Review 4 of 12
Price Paid:
$860.00
from Hong Kong Summary:
This is a fellow-up of my previous review. After two years of using it regularly, it still remains one of my favourite lenses. This lens is one of the best portrait lenses (although some would say Marko-Planar 100 is as good). I always use it for studio and outdoor portrait. It is definitely worth buying the Contax 67mm dedicated rubber hood to go with it.
This lens was orginally developed for the Contarex system. It is a bit sharper than the famous Contarex Sonnar 85/2 which I also own. I believe the new Contax N 85/1.4 has the same basic design and construction.It is not only useful for portrait but also great for general landscape, architectual and low light photography.
I needed to clarify the point about Made in Japan vs Made in Western lens issue. Carl Zeiss told me that there is absolutely no difference in term of performance and construction between the old W. German made AE lenses and the new Japanese made MM lenses. All those things said by the dealers are pure fairy tales! The only difference is that "made in West Germany" is more "purely Zeiss" in collector's mind. Strengths:
Nice "Bo-ke" of the out-of-focus areas when it is used wide-opened. Ideal for tight head portrait.
The lens is pin-sharped when stopped down.
Natural reproduction of subtle tone and hue. Weaknesses:
Sometimes it is a bit too sharp for portrait: it shows every pores and spots of the model face in tight head shot with diffused daylight. I would recommend the use of the ultra-high qulaity soft filter: 67mm Softar I ( but costs around $170). Similar Products Used:
Zeiss Contax 28/2.8, 50/1.7, 135/2.8, 180/2.8 and 500/8. Zeiss Contarex 85/2 and 50/2.
| 
Sample Images
More Products from Contax
Link to this page
2 of 5
5 of 5
