---
title: This is a classic lens that should be in everyone's collection
description: This is a classic lens that should be in everyone's collection
---

[RedShark News - Video technology news and analysis ](https://www.redsharknews.com)

# [This is a classic lens that should be in everyone's collection](https://www.redsharknews.com/production/item/6712-this-is-a-classic-lens-that-should-be-in-everyone-s-collection)

 Written by [Craig Marshall](https://www.redsharknews.com/author/craig-marshall) | Oct 15, 2019 8:00:00 AM

**The classic Carl Zeiss Contax lenses make for excellent glass on modern cameras. Craig Marshall evaluates the Vario-Sonnar 35-70mm f/3.4, a lens so good that it became known as a variable prime.**

With full frame video cameras becoming more affordable, click **[here](http://redshark.ebizontech.biz/index.php/2019/10/08/classic-stills-glass-is-still-relevant-to-digital-video-this-is-why/)** for our introduction to this evaluation series of the classic Carl Zeiss Contax full frame lenses for the digital video age.

My first Zeiss Contax lens review is a real 'sleeper', the often overlooked Vario-Sonnar 35-70mm f/3.4 constant aperture zoom.

Main Features:

- Construction: 10 elements in 10 groups
- Weight: 475g
- Filter thread: 67mm
- Angle of View (full frame) 63: Wide > 34:Tele (degrees)
- Why would I want one? 
- T* coating
- Lightweight & Compact
- Minimal ‘breathing’ (except in the Macro range) 
- Constant aperture across the 2:1 zoom range
- sharp as a tack!
- includes Macro focusing
- if you buy only one Contax lens, this is the one to get.

Purists tend to avoid zoom lenses as they are usually a compromise. Not so with this beauty from Carl Zeiss. The Vario-Sonnar 35-70mm f/3.4 is considered by many as a true ‘variable prime’ such is its speed, sharpness, contrast and very low distortion across the entire (though limited) zoom range. Typical of all Zeiss Vario-Sonnar designs of the period, the 35-70mm features a ‘one touch’ push-pull zoom operation with just two control rings. The Iris can easily be de-clicked as with all Contax lenses and the main ring operates zoom & focus in one handed operation. Although the barrel extension precludes use with a matte box, the one-handed operation makes for some very efficient video use.

Photographers the world over rave about this lens which is said to exhibit a noticeable ‘pop’ in picture quality at certain settings where DoF, Focus and Contrast all conspire together to offer almost ‘3D’ picture properties. 

Click [here](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1r9pcv1b55jfAb5svViTfgtmyRXzcHuIQ?usp=sharing) to download the set of original uncompressed 3:2 format DNG files as reproduced in this review. Expect to pay around US$450-500 for a good second-hand example of this lens. 

[Full Lens Data Sheet PDF download here.](https://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/camera-lenses/files/service/download-center/datasheets/historical-lenses/contax-yashica/datasheet-zeiss-vario-sonnar-343570-en.pdf)

[**Read part 3 here.**](http://redshark.ebizontech.biz/index.php/2019/10/21/this-is-one-of-the-most-overlooked-classic-zooms-on-the-used-market/)

###### FF vs S35 Angle of View with the Zeiss Contax Vario-Sonnar 35-70mm wide open at f/3.4 (35mm) 

###### FF vs S35 Angle of View with the Zeiss Contax Vario-Sonnar 35-70mm wide open at f/3.4 (70mm)

###### Image typical of those produced by the Contax Vario-Sonnar 35-70mm f/3.4

###### Camellia flower captured with the Zeiss Contax Vario-Sonnar 35-70mm in the Macro range

[View full post](https://www.redsharknews.com/production/item/6712-this-is-a-classic-lens-that-should-be-in-everyone-s-collection)

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