Regarding the Zeiss Hologon Camera

[fr3derick]

Hey all.

I was wondering if anyone here has had the experience of using the Zeiss Hologon camera, and 1. is it possible to use the camera without the handgrip, and 2. without the ND filter?

Thanks so much for your help guys!!

Fred

[sevo]

1. sure - handheld without grip might be clumsy, but it works fine with a cable release. For tripod use (and given the low speed and for levelling you'll usually want a tripod), the grip would get into the way.

2. only as a special effect. Light falloff without filter is far more dramatic than on modern retrofocal ultrawides for SLR or digital use - almost to black to the edges of slide film, and still beyond any possibility of darkroom or post-processing correction with negative film.

3. The Contax G Hologon, including camera, is more affordable and optically superior in flare resistance and resolution. If you intend to use rather than collect, go for that rather than the Hologon camera!

[fr3derick]

sevo, thanks for your prompt reply! i'm a bit confused; how is it possible to use the camera with a cable release but without the grip? thanks! also, does the hologon use a specific cable release, or generic one? i tried looking up, but the number of contax cable releases itself is daunting i don't know which one to buy ):

2/3; thanks!

thanks so much!!

[Landshark]

Centuries(70's) ago I got to play with one from the store I worked at. Shot a roll or two of film and had fun with it.
I vaguely recall that shooting without the grip brings your knuckles into the frame.

[sevo]

Originally Posted by fr3derick

also, does the hologon use a specific cable release, or generic one?

I have no idea - I rented one ages ago, when it was a less distorting alternative to renting a 15mm Nikkor, and it came without grip and with a regular cable release. The grip is convenient and comfortable when hand-holding it - but it is perfectly possible to hold the bare body without photographing your knuckles. FWIW, there now are many lenses wider than 110° (orthogonal up to 121°/12mm, and a variety of even wider fisheyes) generally used without a grip.

[enasniearth]

Zeiss made a grip and if I remember correctly the cable release was part of the grip , to speed up shooting .

Of the ones I have seen used over many years , the grip is not necessary as you can use handheld without a cable release . Just place your hands to avoid fingers in the photograph ( only takes one roll )

As far as the neutral density filter , it is f8 without , f 16 or f32 with ,
So you use the filter outside to give even exposure to the frame .
When the light fades you remove it to actually take pictures in subdued light
Where the falloff is less noticed .

It is a great lens , the original hologon is 15mm , the g series is not as wide at 16 mm , the later g series lens focuses - the original hologon is fixed focus
Unless you have the very rare 15 mm f8 for Leica m mount which does focus ( uncoupled to rf ) which is insanely costly .

It is a modification of the goertz Hypergon large format lens from the late 1800' s. it has an additional central hourglass shaped element , added to the two spherical glass elements of the Hypergon , Zeus bought their old competier in the early 1900's and so ended up with goertz's optical designs .

[fr3derick]

enasniearth,

thanks so much for your advice! it seems like getting an nd filter is rather tough then eh ): if i want to start shooting now is there any other way i can compensate for this lack of nd filter?

thanks,
fred

[sevo]

Originally Posted by fr3derick

thanks so much for your advice! it seems like getting an nd filter is rather tough then

It is easy to get a camera with filter (if you have the cash) but won't be entirely easy to get a separate one. Most Hologon cameras were in the shelves of collectors throughout, and are complete with filter and grip. But two out of the five (overpriced) ones currently available on ebay are missing the filter - and at least some of these separated filters must be about somewhere. I have seen spare filters on some camera fairs - at extortionate prices, but with the collectors interest waning, they might be more affordable by now.

Originally Posted by fr3derick

if i want to start shooting now is there any other way i can compensate for this lack of nd filter?

Not that I know of - there are few centre filters, and all (except for the Hologon one) appear to have been made to match Russar/Biogon/Super-Angulon type lens designs, which have half the falloff and a different distribution curve. Besides, they'd have to match the size - which none seem to do (all currently made ones are significantly bigger, which would bring down the used range of the curve even further even if you'd adapt them).