Contax Carl Zeiss Sonnar 135mm f/2.8 T* MF Lens MMJ C/Y

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 

Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135mm f/2.8 is one of four Sonnar telephoto lenses that Zeiss used to manufacture in the C/Y mount (the other three lenses being 85mm, 100mm and 180mm). The company discontinued manufacturing Sonnar 135mm f/2.8 in C/Y mount after Kyocera, which holds joint development rights for the Contax brand name, exited camera business in 2005. Regretfully, Carl Zeiss, which created the original Contax camera system, cannot re-use the brand name for another couple of years (until the contract with Kyocera expires). However, it's widely speculated that Zeiss will be interested in resurrecting the Contax lineup of cameras and lenses sometime in the future. The C/Y mount Sonnar is one of the most affordable lenses in the Carl Zeiss lineup.

The optical construction of the lens consists of 5 elements in 4 groups. The build quality of the lens is pretty solid - the lens mount and both barrel cams are metal. So is the built-in slide-type metal lens hood that could be extended from the front of the barrel to reduce amount of stray light hitting the front glass element. Both aperture and focus rings are fully rubberized. The inner lens cam extends by a few centimeters when focusing towards closelup. Both inner lens cam and the built-in lens hood wobble a little bit inside the lens, slightly diminishing the overall feel of the lens.

The minimum focusing distance of the lens is 1.6m (5.5ft) and the minimum aperture is f/22. In the domain of telephoto lenses, Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135mm f/2.8 is average in size and weight - 585g (1.3lb) and 7.8 x 13.1cm (3.1 x 5.2in). It accepts 55mm screw-in type filters.