Archive 2017 · Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6
p.17 #1Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6
If you are doing landscape, is infinity focus easy?
Mar 10, 2019 at 05:37 PM
p.17 #2Sony 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!
Mar 10, 2019 at 06:30 PM
p.17 #3Sony 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.
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.
Mar 10, 2019 at 06:44 PM
p.17 #4Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6
The 100-300 on a 720 nm modified A7 at about 280mm focal length and f8. Crispy sharp, easy to focus.
Mount Rainier IR
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Mar 10, 2019 at 09:02 PM
p.17 #5Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6
Lovely Lens ! Not super easy but not super hard either 
Would like to have GM also if money was no problem
A7R II + Contax 100-300mm F/4.5-5.6 Vario-Sonnar T* by Ronny Olsson, on Flickr
Would like to have GM also if money was no problem
A7R II + Contax 100-300mm F/4.5-5.6 Vario-Sonnar T* by Ronny Olsson, on Flickr
Mar 11, 2019 at 11:28 AM
p.17 #6Sony 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.
Now I just need the weather to stop being a dick.
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.
Now I just need the weather to stop being a dick.
Mar 11, 2019 at 05:13 PM
p.17 #7Sony 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
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7887/47187893242_b5ee553f86_k.jpg
A7R II + Contax 100-300mm F/4.5-5.6 Vario-Sonnar T* by Ronny Olsson, on Flickr
This is what high micro-contrast does to a subject.
Of course. this image would not be possible without Ronny's eye!
Lovely Lens ! Not super easy but not super hard either
Would like to have GM also if money was no problem
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7887/47187893242_b5ee553f86_k.jpg
A7R II + Contax 100-300mm F/4.5-5.6 Vario-Sonnar T* by Ronny Olsson, on Flickr
This is what high micro-contrast does to a subject.
Of course. this image would not be possible without Ronny's eye!
Mar 11, 2019 at 05:18 PM
p.17 #8Sony 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.
Thanks
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.
Thanks
Mar 11, 2019 at 08:16 PM
p.17 #9Sony 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.
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.
Mar 11, 2019 at 09:10 PM
p.17 #10Sony 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?
Mar 11, 2019 at 09:23 PM
p.17 #11Sony 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.
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.
Mar 11, 2019 at 09:32 PM
p.17 #12Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6
I guess it exemplifies the old adage "You pays your money and takes your chances."
thanks everyone
thanks everyone
Mar 12, 2019 at 12:18 AM
p.17 #13Sony 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.
Unfortunately, I rarely have the opportunity to use it and think of letting it go. I offer it here for Europeans: http://ebay.us/1Y6PFv?cmpnId=5338273189
Here are my aperture series (was not the most contrasty light, don't interpret that wrong):
Blendenreihe_100mm_II by Jannik Reeve, auf Flickr
Blendenreihe_135mm_II-1 by Jannik Reeve, auf Flickr
Blendenreihe_200mm_II by Jannik Reeve, auf Flickr
Blendenreihe_300mm_III by Jannik Reeve, auf Flickr
Edited on Mar 14, 2019 at 03:56 AM · View previous versions
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.
Unfortunately, I rarely have the opportunity to use it and think of letting it go. I offer it here for Europeans: http://ebay.us/1Y6PFv?cmpnId=5338273189
Here are my aperture series (was not the most contrasty light, don't interpret that wrong):
Blendenreihe_100mm_II by Jannik Reeve, auf Flickr
Blendenreihe_135mm_II-1 by Jannik Reeve, auf Flickr
Blendenreihe_200mm_II by Jannik Reeve, auf Flickr
Blendenreihe_300mm_III by Jannik Reeve, auf Flickr
Edited on Mar 14, 2019 at 03:56 AM · View previous versions
Mar 14, 2019 at 03:34 AM
p.17 #14Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6
Contax 100-300 by Jannik Reeve, auf Flickr
Contax 100-300 by Jannik Reeve, auf Flickr
Contax 100-300 by Jannik Reeve, auf Flickr
Contax 100-300 by Jannik Reeve, auf Flickr
Contax 100-300 by Jannik Reeve, auf Flickr
Contax 100-300 by Jannik Reeve, auf Flickr
Contax 100-300 by Jannik Reeve, auf Flickr
Contax 100-300 by Jannik Reeve, auf Flickr
Mar 14, 2019 at 03:37 AM
p.17 #15Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6
Just published my review of the lens: https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-contax-vario-sonnar-t-4-5-5-6-100-300/
(although Freds awesome testing made it a bit superflous )
(although Freds awesome testing made it a bit superflous
)Mar 15, 2019 at 04:32 AM
p.17 #16Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6
Excellent review and summary of the pros/cons of using this lens.
Mar 15, 2019 at 10:46 AM
p.17 #17Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6
Thank you, Graham!
Mar 15, 2019 at 10:52 AM
p.17 #18Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6
Jannik Peters wrote:
Just published my review of the lens: https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-contax-vario-sonnar-t-4-5-5-6-100-300/
(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!
Just published my review of the lens: https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-contax-vario-sonnar-t-4-5-5-6-100-300/
(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!
Mar 15, 2019 at 10:59 AM
p.17 #19Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6
A7RII, f/8, handheld:
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Mar 15, 2019 at 02:56 PM
p.17 #20Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM vs Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6
Zion
Zeiss 100-300 on fuji gfx50s
Zeiss 100-300 on fuji gfx50s
Mar 23, 2019 at 01:52 PM