Contax Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 45-90mm f/4.5

Review Date
August 22, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Reviewed by
Kenneth Sarno , Expert , from California

Price Paid
$0.00

Photography Experience
21+ years , People

Summary
This is like my other Zeiss zoom, the Contax 35-70mm for the Contax G series: image quality as good as the primes, top-quality construction. Images contrasty, colorful, amazingly sharp. Convenience of zoom is great. Complaint on some other Contax 645 lens, like the 140, is it's too big. This one's big too, but at least you get a range of focal lengths.

Strengths
Prime-class images, zoom convenience, solid construction.

Weaknesses
Very big; very heavy; very expensive; GB-104 hood should be included for this very high price, but it's $75.00 extra. f/4.5 max aperture. Takes expensive 95mm filters...I just bought one.

Similar Products Used
Mamiya 7II family, Fuji fixed-lens rangeminders.

Customer Service
N.A.

Review Date
May 21, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Reviewed by
Anselmeek , Professional , from Lake Charles, LA

Price Paid
$2699.00 at Samy's Camera

Photography Experience
21+ years , People

Summary
What a lens, I shot my first wedding this last weekend with it. Wonderful for shooting large, medium and small groups, then couples. Nice thing about all Zooms, place exactly what you want in the picture without moving. Great for studio and tripod work. I got used to the weight very quickly. Very useful lens.

Strengths
The glass, super sharp, great color and contrast. As sharp as the primes. Smooth Auto-focus and zoom movement, in and out.

Weaknesses
The 4.5 is sometimes dark in low light, coming down the isle, before and after the wedding. Heavy, but well balanced.

Similar Products Used
45MM Contax and 80MM Contax

Customer Service
Never using, no need.