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Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 28-85mm f/3.3-4 (C/Y) : Specifications and Opinions

Reviews
Lenses
Lenses Zeiss
Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 28-85mm f/3.3-4 (C/Y)

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The Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 28-85mm f/3.3-4 (C/Y) is a standard lens for FF and APS-C, manufactured from 1988 to 2005 (discontinued). The focus is done by Manual Focus, it does not have image stabilization.

4 users have given it an average vote of 9.8 out of 10.

Specifications
Focal lenght	29-82.4 mm
Angle of view	73.5 - 29.4°
Format	FF, APS-C
Max. aperture	f/3.3-4
Aperture blades	8
Lenses/Groups	16 elements in 13 groups
Min. focus distance	0.6 meters
Reproduction ratio
Features
Zoom type	Push-pull, external
Stabilization	No
Focus	Manual Focus
Internal Focus	No
Built and notes
Tripod ring	No
Extenders	No
Filters	82 mm
Lens hood	Yes (not supplied)
Weather sealing	No
Weight	735 g
Dimensions	85 x 98 mm
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Reviews

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Lomagnol

sent on March 27, 2025

Pros: Sharpness, micro-contrast, strength, homogeneity (good at all focal lengths)

Cons: Front lens that turns when focusing, weight (a problem or not, depending on use)

Opinion: Used on a Sony A7IV, this zoom is really excellent, and better than some Zeiss primes at equivalent focal length! At its shorter focal length for example and at full aperture, the image of the 28-85 is of better quality than that of the Zeiss 28mm 2.8 at f3.4; which lacks sharpness on the edges. (I could not compare with the 28mm f2 -Hollywood-, which I do not own). For video use, the variation of length according to focal and focus can be a problem with a matte-box (10.5 to 15cm).

The following opinions have been automatically translated with Google Translate.

Old Boy

sent on September 25, 2024

Pros: Sharpness, colors, very solid construction

Cons: weight, difficulty in focusing if used with digital, weight (did I mention it?), huge front lens!

Opinion: "Old school" lens, the construction is solid: glass and metal that affect the weight of the lens. It is difficult to find it on the second-hand market, those who have it keep it or have already given it away years ago to move on to something else. If, on the other hand, you find it, think about it: in its time it cost a kidney, today it will not be very cheap in the strict sense but considering the quality level and the starting price, in my opinion it may be worth it. I find it difficult to use it with my bare hands, I always prefer to put it on the tripod, both with the Contax 159 (with the winder) and with the Canon 5D. but I have small hands and this perhaps affects ... The quality for me is indisputable, on the other hand if I use it with film it is the death of it. With digital I find it excellent, perhaps because the few pixels of the 5D still make it suitable, I can't judge the performance with modern cameras and their current resolutions. What is certain is that with age eyesight worsens and focusing manually on a modern screen creates a bit of difficulty. To be taken into account. Here, it has a monstrous front lens: 82mm in diameter, so flares are always lurking if photographed with the sun in the frame. The pump zoom is a classic Contax/Yashica (I'm used to it) and in fact at the 28mm focal length it distorts a bit. But it's still a zoom and I have other dated fixed lenses that do worse.

Andreaf948

sent on July 12, 2017

Pros: Yield, sharpness, construction.

Cons: Weight, lack of tropicalization, zoom adjustment system.

Opinion: It is a lens with particular characteristics, starting from the "pump" system to adjust the zoom, the quality of construction is Zeiss therefore indisputable, as the quality of the "glass" 16 elements in 13 groups, what amazes is the color rendering and the stunning three-dimensional image of the Zeiss lenses, (I use it on Canon 5D MKII with a lot of difficulty focusing, but this is known to be the limit of a reflex, against ML). The colors are not cold as you sometimes hear in the numerous reviews, far from ...! The sharpness is beautiful, a clear cut in contrasts, even in extreme situations, although it was designed many years ago for analogue use, the yield on FF sensors is really high, especially on the microcontrast. It is not particularly bright, indeed, this forces an increase in ISO when you do not have a tripod, the weight is felt (almost 800 gr.) !! and the shake is slurking in ambush, so the use of the tripod in my opinion is the only solution especially in landscapes and architecture photos. At TA 28mm enough vignette, problem that disappears af / 5.6, not being tropicalized and having the regulation with "pump" method suffers from the internal dust problem, which in any case does not interfere with the quality of the image. If we consider the age of this lens beyond the fact of not having AF and of the really remarkable weight, it remains a Zoom that gives some points to today's equal focal lenses, in many cases better than emblazoned lenses like the L series of Canon , or Nikon, was then a PRO target, sold at stratospheric prices, so it is currently difficult to find cheap bargains (and in general to find offers of used), if it happens do not let it escape ...

Photos taken with Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 28-85mm f/3.3-4 (C/Y)

Through a frame

by Giuseppe58
19 comments, 1242 views

HI RES 18.6 MP

Sunflowers with vegetables

by Andreaf948
4 comments, 1727 views

HI RES 20.6 MP

The Land of the Sybil

by Giuseppe58
6 comments, 1132 views

Ancient hamlet of Termoli

by Giuseppe58
2 comments, 1402 views

HI RES 24.0 MP

A door on the sunset ...

by Andreaf948
8 comments, 1383 views

HI RES 14.3 MP

Thunderstorm at dawn.

by Andreaf948
8 comments, 1103 views

HI RES 14.2 MP

The port of Termoli

by Giuseppe58
2 comments, 1027 views

HI RES 20.3 MP

Trabucco of Termoli.

by Giuseppe58
9 comments, 1192 views

HI RES 20.3 MP

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Do you give me gruel?

by Kenzo_jo
2 comments, 364 views

HI RES 15.9 MP

Portrait

by Kenzo_jo
4 comments, 555 views

HI RES 13.5 MP

Creels at the port of Termoli

by Giuseppe58
5 comments, 1003 views

HI RES 20.3 MP

Bollard, ropes and chains.

by Giuseppe58
7 comments, 1543 views

HI RES 20.3 MP

Photo of an old lady

by Fotoamatore56
0 comments, 700 views

HI RES 5.1 MP

Tavern in Old Village, Scalea.

by Andreaf948
0 comments, 1237 views

HI RES 21.0 MP

Trabucco in Vasto Marina

by Giuseppe58
2 comments, 983 views

HI RES 20.3 MP

Trabucco Cungarelle of Vasto Marina.

by Giuseppe58
0 comments, 1048 views

HI RES 20.3 MP

The challenge...

by Kenzo_jo
3 comments, 338 views

HI RES 10.1 MP

Chute

by MNphotos
4 comments, 260 views

HI RES 24.0 MP

Reggio Calabria seafront promenade.

by Andreaf948
0 comments, 808 views

HI RES 21.0 MP

Pollen bee.

by Giuseppe58
6 comments, 791 views

HI RES 20.3 MP

Feeding birds

by MNphotos
0 comments, 114 views

HI RES 21.2 MP

View of Punta Aderci

by Giuseppe58
2 comments, 902 views

HI RES 20.3 MP

I enjoy the sunset

by Fotoamatore56
0 comments, 919 views

Montemurlo, Agna torrent

by Andreaf948
0 comments, 660 views

HI RES 21.0 MP

Montedoglio

by Wladimiro Cavina
2 comments, 734 views

HI RES 18.6 MP

Colosseum Cuts 4

by MNphotos
0 comments, 120 views

HI RES 23.4 MP

Monte Rosetta - Valtournenche AO

by Franco Rossi geologo
4 comments, 1008 views

HI RES 16.0 MP

Fascination of loneliness in a desolate wasteland

by Roberto Matteoli
0 comments, 1054 views

Untitled Photo

by Giuseppe58
2 comments, 762 views

HI RES 20.3 MP

The Little Mermaid in a golden sea.

by Giuseppe58
0 comments, 843 views

HI RES 20.3 MP

An Unexpected Rainbow - Iceland

by Marzan
1 comments, 329 views

HI RES 12.7 MP

Montagnana

by Bepi Arnoldi
0 comments, 956 views

HI RES 12.0 MP

Sunflowers B & W

by Andreaf948
0 comments, 769 views

HI RES 21.0 MP

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Farm Belvedere No sunrise/Sunset

by Andreaf948
0 comments, 906 views

HI RES 21.0 MP

Reggio Calabria seafront statue

by Andreaf948
0 comments, 783 views

HI RES 21.0 MP

Stairs in Scalea ...

by Andreaf948
2 comments, 900 views

HI RES 21.0 MP

Autumn from the belvedere (Alice Bel Colle)

by MNphotos
0 comments, 248 views

HI RES 23.7 MP

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Reviews » Lenses » Lenses Zeiss » Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 28-85mm f/3.3-4 (C/Y)

Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 28-85mm f/3.3-4 (C/Y) : Specifications and Opinions

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Photos taken with Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 28-85mm f/3.3-4 (C/Y)