Questions about the CZ Vario-Sonnar 80-200mm/f4

slick204 · Expire: 2012-04-22

I've been looking into this lens since learning of it's existence in here. ManualFocus-G and Rolf's beautiful images are making me want one!
From Rolf's thread it sounds like there are two distinct versions: the C/Y and the M42. It also seems to imply that the C/Y version is better than the M42. Is this correct? I'd have to use the M42 version since I have a Pentax.

Also, how does this lens compare to other well regarded manual zooms like the Vivitar Series 1 70-210 and the Tamron SP 70-210/3.5? I have a Tamron SP 80-200/2.8 but it's load to carry around and I'm looking for something lighter/smaller.

Thanks!

Seele · Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 742 Location: Sydney Australia

It is not correct to say that this lens has two versions. It is more like, both Carl Zeiss Oberkochen and Carl Zeiss Jena designed a lens of the same name and the same specifications, but optically different, and each company made it to fit their own "preferred" brands of cameras.

The Oberkochen-designed one was made by Tomioka, the lens division of Yashica, which was in turn the photographic division of Kyocera, and in Contax/Yashica mount.

The Jena-designed one was made by themselves in Jena, Germany, and in both M42 mount and Praktica B-mount, christened Vario-Sonnar and Vario-Prakticar respectively.

I cannot give you a definite answer as to which one is "better"; they are two different lenses, sharing the same name and same specifications.

ManualFocus-G · Expire: 2014-11-24

I definately prefer the Vario-Sonnar to the Tammie SP. Although the Tammie is quicker, and can be used on more bodies, I prefer the character on the Zeiss. Plus it has less CA. Just my opinion though Smile

slick204 · Expire: 2012-04-22

Thanks for the reply's. It was just the wording in one of the posts that made me think it was commonly known that one was better than the other.
I'll keep my eyes open for one, but the only one I can find now in M42 mount is selling for $800. There are none in the Used Lens Price Guide, but the C/Y versions listed were much less than that.

Seele · Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 742 Location: Sydney Australia

The rarity factor can certainly reflect on the market price; after all Jena made very few of those.

aoleg · Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Posts: 1387 Location: Berlin, DE

I have the Contax version, and it's great. I don't think the Jena could be better yet, as the Contax is optically and mechanically in the same league as my Canon 70-200/4L for less than half its price.