Auto Chinon 35-70mm f/2.7-3.5 MC

KjetilH · 06-03-2010, 02:28 PM

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Got this from my girlfriends father, along with a Chinon CE-4. I've tried searching it up, and found a lens with very similar looks and specification, called Carl Zeiss Jena Vario-Prakticar 35-70 f/2.7-3.5.
I have not used it much, but got it down from the shelf when I put film in my A3 (my A50 and M28 are both on holiday for the summer). All-metal construction, two-touch.
From test shots on my K20D, it seems like it is weakest at the wide end, and better at 50 and 70mm. At 70mm, there is a 'macro' mode, which enables focus down to 1:2,4. Seems quite sharp, especially stopped down a bit.
Very prone to flare (no hood), or rather 'total loss of contrast' when a strong light source is shining on the front element.
As I'm generally curious, does anybody know anything about it?

AndyAndreas · 10-22-2010, 05:27 AM

I have it and I find it very interesting. The Macros are always good and it is very funny for me to shot with this lens.

My father gave me a Chinon Ce-4s and I am very happy that he bought some years ago this lens too.

KjetilH · 11-11-2010, 07:41 PM

This lens, or rather its East-German cousin, the Vario-Practicar 35-70/2.7-3.5 (which is almost identical) seems to command extreme prices, even for Ebay:

zeiss 35-70 items - Get great deals on Cameras Photo, zeiss 35-70mm items on eBay.com!

This makes the lens quite a bit more interesting, of course.

AndyAndreas · 11-14-2010, 01:31 AM

During the last week end I used a Pentax-M 28mm 3.5
I am not very happy with it (but I have to study it, I know that it is a good lens). Yesterday I switched to the 35-70mm by Chinon and I am completely satisfied with it.

Can I see some of your shots with this lens? Do you have some picture in your gallery where you used the Chinon 35 - 70?

ovim · 11-14-2010, 11:30 PM

I've never seen a really bad Chinon lens and some of them have been really good. But I doubt theres any connection to those Zeiss lenses. They look somewhat different and according to this thread @mflenses.com they were actually made in East Germany. I don't think Chinon would've contracted lenses from GDR

johanbe · 09-23-2011, 01:10 PM

I think all pics here (except "miao") were shot with Chinon CM-4s auto chinon 35-70 MC
Johan Benesch in southern China 2001

06-03-2010, 02:28 PM	#1
KjetilH Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Oslo Photos: Gallery Posts: 309	Auto Chinon 35-70mm f/2.7-3.5 MC Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Got this from my girlfriends father, along with a Chinon CE-4. I've tried searching it up, and found a lens with very similar looks and specification, called Carl Zeiss Jena Vario-Prakticar 35-70 f/2.7-3.5. I have not used it much, but got it down from the shelf when I put film in my A3 (my A50 and M28 are both on holiday for the summer). All-metal construction, two-touch. From test shots on my K20D, it seems like it is weakest at the wide end, and better at 50 and 70mm. At 70mm, there is a 'macro' mode, which enables focus down to 1:2,4. Seems quite sharp, especially stopped down a bit. Very prone to flare (no hood), or rather 'total loss of contrast' when a strong light source is shining on the front element. As I'm generally curious, does anybody know anything about it?

10-22-2010, 05:27 AM	#2
AndyAndreas New Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Sardinia Posts: 17	I have it and I find it very interesting. The Macros are always good and it is very funny for me to shot with this lens. My father gave me a Chinon Ce-4s and I am very happy that he bought some years ago this lens too. Last edited by AndyAndreas; 10-22-2010 at 05:34 AM.

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11-11-2010, 07:41 PM	#3
KjetilH Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Oslo Photos: Gallery Posts: 309 Original Poster	This lens, or rather its East-German cousin, the Vario-Practicar 35-70/2.7-3.5 (which is almost identical) seems to command extreme prices, even for Ebay: zeiss 35-70 items - Get great deals on Cameras Photo, zeiss 35-70mm items on eBay.com! This makes the lens quite a bit more interesting, of course.

11-14-2010, 01:31 AM	#4
AndyAndreas New Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Sardinia Posts: 17	During the last week end I used a Pentax-M 28mm 3.5 I am not very happy with it (but I have to study it, I know that it is a good lens). Yesterday I switched to the 35-70mm by Chinon and I am completely satisfied with it. Can I see some of your shots with this lens? Do you have some picture in your gallery where you used the Chinon 35 - 70?

11-14-2010, 11:30 PM	#5
ovim Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tre, Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,229	I've never seen a really bad Chinon lens and some of them have been really good. But I doubt theres any connection to those Zeiss lenses. They look somewhat different and according to this thread @mflenses.com they were actually made in East Germany. I don't think Chinon would've contracted lenses from GDR

09-23-2011, 01:10 PM	#6
johanbe New Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 2	I think all pics here (except "miao") were shot with Chinon CM-4s auto chinon 35-70 MC Johan Benesch in southern China 2001