Processed Photos from Contax G 45mm F2 on NEX-5N
Here are some JPEG samples that were post processed from the NEX-5N. Come on Adobe, update ACR already!
This is an Extremely clear lens. It’s of course sharp but the contrast and clarity is phenomenal straight out of the camera. If you do end up picking an adapter to go along with NEX, at least get a name brand Fotodiox adapter. I had to send my generic ebay one back because of excessive grinding. If you have smaller hands the Metabones adapter is by far the best one to have, very smooth feel for an AF screw adapted lens.
Some experienced photographer say the G line of Contax lenses are the best that Zeiss has ever designed. While I can’t speak to the veracity of that, I have owned and used a very large variety of Zeiss lenses and I have to say, none of them have wow’d me as much as this lens has straight from the camera. The great minimum focus distance also makes it a bit flexible for compositions.
The weakness of the 45mm F2 lens is the bokeh. It’s a bit lively and condom like at F2, it calms down a bit at F2.8 but you will see octagonal highlights because of the fewer blades used for the aperture.
If you can deal with the APS-C focal length, I see these lenses jumping in value as mirror less cameras become more common place. Just an amazing lens to shoot with.
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Contax Zeiss 45mm F2 G on NEX-5N No Post Processed JPG out of camera
First, DO NOT buy the cheap ebay adapters, I’m returning mine to the sketchy seller. I purchased a Photodiox version and while it looks Identical on the exterior to the cheap ebay version, it doesn’t grind and stick. I also have a Metabones adapter on the way.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the Focus Peaking feature is pretty critical if you’re not using a viewfinder. I’ve finally gotten much better at figuring out how to use it. You can’t rely on it for critical focus. You will have to zoom in. But for focusing quickly, it will help you a lot. As you rack the focus you can see how your plane of focus shifts back and forth so this will be very useful in placing that where you want it. For low contrast objects however, it is often hard to see peaking highlights.
These are Out of Camera JPG with Noise on LOW and mode on Standard.
I have NOT POST processed these at all except for slight straightening and import/export out of Lightroom. The included lens hood was used, no polarizers or filters of any kind (more…)