Zeiss Contax lens for Nikon cameras

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We sell replacement mounts to use Contax lenses on Nikon cameras

Welcome to Leitax, this is our Zeiss/Contax for Nikon page. Yes, I know it, it should be not possible to use Contax lenses on Nikon cameras due to the negative registry distance, but there is a trick in this conversion that will make it possible for a selection on Carl Zeiss Contax lenses.

The same as with Leica lenses, this conversion is fully reversible and will not damage the lens nor the camera. The Zeiss/Contax lenses will focus to infinity, and your Nikon camera from D200 and upper model will meter in Av mode (stop down) and will show focus confirmation light in the viewfinder.

Our mount allows to use Carl Zeiss T* 35mm SLR Manual Focus Lenses on Nikon cameras, but only MM type with narrow diameter bayonet.

Please scroll down for the sales list and for the instructions

As far as I know, this is the complete list of Contax MM type prime lenses we can use.
MM lenses can be easily recognized as the smallest aperture on the scale is green.

MM Distagon*	18mm F4.0
MM Distagon*	21mm F2.8
MM Distagon*	25mm F2.8
MM Distagon	28mm F2.0
MM Distagon*	28mm F2.8
MM Distagon*	35mm F2.8
MM Planar*	50mm F1.7
MM Planar*	50mm F1.4
MM Makro-Planar C*	60mm F2.8
MM Sonnar*	85mm F2.8
MM Sonnar*	100mm F3.5
MM Sonnar*	135mm F2.8
MM Tele- Tessar	200mm F4
The lenses marked with an asterisk * have been already tested with a Leitax bayonet. The lenses in green color don't need to have the rear lens barrel shaved to be used on Full Frame Nikon cameras. The lenses in red color probably need to have the rear lens barrel shaved a bit to use the Full Frame Nikon cameras. Caution! the 18/4 lens cannot be used on a full frame Nikon camera. The rest of lenses in the list have been not tested yet on a Full Frame Nikon camera.

- Our customer and friend Lazare Caspi from www.monuniverspentax.com has found a simple way to use the Vario-Sonnar 3,5-4,5/28-70 on our cameras, please take a look here.

- I've tried the Vario-Sonnar 3,4/35-70 , which is said to be as good as primes, and this is the way to use it on a Nikon camera.
Warning: this one is a bit risky, I would recommend only for professionals and really daring and advanced diyers.

- Our client and friend Laurent managed to install our Contax mount on his Vario-Sonnar 28-85
NEW! Conversion instructions for the Vario-Sonnar 80-200/4 and Vario-Sonnar 35-135

Questions? Info@leitax.com

- The Nikon cameras of the consumer series (D40, D60, D90, D3000, D5000, etc) will not meter with an adapted lens if you don't glue a chip on the mount, but you can take a test picture and check the histogram to know the correct exposure.

- NEW! We are selling and installing the Dandelion chip for Nikon on the Leitax mounts, with it you get:
- Metering with consumer-class Nikon cameras ( D50, D60, D5000, D80, D90, D3000, etc)
- If your camera has a 3D matrix meter, it will function as well.
- Fine calibration of focus confirmation dot.
- Correct focal length and max. aperture in Exif data.
- These are the programming instructions
- This is how I glue the chip on a Leitax mount.
- This is how to glue a chip on a Nikkor AI-S lens.
- Caution! the Planar 50/1.4 cannot use the Dandelion chip ( it collides with the rear glass)

You can order the Contax-Nikon bayonet here.

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- The registered mail service is reliable but the delivery time is not very fast or even regular. If you need the Leitax mounts fast or you have a deadline I'd recommend the courier option.
- Handling & Shipping cost for any quantity of items and to all countries: 10 Euros. It will be added automatically at the Paypal checkout.
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This is the Nikon bayonet for Contax lenses with narrow mount.

Also included a spare bearing ball and four shorter screws, as the original ones could be too long using this bayonet.

New! with machined detents to have aperture ring stops.

84 Euro

This is the original Dandelion-Nikon chip for Leitax mounts (and other adapters where the chip is glued at the internal side)
With it you get:

- Metering (Matrix if available in your camera) with consumer-class Nikon cameras ( D50, D60, D5000, D80, D90, D3000, etc)
- Fine calibration of focus confirmation dot.
- Correct focal length and max. aperture in Exif data.

Out of stock
28 Euro

And this is the special Dandelion Chip for Nikkor manual lenses (and other lenses where the chip rests on top of a flat surface)
With it you get:

- Metering (Matrix if available in your camera) with consumer-class Nikon cameras ( D50, D60, D5000, D80, D90, D3000, etc)
- Aperture control from the camera.
- Fine calibration of focus confirmation dot.
- Correct focal length and max. aperture in Exif data.

Out of stock
27 Euro

The Leitax template simulates the mirror movement of a Full Frame Nikon camera.
With it, you can check if your adapted lens will hit the mirror of your camera without any risk of damage.

Template instructions

26 Euro

We offer to install the original Dandelion chip in our Leitax bayonets.

This price includes a chip and installation on the Leitax mount of your choice.

Included a Nikon cap to protect the installed chip.

Out of stock
37 Euro, chip glued on your Leitax mount.

This is the glue I use, it is strong and will not stick your fingers at once.

7 Euro

You may need a generic Nikon rear lens cap.

2 Euro

Or a generic Nikon body cap.

2 Euro

But, if you want the best, I can offer now the OP/TECH USA Nikon-F cap.

-It has a rubber O-Ring that seals the lens from dust and moisture.

-The O-ring also forms tight friction, it will avoid losing the cap.

-It covers the entire bayonet diameter, providing more protection against blows and scratches.

Out of stock
9 Euro

With certain models, we'll have to manipulate inside the lens, it's not a good place for something metallic. With this plastic tool I don't make any scratches in the Contax lenses.

3 Euro

I use this model for all the Phillips screws in the Leica and Zeiss lenses, it is industrial grade quality made by Irazola, and the design is very good, you can push and turn it firmly with the rotary end and the rubber finish.

9 Euro

This silicone grease is necessary in case you find the lens' spring-ball system a bit dry. One tube is enough for dozens of bayonet replacements.

1 Euro

Extra shipping cost for fast courier.
I would need your phone number for the courier shipping form.

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Contax MM lenses to Nikon mount instructions :

All the MM lenses tested are identical inside, so the following instructions will work for all of them, and I am pretty sure, for all the rest.

	These instructions are valid for the MM lenses with narrow mount only.
	First, I would take a picture of the bayonet, so it will be easy to rebuild later
	Some lenses have this curved piece here, we have to remove it. This one is the Sonnar 135mm.
	Now, unscrew the three upper bayonet screws. Use a good screwdriver, not those cheap ones from hobby shops, these screws are glued to the threads and it is necessary to make enough pressure and turn them carefully.
	And remove it.
	Now, unscrew the bayonet.
	And lift the diaphragm ring together with the bayonet. Caution! Have the aperture ring in a middle position before lifting it, and lift it vertically without twisting it while lifting it, to avoid moving to the extreme side the internal iris mechanism, which could be difficult to put again in its place.
	Ok, it's better to cover the lens meanwhile we are working on the ring.
	Now, we have to put the bayonet apart from the ring.
	When they are apart, look for the bearing ball, it should be near its place, over the small spring.
	This lever will interfere with the Leitax bayonet, we have to remove it.
	This lever is attached with two screws on almost all lenses. Please look here at the other type of lever's attachment.
	This is a rear view of the lever.
	To be able to rebuild the lens exactly as it was, let's mark with a needle around the rear of this lever.
	An now we can unscrew it.
	The lever and screws are out, please save them in the provided small plastic bag
	Here you can see the mark I did with the needle, now we can replace the lever exactly at the same place if ever needed.
	Put the diaphragm ring on the lens, you will see a lever inside that commands the blades, which goes inside this u shaped piece of clear metal. Now you must be able to open and close the diaphragm rotating the ring.
	Put a little bit of the special grease on this small spring, so the bearing ball will get sticked to it.
	Bring the small ball to its place , better don't use tweezers , the tip of your screwdriver with some grease will not lose it,
	And the ball is on the spring, leave an small amount of grease on the ball.
	And this is the trick, we are not going to use the perforated steel ring , this combined with the thinner bayonet allows the Contax lenses to focus to infinity on Nikon cameras.
	So we can use several Zeiss/ Contax lenses on our Nikon and Fujifilm cameras.
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