Contax Vario-Sonnar T* 35-70mm f3.4 Zoom Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by: SingLO
(Intermediate)

Review Date
October 16, 2003

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 1 of 6

Price Paid: $715.00

Summary:

Very sharp and compact zoom with constant aperture. Its performance is in par with prime lenses. Zooming mechanism is silky smooth without zoom creep. It outperforms the Zeiss 28-70 VS in sharpness. Its macro function (1:4) is very good.

Strengths:

high constrast and sharpness compact and light

Weaknesses:

expensive, front barrel rotates making the use of polariser difficult, small zoom ratio.

Similar Products Used:

Zeiss N24-85 VS

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Rating
Reviewed by: Eric Leung
(Casual)

Review Date
May 31, 2003

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.50 of 5,
2 votes

Review 2 of 6

Price Paid: $340.00 from 2nd hand camera shop

Summary:

An excellent compact zoom lens from Zesis. Picture is typical zesis taste. Very good lens build. My standard lens on Aria.

Strengths:

Very good lens build Smooth zoom and focus A bonus marco at 35mm Sharp and contrasty

Weaknesses:

Limited zoom range, a bit difficult to focus in wide angle

Similar Products Used:

CZ 25/2.8, CZ 80-200/4

Customer Service:

NIL

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Rating
Reviewed by: wo
(Intermediate)

Review Date
August 5, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Review 3 of 6

Price Paid: $900.00 from man shing, hongkong

Summary:

as good as the Leica zoom; much better than canon L zoom; comparable to nikon 50/1.2 when set to 50 mm focal length; now the price goes down to only about US$ 500 -----

Strengths:

possibly the best standard zoom

Weaknesses:

price -- expensive when I bought in 1996

Similar Products Used:

nikon 35-70/2.8, 28-85/3.5-4.5, 28-70/2.8, 50/1.2, 50/1.8; canon 28-70/2.8L; leica 35-70/3.5R, 50/2M, 28-35-50/4

Customer Service:

nil

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Rating
Reviewed by: Reinhard
(Expert)

Review Date
May 1, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Review 4 of 6

Summary:

This is an excellent Zoom which can compete with the best primes on the market also in case of flare!!!(just 10 elements).You shouldn't complain about the limited zoom-range, therefore it's light and compact compared to the VS28-85. And finally: Don't underestimate the macro-setting!

Strengths:

Very sharp and contrasty from f8,0-22.
Compact, lightweight and easy to use. Excellent close focussing ability (25cm) delivering top notch results. Overall it's as good as the best primes!!!

Weaknesses:

Soft wide open and at f4,0(more then you would expect from a Zeiss-Zoom). You should stop down to f8,0.

Similar Products Used:

Several Zeiss-Primes and Canon L-Zooms.

Customer Service:

Overhaul-service is top quality and fast

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Rating
Reviewed by: Malcolm Farrow
(Expert)

Review Date
April 27, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 5 of 6

Summary:

A fantastic general purpose lens. Quality between f5.6 and f11 as good as the best fixed focal length lenses made by Zeiss and better than most other makes I've tried. Well worth high cost, eats Canon and Minolta consumer zooms for breakfast. Forget the range, enjoy the quality!

Strengths:

Lightweight and faster handling compared to Zeiss 28-85 = better for general photography where speed important

Weaknesses:

Zoom range

Similar Products Used:

Zeiss 28-85, Olympus OM 35-70 f3.6 Minolta 24-85, Canon 28-105

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