Contax Planar T* 100mm f/2

I have used some medium telephoto lenses for landscape, portraits, architectural parts, interiors and candid, as: zuiko 100/2,8, zuiko 100/2, zuiko 85/2, nikon Ai 85/2, Ai 105/2,5, pentax smc 85/2, and in Contax the 85/2,8 Sonnar, 100/3,5 Sonnar and the marvellous 85/1,4 Planar. But the Pearl is this 100/2 Planar. The contrast is superb at all diaphragms. The size, weight and price are proportional for a great piece as this. For a Lens at the maximum level. I think, that there are not any lenses to compare this lens, except for another 100/2 Planar. The MTF test do it an excellent lens, but the really value is (I think) of the pleasure to see the image made with this wonderful lens. The projection of an hundred slides has been simply fantastic.

All.

Only difficulty to find it.

I have not used any other CZ telephotos and wouldn't feel qualified to compare them even if I had. I can only say that I'm happy with my lens and would like to share some of the things I learned about it before buying. This is a very slow seller and rumor is that it will be discontinued. It's really difficult to find reviews or information about it. I don't think that there is a problem with the lens but it competes with the excellent 85/2.8 at about 1/3 the price and also with the legendary 85/1.4 (perhaps the most popular CZ lens ever made) for about half the price. The good news is that if you are willing to buy used, you can pick one up in truly great condition for about the same price as an 85/1.4. I once found MTF numbers listed for it and some of the other CZ lenses at the center, half way out and at the edges of the image measured at each aperture. If memory serves the results were that both the 100/2.0 and the 85/1.4 were truly excellent performers at f5.6, the 85/1.4 was somewhat better stopped down around f11 or f16 and the 100/2.0 was considerably better at f2.0 and especially at f2.8 where the difference in lens performance was at a maximum. The MTF curves show a slightly better performance in the center of the image for both 85s but a considerably better performance toward the edges for the 100/2.0. I've read that this lens was designed for use in science and industry and was made to reduce distortion, give even illumination and maintain high performance even toward the edges of the image. I'd guess that the 85/1.4 would be the better choice if you really need the 1.4 aperture, if you'll shoot mostly stopped way down and if getting the best possible center resolution is important to you. You might look into a used 100/2.0 however if you will use this lens mostly at f2.o or f2.8 and if performance away from center is importatnt.

50% off for a used lens in excellent condition. Truly superb performance at f2.8 and toward the edges at all apertures.

slightly weak at dead center frame, especially stopped way down.

Can't compare.

Not used.

I bought this lens the same year after I bought my Contax RTS in 1980. Equipped my RTS with the film winder and mounted it with the Planar 100mm f2 is a perfect balance. My Planar 100mm f2 is not the MM lens so it cannot provide TV or Program function for new Contax models. I don't know if there is anything different with the new version of MM lens. But mine is an originally West Germany made lens and the quality and performance is just top class. I use it mostly for portriat but also for some landscape photos. I use colour negatives most of the time and found the photos taken by this lens is just like an oil painting. You don't see grain structure basically. It is more like my paint brush than my lens. I also use my Nikon 85mm f1.8 frequently. It is also a razor sharp lens. But the way of sharpness Japanese lens provided is different. My feeling is Nikon 85mm provides a higher contrast black & white type of sharpness. Even, my Hasselblad X-Plan 45mm standard lens comes with an excellent degree of sharpness. But the colour tone is still cannot be compared with the Zeiss. Recently, I have bought a new AX and although my Planar 100mm f2 cannot be used in TV and Program mode, it doesn't bother me. The size of the AX and the 100mm f2 has just formed a matching couple.

Crispy sharp, robustly build, balance handling,well damped focusing ring, excellent skin tone reproduction, very fine grain structure

Nothing so far

Nikon 85mm f1.8 non AI, Canon 100mm f2.8, Contax 90mm f2.8 G-series, Hasselblad X-Plan 45mm f4.

Dealer for Contax in HK is nothing to mention. It seems that the majority of Contax optical products in HK are grey import items.

The 100mm f/2 is just not as sharp as Zeiss would have us believe. I was very disappointed. The 85mm f/1.4 is a much better & sharper lens. I rented the 100mm, as I was considering buying it, but when I realized that it was not that sharp I changed my mind. There are people out there who swear by that lens though, but bottom line, it's on the soft side.

*light weight
*Fast
*High contrast
*good color
*Slick & racy design

I hate to say it but this lens is not that sharp. It's more on the soft side.

85mm f/1.4 Planar & other Zeiss lenses, & Leica lenses

Never needed.

Over the years I have used pretty much all of the Contax medium telephoto lenses and have been very happy with their performance. They are all very, very good and probably among the very best in their focal lengths. Even so, I was really impressed when I got back my first slides taken with the Planar 100mm f2.0 lens. This is a truly superb medium telephoto lens, even when compared with the other Contax lenses. It is newer in design than most of the other short to medium telephoto lenses for Contax. The performance is particularly remarkable wide open with beautifully sharp crisp in focus areas and lovely out of focus backgrounds. The lens is significantly sharper wide open than is the highly regarded 85/1.4 which is a little soft at f 1.4 (the 85/1.4 is no slouch by any means and I know many photographers switch to Contax specifically because they fall in love with the 85/1.4. The 100/2.0 Planar is even better)!

Superb image quality (one of the very best of the Zeiss lenses for Contax along with the 50/1.4 Planar and 21/2.8 Distagon). As is typical of Contax lenses the fit and finish is super.

Size, weight and cost

Zeiss 85/1.4, Zeiss 85/2.8, Zeiss 100/3.5, Zeiss 135/2.8, Konica Hexanon 100/2.8, Hexanon 85/1.8

I have only had to have one adjustment made on one of my Contax lenses. The service was very good. However when I have had problems with SLR bodies, Contax USA has often not gotten the problem corrected on the first attempt.