Contax Carl Zeiss Sonnar 135mm F2.8 lens MF. (Contax / Yashica mount)

The Carl Zeiss Sonnar T˟ 135mm f/2.8 is one of four Sonnar telephoto lenses that Zeiss used to manufacture in the C/Y mount. ( the other three lenses being 85mm, 100mm and 180mm ). The company discontinued manufacturing Sonnar 135mm f/2.8 in C/Y mount after Kyocera , witch’s holds joint development  rights for the Contax brand name, exited camera business in 2005. Regretfully Carl Zeiss witch created the original Contax camera system , cannot  re-used the brand name for another couple of years (until the contract expires ). However it’s widely speculated that Zeiss will be interested in resurrecting the Contax  line-up of camera’s  and lenses sometime in the future. In the meantime Zeiss re-introduced Sonnar T˟ 135mm F1.8 in ZA format for Sony’s range of digital SLR cameras. The C/Y mount Sonnar is one of the most affordable lenses in the Carl Zeiss line-up – good quality used lenses.

The optical construction of the lens consists of 5 elements in 4 groups. The build quality of the lens is pretty solid the lens mount and both barrel cams are metal. So the built-in slide-type metal lens hood that could be extended from the front of the barrel to reduce amount of stray light hitting the front glass element. Both aperture and focus rings are fully rubberized . The inner lens cam extends by a few centimeters when focused towards close-up.

The minimum focusing distance of the lens is 1.6meter and the minimum aperture is f/22. In the domain of telephoto lenses Carl Zeiss Sonnar T˟ 135mm f/2.8 is average in size and weight.- 585 grams and 7.8x 13,1 cm. It accepts 55mm screw-in filters.

Lens composition :  5 elements in 4 groups.

Angular field :  18°

Minimum focus : 1.6 meters.

Focusing action : Manual focus.

Stop scale : f/2.8—f/22. Manual.

Filter size :  55mm

Lens hood : Built-in type.

Weight : 565 grams.

Dimensions : 78x131mm