Name: Contax Vario Sonnar 28-85mm
Brand: Contax
Price: 599 USD
Availability: InStock

Exhibits minimal signs of wear, noticeable only upon close inspection. Fully operational and includes all items shown in the listing photos. The actual item for sale is pictured unless specifically noted otherwise. The condition rating applies to the core item and not any accessories.

Camera is in excellent shape with very few signs of cosmetic wear on the barrel. Glas sis clean. Focusing is smooth and well damped. Sharp and so...read more.

The Contax Carl Zeiss T* Vario-Sonnar 28-85mm f/3.3-4 Lens is a versatile zoom lens designed for Contax/Yashica mount cameras. Renowned for its optical quality, this lens features the T* coating for enhanced contrast and reduced flare, making it suitable for a variety of photographic applications.

The lens is equipped with Carl Zeiss's T* anti-reflective coating, which enhances contrast and reduces lens flare.

T* Coating

Covers a focal range of 28-85mm, making it suitable for wide-angle to short telephoto photography.

Versatile Focal Range

Constructed with precision optics to deliver sharp and detailed images.

High-Quality Optics

The Contax 28-85mm f/3.3-4 is a **manual focus**, **full-frame** zoom lens built for the **Contax/Yashica** mount system. Its focal length range runs from **28mm** to **85mm**, covering wide-angle through short-telephoto in a single lens — a practical span for a wide variety of photographic subjects. The maximum aperture is **f/3.3** at the wide end, stepping to **f/4** at 85mm, providing consistent if modest light-gathering across the zoom range. The lens accepts **82mm** filters, reflecting its large front element. Weighing in at **880g**, it is a solid, full-size piece of glass that feels substantial in hand. There is **no image stabilization**, so proper technique and adequate shutter speeds are important, especially toward the longer end of the focal range. As a vintage manual focus lens in the Contax/Yashica ecosystem, it appeals to collectors and photographers who appreciate classic optics and enjoy the hands-on experience of manual focus shooting.

Covers moderately wide to short telephoto in a single lens, handling landscapes, street, and portraits without swapping glass.

28–85mm Zoom Range

Designed for the C/Y mount system, compatible with original Contax and Yashica bodies and adaptable to modern mirrorless cameras.

Contax/Yashica Mount

Projects an image circle covering the full 35mm frame, making it usable on both vintage film bodies and modern full-frame mirrorless systems via adapter.

Full-Frame Coverage

Variable maximum aperture stays relatively consistent across the zoom range, offering reasonable light-gathering for a lens of this focal length span.

f/3.3–4 Maximum Aperture

Purely mechanical focus ring suits deliberate shooting and pairs naturally with mirrorless focus aids such as peaking and magnified live view.

Manual Focus Only

Large front element requires 82mm filters, accommodating high-quality polarizers and ND filters across the full image circle.

82mm Filter Thread

Substantial weight reflects the all-metal Contax construction typical of the era, contributing to a robust, well-damped feel in use.

880g Solid Build

User Manual

Contax Carl Zeiss T* Vario-Sonnar 28-85mm f/3.3-4 Lens

Contax 28-85mm f/3.3-4 Lens

2026-01-28-tier2-minorbrands

The Best Contax Lens - Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 35-70mm f/3.4

Is 30 Years Old Lens Better Than Modern Glass?  Part: 2 | CONTAX ZEISS 28-85 vs TAMRON 28-75 | SUB.

Is 30 Years Old Lens Better Than Modern Glass?  Part: 1 | CONTAX ZEISS 28-85 vs TAMRON 28-75 | SUB.

Camera is in excellent shape with very few signs of cosmetic wear on the barrel. Glas sis clean. Focusing is smooth and well damped. Sharp and so much micro contrast throughout the range and across the frame. Comes with front and rear caps.

<p>Camera is in excellent shape with very few signs of cosmetic wear on the barrel. Glas sis clean. Focusing is smooth and well damped. Sharp and so much micro contrast throughout the range and across the frame. Comes with front and rear caps.</p>

Spec	Detail
Use Cases	Portrait, Landscape, Travel
Lens Type	Zoom
Format	Full Frame
Zoom/Prime	Zoom
Focal Length	28–85mm
Maximum Aperture	f/3.3
Camera System	DSLR
Lens Mount	Contax/Yashica
Autofocus	No
Focus Type	Manual Focus
Image Stabilization	None
Filter Thread	82mm
Weight	880g

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Contax Vario Sonnar 28-85mm

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