Carl Zeiss C/Y 80-200mm f/4 VS. Zoom-Nikkor 80-200 f/4.5?

[bulle]

Hi everybody, this is my first post here!

I have change to buy Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 80-200mm f/4 (C/Y) for 200euros OR the Nikon Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/4.5 (last #8xxxxx version) for less than 100euros. I have hard times deciding which one to buy..

I have tried to google for comparison but found nothing. Both seems to be very well built, have pretty much the same max.aparture and are sharp.

Have any of you guys had opportunity to test both lenses? Which one has better value for the price?

[caspert79]

I'm pretty shure you'd be satisfied with the Nikkor's performance. I can't speak for the Zeiss.

[shapencolour]

200 Euros for Vario Sonnar 80-200/4 C/Y seems to be an attractive price.Usual going rate is about 250 Euro.Anyway - this lens is not a common tele zoom,but a very good,if not outstanding performer in it's class.Vivid Zeiss colour rendition,sharp/very sharp and contrasty across the zoom range

With minimal focusing distance of 1m it's suitable for nice closeups

NEX7+VS 80-200/4 at 200mm f5.6




From 85mm till about 135mm it's image quality is very close to 85/2.8 and 135/2.8 C/Y primes

NEX5+VS 80-200/4 at 80mm f5.6



At 200mm it has less CA compared to the prime 200/4 C/Y Tele Tessar

NEX5+VS 80-200/4 at 200mm f8



The lens has also quite pleasant bokeh

Canon EOS 500+VS 80-200/4 at f4



It is always a matter of taste,but I think you'll be more satisfied with the Zeiss.It is well worth the money.

[frenched]

+1 for Zeiss.

I own a copy of the VS 80-200. (That and the VS 35-70 is all I use or need these days.) Typical for Zeiss, it has a very sharp and faithful rendition with great color pop and just the right touch of bokeh when you want it. I don't have experience with the Nikkor, but there are lots of examples on Flickr for IQ comparison. It comes down to a matter of taste and picture style, but I think your Zeiss is the better value of the two just in the fact that it's priced well below average and you can easily resell it at a tidy profit.

@shapencolour - Nice examples!

[shapencolour]

Thank you frenched

[ManualFocus-G]

Deffo get the Zeiss! It has great pop to the images and is sharp from wide open.

[barryreid]

Nice shots, Shapencolour. Clearly the Zeiss works well in good hands!

I would also go for the Zeiss but then, I'm definitely biased towards that brand's glass.

[shapencolour]

Thanks barryreid.

Fortunately acquiring Zeiss doesn't mean sticking to it only.One can have Zeiss and other lenses enjoying what is good in other brands too.

[caspert79]

Why don't buy the Zeiss, and look for a Nikkor 80-200/4.5 as well?
The latter can often be found for much less than 100$, because everybody is looking at the f/4 80-200mm Nikkor.

Then compare, and make up your mind.

[inombrable]

If you have the money to buy the zeiss, I would go for that one, if you prefer to save some euros for something else and buy the nikkor I assure you won't be disappointed with it, I own a copy and it is an excellent zoom, also it can be bought relatively cheap because of the reason caspert mentioned.

[bulle]

Thanks for the input everybody!

I'll definitely go for the Zeiss Vario-Sonnar. And as caspert said, maybe I'll buy Nikkor later as it's very cheap so that I can compare them myself.

And very beautiful pics Omar & shapencolour! Sharp as they can be and lovely colors!

[shapencolour]

Thank you bulle.

[Mark]

+1 for Zeiss

Great performance for a zoom.

[shapencolour]

Two further 80-200/4 + NEX5N pics at around 150mm f 8.It is clearly visible on the cat's fur how sharp this lens can be at the long end.

[Orio]

The 4/80-200 Sonnar is my favourite lens for shooting live events. It is lightweight, has perfect focal range to shoot portraits
both near and far, it is sharp, and most of all, it has (in my opinion) the best boke in the whole Contax SLR line, including primes!

#1 - Canon EOS 5D :


#2 - Canon EOS 5D :


100% detail crops from #2












100% boke crop from #2


#3 - Canon EOS 5D :


100% boke crops from #3










I am sure, however, that you will be happy also with the Nikkor. I have never tried it, but many people reports it's a very good lens.

[shapencolour]

Excellent pictures Orio.

[frenched]

[RnR]

Don't forget the Nikon 80-200mm f4, which some says is better than the f4.5 version.

@ 200mm f5.6 on the Olympus E-PM2

[Mark]

[shapencolour]

Thank you Mark.BTW - your 50/1.4 ZE Planar review is in accordance with what I've experienced with this remarkable lens.

[Mark]

I would like to also contribute to this thread. Some pics taken with Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 80-200mm and Canon 5D. Image sharpness is not incredible, because the light was not so optimal. Focal length was 160mm, aperture F4. Slightly soft at this setting, but nice and sharp from F5.6. Example at F8 here: http://lightbeam-photography.blogspot.hu/2013/09/magnificent-sunbeam-slow-evening.html

[Mark]

[bulle]

Thanks again for feedback!


I received this beauty last week. I ended buying it from ebay instead of local seller and got it for only 155 euros including shipping from Germany to Finland and it is in like new condition.



I was struck by CZ C/Y fever and also bought 28-85 Vario-Sonnar and 28 2.8 Distagon!

[bulle]

By the way! None of the lenses I ordered includes hood. What hoods do you use? Genuine hoods for cz c/y are hard to find and are really expensive (Half of the lenses price!)

[ManualFocus-G]

I wouldn't bother with a hood, the coating is excellent

Such a great lens BTW and a decent price!