Mr. Ding Contax G35/2 Conversion V2.1

Mr. Ding Contax G35/2 Conversion V2.1

The Mr. Ding Contax G35/2 Conversion V2.1 is a purpose-built Leica M rehousing for the original Carl Zeiss Planar T* 35mm f/2 optical assembly from the Contax G autofocus rangefinder system. It belongs to the same broader non-destructive conversion lineage developed by Mr Ding Studio and Funleader, but V2.1 is marketed directly by Mr Ding Studio as its own current conversion product.

The system replaces the original Contax G autofocus housing with a manually operated Leica M-compatible focusing assembly. The original optical block can be installed without permanent alteration, allowing the donor components to be returned to their original configuration if required.

V2.1 retains the original Carl Zeiss seven-element, five-group Planar optical construction and seven-blade diaphragm. The optical design itself is not reproduced or recalculated by Mr Ding.

The principal change from Mr Ding V2.0 is mechanical construction and weight. V2.1 uses a high-strength aluminium-alloy outer housing while retaining brass for the internal focusing helicoids. Mr Ding states that this redesign reduces the complete converted lens by approximately 80g compared with V2.0.

The V2.1 conversion kit weighs approximately 177g without the donor optics, while a complete lens with an original Contax G35 optical block installed weighs approximately 233g.

The front retains a 46mm filter connection and the conversion provides mechanical rangefinder focusing on Leica M cameras.

As with the preceding V2.0 construction, the smallest aperture position has a documented mechanical limitation. When the aperture ring is set to f/16, the effective aperture is approximately f/13. When returning directly toward f/11, the diaphragm can remain near f/13 until the ring is cycled from f/8 toward f/11.

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Optical qualities

Rendering

V2.1 retains original Carl Zeiss Contax G35 optics, so the fundamental optical rendering is determined by the Planar T* 35mm f/2 design rather than by a new Mr Ding optical formula.

Reliable independent optical testing specifically isolating V2.1 from earlier conversion housings remains limited. Performance observations from earlier conversions can describe the retained optical block, but they do not establish mechanical calibration quality for every V2.1 example.

Sharpness

Independent testing of the same G35 optical block in an earlier rangefinder-coupled conversion found strong central sharpness at f/2, with peripheral performance improving after stopping down.

Because V2.1 changes the housing rather than the optical formula, no additional optical resolution should be attributed to the lighter barrel itself.

Bokeh and transitions

The original seven-blade Contax G diaphragm is retained with the optical assembly. Out-of-focus rendering therefore follows the donor optical and diaphragm construction rather than a new V2.1 aperture design.

Distortion and vignetting

Testing of the G35 optical block in an earlier converted housing has shown visible vignetting at large apertures and weaker peripheral definition at long distances when used wide open. These characteristics are associated with the retained optical design rather than with the V2.1 exterior housing.

Digital use

The conversion allows the Contax G35 optical block to function as a conventional manual Leica M lens rather than depending on the original electronic Contax focusing system.

Mr Ding specifically provides rangefinder focusing through the conversion mechanism, making V2.1 suitable for optical rangefinder operation on compatible Leica M bodies as well as live-view focusing on digital cameras.

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History

Development and Launch

The Carl Zeiss Planar T* 35mm f/2 was developed for the Contax G autofocus system during the 1990s.

Mr Ding Studio later became involved in developing dedicated Leica M housings for Contax G optics. In collaboration with Funleader, the first non-destructive G35 conversion system was introduced in 2019.

This system transferred the original G35 optical block into a new manual focusing helicoid while preserving the possibility of restoring the donor lens to its original Contax configuration.

The conversion concept subsequently evolved through additional mechanical generations. V2.0 introduced a substantially revised focusing mechanism and barrel design.

By 2026, Mr Ding Studio had introduced V2.1 as the lightweight successor to its V2.0 G35 conversion.

Production Evolution

V2.1 changes the material distribution of the conversion housing.

The earlier V2.0 complete assembly used substantially more brass and weighed approximately 312g with the original G35 optical block installed.

For V2.1, Mr Ding redesigned the external housing in high-strength aluminium alloy while retaining brass internal focus helicoids. The completed lens weight consequently fell to approximately 233g.

Mr Ding describes the brass internal helicoids as important to maintaining the mechanical damping and tactile resistance of the focusing mechanism while reducing unnecessary exterior mass.

The underlying Carl Zeiss optical assembly remains unchanged.

Special Editions/Variants

The currently documented V2.1 product is offered in black.

Mr Ding sells both the conversion kit by itself and a complete pre-converted lens containing original Contax G35 optics. The kit weighs approximately 177g, while the documented complete lens weighs approximately 233g.

These purchasing options do not constitute separate optical versions.

Collector Notes

V2.1 should be distinguished from both the original 2019 conversion generation and the heavier V2.0 system.

The principal visual and handling distinction is the lightweight aluminium exterior combined with brass internal focusing components.

The 233g specification applies to a completed V2.1 conversion with original G35 glass installed. The 177g figure refers only to the conversion kit and must not be entered as the LeicaLensList lens weight.

The original Carl Zeiss Contax G lens specifications should also not be substituted for the converted lens. The original autofocus lens used a different outer housing, focusing system and mount.

Mr Ding Studio and Funleader share part of the development history of these Contax G conversion systems. This V2.1 profile nevertheless represents the product marketed directly by Mr Ding Studio and is distinct from the separately marketed Funleader V2.0 conversion.

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Sources

• Mr. Ding Studio, Contax G35/2 for Leica M-Mount Conversion Kit V2.1mrdingstudio.com →
• Mr. Ding Studio, Contax G35/2 for Leica M-Mount Conversion Kit V2.0mrdingstudio.com →
• Mr. Ding Studio, Official Product Cataloguemrdingstudio.com →
• Funleader, Contax G35 Conversion Kit V2.0, A Structural Evolution of a Proven Systemmyfunleader.com →
• Carl Zeiss, Planar T* 2/35 Contax G datasheetzeiss.com →
• The Owl Hollow, Funleader Contax G Carl Zeiss Planar T* 35mm f/2 reviewtheowlhollow.wordpress.com →