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Hi Jacek!
Why just AF? What would You think of an MF Contax like RX or RTSIII? These are real good cameras (IMHO the best!). It is said that the VS 28-85 is a very fine, sharp lens, but heavy. I would avoid the 28-70 which is cheaper but worse, mechanically and optically as well.
regards
Wolfgang
Why just AF? What would You think of an MF Contax like RX or RTSIII? These are real good cameras (IMHO the best!). It is said that the VS 28-85 is a very fine, sharp lens, but heavy. I would avoid the 28-70 which is cheaper but worse, mechanically and optically as well.
regards
Wolfgang
Well,
I can not let the statement about the VS28-70 uncorrected. Although it is optically not as good as the top-notch Zeiss lenses it's not worse than some of the weaker lenses.
Mechanically it's actually superior. More robust than most other lenses because it uses Plastics on the outside, which makes in pretty insensitive to scratches and dings which you can freqently observe on all-metal lenses. The use of plastics makes it a also lighter, and because it's a two-touch zoom, it doesn't have Zoom-creep as most Zeiss one-touch Zooms do.
Mike
I can not let the statement about the VS28-70 uncorrected. Although it is optically not as good as the top-notch Zeiss lenses it's not worse than some of the weaker lenses.
Mechanically it's actually superior. More robust than most other lenses because it uses Plastics on the outside, which makes in pretty insensitive to scratches and dings which you can freqently observe on all-metal lenses. The use of plastics makes it a also lighter, and because it's a two-touch zoom, it doesn't have Zoom-creep as most Zeiss one-touch Zooms do.
Mike
Servus Mike!
Well I had this lens and I sold it due to its "worse"performance" compared to my top notch primes. But You are right, when You compare it to other "weaker lenses". Because I have not tested other brands zooms it is hard to argue. But I can imagine that is is stll (much) better than Sigma, Tamron, etc... My personal experience was bad because I had to send it in for service after 1 Months because the zooming ring got stiff. Obviously You have different, eg better experiences.
Regards
Wolfgang
Well I had this lens and I sold it due to its "worse"performance" compared to my top notch primes. But You are right, when You compare it to other "weaker lenses". Because I have not tested other brands zooms it is hard to argue. But I can imagine that is is stll (much) better than Sigma, Tamron, etc... My personal experience was bad because I had to send it in for service after 1 Months because the zooming ring got stiff. Obviously You have different, eg better experiences.
Regards
Wolfgang
Hi jacek,
It depends of your needs. Contax has actually only two AF systems:
T system as a compact camera
N system as a reflex system
I'm not experienced on this systems because I use the manual focusing one.
If you choose the N system there are 2 zooms: 28-85 for general purposes and 70-300 for telephoto. You can usethe 645 lenses (medium format) too.
But... if you don't really need the (theoretical) faster and precise AF focusing, the manual focusing system has more posibilities.
By the way, I have the VS28-70 zoom and I'm very happy with it. Mechanically works very well. Optically has qite distorsion on extreme focal ranges, but it's perfect for travelling because it's quite light. I'm sure the 28-85 is the best, but is more and more expensive than the 28-70.
It depends of your needs. Contax has actually only two AF systems:
T system as a compact camera
N system as a reflex system
I'm not experienced on this systems because I use the manual focusing one.
If you choose the N system there are 2 zooms: 28-85 for general purposes and 70-300 for telephoto. You can usethe 645 lenses (medium format) too.
But... if you don't really need the (theoretical) faster and precise AF focusing, the manual focusing system has more posibilities.
By the way, I have the VS28-70 zoom and I'm very happy with it. Mechanically works very well. Optically has qite distorsion on extreme focal ranges, but it's perfect for travelling because it's quite light. I'm sure the 28-85 is the best, but is more and more expensive than the 28-70.
Hi Jacek,
If you need AF and with one zoom only, I'll recommend two bodies: AX or N1. For AX, you could choose between 28-85 or 35-135. For N1, you should get the 24-84. Of course, all these zooms only cover wide to medium tele range. BTW, if you decide to start with a AF system, the best choice should be the N1.
If you need AF and with one zoom only, I'll recommend two bodies: AX or N1. For AX, you could choose between 28-85 or 35-135. For N1, you should get the 24-84. Of course, all these zooms only cover wide to medium tele range. BTW, if you decide to start with a AF system, the best choice should be the N1.
Simon:
I don't quite agree with you, although I use a N1 and am very happy with it, if I have a chance to re choose again, I will choose AX. Although AX is heavier then N1, there are so many more lens to choose from. There are only a limited nos of lenses to choose for N1. Beside the extention ring is "build in" which made a lot more flexibility in using different lenses.
Ben
I don't quite agree with you, although I use a N1 and am very happy with it, if I have a chance to re choose again, I will choose AX. Although AX is heavier then N1, there are so many more lens to choose from. There are only a limited nos of lenses to choose for N1. Beside the extention ring is "build in" which made a lot more flexibility in using different lenses.
Ben
Ben, don't forget that with a NAM-1 adapter, all of the wonderful 645 lenses are available to use with the N series cameras while still retaining AE and AF functions.
I agree that the AX is a pretty neat unit and allows access to a much wider array of lenses, including some of the best 35mm manual lenses ever produced. But if the criteria is one camera and one zoom lens, then the N1 with 24-85 is pretty hard to beat.
I agree that the AX is a pretty neat unit and allows access to a much wider array of lenses, including some of the best 35mm manual lenses ever produced. But if the criteria is one camera and one zoom lens, then the N1 with 24-85 is pretty hard to beat.
Ben,
I note your point. In fact, I've both systems and have been using them quite a lot. Marc has correctly pointed out that N1 with 24-85 is hard to beat in this particular case. BTW, there are constraints when using the 28-85 and 100-300 zooms with AX. Dark edges or vignetting may occur if film plane moves near to its 10mm full extension. Of course this could be overcome by MF/AF combined operation, just a bit of inconvinence. In addition, the AF speed and sensitivity of N1 is much better than the AX.
Simon
I note your point. In fact, I've both systems and have been using them quite a lot. Marc has correctly pointed out that N1 with 24-85 is hard to beat in this particular case. BTW, there are constraints when using the 28-85 and 100-300 zooms with AX. Dark edges or vignetting may occur if film plane moves near to its 10mm full extension. Of course this could be overcome by MF/AF combined operation, just a bit of inconvinence. In addition, the AF speed and sensitivity of N1 is much better than the AX.
Simon