Zeiss ZF or Contax Glass?

That is something only you can answer.
At the time I was putting an inexpensive lens set together, I went the C/Y route.
My thoughts... They focus cinewise, are less expensive that ZF, same T* lens coating, no discernible quality difference, more focal lengths available that ZF, can be used on all of our cameras.

Good Luck with your search!

Dave
 
Zeiss ZF lenses:

18mm f3.5
21mm f2.8
25mm f2.8
28mm f2.0
35mm f1.4
35mm f2.0
50mm f1.4
50mm f2.0 Macro
85mm f1.4
100mm f2.0


Zeiss C/Y Lenses:

Distagon 15mm f3.5
Distagon Fisheye 16mm f2.8
Distagon 18mm f4.0
Distagon 21mm f2.8
Distagon 25mm f2.8
Distagon 28mm f2.0
Distagon 28mm f2.8
Distagon 35mm f1.4
PC-Distagon 35mm f2.8 tilt/shift
Distagon 35mm f2.8
Tessar 45mm f2.8
Planar 50mm f1.4
Planar 50mm f1.7
Planar 55mm f1.2
S-Makro Planar 60mm f2.8
C-Makro Planar 60mm f2.8
Planar 85mm f1.2
Planar 85mm f1.4
Sonnar 85mm f2.8
S-Makro Planar 100mm f4.0 w/bellows
Makro Planar 100mm f2.8
Planar 100mm f2.0
Planar 135mm f2.0
Planar 135mm f2.8
Planar 180mm f2.8
Aposonnar 200mm f2.0
Tele-Tessar 200mm f3.5
Tele-Tessar 300mm f4.0
Tele-Apotessar 300mm f2.8
Vario-Sonnar 40-80mm f3.5
Vario-Sonnar 70-210mm f3.5
Vario-Sonnar 28-85mm f3.3-4.0
Vario-Sonnar 28-70mm f3.5-4.5
Vario-Sonnar 35-70mm f3.4
Vario-Sonnar 35-135mm f3.3-4.5
Vario-Sonnar 80-200mm f4.0
Vario-Sonnar 100-300mm f4.5
Mirotar 500mm f4.5
Mirotar 500mm f8.0
Mirotar 1000mm f5.6
Mutar I 2X
Mutar II 2X
Mutar III 1.4X
 
The ZE/ZF glass has more microcontrast than the older c/y lenses.
Microcontrast - meaning greater contrast in the details, not more contrast in the overall dynamic range.

This is because their coatings have evolved and also because their designs have reduced the amount of light bouncing around in the inside.

Some of the older c/y lenses (like the 35/1.4 for instance) are still on par with their modern brothers. Mostly they are all a little less contrasty.

Which is not necessarily a bad thing when you consider the aliasing problems and the softening digital cameras need to seem less "video" like.
 
I believe the c/y lenses also have fewer aperture blades, so that may affect bokeh. I was under the impression that they had the same coatings though, but I'm no expert on the subject.
 
Yet, c/y 28/2 Hollywood is still best for the focal length, I think.
But for 21/2.8, Zeiss F mount is a bit better on all accounts!
 
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