Here is a quick hands-on report on the new converted Contax G 45mm f/2 lens for Leica M-mount by Funleader that was announced last month (for a limited time the lens is 5% off with coupon code 5SALES):
Pros
- Excellent build quality
- Completly new housing
- Available in black and silver
- Smooth focusing and aperture rings
- Small and light design
- Limited availability
- Vintage Zeiss optics appeal
- Rangefinder-coupled
- Clicked aperture
- The lens triggers the 50mm frame lines
- The 50mm frame lines are working fine for a 45mm lens
- A good fit for the Leica CL film camera
- Nice metal lens cap
- The lens can focus at 65cm (70cm according to the specs)
- Non-destructive conversion - the image quality was not impacted
- No barrel distortion
- No flare was noticed while I used the lens
- Excellent sharpness, especially in the middle of the frame, even when wide open
- Unique bokeh that could also be a con
- The original lens was made in Japan (back in the days when Japan still produced lenses)
- Viewfinder obstruction is almost non-existing:
Cons
- No lens hood (you can purchase from third-party vendors)
- No 6-but coding (but it can be added - there are markings on the mount)
- No focusing tab
Technical specifications
- Mount: M
- Focal Length: 45mm
- Frame: Full-frame
- Minimum Focus Distance: 0.7 m (2.30 ft)
- Maximum Aperture: F2.0
- Minimum Aperture: F16
- Filter Diameter: 46mm
- Body Material: Brass, chrome-plated
- Weight: 332 g (11.7 oz.)
- Dimensions: 56 × 46 mm (2.20 x 1.81 in.)
- Lens Cap: CNC Metal
- The full technical details of the original lens can be found here:
Additional information
- Non-Destructive Conversion: When we convert the original Contax G45 lens for Leica M mount, we will not damage the lenses. It feels as good as the original Contax lens after conversion.
- Contax’s Original Optical Lens Group: With the original Contax G45 optical lens group, this converted lens fully demonstrates ultra-high-resolution ratio and beautiful colors that T* planar 45mm/f2 should have.
- Exquisite Retro Design: the focus ring with wave pattern design, the aperture ring with double ear design, and the small and exquisite red and white numerical scale show the ingenious balance between retro and modern.
- Easy to DIY: If you have a Contax G45 lens, it is easy to assemble the original Contax optical lens group into our converted helicoid. You can recover Contax G45 if you do not want to play.
Sample photos
Full-size sample photos taken with the Leica M10-R camera can be found on Flickr (JPG straight out of the camera, lens detection off) - I will try to do another set with the Leica M9, I somehow think it will be a great combo:
Additional sample photos from the Contax Zeiss Planar T* 45mm f/2 G lens conversion for Leica M-mount by Funleader cab be found here.
The Contax Zeiss Planar T* 45mm f/2 G lens conversion for Leica M-mount by Funleader is available also in silver:
Funleader has done several interesting conversions in the past – the Contax G35 f/2 to Leica M conversion is still available:
Funleader Contax G 35mm f/2 to M-Mount conversion lens review
Converted Contax G 35mm f/2 lens for Leica M-mount now available from Funleader
Funleader also has an 18mm f/8 lens cap for M and L-mount:
Funleader 18mm f/8 pancake/cap lens for Leica M-mount report
Via LeicaRumors
