Image sharpness and colour reproduction are so crisp and accurate that is it sort of ridiculous.

It's heavy . . . and B + W filters for the size of the filter ring are expensive . . . but then again macro's with similar specs seem to have similar filter ring diameters. =)

To put this review into perspective, I need to give you all some background on my experience with Contax and their lenses. My first photo job with my Contax lineup (167MT & 50/1.4AE) was to shoot a basketball practice for some website work for a charitable basketball school. Immediately, I realized that I needed autofocus and a good flash. I have always been impressed with Contax/Zeiss image quality but the drawbacks of not having any very fast auto focus or being able to afford a camera with flash sync that was at least somewhat decent has become a real hinderance. Add to that the weight of the cameras and lenses, the lack of extremely hightech features, and the fact that you can't use the C/Y lenses on the N-mount are a real pain considering the investment, I am now ready to give it all up and purchase a Canon EOS-1Ds (11.1megapixel digital SLR =) =) =) ) and sell all of my C/Y Contax equipment . . . except for my 60/2.8 Makro-Planar. I'll likely pick up a Bob Shell Contax-Canon adapter to use this lens on the new camera, even though I won't have auto focus or have the use of using max aperture to work with. This lens takes the most beautiful macro photos I could imagine . . . in fact, the photos it creates look better than what I see in my mind when I take the photograph. =)

Customer Service

Haven't needed service for this lens. =)

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Nothing like it on earth.

Absolutely tack sharp across the entire image field. 1:1 magnification, ultrafine focus ring, fantastic build quality

Lens extends while focusing so you may be limited in how close you can get

The Zeiss Makro-Planar (and the earlier West German name, the S-Planar) have been described as the most sophisticated lenses in the world and are used to produce the masks for IC chips. There is no doubt that they live up to this.

Customer Service

Never needed Contax or Zeiss customer service.

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The Zeiss 80-200 zoom has some macro capability but nothing like this!!

Tack sharp at ALL settings

A tad on the heavy side

A masterpiece and a lens that comes highly recommended. I am quite picky and have gone through the Zeiss lens line up but I'm not letting this one go!

Customer Service

Wouldn't know

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Nikkor 55mm 2.8

Quite simply the sharpest 35mm lens out there. no arguments, no questions, nothing comes close. It it the ultimate standard lens

heavy

best 35mm lens made?

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None