Contax 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Vario-Sonnar T* Lens
The Contax 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Vario-Sonnar T* is a 70–300mm f/4 lens designed for Contax N mount cameras. Check GearFocus for current availability, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Contax 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Vario-Sonnar T* Lens
Get notified when one lists.
We'll text or email you the moment a Contax 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Vario-Sonnar T* Lens is listed on GearFocus.
Have a Contax 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Vario-Sonnar T* sitting in your bag?
You'd be the first listing for this model.
Serious buyers are already watching — list yours in minutes.
Available Now on GearFocus
Lens Overview — Contax 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Vario-Sonnar T*
Key Features — Contax 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Vario-Sonnar T*
70-300mm Focal Range: Covers moderate telephoto through long telephoto in a single lens, useful for wildlife, sports, and compressed portrait work.
Vario-Sonnar T* Optics: Zeiss T* multi-coating reduces flare and ghosting, delivering the optical character associated with the Contax/Zeiss lens lineage.
Contax N Mount: Designed exclusively for the Contax N autofocus system, compatible with bodies like the Contax N1 and NX.
f/4-5.6 Variable Aperture: Opens to f/4 at 70mm, stepping down to f/5.6 at 300mm, providing reasonable light gathering across the zoom range.
Full-Frame Coverage: Image circle covers a 35mm full-frame sensor or film plane with no vignetting.
Autofocus and Manual Focus: Supports both AF and MF operation, giving shooters the flexibility to switch modes depending on the subject.
Lens Specifications — Contax 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Vario-Sonnar T*
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Wildlife, Sports, Travel |
| Lens Type | Zoom |
| Format | Full Frame |
| Zoom/Prime | Zoom |
| Focal Length | 70–300mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/4 |
| Camera System | DSLR |
| Lens Mount | Contax N |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Focus Type | Auto, Manual |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Filter Thread | 77mm |
Description — Contax 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Vario-Sonnar T*
The Contax 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Vario-Sonnar T* is a full-frame telephoto zoom designed exclusively for the Contax N mount system. Spanning a focal length range of 70mm to 300mm, it covers a broad telephoto reach that suits everything from compressed portrait work to distant subject photography. The variable maximum aperture of f/4 to f/5.6 offers reasonable light collection across the zoom range, with the wider f/4 available at 70mm.
The lens weighs 850g and accepts 77mm front filters, giving users easy access to common filter accessories. Both autofocus and manual focus are supported, making the lens adaptable to different shooting styles. It is worth noting that no image stabilization is present, so stable technique is important especially when shooting near the 300mm end.
For photographers invested in the Contax N system, this lens delivers a versatile telephoto zoom option within that ecosystem.
Pros — Contax 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Vario-Sonnar T*
- ✓Wide focal length range of 70–300mm suits a variety of telephoto shooting scenarios
- ✓Full-frame coverage ensures compatibility with Contax N full-frame bodies
- ✓77mm filter thread is a widely available size, making filter use convenient
Cons — Contax 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Vario-Sonnar T*
- ✗No image stabilization, which can be challenging at 300mm without steady support
- ✗Variable aperture narrows to f/5.6 at 300mm, limiting low-light performance at full telephoto
- ✗Contax N mount is a niche, discontinued system with limited camera body compatibility
Videos — Contax 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Vario-Sonnar T*
The Contax range of Mutar teleconverters — ContaxPaul Harrison