Does anyone have experience with Contax G wide angle lenses converted to Leica M mount? Does anyone in the states convert them? How do the optics compare to Leica Aspherics and the previous generation?

-- mark ackermann (mramra@qwest.net), February 27, 2001

Answers

The only G lens I know of that has been routinely "converted" to Leica mount is the 16 Hologon. In comparison to a "real" Leica Hologon, it was a bargain, but I wonder how many (if any) have been sold since the Cosina/Voigtlander 15 Heliar came along. The cost of converting the 21 or 28 would be un-economical in comparison to just buying a Leica lens. Optically, though, the 21 and 28 G lenses are nothing short of superlative. If they're your cup of tea, a G1 or G2 body isn't that much money, certainly less than having the lenses retooled to fit the Leica and then having to scale-focus them (especially the 28).

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), February 27, 2001.

The 21 and 28 are excellent lenses, but there's no economical way to adapt them to the Leica M mount. The Contax G lenses, other than the Hologon 16, do not have manual focus helicoids nor is the flange to film plane distance compatible. Lens mounts are available but extensive reworking of the mounts would be essential even to mate them up, never mind creating the focusing mount and rangefinder cam to interface with the M body properly.

Godfrey

-- Godfrey DiGiorgi (ramarren@bayarea.net), February 27, 2001.

I saw a 28 that had been converted using the Kobalux 28mm housing, and it was rangefinder coupled. The person wanted a bunch of money for it, and I had some concerns on the focusing accuracy and durability of the conversion. The lenses are very good, but these days we have other options(Konica, Voigtlander, Ricoh, Kobalux) without having to go to the expense of a one off conversion. I bet Contax could sell a bunch of their rangefinder lenses if they marketed them in the Leica M or screw mount. In the old days, you could buy the Contax lenses in Leica screw mount.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), February 27, 2001.

Why even bother when the Leica 21/24/28 lenses are so excellent as-is?

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), February 27, 2001.

I was most interested in the 21mm Contax G lens. It can be found for about $800 but then there's the expense of the conversion. The problem with the Leica 21 ASPH is the cost. For a less expensive 28, I'll wait for the Voigtlander. I have an older Tri-Elmar for super sharp 28mm work if needed. I was just looking for a lower cost alternative to dropping two grand on the Leica 21mm.

-- mark ackermann (mra@qwest.net), February 27, 2001.

The Kobalux 21mm f2.8 is an exceptional lens for $650.00 (at Adorama) including the finder and M adapter, with low distortion and capable of 100 LPMM center 80 LPMM edge resolution in a test by Roger Hicks. It's a tad wide with its 58mm filter size, but well worth considering. I tried the tiny 28mm Kobalux lens out and was even surprised by the quality of it. I decided to wait for the new Voiglander 28mm which I hope ends up being as good as their 35mm f1.7 lens. The 28mm f1.9 Voigtlander will likely run in the $400 range and is due to hit the US any time now.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), February 27, 2001.