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Contax 85mm f/2.8 Sonnar T* C/Y Mount Lens {55}

Model #218620
  • $335.00

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New in box complete with manufacturer's USA warranty. Not previously owned or used.
Essentially new with no signs of use. “Open box.” In manufacturer's packaging with original accessories and instructions. 180-day warranty.
Barely used with virtually no traces of wear. Only the closest inspections will reveal slight use. Lens glass could contain light dust or debris. Excellent picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted in listing. 180-day warranty.
Lightly used with limited signs of wear. Exceptionally nice but may have slight wear on finish visible. Lens glass could contain light dust or debris. Excellent picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted in listing. 180-day warranty.
Noticeably used with average signs of wear. Shows moderate wear for the age of the item, with the possibility of blemishes and/or minimal dings. Lens glass may have average dust and zoom/focus ring tension may have slight looseness or tightness overall, but will not affect picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted in listing. 180-day warranty.
Frequently used with above-average wear. May have dents, dings, or finish loss. Lens glass may have small scratches, dust, and blemishes, and zoom/focus ring tension may have moderate looseness or tightness overall, but should not affect picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted in listing. 180-day warranty.
Heavily used with extensive visible wear. Equipment is rough, with multiple impressions in the finish, excessive finish loss and brassing. Glass will have marks, fungus and/or heavy/cloudy haze which could affect picture quality. Accessories usually not included, unless noted in listing. Not covered under KEH warranty.
Non-functional or damaged. Equipment will not work. Usable for parts. Not covered under KEH warranty and non-returnable.
EX Excellent
With Caps; Made in Germany
$335.00
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Zeiss-designed 85mm Sonnar with T* coating for C/Y mount

The Contax 85mm f/2.8 Sonnar T* is a Zeiss-designed portrait lens built around the Sonnar optical formula, a layout long associated with smooth rendering and controlled character at telephoto focal lengths. The T* anti-reflective coating keeps contrast high and flare in check, which matters when shooting against light or in mixed conditions where lesser coatings fall apart. At f/2.8 on an 85mm, you get meaningful subject separation without the focus-critical demands of a faster lens.

This is a fully manual focus lens with a 55mm filter thread, so it fits into an adapted shooting workflow on modern mirrorless bodies with the right C/Y to E, Z, or RF mount adapter. Manual glass on a mirrorless body with focus peaking or magnified live view closes most of the practical gap. For anyone already shooting adapted glass, the C/Y mount is well-supported and adapters are easy to source.

At this focal length and from this optical lineage, you are getting a lens with a reputation that outlasted the camera system it was designed for.

Who It's For

Portrait photographers who want an 85mm with Zeiss optical engineering and T* coating will find the rendering here worth the manual-focus discipline. Street or documentary shooters working on film cameras with C/Y mounts get a native pairing without adapters. Mirrorless shooters who prefer manual glass, especially those already running adapted lenses, can fit this into a modern system with a C/Y adapter and use focus peaking to work efficiently. Collectors and film shooters drawn to the Sonnar optical design specifically have few alternatives at this focal length in this mount.

Key Features

  • Zeiss Sonnar optical design for smooth telephoto rendering
  • T* anti-reflective coating for high contrast and flare control
  • Manual focus with 55mm filter thread
  • f/2.8 aperture for meaningful subject separation
  • C/Y mount compatible with modern mirrorless via adapter

FAQ

What optical design does this Contax 85mm use?
The Sonnar optical formula, a Zeiss design known for smooth rendering and controlled character at telephoto focal lengths.
Can I use this lens on modern cameras?
Yes, with a C/Y to E, Z, or RF mount adapter. It's fully manual focus, so mirrorless bodies with focus peaking or magnified live view make it practical for adapted shooting.
What does the T* coating do?
T* anti-reflective coating keeps contrast high and flare in check, which matters when shooting against light or in mixed conditions.
What's the filter thread size?
55mm, so it fits into standard filter systems.
Is manual focus a limitation at f/2.8?
Not really. At f/2.8 on 85mm, depth of field is manageable for manual focus work, especially with focus peaking on a mirrorless body. The focus-critical demands are far lighter than with faster 85mm lenses.
Why does the C/Y mount matter if it's not a current system?
C/Y mount is well-supported in the adapted glass ecosystem and adapters are easy to source. More importantly, the Sonnar reputation and optical quality outlasted the camera system it was designed for.
SpecificationValue
Focal Length85mm
Max Aperturef/2.8
MountContax/Yashica (C/Y)

This description was generated using AI based on KEH's internal product standards, product expertise, and knowing what customers care about most. While we strive for accuracy, details may vary by individual item.

Brand Name Contax
Filter Size 55mm
Focus Type Manual focus (only)
Lens Mount Contax AE
Lens Type Short Tele / Portrait
Max Focal Length 85mm
Min Focal Length 85mm