This 21-year-old beast is the perfect portrait lens.
Contax Sonnar T* 2.8/140mm lens
Shot with Fuji GFX50s 120mm 1/40s f6.3 ISO400
The Sonnar T* 2.8/140 lens is the medium Tele-photo lens in the Contax 645 autofocus system.
The focal length 140mm on my the Fuji GFX camera produces images similar to those from a 110.6mm f/2.21 lens on a 35mm full-frame sensor. I use this lens all the time, perfect for portraits and to create a cinematic look in the most mundane subject.
The Sonnar is a fast lens that is sharp corner-to-corner, I carry it with me all the time.
Contax Sonnar T* 2.8/140mm lens
Shot with Fuji GFX50s 120mm 1/40s f4.5 ISO400
I use it with an adapter made by Fringer as I have said in previous posts, and it works perfectly.
All of these lenses are metal and with metal components, what not to love in solid gear that lasts a lifetime.
I have used this lens using the Contax 645 kit, shooting film.
It gave me the perfect portrait lens, (an 86.8mm f/1.74 on the 645 Medium Format), the sweet spot for portraits.
The blur on the background is gorgeous, and you can nullify it by creating a greater distance from the subject, and it makes this lens even more useful.
Shot with Fuji GFX50s 120mm 1/400s f3.5 ISO160
Shot with Contax 645 140mm Ilford Fp4
Shot with Fuji GFX50s 140mm 1/100s f2.8 ISO1600
Shot with Contax 645 140mm Ektar100
Shot with Fuji GFX50s 140mm 1/200s f2.8 ISO800
Shot with Contax 645 140mm Ektar100
Conclusion:
With the Contax 645 and the Fuji GFX, the lens delivers incredible results when used in the right way. It’s an excellent lens to convey some dramatic feeling, but also bring the background ideally into the shot.
It’s not a big lens like the 210mm, and it’s perfect for fashion, portrait, travel, even landscapes, it has an excellent distortion control even at the widest apertures.
What do you think about this lens? What’s your favourite lens to shoot portraits?
On the next post, I will talk about another book that I love very much called “At work“, a book by Annie Leibovitz.
Pedro Lucas
Photographer/Director