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Zeiss Contax - EF Leitax adapted
In the mid-1970s, Carl Zeiss (West Germany) formed an alliance with Japan-based Yashica to launch a new line of Contax SLR cameras, starting with the RTS of 1975. The cooperation involved the creation of a new bayonet mount, which replaced the M42 screw mount that had been used on earlier Contax-branded reflex cameras.
The CONTAX cameras made good use of state-of-the-art electronics, while an extensive lineup of high quality lensesfrom Carl Zeiss further added to the appeal and success of the system. All Carl Zeiss lenses are manual focus and most feature the proprietary T* lens coating to reduce flare.
18mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm
Carl Zeiss Distagon T * 18 mm CONTAX
Distagon T* 18mm f/4 is a classical Zeiss manual lens. The optical construction of the lens consists of 10 elements in 9 groups, including a single floating low dispersion glass element for correcting chromatic aberration at close range. The build quality of the lens is superb, a common trait of Zeis lenses in C/Y mount - barrel is metal and both focus and aperture rings are rubberized. The lens looks as if it has an inner focusing mechanism, but the lens barrel actually extends (very) slightly when focusing towards close up. Photos
Front Diameter
ø 86 mm
Aperture
f/ 4
Year
1975
Mount System
EF Mount (YAKCINE)
Construction
10 elements / 9 groups
Weight
350g
Close Focus
.30 m
Focal Length
18 mm
Carl Zeiss Distagon T * 28 mm CONTAX
The optical formula of the lens is based on a Carl Zeiss cinematic lens, hence the name 'Hollywood'. The lens implements a floating element design, which is designed to provide for better closeup performance. Like with all Carl Zeiss lenses for Contax/Yashica mount of that time, Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 28mm f/2 sports a very solid build quality, with all metal barrel and cams and rubberized focus and aperture rings. Photos
Front Diameter
ø 55 mm
Aperture
f/ 2
Year
1975
Mount System
EF Mount (YAKCINE)
Construction
9 elements / 8 groups
Weight
531g
Close Focus
.24 m
Focal Length
28 mm
Carl Zeiss Distagon T * 35 mm CONTAX
Distagon T* 35mm f/1,4 is a Zeiss manual lens. The build quality of the lens is superb and is similar to other Carl Zeiss lenses of that period for Contax mount - all metal barrel, rubberized focusing and aperture rings. The focus ring is very smooth, the aperture ring is snappy and there is no wobbling of any sort inside or outside the lens. And like all Carl Zeiss Contax lenses, Distagon T* 35mm f/1.4 is a fully manual lens, meaning that there are no electronics of any sort in the lens and both focusing and aperture have to be set on the lens rather then through your camera. Speaking of the aperture - the ring moves in one full f-stop increments. Photos
Front Diameter
ø 67 mm
Aperture
f/ 2
Year
1975
Mount System
EF Mount (YAKCINE)
Construction
9 elements / 8 groups
Weight
600g
Close Focus
.30 m
Focal Length
35 mm
Carl Zeiss Planar T * 50 mm CONTAX
The lens is a classical manual focus prime and sports dedicated aperture and focus rings. The build quality of the lens is superb, with a metal barrel and fully rubberized focus/aperture rings. The focusing ring is pretty smooth to operate and the aperture is snappy, snapping into positions with a satisfying click. The lens is pretty compact, measuring only 6.3 x 4.1cm (2.4 x 1.6in), although the barrel of the lens extends slightly during focusing towards the closeup. The lens weighs a mere 275g (9.7oz). The minimum focusing distance is 45cm (1.5ft) and the minimum supported aperture is f/16 (the aperture ring moves in one full f-stop increments). Photos
Front Diameter
ø 55 mm
Aperture
f/ 1.4
Year
1975
Mount System
EF Mount (YAKCINE)
Construction
7 elements / 6 groups
Weight
275g
Close Focus
.45 m
Focal Length
50 mm
Carl Zeiss Planar T * 85 mm CONTAX
Carl Zeiss Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 is a classical manual focus lens for the now defunct Contax/Yashica mount. The lens origins date back to 60s, with the first mass-produced version of the lens manufactured for Rollei SL35 mount. The lens remained quite popular among photographers who wanted a fast, but reasonably priced medium telephoto. The build quality is superb - like most of Carl Zeiss lenses of that period, the barrel is made from metal, with rubberized focus and aperture rings. The focusing ring is pretty smooth and the aperture ring snaps into position with ease. Photos
Front Diameter
ø 67 mm
Aperture
f/ 1.4
Year
1975
Mount System
EF Mount (YAKCINE)
Construction
6 elements / 5 groups
Weight
595g
Close Focus
1 m
Focal Length
85 mm
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