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Archive 2016Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
p.3 #1Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Greggf wrote:
It has also noticeable distorsion at the wide end. Yes, this is easily corrected in LR but at the cost of losing some microdetail in the process of interpolating/resampling..Yes, there was distortion at 35mm and if I remember correctly the extreme corners look at bit worse at 35mm as well. Is that the same experience you guys have?I must have a stellar copy. I think mine is sharp all the way to the corners. Are we talking infinity? What aperture? @f8-11 and 35mm, I've been blown away. I'd have to try and see if I shot around f4-5.6 to see how the corners are. I think the weak spot might be 70mm on my. @50mm@, though, the center is dead sharp WO. Stopped down to f11, it produces excellent results as well. And @f5.6 through the range, you could cut yourself!!
I must admit that the bokeh of the Contax can't compete with the GM, though. For a...Show more →
Thanks Gregg,
Can't wait to test my new copy next week. I usually shoot at f/8 anyways and will compare side by side to the GM.
Fred Miranda wrote
artur5 wrote
I tend to agree. My experience with this Contax zoom years ago was that, while the center was first class at any aperture, the corners at f/3.4-4 were 'usable' but far from stellar. Needing f/5.6 to reach very good levels. Of course that was, and still it is, an excellent performance for a zoom. Nevertheless, even back in that time, the Vario Sonnar 35-70 wide open couldn't really compete with the best primes.It has also noticeable distorsion at the wide end. Yes, this is easily corrected in LR but at the cost of losing some microdetail in the process of interpolating/resampling..
I must admit that the bokeh of the Contax can't compete with the GM, though. For a...Show more →
Thanks Gregg,
Can't wait to test my new copy next week. I usually shoot at f/8 anyways and will compare side by side to the GM.
Apr 10, 2016 at 11:41 AM
p.3 #2Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
^^^^ Thanks Fred! Looking forward to the comparison. I could always send you my copy to compare as well. I know your copy of the GM(and Guy's) are both stellar.
Btw...looking forward as well to your images from Mono Lake with your new GM 24-70!!
Here are a few Contax 35-70 grabs...I love this lens!
35mm @f11 prob
50mm @f11 as well
35mm again. This with CPL...love the bold colors and contrast of this lens!
Btw...looking forward as well to your images from Mono Lake with your new GM 24-70!!
Here are a few Contax 35-70 grabs...I love this lens!
35mm @f11 prob
50mm @f11 as well
35mm again. This with CPL...love the bold colors and contrast of this lens!
Apr 10, 2016 at 11:58 AM
p.3 #3Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Greggf wrote:
^^^^ Thanks Fred! Looking forward to the comparison. I could always send you my copy to compare as well. I know your copy of the GM(and Guy's) are both stellar.
Btw...looking forward as well to your images from Mono Lake with your new GM 24-70!!
Here are a few Contax 35-70 grabs...I love this lens!
I'm going through some images right now. I had some good moments there.
^^^^ Thanks Fred! Looking forward to the comparison. I could always send you my copy to compare as well. I know your copy of the GM(and Guy's) are both stellar.
Btw...looking forward as well to your images from Mono Lake with your new GM 24-70!!
Here are a few Contax 35-70 grabs...I love this lens!
I'm going through some images right now. I had some good moments there.
Apr 10, 2016 at 01:29 PM
p.3 #4Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Don't count out the Canon 24-70 f/4 IS. It's very good from 24mm through 50mm - a little weak at 70mm but that's where a 70-200mm would take over 
Here's a full-size 50MP image from my copy on the 5DSR, sharpened via USM:
Canon 24-70 f/4 IS @ 24mm f/8 on 5DSR
Here's a full-size 50MP image from my copy on the 5DSR, sharpened via USM:
Canon 24-70 f/4 IS @ 24mm f/8 on 5DSR
Apr 10, 2016 at 02:38 PM
p.3 #5Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Fred's images on the GM24-70 thread are incredible!
I'll ask here and on the GM24-70 vs Contax 35-70 thread; How is the micro-contrast and Zeiss pop on the new GM? I love it on my 35-70. It has great presence! Looking forward to seeing Fred's comparison between the two!!
Gregg
I'll ask here and on the GM24-70 vs Contax 35-70 thread; How is the micro-contrast and Zeiss pop on the new GM? I love it on my 35-70. It has great presence! Looking forward to seeing Fred's comparison between the two!!
Gregg
Apr 10, 2016 at 06:03 PM
p.3 #6Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Greggf wrote:
Fred's images on the GM24-70 thread are incredible!
Gregg
Thank you!
Fred's images on the GM24-70 thread are incredible!
Earlier quote
I'll ask here and on the GM24-70 vs Contax 35-70 thread; How is the micro-contrast and Zeiss pop on the new GM? I love it on my 35-70. It has great presence! Looking forward to seeing Fred's comparison between the two!!Thank you!
Apr 10, 2016 at 09:08 PM
p.3 #7Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
snapsy wrote:
Don't count out the Canon 24-70 f/4 IS. It's very good from 24mm through 50mm - a little weak at 70mm but that's where a 70-200mm would take over
Here's a full-size 50MP image from my copy on the 5DSR, sharpened via USM:
Canon 24-70 f/4 IS @ 24mm f/8 on 5DSR
I'd be really interested in a comparison with the f4 Canon vs the GM for landscapes.
Gordon
Don't count out the Canon 24-70 f/4 IS. It's very good from 24mm through 50mm - a little weak at 70mm but that's where a 70-200mm would take over
Here's a full-size 50MP image from my copy on the 5DSR, sharpened via USM:
Canon 24-70 f/4 IS @ 24mm f/8 on 5DSR
I'd be really interested in a comparison with the f4 Canon vs the GM for landscapes.
Gordon
Apr 11, 2016 at 03:09 AM
p.3 #8Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
I own the Canon 24-70 f4 IS, and it is not good at 50 as suggested in many reviews and validated by my own testing. Comparing to Sony 24-70 f4, the Sony is better from 40-55 maybe 60.
I found the Contax 35-70 better than both Canon and Sony 24-70 f4's at f8 especially in the corners and it crushes the Canon at 50mm..
Hope to test Sony 24-70 GM vs the Contax 35-70 later this week, Not sure I will have time to post pictures but will try and inform on findings
Bill
I found the Contax 35-70 better than both Canon and Sony 24-70 f4's at f8 especially in the corners and it crushes the Canon at 50mm..
Hope to test Sony 24-70 GM vs the Contax 35-70 later this week, Not sure I will have time to post pictures but will try and inform on findings
Bill
Apr 11, 2016 at 02:09 PM
p.3 #9Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
I tested the 24-70 f4 IS against my copy of the 35-70 f3.4 on my A7R both with the same MB adapter. At 50, the contax was clearly better. However, at 24, 35, and 70, there wasn't a bit difference. Just my 2 cents.
Another issue is, for me anyway, I shoot landscapes a lot in the 20-35 range and not so much in the 35-70 range. Thus, while it was a good zoom, I didn't use it that much and often ended up reaching for something else.
Chris
Another issue is, for me anyway, I shoot landscapes a lot in the 20-35 range and not so much in the 35-70 range. Thus, while it was a good zoom, I didn't use it that much and often ended up reaching for something else.
Chris
Apr 11, 2016 at 02:22 PM
p.3 #10Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
For landscape (remember f8 and be there) any thoughts on:
Batis 85
Sony 90mm macro (as landscape lens)
C/Y 85 f2.8
C/Y 100mm f3.5
Nikon 100mm E series or 105 f2.5
Leica 90mm f2 (not the APO)
Sony 70-200 f4
I am looking light and cheap with Batis being defined as top end of "cheap" and Sony 70-200 being top or over the top of light
:
Batis 85
Sony 90mm macro (as landscape lens)
C/Y 85 f2.8
C/Y 100mm f3.5
Nikon 100mm E series or 105 f2.5
Leica 90mm f2 (not the APO)
Sony 70-200 f4
I am looking light and cheap with Batis being defined as top end of "cheap" and Sony 70-200 being top or over the top of light
:
Apr 11, 2016 at 08:20 PM
p.3 #11Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
The Sony 90mm macro will be sharpest lens out of all you listed, but for landscape work I would buy the 70-200 f4 without a second thought. Very solid construction and sharp across the frame. You can get one used for 900-1100 which I think is a steal. This is if you're shooting f8 and up though.
billsnature wrote:
For landscape (remember f8 and be there) any thoughts on:
Batis 85
Sony 90mm macro (as landscape lens)
C/Y 85 f2.8
C/Y 100mm f3.5
Nikon 100mm E series or 105 f2.5
Leica 90mm f2 (not the APO)
Sony 70-200 f4
I am looking light and cheap with Batis being defined as top end of "cheap" and Sony 70-200 being top or over the top of light
:
billsnature wrote:
For landscape (remember f8 and be there) any thoughts on:
Batis 85
Sony 90mm macro (as landscape lens)
C/Y 85 f2.8
C/Y 100mm f3.5
Nikon 100mm E series or 105 f2.5
Leica 90mm f2 (not the APO)
Sony 70-200 f4
I am looking light and cheap with Batis being defined as top end of "cheap" and Sony 70-200 being top or over the top of light
:
Apr 11, 2016 at 08:28 PM
p.3 #12Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Got my Contax 35-70 today and it's in mint condition. I don't have the adapter yet but should get it on Tuesday next week. Can't wait to try this lens on the A7RII.
Apr 16, 2016 at 03:50 PM
p.3 #13Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
This lens is so compact and light. It feels about the same weight as the Loxia 21/2.8. The filter size is 67mm and it will work great with the Lee Seven5 line.
It's interesting that the aperture clicks are 1 stop except from 3.4 - 4 - 5.6. However, we can still use 1/2 aperture settings when positioning the ring between the full stop clicks.
It's interesting that the aperture clicks are 1 stop except from 3.4 - 4 - 5.6. However, we can still use 1/2 aperture settings when positioning the ring between the full stop clicks.
Apr 16, 2016 at 06:33 PM
p.3 #14Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Fred Miranda wrote:
This lens is so compact and light. It feels about the same weight as the Loxia 21/2.8. The filter size is 67mm and it will work great with the Lee Seven5 line.
It's interesting that the aperture clicks are 1 stop except from 3.4 - 4 - 5.6. However, we can still use 1/2 aperture settings when positioning the ring between the full stop clicks.
It's a nice small lens, although the adapter will add some size/weight to the equation.
I compared this lens to my Canon 24-70 f4 IS on an A7r at f8. At 35 and 70, the two lenses looked pretty much the same to me.At 50, the Contax was clearly better. My guess is that, given you compare the FE 24-70 to the Canon 24-70 2.8II, which is sharper than the F4 IS, you will find the two lenses comparable. I kept my 24-70 f4 IS since it gave me 24-35, AF, and IS.
Chris
This lens is so compact and light. It feels about the same weight as the Loxia 21/2.8. The filter size is 67mm and it will work great with the Lee Seven5 line.
It's interesting that the aperture clicks are 1 stop except from 3.4 - 4 - 5.6. However, we can still use 1/2 aperture settings when positioning the ring between the full stop clicks.
It's a nice small lens, although the adapter will add some size/weight to the equation.
I compared this lens to my Canon 24-70 f4 IS on an A7r at f8. At 35 and 70, the two lenses looked pretty much the same to me.At 50, the Contax was clearly better. My guess is that, given you compare the FE 24-70 to the Canon 24-70 2.8II, which is sharper than the F4 IS, you will find the two lenses comparable. I kept my 24-70 f4 IS since it gave me 24-35, AF, and IS.
Chris
Apr 16, 2016 at 06:50 PM
p.3 #15Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Here is how the Contax 35-70/3.4 compares in size to the Loxia 21/2.8. They are pretty much the same weight.
It's a very small zoom especially when compared to the 24-70GM.
My Novoflex adapter is coming next week.
It's a very small zoom especially when compared to the 24-70GM.
My Novoflex adapter is coming next week.
Apr 17, 2016 at 08:00 PM
p.3 #16Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Here's a link to the Zeiss MTFs for the CY 35-70.
http://www.zeiss.de/content/dam/Photography/new/pdf/de/downloadcenter/contax_yashica/vario-sonnar_t_34_35-70_ger.pdf
Looks OK but not amazing by contemporary standards, but then the size is pretty nice.
Looking at the MTFs, wide open performance is not great in the corners at any aperture.
the wide end 35mm doesn't look like it sharpens up much in the periphery even at f8
50mm looks impressively even stopped down, as does 70mm, though the contrast levels are a little below what we now expect for stopped down performance.
Look forward to seeing the real world results.
Edit: oops I see Fred already posted the MTFs!
http://www.zeiss.de/content/dam/Photography/new/pdf/de/downloadcenter/contax_yashica/vario-sonnar_t_34_35-70_ger.pdf
Looks OK but not amazing by contemporary standards, but then the size is pretty nice.
Looking at the MTFs, wide open performance is not great in the corners at any aperture.
the wide end 35mm doesn't look like it sharpens up much in the periphery even at f8
50mm looks impressively even stopped down, as does 70mm, though the contrast levels are a little below what we now expect for stopped down performance.
Look forward to seeing the real world results.
Edit: oops I see Fred already posted the MTFs!
Apr 17, 2016 at 08:40 PM
p.3 #17Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
DavidBM wrote:
Here's a link to the Zeiss MTFs for the CY 35-70.
http://www.zeiss.de/content/dam/Photography/new/pdf/de/downloadcenter/contax_yashica/vario-sonnar_t_34_35-70_ger.pdf
Looks OK but not amazing by contemporary standards, but then the size is pretty nice.
Looking at the MTFs, wide open performance is not great in the corners at any aperture.
the wide end 35mm doesn't look like it sharpens up much in the periphery even at f8
50mm looks impressively even stopped down, as does 70mm, though the contrast levels are a little below what we now expect for stopped down performance.
Look forward to seeing the real world results.
Edit: oops I see Fred already posted the MTFs!
Yes, that was my impression of the MTF. it's great center and mid-field but extreme corners are not strong at 35mm (even at f/8). Sometimes lenses sharpen further at f/11 towards the corners and that will show up in infinity tests.
This lens could be a good alternative to the 24-70GM if you already have the Loxia 21/2.8. Two small lenses covering 21-70mm. But.. it all depends on how it compares to the big GM zoom. If they are similar at f/8 and f/11, it could be a cheap/light option for landscape photography. The GM performs best from 24-35mm, but it's still very good from 35-70mm. It's going to be an interesting comparison at infinity distance.
Here's a link to the Zeiss MTFs for the CY 35-70.
http://www.zeiss.de/content/dam/Photography/new/pdf/de/downloadcenter/contax_yashica/vario-sonnar_t_34_35-70_ger.pdf
Looks OK but not amazing by contemporary standards, but then the size is pretty nice.
Looking at the MTFs, wide open performance is not great in the corners at any aperture.
the wide end 35mm doesn't look like it sharpens up much in the periphery even at f8
50mm looks impressively even stopped down, as does 70mm, though the contrast levels are a little below what we now expect for stopped down performance.
Look forward to seeing the real world results.
Edit: oops I see Fred already posted the MTFs!
Yes, that was my impression of the MTF. it's great center and mid-field but extreme corners are not strong at 35mm (even at f/8). Sometimes lenses sharpen further at f/11 towards the corners and that will show up in infinity tests.
This lens could be a good alternative to the 24-70GM if you already have the Loxia 21/2.8. Two small lenses covering 21-70mm. But.. it all depends on how it compares to the big GM zoom. If they are similar at f/8 and f/11, it could be a cheap/light option for landscape photography. The GM performs best from 24-35mm, but it's still very good from 35-70mm. It's going to be an interesting comparison at infinity distance.
Apr 17, 2016 at 09:01 PM
p.3 #18Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Fred Miranda wrote:
This lens could be a good alternative to the 24-70GM if you already have the Loxia 21/2.8. Two small lenses covering 21-70mm.
I did this during my last holidays. It worked good, these two lenses are a great and logical match. If you add the Sonnar 3.5/100, you get a very small high-performance mid-tele on top. Keep in mind, that the Vario-Sonnar has got a great and unconventional macro feature at 35mm.
Nevertheless, the Vario-Sonnar and the GM have different sweet spots. If the GM can match the Vario-Sonnar at 50mm, I will seriously consider to buy it.
This lens could be a good alternative to the 24-70GM if you already have the Loxia 21/2.8. Two small lenses covering 21-70mm.
I did this during my last holidays. It worked good, these two lenses are a great and logical match. If you add the Sonnar 3.5/100, you get a very small high-performance mid-tele on top. Keep in mind, that the Vario-Sonnar has got a great and unconventional macro feature at 35mm.
Nevertheless, the Vario-Sonnar and the GM have different sweet spots. If the GM can match the Vario-Sonnar at 50mm, I will seriously consider to buy it.
Apr 18, 2016 at 03:41 AM
p.3 #19Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
+1 the C/Y Sonnar 100mm f3.5. Thanks for your wonderful review Jannik!
I have the FE 70-200. Never really loved it as much as others have for landscape photography. It not very heavy, but it really adds too much bulk. Flares badly too.
The C/Y 100mm 3.5 is sharper than the FE 70-200. A huge amount lighter and smaller. It's half the size of the C/Y 35-70 Fred pictured above (which I also have).
Now if only someone could make a really sharp, lightweight (even plastic like the batis) 200mm f4. My life would be complete.
I have the FE 70-200. Never really loved it as much as others have for landscape photography. It not very heavy, but it really adds too much bulk. Flares badly too.
The C/Y 100mm 3.5 is sharper than the FE 70-200. A huge amount lighter and smaller. It's half the size of the C/Y 35-70 Fred pictured above (which I also have).
Now if only someone could make a really sharp, lightweight (even plastic like the batis) 200mm f4. My life would be complete.
Apr 18, 2016 at 05:28 AM
p.3 #20Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
TakenWild wrote:
now if only someone could make a really sharp, lightweight (even plastic like the batis) 200mm f4. My life would be complete.
You're welcome Maybe the Minolta MD 4/200 could do it for you if you remove the chromatic aberrations in the postprocessing.
now if only someone could make a really sharp, lightweight (even plastic like the batis) 200mm f4. My life would be complete.
You're welcome
Maybe the Minolta MD 4/200 could do it for you if you remove the chromatic aberrations in the postprocessing. Apr 18, 2016 at 05:40 AM