Contax Zeiss MM lenses

FM Forums \| Alternative Gear & Lenses \| Join Upload & Sell	Search Used
end

Archive 2008 · Contax Zeiss MM lenses

Chococat
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #1 · Contax Zeiss MM lenses

I am sure this is an ignorant questions, but what is the difference between Contax Zeiss lenses marked as T*MM and just T. I often see them listed as, for example, Planar T*MM as opposed to just Planar T, and the MM are always more expensive. So what is the difference, and does it matter to me if I am using them on an adapter for EOS?

Dec 15, 2008 at 07:04 PM

mawz
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #2 · Contax Zeiss MM lenses

MM lenses have an additional tab which is used on Contax cameras which offer Program (and IIRC Shutter Priority) modes. It's irrelevant to adapted use unless the lens was updated optically for the MM version, which some were.

Dec 15, 2008 at 07:13 PM

alexandre
Offline
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #3 · Contax Zeiss MM lenses

No difference on coatings? T* and T* (MM) are the same?
If I put any C/Y-EOS adapter on (say) a Planar 50 1.7, won't I notice any difference image-wise?

Dec 15, 2008 at 07:29 PM

jjlphoto
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #4 · Contax Zeiss MM lenses

The Contax CY lenses were made initially as "AE" (auto exposure), then "MM"(multi-mode) as technology advanced. There are a few lenses that stayed as AE throughout their production cycle. MM lenses have the smallest aperture labeled in green.

Some lenses had some minor lens calculations changed as they went from AE to MM, some lenses have slightly different rear elements as a result, so mirror clearance on Canon 5D cameras is something to be aware of. (The 5D mirror is longer than the 1Ds mirror.)
http://www.pebbleplace.com/Personal/Contax_db.html

MM lenses are still being serviced by Carl Zeiss in Germany, where-as most AE lenses are no longer being serviced there.

Adapters work pretty much the same on either.

Dec 15, 2008 at 07:54 PM

Chococat
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #5 · Contax Zeiss MM lenses

Actually my original question was prompted by the Planar 50 1.7 also--MM then stands for Multimode? So yes, I can see that there would be no difference in adapted use between the two T*MM and T versions (and T just means the coating, right? So both have the same coating I assume). So I guess then my question becomes whether anyone knows if the 1.7 50 was updated when they released the MM? Or can anyone recommend a reference where I can look that kind of thing up?

Dec 15, 2008 at 07:56 PM

jjlphoto
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #6 · Contax Zeiss MM lenses

Some of the coatings did of course change as technology changed. (The T* designation is the coating.) I believe Zeiss began using the red T* designation in the early 1970's

The 50/1.7 began in 1975 as an AE lens and was made in Germany until 1994, the MM version was introduced in 1986, and made in Japan.

There is no "T" version. It is either an AE or MM.

Dec 15, 2008 at 08:13 PM

jcolwell
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #7 · Contax Zeiss MM lenses

Here's a really good discussion of these issues: http://photo.net/equipment/contax/shea-lenses

Dec 15, 2008 at 09:35 PM

end
FM Forums \| Alternative Gear & Lenses \| Join Upload & Sell end