Anyone know if they will work (the lenses from the Contax G system)?

Have a deal on a lot of them I'm considering. Perhaps they would be better suited for my L1. Thanks

Figured it out. Seems the 28mm has problems

They can be adapted.

I'm a huge fan of manual focus, old school style glass with a direct mount - but adapted glass has a few short comings. Many adaptors are thinner than they should be and have to be shimmed if you want to maintain MFD, often adapted glass displays a lack of contrast - then there is the issue where (some) adapted glass is large and heavy when mounted on a m43 body.

If the glass is old, make sure there aren't any fungus issues that will be near impossible to get out. Other than that, if you can get a good deal and want to give it a try - go for it!

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- tdp

Vernacular shooter/amateur photographer
500px | flickr

I use the 45mm and it's a terrific lens - sharp and good contrast; I like the bokeh as well. The challenge with these lenses is that they have to be focused by the adaptor. Mine has a little thumb wheel but there are others that have a ring around the adaptor that you turn like most manual lenses - that might work better. Metabones makes the best one.

I can use the 45 pretty comfortably, but I've found the 90mm too fussy and stiff in focusing to be worth it. I haven't used the 35mm. I understand that the 28mm can be made to work if you remive the flanges at the back of the lens - I haven't wanted to that to mine, so I can't speak to that as anything more than a possibility. I think the 45mm is definetely worth exploring, it's a lens with a lot of character, but it takes some patience!

Here' a recent shot I took with the 45mm lens. It gives you some idea . . .



Check out the image thread for the lens.

I've seen quite a few NEX users use them so I figure they'll work on µ4/3 bodies too

I myself have a couple too but I only use mine for the body below.....

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Olympus E-PL5
M. Zuiko 17mm ƒ1.8 | M. Zuiko 17mm ƒ2.8 | M. Zuiko 14-42 II | M. Zuiko 14-150 ED | M. Zuiko 45mm ƒ1.8 ED | M. Zuiko 75mm ƒ1.8 ED | M. Zuiko 75-300 ED II | Leica DG Summilux 25mm ƒ1.4 ASPH | Lumix G Vario 45-200 |

Based on Experience with Contax G adapters for Nex 5N
it seems to be quite tricky to have a good adapter for Contax G lenses, the adapter provides the focusing mechanism.

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Panasonic G1/GH2/G3/GX1; Sony NEX 5N; Nikon D200/D600
P14, P20, PL25; 14-45, 45-200; Various Adapted Lenses

I had a 35, 45, and a 90mm at one point. Loved all three of them but the 45mm stood out. When I decided to downsize, I had a hard tome letting go of them, and the main reason I finally did was that all the adapters I tried were a bit fiddly. They pictures are brilliant and beautifully sharp, but using the lenses on anything that is moving can be a bit of a hassle. I am sure that practice will help a lot.

Stefan

I use Contax Zeiss Distagon T* 2.8/28mm CY mount. Really happy with performance and results. Pic below for reference. Camera E-M5.

Carl Zeiss Contax/Yashica mount lenses are fine and quite nice on m4/3. Adapters are simple and relatively easy to adjust for infinity, etc.

Carl Zeiss Contax G mount lenses are more difficult and generally not worth the trouble IMHO unless you already have a set.