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Archive 2016Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
p.5 #1Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Ok, got a few sunstars to work with CY35-70. Mostly shot at f/16, A7 II. I have an unflocked adapter and got a lot of flare with it. Need to break out the black fuzzy fabric you sent me, Fred. 
I still have some left. 
I still have some left. Apr 19, 2016 at 07:12 PM
p.5 #2Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
The little stars are fairly tidy.
Apr 19, 2016 at 07:14 PM
p.5 #3Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Looks nice Michelle. I'm starting to warm up to the sunstar.
I still have some flocking from that same paper you have. I do think it's important to flock the adapter to avoid unwanted reflections.
I still have some flocking from that same paper you have.
I do think it's important to flock the adapter to avoid unwanted reflections.Apr 19, 2016 at 08:44 PM
p.5 #4Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Fred Miranda wrote:
Looks nice Michelle. I'm starting to warm up to the sunstar.
Me, too! In some conditions, it's less messy and looks nice. Kind of burns my eye out trying to do too many of these at once.
Looks nice Michelle. I'm starting to warm up to the sunstar.
Me, too! In some conditions, it's less messy and looks nice. Kind of burns my eye out trying to do too many of these at once.
Apr 20, 2016 at 06:54 AM
p.5 #5Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
^^^ I like that one Michelle.
Apr 20, 2016 at 08:07 AM
p.5 #6Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Thanks, the picture is shite but the sunstar is OK. 
"for demonstration purposes only!"
I still have NO IDEA how you made one against a blue sky, and yet you can still see. How is that, Gregg
"for demonstration purposes only!"
I still have NO IDEA how you made one against a blue sky, and yet you can still see. How is that, Gregg
Apr 20, 2016 at 08:10 AM
p.5 #7Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
I just got my Novoflex adapter today and it's terrific with perfect fit and alignment.
I just tested my copy of the C/Y 35-70/3.4 + adapter for decentering and it passed at all focal lengths. Got lucky!
Later on today when the lighting is less harsh, I will test it against the FE 24-70/2.8GM zoom.
I just tested my copy of the C/Y 35-70/3.4 + adapter for decentering and it passed at all focal lengths. Got lucky!
Later on today when the lighting is less harsh, I will test it against the FE 24-70/2.8GM zoom.
Apr 20, 2016 at 03:30 PM
p.5 #8Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Looking forward to it, Fred. I am trying not to have lens envy (GM) and am interested to see how the CY holds up. Hope your copy is as good as Bobs.
Apr 20, 2016 at 03:40 PM
p.5 #9Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Fred Miranda wrote:
I just got my Novoflex adapter today and it's terrific with perfect fit and alignment.
I just tested my copy of the C/Y 35-70/3.4 + adapter for decentering and it passed at all focal lengths. Got lucky!
Later on today when the lighting is less harsh, I will test it against the FE 24-70/2.8GM zoom.
Waiting with bated breath: I have my eye on one on Ebay locally -- if your tests are positive I'm tempted to get one to pair with the L21 on a seven day walk in the wilderness in central Australia north of Alice Springs - where every gram of lens is a ml less of water!
I just got my Novoflex adapter today and it's terrific with perfect fit and alignment.
I just tested my copy of the C/Y 35-70/3.4 + adapter for decentering and it passed at all focal lengths. Got lucky!
Later on today when the lighting is less harsh, I will test it against the FE 24-70/2.8GM zoom.
Waiting with bated breath: I have my eye on one on Ebay locally -- if your tests are positive I'm tempted to get one to pair with the L21 on a seven day walk in the wilderness in central Australia north of Alice Springs - where every gram of lens is a ml less of water!
Apr 20, 2016 at 04:13 PM
p.5 #10Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
I just checked the 35mm crops from both cameras. Below are the crops for extreme edges first. Later on I will post center, mid-field and other focal lengths.
Both were shot at infinity and lighting was very similar. Both lenses are good copies with no decentering.
There is no contest before f/8 where the GM at 35mm dominates at the extreme edges. However, starting at f/8, the C/Y 35-70/3.4 impressed me. Field curvature is very minimal at this focal length for both lenses, although the Contax has slightly more inwards curvature.
This is an extreme corner comparison BUT pay attention to the right side of the crops away from the very edges....The Contax is noticeably better on that area starting at f/8. If I was shooting landscapes with the Zeiss zoom I would only set it to f/8 or smaller. I still need to evaluate how much going from f/8 to f/11 deteriorates micro-contrast in the center area though.
PS: The Contax shows more CA at the edges but it's instantly removed with LR's LaCA removal tool.
Extreme Corners at 35mm
FE 24-70/2.8GM | C/Y 35-70/3.4
FE 24-70/2.8GM | C/Y 35-70/3.4
Both were shot at infinity and lighting was very similar. Both lenses are good copies with no decentering.
There is no contest before f/8 where the GM at 35mm dominates at the extreme edges. However, starting at f/8, the C/Y 35-70/3.4 impressed me. Field curvature is very minimal at this focal length for both lenses, although the Contax has slightly more inwards curvature.
This is an extreme corner comparison BUT pay attention to the right side of the crops away from the very edges....The Contax is noticeably better on that area starting at f/8. If I was shooting landscapes with the Zeiss zoom I would only set it to f/8 or smaller. I still need to evaluate how much going from f/8 to f/11 deteriorates micro-contrast in the center area though.
PS: The Contax shows more CA at the edges but it's instantly removed with LR's LaCA removal tool.
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Apr 20, 2016 at 07:36 PM
p.5 #11Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Impressive for the Contax once you get to F8.
Anyone know how the Contax compares with the Minolta 35-70 F3.5 version 3?
Anyone know how the Contax compares with the Minolta 35-70 F3.5 version 3?
Apr 20, 2016 at 07:40 PM
p.5 #12Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
I almost feel bad for selling my copy. With that said, I have to say I'm not sure about the 24-70 GM having better corners than the canon version...
Apr 20, 2016 at 08:06 PM
p.5 #13Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Fred Miranda wrote:
I just checked the 35mm crops from both cameras. Below are the crops for extreme edges first. Later on I will post center, mid-field and other focal lengths.
Both were shot at infinity and lighting was very similar. Both lenses are good copies with no decentering.
There is no contest before f/8 where the GM at 35mm dominates at the extreme edges. However, starting at f/8, the C/Y 35-70/3.4 impressed me. Field curvature is very minimal at this focal length for both lenses, although the Contax has slightly more inwards curvature.
This is an extreme corner comparison BUT pay attention to the...Show more →
Wow. This is at 35, the weakest part of the range. My trigger finger is itchy. For tripod based landscape work, on this showing the old C/Y might be the go...
I just checked the 35mm crops from both cameras. Below are the crops for extreme edges first. Later on I will post center, mid-field and other focal lengths.
Both were shot at infinity and lighting was very similar. Both lenses are good copies with no decentering.
There is no contest before f/8 where the GM at 35mm dominates at the extreme edges. However, starting at f/8, the C/Y 35-70/3.4 impressed me. Field curvature is very minimal at this focal length for both lenses, although the Contax has slightly more inwards curvature.
This is an extreme corner comparison BUT pay attention to the...Show more →
Wow. This is at 35, the weakest part of the range. My trigger finger is itchy. For tripod based landscape work, on this showing the old C/Y might be the go...
Apr 20, 2016 at 08:43 PM
p.5 #14Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
Here are the CENTER crops are at 35mm.
It's a different story from the extreme edges as they are very similar starting at f/4. I would give the edge to the Contax zoom here because I like the colors better (warmer tones). There is a slight decrease in micro-contrast from f/8 to f/11 but nothing too noticeable. I would not hesitate shooting at f/8 or f/11 with the Contax. f/8 has slightly more micro-contrast in the center and f/11 slightly more resolution in the extreme edges.
PS: There is more haze in the background mountains for the GM crops. Ignore that section.
Center crops at 35mm
FE 24-70/2.8GM | C/Y 35-70/3.4
FE 24-70/2.8GM | C/Y 35-70/3.4
Next 35mm Mid-Field area. I'm curious about this one.
It's a different story from the extreme edges as they are very similar starting at f/4. I would give the edge to the Contax zoom here because I like the colors better (warmer tones). There is a slight decrease in micro-contrast from f/8 to f/11 but nothing too noticeable. I would not hesitate shooting at f/8 or f/11 with the Contax. f/8 has slightly more micro-contrast in the center and f/11 slightly more resolution in the extreme edges.
PS: There is more haze in the background mountains for the GM crops. Ignore that section.
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Next 35mm Mid-Field area. I'm curious about this one.
Apr 20, 2016 at 08:55 PM
p.5 #15Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
I see it's night time in California: have you shot all the images, so can we expect them posted before your bedtime? (says someone stupidly worried about whether the good deal he's found on one of these will evaporate)
Apr 20, 2016 at 09:12 PM
p.5 #16Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
The mid-field crops are also surprising.
The GM resolution is noticeably better at f/4 but starting at f/5.6, the Contax starts to compete. At f/8 and f/11 I pretty much prefer the Contax crops. (And their color)
MID-field crops at 35mm
FE 24-70/2.8GM | C/Y 35-70/3.4
FE 24-70/2.8GM | C/Y 35-70/3.4
The GM resolution is noticeably better at f/4 but starting at f/5.6, the Contax starts to compete. At f/8 and f/11 I pretty much prefer the Contax crops. (And their color)
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Apr 20, 2016 at 09:16 PM
p.5 #17Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
I'm sure he's just processing them.
Thanks for doing this Fred. I think the 35-70 is a tick better, but at my print sizes it's not going to matter. And I'd rather have one zoom that included 24-35 and AF.
Thanks for doing this Fred. I think the 35-70 is a tick better, but at my print sizes it's not going to matter. And I'd rather have one zoom that included 24-35 and AF.
Apr 20, 2016 at 09:19 PM
p.5 #18Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
DavidBM wrote:
Both were shot at infinity and lighting was very similar. Both lenses are good copies with no decentering.
There is no contest before f/8 where the GM at 35mm dominates at the extreme edges. However, starting at f/8, the C/Y 35-70/3.4 impressed me. Field curvature is very minimal at this focal length for both lenses, although the Contax has slightly more inwards curvature.
This is an extreme corner comparison BUT pay attention to the right side of the crops away from the very edges....The Contax is noticeably better on that area starting at f/8. If I was shooting landscapes with the Zeiss zoom I would only set it to f/8 or smaller. I still need to evaluate how much going from f/8 to f/11 deteriorates micro-contrast in the center area though.
PWow. This is at 35, the weakest part of the range. My trigger finger is itchy. For tripod based landscape work, on this showing the old C/Y might be the go...
I think I got lucky with this copy from Japan. It was described as mint but looks brand new. The good part is that it's perfectly centered and that's hard to see in a zoom through the entire range.
I feel that the GM zoom works well for everything with a longer range and fast AF. It has beautiful rendering and it's sharper at the edges at larger apertures. However, from the initial 35mm crop results, I would not hesitate using the C/Y zoom for landscape work at f/8 or smaller...Actually I may prefer it. It makes a good pair to the Loxia 21/2.8.
According to the MTF graph, 35 is indeed the weakest FL for the Contax. The GM works the opposite way; it's better at the wider range and weaker at the longer range.
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DavidBM wrote:
I see it's night time in California: have you shot all the images, so can we expect them posted before your bedtime? (says someone stupidly worried about whether the good deal he's found on one of these will evaporate)
I may post the 50mm tonight. I didn't even evaluate them yet. I honestly don't remember this lens being this good at f/8.
Fred Miranda wrote
I just checked the 35mm crops from both cameras. Below are the crops for extreme edges first. Later on I will post center, mid-field and other focal lengths.Both were shot at infinity and lighting was very similar. Both lenses are good copies with no decentering.
There is no contest before f/8 where the GM at 35mm dominates at the extreme edges. However, starting at f/8, the C/Y 35-70/3.4 impressed me. Field curvature is very minimal at this focal length for both lenses, although the Contax has slightly more inwards curvature.
This is an extreme corner comparison BUT pay attention to the right side of the crops away from the very edges....The Contax is noticeably better on that area starting at f/8. If I was shooting landscapes with the Zeiss zoom I would only set it to f/8 or smaller. I still need to evaluate how much going from f/8 to f/11 deteriorates micro-contrast in the center area though.
P
I think I got lucky with this copy from Japan. It was described as mint but looks brand new. The good part is that it's perfectly centered and that's hard to see in a zoom through the entire range.
I feel that the GM zoom works well for everything with a longer range and fast AF. It has beautiful rendering and it's sharper at the edges at larger apertures. However, from the initial 35mm crop results, I would not hesitate using the C/Y zoom for landscape work at f/8 or smaller...Actually I may prefer it.
It makes a good pair to the Loxia 21/2.8.According to the MTF graph, 35 is indeed the weakest FL for the Contax. The GM works the opposite way; it's better at the wider range and weaker at the longer range.
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DavidBM wrote:
I see it's night time in California: have you shot all the images, so can we expect them posted before your bedtime? (says someone stupidly worried about whether the good deal he's found on one of these will evaporate)
I may post the 50mm tonight. I didn't even evaluate them yet. I honestly don't remember this lens being this good at f/8.
Apr 20, 2016 at 09:24 PM
p.5 #19Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
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Apr 20, 2016 at 09:36 PM
p.5 #20Contax 35-70 vs 24-70 GM? Ultimate landscape lens?
To me at 50mm, the Contax starts to look better than the GM zoom at f/5.6 and smaller. At f/8 it's superb for a zoom. It could be similar to my Loxia 50/2.
I'm scared to compare it to my Loxia crops.
Color and contrast is superb. We are talking 42MP 'extreme edges' at 1:1 magnification...
I'm scared to compare it to my Loxia crops.
Color and contrast is superb. We are talking 42MP 'extreme edges' at 1:1 magnification...
Apr 20, 2016 at 09:39 PM