Funleader refreshes Contax G35 to Leica M conversion with Black Edition

Leica M shooters have long chased Contax G glass for a reason: the 35mm f/2 Planar sits in that sweet spot where classic Zeiss rendering meets a focal length that actually gets used. Funleader’s refreshed Black Edition leans into that obsession, giving the Contax G35 a new path into Leica M workflows without asking owners to sacrifice originality.

The appeal starts with the lens family itself. ZEISS lists the Contax G lineup as including the Biogon T* 21mm, Biogon T* 28mm, Hologon T* 16mm, Planar T* 35mm, Planar T* 45mm, Sonnar T* 90mm and Vario-Sonnar T* 35-70mm. Among them, the 35mm f/2 has become the obvious candidate for rangefinder carry, the kind of lens photographers reach for when they want a balanced frame, familiar perspective and the kind of character people still associate with older Carl Zeiss optics.

The problem was always the mount. The Contax G system was built around a rangefinder-style autofocus platform, which made those lenses awkward in modern Leica M use. Funleader’s answer, first introduced in August 2019 with Mr Ding Studio, was a non-destructive conversion that moves the original optical block into a dedicated helicoid. The lens can then couple properly to a Leica M rangefinder, so focusing happens normally instead of through guesswork or workarounds.

The new Black Edition keeps that core idea intact. Funleader says the conversion components now use upgraded aluminum alloy housing, making the setup lighter and more durable for day-to-day handling. A matching aluminum lens cap and all-black finish give the converted lens a cleaner look on modern Leica M bodies. The optical version still uses brass construction, preserving the heavier, more tactile feel many rangefinder shooters expect when they spend real money on a conversion like this.

That matters because the value here is not just visual polish. The system remains non-destructive, which means the original optical block can be returned to the original lens body later. For collectors and working shooters alike, that is the difference between a smart adaptation and a permanent modification that can dent resale value or lock a lens into one setup forever.

Funleader’s broader Contax G conversion project now covers 28mm, 35mm and 45mm focal lengths, and that scope explains the demand. A 2024 Contax G45 conversion batch was limited to 300 lenses and described as a last restock, a reminder that these adapters live at the intersection of scarcity, nostalgia and practical use. Leica set the M standard in 1954, ZEISS re-entered the rangefinder segment in 2004 with the Zeiss Ikon ZM and a new range of ZM lenses, and the Black Edition sits neatly in that lineage: a reversible bridge between orphaned Zeiss glass and the most established rangefinder workflow still in use.