Contax 85mm f/1.4 (1975–≈2000)
A fast, full-frame prime lens for the Contax/Yashica SLR system, produced for over two decades.
Overview
The Carl Zeiss (C/Y) Planar 85 mm f/1.4 is a high-speed telephoto prime lens designed for the Contax/Yashica 35mm film SLR system. Manufactured from 1975 to approximately 2000, it was built to deliver exceptional optical performance, especially in low light and for portrait work. Though branded under the Contax name, the lens was made by Carl Zeiss and is considered among the finest glass available for the system. Its design traces back to the 1960s, with the first mass-produced version developed for the Rollei SL35 mount before being adapted to Contax/Yashica.
Specifications
| Exact product name | Carl Zeiss (C/Y) Planar 85 mm f/1.4 |
| Manufacturer | Carl Zeiss |
| Product type | Lens |
| Production years | 1975–≈2000 |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.4 |
| Lens mount | Contax/Yashica |
| Length | 64.4 mm |
| Diameter | 71.1 mm |
Design
The lens features a design originating in the 1960s, later refined for the Contax/Yashica mount. It is known for its smooth focus throw and high build quality, typical of Zeiss lenses from this era. One example with a high serial number (81xxxxx) dates to 1998, indicating late production models were still being made near the end of the run.
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