What is the Contax Carl Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 T* Planar Lens?
The Contax Carl Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 T* Planar Lens is a high-quality lens designed for use with Contax SLR cameras. Produced in the late 1990s, this lens offers exceptional image quality and is highly regarded among professional photographers and enthusiasts.
Specifications and Features
– Focal Length: 50mm
– Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
– Minimum Aperture: f/16
– Lens Construction: 7 elements in 6 groups
– Minimum Focus Distance: 0.45m
– Filter Size: 55mm
– Weight: 370g
This lens is known for its fast aperture of f/1.4, allowing for excellent low-light performance and shallow depth of field. It is particularly suitable for portrait photography, where the wide aperture helps to create a beautiful background blur, emphasizing the subject.
The lens features a high-quality optical construction, with seven elements arranged in six groups. This design helps to minimize aberrations, resulting in sharp and contrasty images. The T* coating applied to the lens elements enhances light transmission, reduces ghosting and flare, and ensures accurate color rendition.
The Contax Carl Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 T* Planar Lens offers smooth manual focusing, allowing precise control over the focus plane. Its solid build quality and precise mechanics make it a pleasure to use, even after years of regular use.
Price and Availability
When it was first released, the Contax Carl Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 T* Planar Lens had a retail price of around $600. However, since Contax cameras and lenses are no longer in production, they can now only be found on the second-hand market.
The price of this lens in the used market can vary depending on its condition and availability. On average, you can expect to pay between $400 and $800 for a well-maintained copy.
Conclusion
The Contax Carl Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 T* Planar Lens is a sought-after lens for photographers looking for exceptional image quality and a wide maximum aperture. Its solid build, precise mechanics, and beautiful image rendering make it a valuable addition to any photographer’s kit. While it may no longer be in production, its reputation remains strong, and it continues to be highly regarded by photography enthusiasts around the world.
