Contax T* 35-135mm F3.3-4.5 Lens
The Contax T* 35-135mm F3.3-4.5 is a 35–135mm f/3.3 lens designed for Contax/Yashica mount cameras. Used copies start from $999 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Contax T* 35-135mm F3.3-4.5 Lens
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Lens Overview — Contax T* 35-135mm F3.3-4.5
Key Features — Contax T* 35-135mm F3.3-4.5
35–135mm Zoom Range: Covers wide-angle through short telephoto in a single lens, reducing the need to carry multiple primes for everyday shooting.
Full Frame Coverage: Designed for the complete 35mm format, making it directly usable on full frame film SLRs and adaptable to modern full frame mirrorless bodies.
f/3.3 Maximum Aperture: Opens to f/3.3 at the wide end, providing reasonable light-gathering capability across the zoom range for a lens of this era.
T* Coating: Zeiss T* multi-layer anti-reflective coating reduces flare and ghosting, contributing to the contrast and colour rendition associated with Contax glass.
Contax/Yashica Mount: Fits the established C/Y mount system and is widely adaptable to modern mirrorless cameras via readily available third-party adapters.
Manual Focus Only: Fully manual focus operation engages the shooter directly with focus control, favoured in deliberate or adapted shooting workflows.
Lens Specifications — Contax T* 35-135mm F3.3-4.5
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Portrait, Landscape, Travel, Street |
| Lens Type | Zoom |
| Format | Full Frame |
| Zoom/Prime | Zoom |
| Focal Length | 35–135mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/3.3 |
| Camera System | SLR |
| Lens Mount | Contax/Yashica |
| Autofocus | No |
| Focus Type | Manual |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Filter Thread | 67mm |
Description — Contax T* 35-135mm F3.3-4.5
The Contax T* 35–135mm f/3.3–4.5 is a manual focus zoom lens built for the Contax/Yashica mount SLR system. It covers a focal length range of 35mm to 135mm, spanning standard wide-angle through short telephoto, making it a flexible single-lens option for a variety of photographic subjects. The lens is designed for full frame coverage, ensuring it fills the complete 35mm format without vignetting concerns.
At the wide end, it opens to f/3.3, with the aperture stepping down to f/4.5 at the telephoto end of the zoom range. A 67mm filter thread allows for the use of standard screw-in filters. Weighing 700g, it has noticeable heft in hand.
There is no image stabilization and no autofocus, so users engage directly with the optic. This lens suits collectors and shooters working with vintage Contax/Yashica mount bodies, or those adapting classic glass to modern platforms.
Pros — Contax T* 35-135mm F3.3-4.5
- ✓Broad 35–135mm focal length range covers wide to short telephoto in a single lens
- ✓Full frame coverage suits 35mm SLR and adapted modern full frame bodies
- ✓f/3.3 maximum aperture at the wide end provides reasonable light gathering
Cons — Contax T* 35-135mm F3.3-4.5
- ✗Manual focus only — no autofocus, which limits shooting speed in fast-paced scenarios
- ✗No image stabilization, which can be a drawback at the 135mm end without a steady hand or fast shutter
- ✗At 700g, the lens is on the heavier side for a zoom of this range
Videos — Contax T* 35-135mm F3.3-4.5
Carl Zeiss vario sonnar 35-135mm f3.3-4.5 (Contax Yashica mount) first impression — Vintage Camera Lens Footage