I purchased the Zeiss lens after this review. It was worth it. All the points, good and not so good are correctly mentioned in these videos. The 28-85 is underrated compared to the Zeiss 35-70 but it is better value and works alongside my Contax Zeiss prime lenses well.
Steven - an excellent and truly moving video. I live in Japan so understand the feeling capture in the beach shots/videos which reminded me of the South of France just before dusk. You managed to capture the exact same magic that I have experienced living in both the Côte d'Azur and Japan. Thank you for making this video.
Hi Steven! I really enjoyed your video. Great review, lot's of details and I especially liked the slower pace of your video, nice musical background. Like a fresh breath, without rush, without fast talking, but with enough time to enjoy views and get the idea of lens character. Usually these days we have super fast, bing-bang cut videos, it's rarity like this one. Thanks, and keep going like this ;) P.S. strongly considering this lens.
I don't see those vintage flares as a problem, I see them as a useful tool, depending on the use. The lens has a character and therefor it isn't going to suit every occasion. I love Contax Zeiss lenses.
I have this Zeiss lens. I found it quite well. Photos it makes not really alike to most of the C/Y lens. Kind of modern feel. Mood of the 90s, not 70s or 80s. The image colors are cooler and bright. I shoot it with my Sony A7III. Pretty light and compact but make good pictures. No matter how do u feel about it, please do consider it was one of the most cheaper C/Y on the lineups. Quality of picture it gives is much much higher than it’s price no matter now or then.
Thank you for this review, it helped me to decide to buy the 28-85, I already own the 35-70 and 80-200 but thought this would be for when I only want to take one lens out.
Now it's more a matter of which Japanese ebay seller has the best description unique to each sale. Some sellers pile different conflicting information into one, and when you ask them what " Near mint, optics perfect, broken" means, all in one lens description, they don't answer the question. They say generic statements. Not the way to sell a lens. More about protecting themselves from ebay later, as comments in questions remain on ebay record.
Steven, Contax Shooter since 1990 here. I asked Zeiss a couple years ago, when the ZX1 compact camera was being released, if they don't want to revive the brand, because into 2032 - it would be 100 years of Contax ! Sadly, they said no..so depressive. I like the colors, nowadays one would say "vintage" look. Lovely samples, well made. I prefer lens character always over clinical sharpness. Pixel peepers aren't being photographers, simply. These ppl are gearheads, -collectors, watching at 200-400%, seaching for all kind of optical flaws & defects, at F/1.4 at the very edges, etc. I have this lens since decades, it should being used with a lens hood. I don't need, nor want Leica. If you compare the 2006 Zeiss Distagon 35/1.4 ZM, it's still better, than even the 3-times more expensive Leica 35/1.4 M Summilux ASPH FLE lens...albeit bigger. But no glow, and better microcontrast & sharpness. Especially if you're german, you either way love Leica or Zeiss. For myself, it's simple Zeiss, since my teenager days, for life. It's a shame, Zeiss isn't creating any new photography lenses anymore - The Milvus series a couple of years ago was the last series for DSLRs, and then Loxia for Sonys E-Mount...and then came the Sony G-Master series, and no more new Zeiss lens designs anymore. It seems nowadays, Zeiss is only producing (way more) expensive Cinema lenses...these days...sad, but true.
Excellent video. I’m a big fan of the Contax Zeiss lenses for video and stills, but I haven’t found an adapter that I’m totally in love with. I have a couple different Fotodiox adapters that do a decent job, but still have a bit more play than I would like. Which one do you use, and do you like it? I look forward to more videos from you.
Great job! I got these 2 lenses as well! For video: with the Contax zoom, the rotating outer barrel, makes it difficult to at filtration and matte box.
@@StevenTanno thanks. Are you using VND filters? Seems like there would be issues because the front element rotates when focusing. Is this an issue? Thanks!
Wow! Your video is almost as well made as the Carl Zeiss lens itself. Bravo! By the way, I was wanting to get a CZ 35-70mm, but they're so expensive now. Do you think I should just get the 28-85? The price is much more reasonable.
I think 28-85 is a perfect lens except weight, this is also the result of its uncompromising picture quality in design. 35-70 may be a little better but 28 and 85 are more useful. Thank you very much:)
Each lens is described on this epic thread (scroll down this page). As you can see, the 28-85mm is a go to lens for many filmmakers. www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?92044-Contax-Zeiss-Survival-Guide/page285
@@StevenTanno thank you for your reply Stephen. Well I would mainly use the lens for street photography and walking around with. Wondering if the weight would make things difficult after a while.
Was the CONTAX lens serviced before this review, as my CONTAX lenses even being stored under perfect conditions, have slight lens haze causing flare etc.
@@StevenTanno Cheers ! I am debating to get either the 28-85 or 35-70. Some reviews say the 28-85 is not as sharp and doesn't have the macro capability. But it's cheaper :) What's your thought on these two lenses ?
The light is reflecting from the sensor to the rear lens and bouncing back on the sensor. So the flare happens. The vintage lens did not put serious coating at the rear lens because the physical light energy is absorbed by film. Very little light is reflecting back. If those lens were tested with film, Zeiss would be better.
Steven, I really LOVE your review of Contax lens, watched it again and again. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
I purchased the Zeiss lens after this review. It was worth it. All the points, good and not so good are correctly mentioned in these videos. The 28-85 is underrated compared to the Zeiss 35-70 but it is better value and works alongside my Contax Zeiss prime lenses well.
Steven, can you do a comparison between Contax 28-85mm and 28-70mm ?
Steven - an excellent and truly moving video. I live in Japan so understand the feeling capture in the beach shots/videos which reminded me of the South of France just before dusk. You managed to capture the exact same magic that I have experienced living in both the Côte d'Azur and Japan. Thank you for making this video.
Yes. The Shounan beach a little bit like south of France. Thank you very much Jack:))
Great video!!! I have both of these lenses - it’s AMAZING how well the classic Zeiss holds its own against these new lens
Hi Steven! I really enjoyed your video. Great review, lot's of details and I especially liked the slower pace of your video, nice musical background. Like a fresh breath, without rush, without fast talking, but with enough time to enjoy views and get the idea of lens character. Usually these days we have super fast, bing-bang cut videos, it's rarity like this one. Thanks, and keep going like this ;) P.S. strongly considering this lens.
Thank you so much! :) very glad.
I don't see those vintage flares as a problem, I see them as a useful tool, depending on the use. The lens has a character and therefor it isn't going to suit every occasion. I love Contax Zeiss lenses.
Wow, amazing Lens comparison the best I've seen on RUclips. Please do more like this.
I have this Zeiss lens. I found it quite well. Photos it makes not really alike to most of the C/Y lens. Kind of modern feel. Mood of the 90s, not 70s or 80s. The image colors are cooler and bright. I shoot it with my Sony A7III. Pretty light and compact but make good pictures. No matter how do u feel about it, please do consider it was one of the most cheaper C/Y on the lineups. Quality of picture it gives is much much higher than it’s price no matter now or then.
Thanks :)
Zeiss gear works better if you like film.
Thank you for this review, it helped me to decide to buy the 28-85, I already own the 35-70 and 80-200 but thought this would be for when I only want to take one lens out.
Love your review, thank you i have been considering the CONTAX ZEISS
Now it's more a matter of which Japanese ebay seller has the best description unique to each sale. Some sellers pile different conflicting information into one, and when you ask them what " Near mint, optics perfect, broken" means, all in one lens description, they don't answer the question. They say generic statements. Not the way to sell a lens. More about protecting themselves from ebay later, as comments in questions remain on ebay record.
Wow! just stunning!
Thnaks for that great video.... greetings from Germany!
I like the flares of the contax zeiss better. Nice video.
Thank you for this great video!
Steven, Contax Shooter since 1990 here. I asked Zeiss a couple years ago, when the ZX1 compact camera was being released, if they don't want to revive the brand, because into 2032 - it would be 100 years of Contax ! Sadly, they said no..so depressive. I like the colors, nowadays one would say "vintage" look. Lovely samples, well made. I prefer lens character always over clinical sharpness. Pixel peepers aren't being photographers, simply. These ppl are gearheads, -collectors, watching at 200-400%, seaching for all kind of optical flaws & defects, at F/1.4 at the very edges, etc. I have this lens since decades, it should being used with a lens hood. I don't need, nor want Leica. If you compare the 2006 Zeiss Distagon 35/1.4 ZM, it's still better, than even the 3-times more expensive Leica 35/1.4 M Summilux ASPH FLE lens...albeit bigger. But no glow, and better microcontrast & sharpness. Especially if you're german, you either way love Leica or Zeiss. For myself, it's simple Zeiss, since my teenager days, for life. It's a shame, Zeiss isn't creating any new photography lenses anymore - The Milvus series a couple of years ago was the last series for DSLRs, and then Loxia for Sonys E-Mount...and then came the Sony G-Master series, and no more new Zeiss lens designs anymore. It seems nowadays, Zeiss is only producing (way more) expensive Cinema lenses...these days...sad, but true.
Excellent video. I’m a big fan of the Contax Zeiss lenses for video and stills, but I haven’t found an adapter that I’m totally in love with. I have a couple different Fotodiox adapters that do a decent job, but still have a bit more play than I would like. Which one do you use, and do you like it? I look forward to more videos from you.
I am using a Laina adapter. Just OK not as good as Leica M-Sony E adapter made by Voigtlander.
Thank you so much :)
Great job! I got these 2 lenses as well! For video: with the Contax zoom, the rotating outer barrel, makes it difficult to at filtration and matte box.
yes, that's cons for video, Thanks :)
Great review. How much zoom creep is there on the Zeiss 28-85? Does it slide around easy or stay in place on the focal length? Thanks.
Focus ring slides easily
@@StevenTanno thanks. Are you using VND filters? Seems like there would be issues because the front element rotates when focusing. Is this an issue? Thanks!
Wow! Your video is almost as well made as the Carl Zeiss lens itself. Bravo! By the way, I was wanting to get a CZ 35-70mm, but they're so expensive now. Do you think I should just get the 28-85? The price is much more reasonable.
I think 28-85 is a perfect lens except weight, this is also the result of its uncompromising picture quality in design. 35-70 may be a little better but 28 and 85 are more useful.
Thank you very much:)
Each lens is described on this epic thread (scroll down this page). As you can see, the 28-85mm is a go to lens for many filmmakers. www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?92044-Contax-Zeiss-Survival-Guide/page285
@@igottheshaft Thank you, that is too great!
@@StevenTanno thank you for your reply Stephen. Well I would mainly use the lens for street photography and walking around with. Wondering if the weight would make things difficult after a while.
@@igottheshaft Thank you very much sir.
很棒的視頻！great 👍不知道搭配徠卡SL是不是太重🤔
Excellent review. Do you have the 35-70mm Carl Zeiss Contax? If so I would like to see you review that next.
Thank you!
Contax Zeiss 16-35mm doesn't exist.
Thank you for sharing friend it’s fantastic 😍😍❤️❤️
Thank you too
Was the CONTAX lens serviced before this review, as my CONTAX lenses even being stored under perfect conditions, have slight lens haze causing flare etc.
I was check the lens use led light it is clean.
@@StevenTanno frequently it is only evident when you open up the lens. I have mine serviced every 10 years.
Thanx!
You're welcome!
Great! Thanks a lot
Thank you ：）
How bad is the lens flare without a hood ?
Not very bad but this hood almost useless.
@@StevenTanno Cheers ! I am debating to get either the 28-85 or 35-70. Some reviews say the 28-85 is not as sharp and doesn't have the macro capability. But it's cheaper :) What's your thought on these two lenses ?
@@theliaoguoman I would say 28-85 is better, that 35-70 is a very lens but focal lengths are of limited use.
Contax Zeiss is great!
Thank you
这色彩太棒了，天生自带电影感啊。
谢谢🙏
The light is reflecting from the sensor to the rear lens and bouncing back on the sensor. So the flare happens. The vintage lens did not put serious coating at the rear lens because the physical light energy is absorbed by film. Very little light is reflecting back. If those lens were tested with film, Zeiss would be better.
i like your comment, thank you 😊
3:46 wait, does the Zeiss have AF??
No, only MF :)
很有電影的感觉👍。二百多美元是不是一個合理的價呢?
算是比較便宜的吧！：）
excellent
Thanks:)