There are those instances in which it is impossible to describe something (or someone) without falling into clichés or sounding hollow. When one feels that it has all been said before and that, because there is nothing else to add, the only honest alternative is to say nothing. This is my predicament here. The Zeiss Contax Vario Sonnar 35-70mm has a cult-like following. You will be hard-pressed to find any reference to it that is anything short of glowing. You might encounter a sourpuss here and there who may complain about it being a push-pull zoom, somewhat prone to zoom creep. When a lens is this otherworldly (perhaps this adjective has not been applied to the 35-70 Vario Sonnar before?) I could not care less.
I have a soft spot for zooms of this focal length. I own another two in addition to the Vario Sonnar: a Minolta MD (discussed here) and a “true” Leica Vario Elmar. The three are, in my view, outstanding lenses. The Minolta is small, light and much much better than one has a right to expect from its modest cost. It is pure “Minolta charm”, in terms of its color rendition, overall optical balance, gorgeous bokeh (for a zoom) and handling. If I had not shot with the two German “varios” I would be inclined to think that the humble Minolta is the pinnacle of 35-70mm zooms. The Vario Elmar floods you with that indescribable “Leica glow” – yes, it exists, and no, I cannot describe it in words. The Vario Sonnar is, in a word, perfect. Better than the Leica? I don’t know. Perhaps perfect in a different way. Sweeter would be one way to compare them. And friendlier. Certainly warmer. Sharper? Maybe, but it is a very close call (with the Minolta too, by the way). If I am allowed to use ethnic stereotypes – and why not, given that I am of mixed Iberian and French ancestry and a perfect example of what that explosive combination can lead to? If I can use those stereotypes, then, I would say that the Leica has undiluted Prussian blood, whereas the Zeiss comes from the Rhineland or Bavaria. Which is interesting, as Zeiss is the company with Prussian ancestry.
Is there anything that can be said about the 35-70mm Vario Sonnar that has not already been said? Not that I can think of, so I will let a few images (all shot with Sony A7, A7R, A7S or A7II, and processed in Capture One) do most of the talking, with minimal commentary. One of the reasons why I am partial to 35-70mm zooms is the fact that they combine versatility with small size and reasonable weight. A 28-85mm zoom is certainly more versatile, but the only one which I have found to be optically comparable to the 35-70s (the 28-85mm Vario Sonnar, not surprisingly) is big, heavy and of somewhat unwieldy handling. And it does not have the close-focusing (“Macro”) capability of its smaller sibling. Because a traditional use of 35-70 zooms is urban photography, here go a few example, from Santa Fe (New Mexico) and the provinces of Almería and Málaga (Spain).
I mentioned the close focusing ability of this lens. I don’t think that any of the following images was shot in “macro” mode, but they nonetheless illustrate the level and quality of detail that this lens is capable of. Check the fur and the eyes on that friendly cat from Frigiliana (Spain), the rusted surface of an old shed on the coast of Almería, and the thick paint job on a Cumbres & Toltec tank car.
As many others, I started in photography shooting landscapes. I still do, even if I have come to see landscape photography as a “juvenile phase”, something that many of us have to do for some time, until we realize that there is so much more to photography. I believe that when this awareness sets in one becomes a better landscape photographer, perhaps because photographing other subjects helps develop a stronger intuition for composition, and also because variety keeps the mind from becoming stale. The 35-70mm focal length range is too long for “grand landscapes” (I don’t like that name, but I can’t think of a better one). But it opens up many possibilities for “medium range” compositions, often with a strong focal point. Because of its sharpness, contrast and color rendition, the Vario Sonnar is nothing short of magical in this role. Here are a few examples.
I like old machinery – perhaps many do. So why not end with a few images from an afternoon stroll around the Chama terminus of the Cumbres & Toltec railroad, in northern New Mexico? Following this link to my portfolio galleries you can find higher resolution versions of these and other photographs from the Cumbres and Toltec railroad, all shot with the Vario Sonnar 35-70mm and a Sony A7R (click on the photos for larger versions).
This marvel of a lens can still be bought for a few hundred dollars, but it is becoming harder to find. My advise is to get one while you still can.
WOW!
I had been waiting for this review for a long time now. I am tempted to buy this lens now.
How would you rate it against some of the best lenses you have used?
And when is the Skoparex review coming?
Thanks!
Is the MMJ version any good? Or do you think it does not make any difference at all?
Hello Malik, nice to hear from you! If this is not THE best lens I have ever used, it is certainly in the top 5. All the others would be Zeiss (e.g., the 28-85 zoom) and Leica (hard to choose). Mine is an MMJ, there is no difference between the Japanese- and German made lenses. And there is no older (AEJ/G) version of this lens. You will never regret buying this lens…..
Thanks a lot for your insightful response. What do you think is a reasonable price to pay for this lens on eBay?
I paid about USD 400 for mine, a couple of years ago. You should be able to get it for more or less that, if you are patient.
Good luck!
Is the Zeiss Contax 40-80 mm lens a good alternative? It is cheaper.
It is not nearly as good. I’d rather get a Minolta 35-70mm for even less money. Just make sure that it is the very last version, with macro focusing.
Thanks a lot. Any other great vintage zooms that are worth considering? I really want to own a Zeiss though.
The Vario Sonnar 80-200mm usually goes for $ 200 or less. It is superb, I believe that the low price is mainly because there are lots of them, but don’t be fooled, this lens is pure Zeiss. A review is in the works. But of course the focal length may be not what you are after. In the “normal” range there are, in my view, five manual focus zooms that are truly excellent:
Vario Sonnar 35-70
Vario Sonnar 28-85
Vario Elmar 35-70 (latest version)
Minolta MD 35-70, same as Vario Elmar 35-70 early version
OM Zuiko 35-80mm f/2.8
The Zuiko and the later Leica are the most expensive (around $ 1000), the Minolta the least expensive ($100). The 28-85 Vario Sonnar is ususally a bit less expensive that 35-70 and every bit as good, BUT, it is much bigger and heavier and it does not have macro focusing capabilities.
There may be some good zooms from Nikon and Canon but I am not familiar with them, so I cannot give you any thoughts.
You will not be disappointed by the Minolta, though…
I hope this helps
Thanks again. Waiting for the Zeiss 80-200mm review. I also hope that you will publish reviews for the Takumars, especially the SMC Takumar 50mm in the near future.
Thank you for your review! Your pictures are, as always, marvelous.
I agree that the Minolta 35-70mm is a stupendous lens, especially for the price.
Greatly looking forward to your Vario Sonnar 80-200mm review, too. It was so shocking to see a Zeiss at such a good used price that I immediately impulsively bought one.
Hello Matt, thank you for your very kind words! You will never regret your impulse purchase of the 80-200, it is an outstanding lens, at any price.
Hi Alberto,
What is are some lenses in the 28-35mm range that have a strong three-dimensional rendering and unique character?
Need one for my crop sensor A6000 camera, as a 50mm usually has a pretty narrow FOV.
Hi Malik,
The Vario Sonnar 28-85mm is a superb lens, every bit as good as the 35-70, but bigger and heavier. I have read great things about the Minolta 28-85, but have never used it myself. This may give you some more information: https://www.rokkorfiles.com/35mm%20Page%201.htm
Sorry, I was actually asking about primes in that range. Should have made it clear. Do you have any comments on that?
Ahh, I just saw that you had written 28-35, not 85 as I had thought (getting old….). There are many choices. Some of my favorites (prices vary a lot among them):
Konica Hexanon 28mm f/3.5, but make sure that you get the 7 element version, others are not that good. Incredible for the price, USD 40 range.
Olympus Zuiko 28mm f/2.8. Also great considering the price. Get the later MC version.
Minolta Rokkor 28mm f/2 or the even better (later) Minolta MD 28mm f/2. Perhaps the best fast 28mm this side of a Leica or Zeiss. The Hexanon 28mm f/1.8 is reputed to be sublime but is very very expensive (I have never tried it)
Contax Distagon 28mm f/2.8. Spectacular, but will not give you the shallow depth of field and bokeh of the faster Minoltas. The Distagon f/2 might, but for lots more money.
Zeiss Skoparex 35mm f/3.4. Yes, I will get to the review one of these days. But trust me, you will love this little-known lens.
Konica Hexanon 35mm f/2. Hard to find and not cheap, but excellent.
Leica Summicron R 35mm f/2. What can I say? If you are going to spend big on only one lens in your entire life, this should be it…. must be seen to be believed….
Thank you for the quick, and detailed reply. Waiting eagerly for that Skoparex review.
[…] between Zeiss and Yashica gave birth to the thoroughly modern line of Contax SLR cameras. Zeiss lenses for the Contax system need no introduction. One would be hard pressed to find anybody who is […]
[…] think that it is any less sharp than the other two Contax zooms that I own (the 35-70mm, discussed here, and the 28-85mm that I hope to write about in the near future). It is surprisingly light (though […]
[…] other two analog masterpieces in the same focal length: the afore mentioned Vario Elmar f/4 and the Vario Sonnar 35-70 f/3.4. If I need to travel light and space is at a premium, then the significantly shorter Minolta zoom […]