Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* f/3.4 35-70mm
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| Name |
Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* f/3.4 35-70mm |
| Description |
Zeiss 36-69mm F3.4 |
| Street Price (approximate US$) |
US$375 |
| Lens Mount |
Contax/Yashica |
| Size |
81mm long/70mm diameter |
| Weight (g) |
475g |
| Minimum Focus Distance |
25cm |
| Filter Size |
67mm |
| Magnification |
1:2.5 |
| Includes Lens Hood |
No |
| Image Stablised |
No |
| Notes |
The 35-70/3.4 will function without mirror interference on a Canon EOS 5D, using a properly built C/Y-EOS adapter. Average pricing for a like-new lens, as of 1Q/2008 is approximately US$375. |
| |
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Average reviewer scores
| Build Quality |
5 |
Sharpness |
5 |
| Bokeh |
5 |
Other Image Quality |
5 |
| AF Accuracy |
1 |
AF Speed |
1 |
| AF (difficult conditions) |
1 |
Value for money |
5 |
| Reliability |
5 |
Weighted Score |
3.9/5 |
Reviews by our members
Review by
AngryCorgi on 23 May 2008
| Individual review |
| Build Quality | 5 |
| Reliability | 5 |
| Sharpness | 5 |
| Bokeh | 5 |
| Other Image Quality | 5 |
| AF Accuracy | 1 |
| AF Speed | 1 |
| AF (difficult conditions) | 1 |
| Value for money | 5 |
Pros: Sharper than most 35mm and 50mm primes, Near-macro ability (@35mm), Affordable, Compact, Well-built
Cons: Manual Focus, Reverse push-pull zoom
This is quite possibly the sharpest lens I have ever owned within the given focal range. It outperforms almost all 35mm and 50mm primes, although it obviously is not as fast as most primes. The corners and edges are extremely sharp at f/5.6 and still very good at f/4. The contrast performance is typical for C/Y Zeiss lenses --- stunning! The lens is a one-touch reverse push-pull style zoom. The build is fantastic. The flare resistance is very good. The aperture starts at f/3.4 and has click-stops at f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16 and f/22. The lens can focus to a magnification level of 1:2.5 at the 35mm position (fully extended).
I have used this lens as my primary zoom on my 5D as long as I've owned the 5D. I used it previously on a 1D mkII with equally great results. I use an Ee-S screen on my 5D and have no problems with this lens. The mirror clearance is also not an issue.
The 35-70/3.4 is the best value lens you can buy for a FF canon, if you don't mind manual focus lenses. The corner-to-corner sparkle in the contrast will make you fall in love with this lens!
