p.17 #2 · Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6
I have both. The Contax is a tad sharper, but with old eyes the AF is just easier. Mirrorless cameras are harder to focus ESPECIALLY at the 300mm end. So I am switching. My 100-300 is sweet, but the 70-300 ain't bad. Putting the Contax on the sale block!
p.17 #3 · Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6
gordec wrote:
Has any compared FE G 70-300 to the C100-300? It seems like less hassle to deal with with the G lens.
I had the earlier version of that lens and it was close for some types of shots but not others. I sold the 100-300 I had then and kept the 70-300, but ended up selling it as I wasn’t satisfied with the IQ.
I would think the newer version is better, but I think the most comparable AF lens, based on what I’ve read, would be the 100-400GM.
If AF is a primary need, I doubt you’ll be disappointed with the 70-300.
YMMV of course.
p.17 #6 · Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6
Ronny Olsson wrote:
Lovely Lens ! Not super easy but not super hard either
Would like to have GM also if money was no problem
You're a wizard with just about any lens in your hand, but it's something to shoot for.
I decided to keep one of my copies of the 100-300 for now. Ordered a Novoflex adapter and ASTAT collar for it to go with the mint set of Contax extension tubes.
p.17 #8 · Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6
I'm interested in purchasing the Contax 100-300 but, like many other posters, am bewildered by the issues involved in purchasing one. After reading this post a few times I have concluded the following:
1. These lenses suffer from one or more of the following problems: (a) haze in the back of the lens;(b) fungus in the lenses (c)fog and dust inside the lens and (d) balsam separation.
2. You can't tell a good copy from a bad one by the serial #.
3. There are professional lens repair people, especially in Asia, that can rectify all of the problems cited above for around $150;
4.Most of the lenses for sale are listed on eBay and range in price from $399 to $850 and none of them are in pristine condition.
If all of the above conclusions are accurate it makes no sense to purchase one of the expensive copies since all of them will need be repaired anyway.
Is my summary of the issues involved and conclusions reached accurate. Have I missed Something.
p.17 #9 · Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6
So many of those ebay sellers are ridiculous. "Excellent", "Mint" and "Like New" condition - except they have haze or "no haze but only a little water vapor inside".
The only common problem I've seen that needs repair is the haze/separation issue.
Any lens can get fungus but I've not heard about that being a common issue with the VS, and some have a bit of zoom creep, if that bothers you.
p.17 #10 · Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6
This may be a question hard to answer but can a 100-300 develop haze (balsam separation) in the future if it's haze free right now? I mean, if it didn't develop the balsam separation over all these years, can it still happen?
p.17 #11 · Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6
Fred Miranda wrote:
This may be a question hard to answer but can a 100-300 develop haze (balsam separation) in the future if it's haze free right now? I mean, if it didn't develop the balsam separation over all these years, can it still happen?
I would say the answer is "of course".
"Now" is just a relative frame of time. The same question could be asked of recently hazed copies (didn't someone recently post about their lens developing haze?).
At least we know they can be repaired, assuming the craftsman is still alive, or has an excellent apprentice.
p.17 #13 · Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6
Hi folks,
I have just reviewed my (haze-free) sample of the CY VS 4.5-5.6/100-300 and I agree with the praise of this lens and also used it succesfully for landscape photography. It is also a useful pseudo-macro lens.
(although Freds awesome testing made it a bit superflous )
Zeiss should start a new MF E-mount line without the constraints of the Loxia line (slower aperture and filter thread)
They should also revive great zoom lenses like the Contax 35-70 and 100-300. The latter is a non-brainer!
