fuwen
Well-known
One of the few lenses of Zeiss issued for Contax that I admired when I was young but the price was just too unreachable for me even when I was working. But in the digital age price of these these maunal focus only lenses have gone down. Others exortic lenses like the 55/1.2 and 85/1.2 Planars, and the 300/2.8 Apo Tele-Tessar. Due to the collector nature of these lenses, the price did not go down too much but at least are more 'affordable' compared to decades ago when they were just released. The 200/2 Apo Sonnar is a newer lens than the 300/2.8 Apo Tele-tessar, but probably as it was made in Japan, the used price was much more friendly than the 300/2.8, which was made in Germany.
When I got the lens from the shipment, the very first thing I felt that this lens that is very different from the rest of the Zeiss that I own, is the smoothness and damping of the focusing ring and the aperture ring. The feel is so refined, probably very close to Leica quality, as the lens was sold at Leica price anyway. The feel is even much more refined than the current Zeiss Otus, or the made in Germany ZM 15/2.8 and 85/2. Well now the 200/2 is priced close to a brand new Otus, but you will feel that it is much more value for money as you get a much bigger and heavier lens than the Otus, and still at Apo quality, though not at f1.4!!
When I got the lens from the shipment, the very first thing I felt that this lens that is very different from the rest of the Zeiss that I own, is the smoothness and damping of the focusing ring and the aperture ring. The feel is so refined, probably very close to Leica quality, as the lens was sold at Leica price anyway. The feel is even much more refined than the current Zeiss Otus, or the made in Germany ZM 15/2.8 and 85/2. Well now the 200/2 is priced close to a brand new Otus, but you will feel that it is much more value for money as you get a much bigger and heavier lens than the Otus, and still at Apo quality, though not at f1.4!!
fuwen
Well-known
吉祥宝聚寺, A7R2, f5.6 1/25, ISO 100, 190XPROB/410 Gear, 21 April 2018.
fuwen
Well-known
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, A7R2, f5.6 1/500, ISO 500, MT190CXPRO3/BHQ2, 24 Mar 2018.
fuwen
Well-known
Clerodendrum thomsoniae, A7R2, f5.6 1/250, ISO 320, MT190CXPRO3/BHQ2, 7 April 2018.
fuwen
Well-known
福海禅寺, A7R2, f2 1/60, ISO 1250, MT190CXPRO3/BHQ2, 1 April 2018.
Some internet reviews claimed that the lens is not that sharp at f2. When I was taking this shot, I was quite happy that the lens was sharp at f2. I could already tell that the photo was sharp from the EVF!!
fuwen
Well-known
Larry Cloetta
Veteran
Thanks for posting, that is one I have never seen in the flesh, and probably never will. Enjoy it!
Emile de Leon
Well-known
Looks to be one of the best ever.