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Zeiss 100/3.5 - To buy or not to buy?

> [I own both lenses. Although both lenses are very good performers for sharpness, I would say the 100mm has a definite edge, especially at wide open apertures and over the entire picture area. It is also considerably smaller and lighter. If I want to do some informal portraits, it is my lens of choice. It focuses down to 1 meter, compared to 1.6 on the 135mm. I have been in and out of Contax a few times and I have always sought and bought this lens, in AE and MM mounts. Note, you cannot use the 1.4 converter with the 100mm]
 
Both lenses are great. The 100mm you can shoot wide open at f3.5 and it's still extremely sharp. Very compact lens and one of the sharpest. That said, I love the 135mm too.. but it's much heavier and larger. Mike
 
again, any experience on FLARE? If yes, with which body? Every Portrait lens (85mm) tested in FotoMagazin flares a lot!

Besides, f=100mm works a little bit better with the poor 1/125s flash sync of many contax bodies.... Only 159MM and RTS III do a 1/250s X-Sync
 
Ole, I think I saw one on ebay a few days ago, which may still be around. Not sure if it was an AE or MM.

Flare is a characteristic of the lens. The body wouldn't influence flare. If you can find it for a decent price you should go for it.
 
Oh ya, from what I've read (I think it was from a photo mag test) the 100/3.5 is more susceptible to flare then the 135/2.8. By how much I don't know. But if it was significant I'm sure you'd see some criticism.
 
> I wonder if the magazine tested the lens without an appropriate lenshood. Unlike the 135, the 100 f3.5 lens does not come with an integrated hood. I have shot high-key, brightly lit portraits with this lens with stunning clarity and contrast.
 
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