Contax Zeiss 28mm f2 A7S Test

Contax Zeiss 28mm f/2 "Hollywood" Sony A7S

Looking for a great wide angle prime for your Sony A7S? Look no further. The Contax Zeiss 28mm f2 is a champion. One of the things that I always love to do as soon as I can with a new camera body is to test it with the Contax Zeiss prime lenses. These lenses are the older Zeiss primes, built in Japan by Contax to Zeiss specifications and under Zeiss supervision and quality control. Originally intended for the Contax 35mm film camera, each lens in the series is an optimal design for full frame 35mm cameras. With the excellent performance on film of the near legendary Contax Zeiss 28mm f2, I expected the coverage on the Sony A7S to be very good edge to edge, and after testing I have observed it certainly is.

The Contax Zeiss 28mm f2 is a nice size and weight on the Sony A7S.

The Contax Zeiss 28mm f2 earned the nickname “The Hollywood” due to the number of directors and DP here in LA that converted these for moving film use. I simply love the drawing signature of the whole Contax Zeiss Distagon series, but this Contax Zeiss 28mm f2 is exceptionally nice for a wide angle.

Contax Zeiss 28mm f2 at f/5.6, Sony A7S, 1/8000 Sec, ISO 3200

I haven’t found a dog among the Contax Zeiss primes, with most stelar performers even shot wide open.

Contax Zeiss 28mm f2 at f/5.6, Sony A7S, 1/8000 Sec, ISO 3200

Today these lenses sell at prices that are reflective of their rarity, but they are available for rent from several reputable sources.

Contax Zeiss 28mm f2 at f/5.6, Sony A7S, 1/8000 Sec, ISO 3200

An Excellent condition copy of this Contax Zeiss 28mm f2 can sell for as much or more than a new version Zeiss is building for the Nikon and Canon mounts.

Contax Zeiss 28mm f2 at f/5.6, Sony A7S, 1/8000 Sec, ISO 3200

Prices will continues to rise on the Contax Zeiss 28mm f2 as the demand absorbs the available used stock, lenses get damaged, put into collections, and otherwise taken out of circulation.