I bought this small and rather slow lens from a local shop, mint condition MM version, for a nice price.
I knew from the MTFs that it was going to be good, but the first practical test of this not so common to find, and quite untalked about, lens, surprised me beyond expectation, as it has proved to be perfectly sharp even wide open.
here's a couple of test shots I took from my balcony, Taken hand-held with the 5D in very poor light condition (overcast with fog), 400 ISO which explains the noise.
I show two takes, one at f/5.6 the other wide open (f/3.5), and two 100% crops of them. The crops are not sharpened.
This is outstanding lens, and fairly difficult to find. It is also very compact -- another bonus. Orio, your results are consistent with most others experience with this lens -- it is hard to beat. The CZ 100/3.5 is indeed a compact, performance bargain. Enjoy. You will not be disappointed.
At least with film it also has excellent colour and bokeh. I much prefer this lens to the 85f2.8 i tried for a few weeks (even though they are suppose to be very similar).
Of 14 CZ lenses in the ol' inventory, my two favorites are the D28/2.8 and the S100/3.5. With such a modest aperture, the Sonnar is easily overlooked. Its performance, ergonomics and optical character, however, make it just about perfect. I only wish the 50mm FL was as well served in the C/Y line.
I've seen only three photos taken by this lens,
one in FLICKR, one in a photo book about Zeiss lens,
and one I made until four more today in the above. :o
Such is rarity even thou I bought two out of thee
in stock from Henry's a couple of years ago.
cogitech wrote:
I know the page, but cannot find the lens there. The Hasselblad C/CF is a Planar, wheres the C-Y is a Sonnar and is not listed.
Like I said, the link to the PDF is not on the English page, it is only on the German page. You must have visited the English page previously. If you visit the German page, you will find it.
Orio wrote:
Like I said, the link to the PDF is not on the English page, it is only on the German page. You must have visited the English page previously. If you visit the German page, you will find it.
According to the MTFs, the Sonnar 100/3.5 is very nearly as sharp wide open as the Planar 100/2 stopped down to f5.6 !!!
By f5.6, the Sonnar dominates (although the tangential does drop off... anyone know how that may be realted to bokeh?)
Very interesting. I just picked up a Planar 100/2 and am liking if very much. Maybe we should compare it your 100/3.5 when get together in High Park at cherry blossom time cogitech.
While I very much like the 100f3.5 and stopped down the below might be true what makes the 100f2 an impressive piece of glass is that it is very good at 100f2 (in addition to having very nice colour and very smooth bokeh). No matter how hard you try I doubt you will get much from the 100f3.5 @ f2.
cogitech wrote:
Wow!
According to the MTFs, the Sonnar 100/3.5 is very nearly as sharp wide open as the Planar 100/2 stopped down to f5.6 !!!
By f5.6, the Sonnar dominates (although the tangential does drop off... anyone know how that may be realted to bokeh?)
