Carl Zeiss Tele-Tessar T* 300 mm f/ 4 C/Y Lens

• Build quality
• Optical quality (improved in the later design)
• Tripod collar
• In-built lens hood

Weaknesses:

• Optical quality (in early AE version)
• Weight

Comments:

This lens comes in 3 forms.  The original AE type which is heavier than the redesigned body with a more streamilned appearance; an AE type with the new, streamlined body (both made by Zeiss in West Germany); the MM type with the same streamlined body but revised mount, later MM coating (warmer).  There are also 2 versions of the MM type - most are made in Japan but a small number were also produed by Zeiss in Germany and these command quite a price premium.

Although I state that optical quality is a weakness in the early AE version, this is a relative statement as it is still one of the best 300 f4 lenses available - it is just that contrast wide-open is not very strong, creating an impression of slight softness in the image.  This was corrected in the redesign, even though the optical formula is unchanged.  It has a pleasing, soft bokeh and although a f4, edge definition is slightly soft, central definition remains strong.  Best overall performance is between f5.6 and f11.