Contax 100-300mm F/4.5-5.6 Vario-Sonnar T* MM C/Y Mount Lens {67}

Contax Vario-Sonnar T* 100-300mm: Zeiss glass in a telephoto zoom.

The Vario-Sonnar T* 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 sits at the serious end of the Contax/Yashica lens lineup. Zeiss's Vario-Sonnar optical formula paired with T* anti-reflection coating keeps contrast and color rendition honest across the full zoom range, where flare and ghosting are the usual enemies of backlighting and bright-sky telephoto work. The 100-300mm focal range covers a wide span of telephoto territory on a single barrel, and the 67mm filter thread means circular polarizers and ND filters are easy to source.

This is a manual focus lens on a C/Y mount, no exceptions. That means deliberate, considered shooting than reactive point-and-spray work. On film bodies designed for the C/Y system, the MM designation enables full multi-mode metering compatibility. Adapted to mirrorless via a C/Y to E-mount or RF-mount adapter, the lens finds a second life with focus peaking as your manual focus aid. The optical quality that Zeiss built into this glass holds up regardless of what body it sits on.

Who It's For

Film photographers shooting Contax RX, RTS, or Aria bodies get the full MM metering integration this lens was engineered for, with the 100-300mm zoom covering wildlife and sports without swapping glass. Mirrorless adapters working in documentary or travel photography appreciate the Vario-Sonnar optical design when shooting compressed telephoto scenes where T* coating handles contrasty outdoor light. Portrait photographers working at the shorter end of the zoom range get natural subject compression that suits head-and-shoulder framing on full-frame sensors or film.

Key Features

• Vario-Sonnar T* optical design with Zeiss anti-reflection coating
• 100-300mm focal range in manual focus only
• f/4.5-5.6 variable maximum aperture
• 67mm filter thread for standard circular filters
• Contax/Yashica C/Y mount
• MM multi-mode metering compatibility on C/Y bodies
• Adaptable to mirrorless systems via C/Y adapter

FAQ

Is this a manual focus lens?

Yes. The Vario-Sonnar T* 100-300mm is manual focus only - no autofocus. On C/Y mount film bodies, that's the standard. Adapted to mirrorless, focus peaking becomes your manual focus aid.

What does the MM designation mean?

MM stands for Multi-Mode, which enables full metering compatibility on Contax film bodies equipped for it. On adapted mirrorless setups, it's irrelevant - the lens is purely optical.

What's the filter thread size?

67mm. Standard size - circular polarizers and ND filters are easy to source and affordable.

How does the T* coating affect image quality?

T* is Zeiss-derived anti-reflection coating that reduces flare and ghosting across the zoom range. On backlit subjects or bright skies, you'll see cleaner contrast and less color shift than uncoated glass.

Can I use this on a mirrorless camera?

Yes, with a C/Y to E-mount or RF-mount adapter. The lens remains fully manual focus, but you gain focus peaking and live magnification as focusing aids - both helpful on a 300mm telephoto.

What's the aperture range across the zoom?

Maximum aperture is f/4.5-5.6 (variable). It opens widest at 100mm and narrows as you zoom to 300mm. Minimum aperture is not specified in the available documentation.