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Archive 2008 · CZ Contax Sonnar 3.5/100

Orio
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · CZ Contax Sonnar 3.5/100

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.

whole scene resized f/5.6:

Free Image Hosting at allyoucanupload.com

100% crop non sharpened of f/5.6:

whole scene resized wide open (f/3.5):

100% crop non sharpened of wide open (f/3.5):

Jan 11, 2008 at 09:51 AM

weekh
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · CZ Contax Sonnar 3.5/100

I've tried this lens and was disappointed that the 24-105mm L turns out to be sharper.

Jan 11, 2008 at 10:35 AM

Lotusm50
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · CZ Contax Sonnar 3.5/100

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.

Jan 11, 2008 at 10:56 AM

you2
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · CZ Contax Sonnar 3.5/100

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).

Jan 11, 2008 at 11:02 AM

gtmerideth
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · CZ Contax Sonnar 3.5/100

Hello,
I have one that I would like to sell.
email interest to [email protected]
thanks

Jan 11, 2008 at 01:03 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · CZ Contax Sonnar 3.5/100

Sold

(Mods: Please take it easy on Gary. He's a really nice guy and probably forgot that he aught to use the Buy&Sell for this type of thing.)

Edited on Jan 11, 2008 at 04:50 PM

Jan 11, 2008 at 04:48 PM

rico
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · CZ Contax Sonnar 3.5/100

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.

Jan 11, 2008 at 11:33 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · CZ Contax Sonnar 3.5/100

Since mine is on the way, I'd be interested to read more about it. Info, MTFs, samples, etc. are all very difficult to find for this lens.

Jan 20, 2008 at 04:30 PM

Orio
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · CZ Contax Sonnar 3.5/100

You can find the MTF's PDF on this page:

http://www.zeiss.de/C12567A8003B0478/Contents-Frame/819A6E5A73E22C03C125711700585296

(note that the English page does not feature the lens, for unknown reason)

Jan 20, 2008 at 06:07 PM

KOJI
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · CZ Contax Sonnar 3.5/100

Congrats Cogitech!

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.

Enjoy guys

Edited on Jan 20, 2008 at 07:26 PM

Jan 20, 2008 at 07:24 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · CZ Contax Sonnar 3.5/100

Orio wrote:
You can find the MTF's PDF on this page:

http://www.zeiss.de/C12567A8003B0478/Contents-Frame/819A6E5A73E22C03C125711700585296

(note that the English page does not feature the lens, for unknown reason)

(Cross-posting from another forum)

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.

Jan 20, 2008 at 08:14 PM

Lotusm50
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · CZ Contax Sonnar 3.5/100

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.

Here is the exact link to the pdf file: http://tinyurl.com/2vwkp5

Edited on Jan 20, 2008 at 08:24 PM

Jan 20, 2008 at 08:23 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · CZ Contax Sonnar 3.5/100

Excellent! Thanks!

(Any chance there's an English version around?)

Edited by cogitech on Jan 20, 2008 at 08:42 PM GMT

Edited on Jan 20, 2008 at 08:42 PM

Jan 20, 2008 at 08:38 PM

Orio
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · CZ Contax Sonnar 3.5/100

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.

Jan 20, 2008 at 08:40 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · CZ Contax Sonnar 3.5/100

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.

Sorry, I totally missed that somehow. Thanks!

Jan 20, 2008 at 08:43 PM

Orio
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · CZ Contax Sonnar 3.5/100

No problem!
Here's the direct link to German old PDF page, in case someone else is interested:

http://www.zeiss.de/C12567A8003B0478/ContentsWWWIntern/7D331E26BEFDD6F9C12570F500370493

-

Jan 20, 2008 at 08:44 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · CZ Contax Sonnar 3.5/100

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?)

Jan 20, 2008 at 09:09 PM

CVickery
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · CZ Contax Sonnar 3.5/100

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?)

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.

Cal

Jan 20, 2008 at 11:43 PM

cogitech
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · CZ Contax Sonnar 3.5/100

Sounds like a good plan!

Jan 20, 2008 at 11:44 PM

you2
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · CZ Contax Sonnar 3.5/100

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?)

Jan 21, 2008 at 02:09 PM

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