Group: Administrator
Post: 1,369 (301 liked)
Join date: February 2017
Status: Failed treatment for L.B.A. and G.A.S,
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on Aug 6, 2020 19:12:43 GMT
Last Edit: Aug 6, 2020 19:13:48 GMT by lumiworx
What was supposedly working, turned into the opposite. Now a newly acquired Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 28-80mm kit lens on an NX won't autocus. I've read a few things about Contax N lenses dealing with non-working motors as the primary problem. In this case, the motor seems to run continuosly when the AF prefocus button is pressed (or a shutter half-press), but the focus ring on the lens won't move while it does. I get beeps and a 'no-focus' red flashing feedback square in the viewfinder, but otherwise it does nothing to complete any focusing.
I haven't attemted to open the lens yet, and I don't know what to expect if I do... so a couple of questions come to mind before I jump in.
Does the motor use some kind of external gearing or gear box? Could something other than the internal motor be the cause of it not starting to hunt for focus (focus ring's gear/tooth/shaft is loose or broken), or is everything sealed inside a drive assembly that can only be replaced? Is there an assembly guide or even repair manuals for the N lenses available anywhere?
As it is, it probably only works as a manual focus lens. I have yet to run a roll through it, so hard to tell for certain if it does.
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Group: Administrator
Post: 1,369 (301 liked)
Join date: February 2017
Status: Failed treatment for L.B.A. and G.A.S,
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on Aug 16, 2020 22:34:22 GMT
Posted: Aug 16, 2020 22:34:22 GMT
An update of sorts... I went looking for info and repair details, and found that Conrus had a short how-to on diagnosing autofocus issues on N lenses. Going by the results of that, the motor's gears are apparently stripped, and just not engaging with anything. I certainly don't have the tools to pull and replace a set of miniscule gears myself, so unless someone at Conorus can do the work at reasonable cost (without doing their usual conversion too), then it looks like the 28-80 will remain a manual lens. I wrote an email to enquire the day I posted here, but no response yet. There's only two other options for motor repairs that I know of, and both could be far costlier than buying another lens outright. The short now-manual zoom has a new sibling that's fully working, so at least I've confirmed the body isn't an issue. This is one time I'm not planning on adapting to digital unless these 2 lenses really blow my socks off after a couple of rolls of film. The cheapest and only adapter for an A7R at the moment is from Kipon, and at $278 USD for a new one, I'm not ready to take a leap of faith just yet. I have plenty of C/Y glass now, without the extra expense. The new family photo...
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Join date: July 2016
Status:
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on Aug 23, 2020 21:15:01 GMT
Last Edit: Aug 23, 2020 21:18:43 GMT by lenslover
A good combo, Lumiworks, if you want to see what this NX with the 28-80 Lens can do, check out here: casualphotophile.com/2020/03/09/contax-nx-review/
FYI, this Vario Sonnar 28-80 was being designed by Sigma, back into the Day. But nevermind, as a "KitLens" it's good enough, and Zeiss said back then, they couldn't design it better, anyway...and it does feature the T* Coatings, anyway.
PS: I've thought Conorus was being out of the business, a hell long time ago. They've become famous for their (albeit very expensive) Contax N 24-85 Conversions, back into their Day.
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Group: Administrator
Post: 1,369 (301 liked)
Join date: February 2017
Status: Failed treatment for L.B.A. and G.A.S,
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on Aug 23, 2020 22:43:01 GMT
Posted: Aug 23, 2020 22:43:01 GMT
lenslover ... Thanks for that link. A great read and a nice endorsement for both the camera and the 28-80. I'd read that Sigma was responsible for the lenses, and it was an arrangement similar to the one with Zeiss and Yashica, but not a lot of details beyond that. I thought that someone at Conurus might at least be open to answering emails, even if they were no longer doing conversions. There was no 'undeliverable' notice for the mail I sent, but I haven't gotten a reply - and odds are, I won't get one either. I thought it was at least worth a try. The NX and lens pair are due for a film trial once it gets a bit cooler, and I'll have a few more questions answered after I get the negatives and scans back after that. There's a newer family photo too...
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Group: Moderator
Post: 2,033 (561 liked)
Join date: April 2014
Status: Long, long time Contax and Yashica user; glad to be here and hope to contribute.
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on Sept 7, 2020 17:04:57 GMT
Posted: Sept 7, 2020 17:04:57 GMT
That 70-200 is an excellent lens.
The only slightly iffy lens in the N-series is the 70-300 as it varies in quality; some are very soft yet others are pin-sharp. The 85mm is stunning as is the macro.
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