in the mood to work with a manual lens, the Contax 100mm Planar is always a rewarding experience.

Retail prices for the new Zeiss 100mm F2 Makro-Planar ZE range in the $1840 range, whereas an excellent condition 100mm Planar costs ~$800-$900. The Contax requires an adapter and a hood set-up, so the total expense will be around $900-$1200 depending on which adapter and the condition of the accessories. The total price is still substantially less than the new Zeiss, but the Zeiss has auto-aperture and macro capabilities. It comes down to individual preferences as to whether or not the extra cost for auto aperture and macro mode are worthwhile. My opinion on the topic changes weekly. The Zeiss ZE is larger and not as travel friendly as the original Contax. I feel that the Contax has more of a 3D feel to its rendering, but that could be because I have not shot with the Zeiss ZE very much. In favor of the Zeiss ZE - it has auto aperture, adds the macro functionality and works well under strobes. It is a difficult choice.

The Contax 100mm Planar is a well liked lens and I think most people will be very pleased with its optical performance. The trick with the 100mm Planar is deciding whether or not stop-down metering and adapters are an acceptable solution. Chances are, if you are still reading this review after three pages, then stop down metering is a non-issue. The pictures on the first page were selected for their 3D feel, the images on the second page for their micro contrast and detail, and third page is a small collection of black and whites. The images span the Canon 1Ds, the 1Ds Mark II and the 1Ds Mark III. More Contax 100mm are available in the Picture Galleries. If the Contax’s rendering is appealing, then next step is finding one on Ebay or on one of the photography forums.