Contax 180mm f/2.8 (1936–Present)

Name: Contax 180mm
Brand: Contax

A telephoto prime lens originally developed for the 1936 Berlin Olympics, still in production today.

Overview

The Contax 180mm f/2.8 is a manual focus telephoto prime made under the Carl Zeiss brand for the Contax/Yashica (C/Y) mount. Its full name is Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 180mm f/2.8. It traces back to the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where an early version was first introduced. It has stayed in production in various forms, with examples made in East Germany, West Germany, and later in Japan (marked MMJ). People praise the build, the optics, and its place among Zeiss lens designs.

Specifications

Focal length	180mm
Maximum aperture	f/2.8
Mount	C/Y (Contax/Yashica)
Filter size	72mm
Weight	815 grams (1.8 lbs)
Dimensions	78mm x 131mm
Aperture scale	f/2.8–4–5.6–8–11–16–22
Focus type	Manual focus (only)
Coatings	T*
Optical design	Sonnar

Design

The lens uses a Sonnar optical design with T* anti-reflective coatings. It comes in versions marked MM, AEG, AEJ, and MMJ, which show production in different regions and eras. The built-in lens hood is minimal and considered ineffective, since it extends only slightly beyond the front element. Some versions, particularly the East German ones (CZJ), have non-matte aperture blades. Those can cause internal reflections and flare under certain lighting.

Context

The 180mm f/2.8 Sonnar was first made for the 1936 Berlin Olympics and is still in production today. It was designed as a fast telephoto prime for 35mm SLR systems using the Contax/Yashica mount, and it can be used with the Mutar III 1.4x teleconverter. Most examples found today come from later production runs, particularly the MMJ (Made in Japan) variant.

Market

Collectors and photographers both look for this lens. Used examples in excellent condition are listed for around $180-$190. Some units show minor problems such as oil on the aperture blades, though they often still work fine. User comments mention long searches to find a good copy.