Contax 55mm f/1.2 Planar T* MM 100 Jahre Edition C/Y Mount Lens, Germany, Black {77}

Zeiss 55mm f/1.2 Planar T* limited anniversary edition, made in Germany.

The 55mm focal length sits in an useful middle ground between standard and short portrait, and at f/1.2 this lens operates in light that would stop most primes cold. The Planar T* optical design is a Zeiss formula with serious lineage, and the Carl Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating does meaningful work at wide apertures where flare and contrast loss are genuine concerns. The 77mm front filter thread accommodates full-size polarizers and ND glass without stepping rings.

This is the 100 Jahre edition, produced to mark Carl Zeiss's 100th anniversary and finished in black with the same Contax/Yashica mount that fits the full range of C/Y body adapters. MM aperture coupling means full metering communication with compatible C/Y bodies, and on mirrorless systems via C/Y adapter it operates as a manual lens with stop-down metering. Made in Germany distinguishes it from later production runs, and the limited edition designation makes it the version collectors actually argue about. For a working photographer, the optics are the same story, a fast 55mm Planar built to a standard that Zeiss Germany held for decades.

Who It's For

Portrait photographers shooting available light will get direct use from the f/1.2 maximum aperture, which pulls subjects cleanly from backgrounds at distances where other fast primes start to feel awkward. Street and documentary shooters adapting to Sony, Fuji GFX, or other mirrorless systems get a 55mm manual prime with T* coating and Planar geometry. Collectors focused on limited Contax production will recognize the 100 Jahre designation as a specific and finite run. Film photographers using C/Y bodies like the RTS III get full MM aperture coupling.

Key Features

• Planar T* optical design with Carl Zeiss anti-reflective coating
• f/1.2 maximum aperture for low-light performance
• 100 Jahre limited edition with German manufacture
• MM aperture coupling for compatible C/Y bodies
• 77mm front filter thread for full-size optics
• Contax/Yashica mount with manual focus operation

FAQ

What's the difference between this 100 Jahre edition and other 55mm f/1.2 Planars?

The 100 Jahre is the limited anniversary run made in Germany with MM aperture coupling and the specific black finish. Optically identical to other Zeiss Planar 55mm f/1.2s, but the German manufacture and collector status matter if you're buying to keep or resell.

How does this lens perform on mirrorless cameras?

Via C/Y adapter it becomes fully manual - focus by hand, meter in stop-down mode. No autofocus, no electronic aperture coupling, just the optics and your eye. Works fine on Sony, Canon, Nikon mirrorless with the right adapter.

Will standard ND and polarizer filters fit without adapters?

Yes. The 77mm front thread accepts any standard 77mm filter glass - polarizers, NDs, grads - without stepping rings or additional hardware.

What does MM aperture coupling actually do?

On compatible C/Y bodies like the RTS III, the lens communicates aperture position to the meter in real time. Stop down the aperture manually and the meter reads the actual light reduction. On mirrorless it's irrelevant since you're shooting manual anyway.

How does the T* coating affect image quality at f/1.2?

At maximum aperture where flare and contrast loss are real problems, the T* coating cuts internal reflections and maintains contrast. You'll see less veiling glare and cleaner highlights than uncoated designs at f/1.2.

Is this a good portrait lens for 35mm film?

55mm on full frame sits between normal and short telephoto, so yes - nice working distance, minimal distortion, and f/1.2 isolates subjects cleanly. Not as aggressive as an 85mm but more forgiving in tight spaces.