Contax Zeiss Distagon 28mm f2 "Hollywood" Facts & Servicing (CLA)

The Carl Zeiss Distagon 28mm f2 C/Y mount lens, also know as the "Hollywood", is one of the top lenses from the Contax Zeiss line up. With its value steadily rising, and less good copies being available, servicing these decades old lenses to survive modern use has been increasingly important.
I briefly introduce the lens and talk about some facts around this lens, its history and performance. Watch me as I take apart this beautiful lens with love and care, which has a stiff focus problem, and give it an overhaul, cleaning all its parts, repainting its yellowed lettering, lubricating the focusing mechanism, and assembling the lens back while adjusting it for optimal performance.
00:00 Introduction
00:28 Lens Introduction and facts
04:25 Side story
06:45 Lens Inspection
07:34 Lens Disassembly
12:01 Lens Cleaning
14:03 Engravings Repainting
14:32 Lubrication and Reassembly
20:24 Outro
Common problems with this lens:
- Stiff focus
- Incorrectly calibrated floating group (blurry edges)
- Lightly hazed back or middle element
- Deteriorated paint on the front element
- Coating marks on the front element
Servicing inquires: / areiamedia

[@AreiaMedia]

Here are the chapters of the video for your convenience: 00:00 Introduction 00:28 Lens Introduction and facts 04:25 Side story 06:45 Lens Inspection 07:34 Lens Disassembly 12:01 Lens Cleaning 14:03 Engravings Repainting 14:32 Lubrication and Reassembly 20:24 Outro

[@fyzd3r]

One of the best video I have seen in a while!!! really well film and done! Keep 'em coming!

[@nebukadnezzar3578]

So much valuable info here, amazing!! Definetly deserves way more subs ;)

[@oceansidesounddesign8770]

Thank you so much these videos. Outstanding.

[@fbnx4219]

Have you every done Zeiss Standard primes with an ARRI standard mount? Would be interesting to see how these come apart!

[@user-ge3nu8vm7x]

A very helpful video, many thanks. BTW, I'd very much like to see a balsam separation fix tutorial.

[@AreiaMedia]

I have a Contax 50/1.4 here with seperation. I'm planning to make a video when I fix it.

[@user-ge3nu8vm7x]

@@AreiaMedia Thank you very much in advance.

[@capimadrazo]

Hello! what's the size of the screws used in the focusing ring? Thank you!

[@HostoPhoto]

Great job ! I can recommend using an toothbrush to clean the helicoids :)

[@AreiaMedia]

Thank you! I'm actually using one if you check around 13:40!

[@BK-it8ht]

Do you have the 18mm 4.0? A video on that one would be nice.

[@heyaga9916]

Can you do a 50 1.7 Zeiss c/y?

[@MacVitRu]

Привет. Сделай пожалуйста видео по разборке 28мм 2.8. Ещё вопрос, какую белую краску используешь для цифр?

[@AreiaMedia]

Hi. I will make one for the 28/2.8 soon :) I'm using enamel paint for models.

[@egilltom]

Hi, very interesting Contax Zeiss videos. I have the 28mm f/2 and it has very stiff focus. I’ve tried to have it serviced here in Iceland where I live without much success. Is there any way of contacting you directly regarding servicing my copy?

[@AreiaMedia]

Hello Egil. There is a link at the description :)

[@egilltom]

@@AreiaMedia The link just brings me to the “about” page without the option to send a message.

[@AreiaMedia]

@Egill Tómasson Sorry, you will have to do that on a desktop computer or activate desktop version on your phone. Thanks!

[@Madispuk]

What type of grease are you using for helicoids?

[@AreiaMedia]

Various types depending on lens and situation. Sometimes different on each of the helicoids. Japan hobby tools helicoid grease 10 & 30, helimax XP and a few others. You just experiment on a simple lens with all the different greases, so you know how each one feels, and know what to put on each situation.

[@adama7357]

Hello I have some questions I’d like to ask you. Is there a way to get in touch without? Are you on Instagram ? Is about my zeiss 28mm f/2 distagon ze

[@AreiaMedia]

There is contact link in the description.