View Full Version : 35 - 70 Zoom for G2
Does anyone have and use the 35 - 70 zoom lens for the G2 ? I understand the distortion specs are not as good as the primes; however, lots of people are using zooms, especially digital. Any opinions on how this lens compares to non rangefinder zooms? (slr and dslr)
It is one of the finest mid-range zooms in the market and very compact for a zoom. (It is slightly smaller than the 90mm sonnar.) I use it a lot for travel and family photos. Not as fast as the primes but makes very good pictures indeed. Works well with the TLA 200 and TLA 360 flash units too.
Hi Sergio:
Does the zoom balance well on the G2 ? From the pics I have seen, it appears that the zoom extends awkwardly out like a 28-200mm all purpose zoom on a 35mm SLR. Am I imagining things ? Do you have any pics of the camera lens combo set at various focal lengths to share with us.
Thanks
G2Fan
Sorry G2Fan, I don't have pictures of the zoom to share with you but it does balance very well. The camera feels pretty much the same as if you had the 90mm sonnar on it. I keep the vario on one of my G2 bodies almost all the time.
Best regards.
Hi, I just bit the bullet and bought this Vario-Sonnar 35-70 for the G2 (http://www.keh.com/ProductImages/fullSize/CG07999048630.jpg) from KEH, mainly out of curiosity to find out how it really performs. Within the *very* few reviews availabel online, opinions tend to be divided amongst those who love this lens those who consider it only "ok".
I am posting this in hopes of hearing more from users of this lens, with, perhaps, some sample photos etc.
Cheers,
I actually just got back from shooting with my Black 35-70 zoomon my G2. I have all the primes as well and, truth be told, I don't use the zoom all that often. It is an excellent lens, truly exceptional for travel, just not as bitingly sharp as some of the primes (45mm in particular).
That said, I would highly recommend it. It balances very well and the zoom finder works seamlessly. Some of them can have a slightly stiff zoom action but I understand they loosen up over time. Mine is damped quite nicely so it's never been an issue.
Anyway, if you travel and want a small kit I'd say you would be served quite well with the 35-70.
Enjoy.
Kent
Kent, thank you for your feedback. I am hopeful that with the 35-70 and an extra body, the 45mm, and the 28mm lenses, I may be able to "stabilize" my typical travel outfit and stop worrying about what to take and what leave home :)
Btw, I did a search for "vario" on contaxg.com (http://contaxg.com) and found a whole bunch of pics taken with this lens. Some look really good to me, here is a sample:
http://contaxg.com/document.php?id=23006
http://contaxg.com/document.php?id=20048
http://contaxg.com/document.php?id=16004
http://contaxg.com/document.php?id=1294
http://contaxg.com/document.php?id=586
http://contaxg.com/document.php?id=22954
Andy,
I'd say those results are fairly typical, that is, very very nice. Like I said, it's one heck of a lens for travel or an all in one kit.
Post your opinions if you get one, I think you'll be pleased.
Best of luck!
Kent
Just want to second what all the other users have said. I bought this zoom a few months ago and took it on vacation to Italy with my G2, instead of all the primes I own (well, I did take the 21mm). It doesn't have a huge zoom range, but it worked out just fine, and I was very pleased with the results. I shot slide film -- mostly Kodak E100G -- with pin-sharp results when projected large. Handles well too.
I am so excited about this lens! But, as luck would have it, KEH shipped me the silver version (I ordered a black one) in a mislabeled box, so it's back to KEH and I am "waiting for the mail" again. I guess good things are worth waiting for... :)
Well, after a total fiasco with KEH (twice they shipped me the wrong lens, then told me they did not actually have the black one), I finally found one on ebay. Just put my bid for it, hit the reserve price right on the nose. Still days to go but I am crossing my fingers very very tight! Would appreciate any good vibes the good folks here may have to spare :angel:
Btw, there is a guy ("Mo") selling a NOS G2 kit with the 35-70 in it, for over $4K (!) I called him to ask if he'd sell the 35-70 separately but got a quote of $999 (down from $1200 after some barganing). Pretty steep, so I asked him to hold the lens if the $4K kit doesn't sell, might renegotiate later. As it stands though, I have high hopes to grab that solitary 35-70 on the bay.
Oops! This one 200037977713?
Luckily I read my mail before bidding :)
Oops! This one 200037977713?
Luckily I read my mail before bidding :) Yep, item #200037977713 is the one :)
Ah, shawks, it's so selfish of me to try to keep it all to myself! (I now remember reading that you too were looking for one as well). Well, chances are I will probably get outbid anyway.. Then again, should I win, chances are the next GAS attack may result in it being listed here :))
No problem, that one looks good but I have silver bodies, there will be a silver 35-70 some time.
I'm not in a hurry, I want it for my trip to Salvador de Bahia which won't happen before March or April.
There are two silver ones on ebay now -
120041862422 (less than 2 hrs to go)
280037614639 (20 hrs to go)
The one thing I really regret not biding on was that silver-black G2, I bet both the chrome and black lenses would look great on it.
Interesting, ebay.de found the black one only
Edit, UK is better than the USA for me - no import taxes and VAT :-)
I just got one of the silver ones a few days ago. I was supposed to receive it today. Damm DHL.
Congratulatons Eugene! Hope you will post some pictures soon (of it and by it).
I was the only bidder on the black one (thank you all the kind folks who let me win it without a fight) and got the lens for the reserve price of 300 BP. Needless to say, I can't wait to play with it :D
Congrads Andy. These lens are hard to find. Enjoy. I think mine will be there this coming Monday.
Picked up my lens from stupid DHL today. I have never had it in my hands before until now. Very well made. Stiff zoom action. It seems to be better after playing with it. Wait till I get some pictures using this new lens. Here are 2 pictures of the lens on the camera.:D
Hi Eugene, the G2 looks quite sexy with the zoom, thanks for posting the pics. I look forward to seeing some shots you take with it.
My seller should ship mine by tomorrow (I hope) so I am in for a week's worth of wait :(
Andy, mine came with a contax OE filter. :p
Euguene, I am a bit slow today, you mean Original Equipment (OE)? Very nice :)
Euguene, I am a bit slow today, you mean Original Equipment (OE)? Very nice :)
Yes. Original Contax filter.
Gray Fox
10-26-2006, 13:00
KEH just listed a black 35-70, black, EX condition for $599. I'm looking for a chrome one.
When it zooms... does it zoom in steps, or is it a smooth zoom?
KEH just listed a black 35-70, black, EX condition for $599. I'm looking for a chrome one. Hopefully it is what it says it is. They sold me the "black" one a while ago but mailed the chrome version twice, both times in a mis-labeled box.
When it zooms... does it zoom in steps, or is it a smooth zoom?
When it zooms, it is done in a smooth/firm motion.
My black 35-70 arrived today. It's drop-dead gorgeous and I am one very happy camper :D
Here are some pics from the zoom. I think they look pretty decent. I meant the lens...;)
Eugene, awesome pics, one heck of a lens, eh? Btw, did you scan the film yourself?
My 1st roll with this lens is still waiting to get developed, I am hoping my "new" Minolta scanner will do a good job.
Andy, the pictures were scanned by a drugstore film processing outfit using Fuji equipment. I was thinking of getting myself a Nikon Coolscan V but didn't have a chance to bit for it at ebay. Show me some of your pics when you have they processed...
I know, I should have waited until I had the scans but couldn't! I just picked up a set of slides I took with the 35-70 lens and OMG! I cannot believe my eyes - talk about faithful color rendition and the most incredible "3D" effect I've seen on a 35mm film in a while. You just want to reach out and literally grab what's in the image. I am soo excited! the 35-70 is a winner lens, hands down. The crispness, "juiciness" of the images is leaps and bounds beyond what I've expected. I guess I am in love..
Will post some pics as soon as I figure out how to scan the slides in my new old scanner, hope the scans can convey even a fraction of the miracle that this lens truly is. Did I mention that I really, realy like it? -) G2+Zeiss glass rules!
Gray Fox
12-06-2006, 19:46
I look forward to seeing what you scan. the lens sounds great. I'm still waiting for KEH to get in a silver one, as I don't think the black one they have would look too good on my titanium body, plus it costs a premium. Now if we could just convince Mr. K. to come up with a body that would let us G1/G2 folks use our lenses on a follow-on to the RD-1. Boy, would those be some images on a 10 meg Cosina model of whatever he would like to call it using our lenses! I don't know how many G1s and G2s were sold, but I would bet the market would be there. I know I'd put in a pre-order.
Andy,
I haven't checked this thread for awhile and I am happy to see that you found a nice 35-70! Hopefully you are still enjoying it and I look forward to seeing some of your shots.
It really is a neat lens. I bought an M8 and I frequently wish there was a similar lens for travel (the tri-elmar isn't it).
Have fun!
Kent
I know, I should have waited until I had the scans but couldn't! I just picked up a set of slides I took with the 35-70 lens and OMG! I cannot believe my eyes - talk about faithful color rendition and the most incredible "3D" effect I've seen on a 35mm film in a while. You just want to reach out and literally grab what's in the image. I am soo excited! the 35-70 is a winner lens, hands down. The crispness, "juiciness" of the images is leaps and bounds beyond what I've expected. I guess I am in love..
Will post some pics as soon as I figure out how to scan the slides in my new old scanner, hope the scans can convey even a fraction of the miracle that this lens truly is. Did I mention that I really, realy like it? -) G2+Zeiss glass rules!
Hi Kent, I am "this close" to having my scanner work, just waiting for the SCSI cable adapter to arrive, then watch out Gallery! :) Still loving my G2+zoom "take anywhere" set. Be back soon!
Andy
I've finally put together an old, cheap Minolta F2900 film scanner, an even older, dusty SCSI card, a Made in China SCSI cable converter and - voila! the darn contraption works. Thanks to a kind RFF member, I also now have the slide holder that fits the F2900. With all that, I was able to scan my first slide ever (attached).
Since I've never used this particular scanner interface and am just starting to learn Photoshop, the scan shows every bit of dust that's on it. There is no noise correction either, just some basic hunt & peck in PS (e.g. auto levels).
What I can tell right now is that the physical slide itself shows much, much more detail, "depth", and “radiance” than the scan. But, for the time being, I am pretty happy with the process. Surprisingly, the F2900 is several times faster than my cheap Canon flatbed scanner, even if scanning at full hardware resolution.
All this to say I will be posting some 35-70mm scans soon; hopefully more interesting ones than this plain ZOO snapshot.
thanatos
12-30-2006, 13:12
You have every right to be excited - sweet.
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