Contax Vario-Sonnar T* 28-85mm f3.3-4 Zoom Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by:

Rrecker
( Expert)

Review Date
September 2, 2005

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Review 1 of 12

Price Paid: $400.00

Summary:

The best zoom ever made? lots of us think so. Consider the primes lenses this zoom would replace in your camera bag: 28 f/2.8, 35 f/2.8, 45 f/28, 50 f/1.7 and the 85 f/2.8. The amazing part is, its nearly impossible todistinguish between images made by this zoom and the afore mentioned primes. With enough enlargement, the primes eventually win the day, but not by much. The lens is a chunk, and carrying it around on an RTSIII with a full load of AA batteries is no joy. The front element rotates during focus, its some what quirky in that the zoom is fully extended at 28mm and fully retracted at 85mm. I'm not a fan of zoom lenses, I think they turn people into lazy tourist photographers (no offense meant to the lazy tourist photographers out there) Fixed focal lengths make you move around alot more and you spend more time composing your shot. I make the exception with this lens because the image quality is stunning.

Strengths:

quite capable of kicking major booty on other manufactures prime lenses everday of the week and twice on Sunday with one of its T* coated lenses tied behind its back.

Weaknesses:

yeah its heavy, the front element rotates, it requires a huge thin polarizer. What would Arnie think if he heard you whining like that? don't be a girly man (or woman)

Similar Products Used:

eh I think I may have all of them over the years. give me a good camera body and killer glass I'll do the rest.

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Rating
Reviewed by: Jason
(Professional)

Review Date
March 3, 2003

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.50 of 5,
2 votes

Review 2 of 12

Price Paid: $0.00 from B&H

Summary:

This lens is the real deal! I have five Contax prime lenses and and am extremely happy with all of them. Decided that I neede a zoom in this range and took the financial plunge and bought a new one (searched for several months and could not find a used one anywhere, and now I know why). This lens is extremely well made and tack sharp at all ranges. I'm not going to make comparisons, but if you are just getting into the manual Contax line, let this be your primary lens in the 28-85 range. I will keep my primes that fall in this range, but this zoom stays on one of my bodies ALL the time. Get the Contax lens hood and a thin filter, either Heliopan or B&W. The Contax filter is not made by the Contax company and are not up to par with the companies previously mentioned.

Strengths:

SHARP at all focal points. Excellent build quality.

Weaknesses:

Wish it was a two touch rather than push-pull, but with the results I get, not complaining.

Similar Products Used:

Used several auto focus zooms from other makers over the years. There are some very good ones, but this one is great.

Customer Service:

I have never had to send a camera or lens back that was under the Contax/Kyocera warranty. However, I have heard some negative comments in regards to dealing with the company. This from individuals as well as several photo stores.

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Rating
Reviewed by: Charles Lau
(Intermediate)

Review Date
March 30, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Review 3 of 12

Price Paid: $1000.00 from Samys

Summary:

This has to be the best zoom lens made. It even auto-focuses with the Contax AX, what more can I ask?

Strengths:

As sharp as my Zeiss prime lenses;
Superb colors;
Excellant build quality

Weaknesses:

Rather heavy;
Still looking for the perfect lens hood.

Similar Products Used:

Other Contax lenses
Tamron 90/f2.5 macro

Customer Service:

None required, but Kyocera has been excellant with my camera bodies.

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Rating
Reviewed by: Jeff Lorriman
(Professional)

Review Date
March 19, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 4 of 12

Summary:

Bottm line is I love this lens. Absolutely one of the best and most useful in my bag. I listed a few weaknesses but keep in mind sometimes the lens goes through hell a number of time and for a while now. I'd buy another in a second. I found filter selection made quite a difference to the amount of flare in back lit shots. Stick with Contax brand or top quaulity with multicoating. My B+W flared less than the Heliopan. Who knows why.

Strengths:

Very sharp.
When shooting it spends 80% of it's time on the RTS III. Wonderful lens. One of my best purchases.

Weaknesses:

Front element rotates when focusing. Makes it harder with polarizers and graduated filters. Constant aperture would be nice.
Sometimes takes time to focus- have to rake it back and forth looking for a defined edge or specular highlight.
Mine get considerable use and is showing some mechanical wear (looseness) when fully extended (28mm) Doesn't appear to affect image quality though logic would suggest otherwise if the element moves even slightly.
But I'm very, very happy with this lens, I'd have another in a second.

Similar Products Used:

Sigma 28-70 f2.8

Customer Service:

Always great and honest. Thankyou Contax Canada.

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Rating
Reviewed by: Meryl Arbing
(Intermediate)

Review Date
January 25, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
3 votes

Review 5 of 12

Price Paid: $1500.00 from Henry's

Summary:

Can't do better than this. Skip the third party compromises and go with the real thing.

Strengths:

Reputed to be the best zoom in the world and with good reason. It is incredibly sharp at all focal lengths and is a perfect fit for the zoom range of my TLA360 flash.

Weaknesses:

Heavy for a single lens but lighter in my bag than the fixed focal length lenses it replaces.

Similar Products Used:

Zeiss VS 80-200/f4
Tamron 28-200 (till I got my first shots back)

Customer Service:

Never a problem with the product.

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