CONTAX HOLOGON 8/16 T* (GtoM)
This is a record of using a Kyocera CONTAX G mount 16mm F8 lens converted to Leica M mount by MS-Optics (Miyazaki Kogaku) with a Leica M digital camera.
Table of contents
Gallery
CONTAX G HOLOGON 16mm F8 Photo example (with Leica M6 +Provia400X year 2012 / LEICA M9)
Impression
The lens is dark with a fixed aperture of f/8 and does not work with the CONTX-G’s distance meter or the Leica M camera’s rangefinder.
In the case of film photography, even if you take a photo by eye, it will not be a failure unless it is very far off.
Since digital cameras are more sensitive to focus, I think it is safer to use live-view instead of eye-measurement.
As you can see in the gallery, the 16mm is an ultra-wide angle lens, but there is no distortion and the lines are very pleasing.
The gallery has been scanned and uploaded from film, and I hope you can feel the nostalgia of the old film. At this time, I took 36 shots and some of the photos had my fingers reflected in them.
The lens is suitable for monochrome, and I would like to actively use it in monochrome.
The lens has a protruding rear element, so it looks as if it might be affected by the Leica shutter film, but as far as I have used it with M-mount cameras, it has worked with the Hexar-RF, Leica M6, M8, M8.2, M9, and M without problems. However, there is a risk of accidents if the film gets bent or warped because the lens guard is right at the edge of the shutter film. With a film camera, when you open the back cover and lift the curtain, the lens guard is really at the very edge of the shutter film, which is a bit frightening.
When actually shooting, I consider it safe to use a bottom grip on the camera. If you normally hold the camera body, if you are not careful, your fingers will be reflected in the edges of the results of the shot. In the film era, this hurt me several times. In many ways, this is a lens to use at your own risk.
This lens can be found in the used market in both original G mount and modified M mount. It is assumed that the lenses either do not sell or are quickly given up by the buyers due to their basic lack of utility.
I remember that I was able to purchase a used G-mount lens for less than $90 because I bought it during the film era, and it is currently circulating at around $200, including the cost of the M-mount conversion.
This lens has a very large and beautiful front element, and even though it has no practical use, I am satisfied just by looking at it, and since I have a complete set of G lens modifications on hand, I keep it, although I use it infrequently.
As you can see from the lens composition chart, the front element has a fickle lamination process, and I have seen several units where the balsam has peeled off and bubbles have appeared. It seems that repair work was done in the past, but this is not known at present.
Repair Service Suwa, a repair shop specializing in Contax lenses, offers lens repair services on a case-by-case basis, so if you have a lens you are interested in, you may want to consider this option.
The attached viewfinder is a rare type with a level, but it is not a good external viewfinder because the image appears distorted. When I was using a film camera, I used a Zeiss 15mm viewfinder or a Voigtlander angle finder (15mm attachment) to set the frame.
In this age of EVFs, it is unlikely that you will ever use it, and since it is not very practical, you are lucky if it comes as an extra, so there is no need to get it even if it does not come with a viewfinder.
The Chinese lens company have been releasing homages to many lenses, but I don’t think they will be intThe Chinese lens company have been releasing homages to some lenses, but I don’t think they will be interested in reprinting this lens because of the low market demand and the large glass weight, which makes processing a hassle.
Lens specification
MF lens for CONTAX G converted by MS-Optics to Leica M mount (non-linked to rangefinder).
HOLOGON 16mm is the only CONTAX-G lens made in Germany by Carl Zeiss.
| Item | Value | note |
| focal length(mm) | 16.5 | |
| Fixed aperture | 8 | |
| Lens configuration | 3groups 5elements | |
| Minimum distance(m) | 0.3 | Not linked to camera rangefinder |
| Lens length(mm) | 12 | |
| Lens max diameter(mm) | 57 | |
| Filter diameter(mm) | – | Dedicated ND filters are available. Changes to f/8 > 16 to alleviate peripheral light attenuation. |
| Weight(g) | 124 |
Reference links
- Here is a description of the HOLOGON lens from Wikipedia.
- Zeiss Photography Historical Products(There is a data sheet for the CONTAX G lenses in the middle of the linked web page.)
Affiliate links
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