Price of manual focus Contax lenses

redstarjedi · Oct 1, 2014

Hello. I have a chance to get a Contax Rx body for a steal. Id like a 50 1.7 and a 35 2.8 to go along with it. I'm wondering what's a average price for each of those lenses. I've checked eBay and all the options are buy it now from Japan, prices seem inflate.

Richard S. (rich815) · Oct 1, 2014

See KEH.

redstarjedi · Oct 1, 2014

Sadly no examples to compare

Richard S. (rich815) · Oct 1, 2014

I have decent set of these Contax manual focus lenses but haven't bought any in a long time. I remembered my 50/1.7 I got for $95 but that was something like 5-6 years ago and I understand it's going for more now, the 50/1.4 goes for over $200 to $300 sometimes so if you can get the 1.7 for less than $150 I think you're getting a great deal. The 35/2.8 don't know anything about it unfortunately. If you can make sure the RX shows the f-stop reading correctly in the viewfinder. A common issue with these bodies.

Newt_on_Swings · Oct 1, 2014

The more recent Contax bodies (any with electronic boards) are supposedly tricky to repair yourself and there are very limited in terms of specialized repairmen that I've heard about. I also don't think any spare parts are available. I've passed on a number of contax deals because of this. The lenses have gone up in price due to the digital shooters who have used adapters to use them.

Gimenosaiz · Oct 1, 2014

Hi,
Here in Spain you can purchase the CZ Planar 50 1.7 (no MM) for $130-$140. The MM versión (green "16") may be $30-$50 more.
Inflate, as you said. I purchased mine for $100.

Regards

redstarjedi · Oct 1, 2014

Thanks for the info everyone. About the RX on TOCAD's contax repair page, it does not list the RX as a camera that is out of service as it does for the RTS and other bodies. The deal is so good that if it eventually breaks i can just buy another one. So far from what every one has said, 200-250 for a contax 50mm 1.7 is waaaay too much. That's the buy it now price on ebay.

jjphoto · Oct 1, 2014

redstarjedi said:
... I've checked eBay and all the options are buy it now from Japan, prices seem inflate.

There's no point looking at Buy Now prices on ebay to see what an item is worth. This only shows you what some one wishes they get for it.

To see what an item is worth you need so see the prices they have recently actually sold for and you can do this with the 'sold listings' tab.

As mentioned previously, KEH is also an excellent resource for prices.

Jeff Kubach · Oct 1, 2014

Look up B&H.

Jeff

Mike051 · Oct 2, 2014

If CZ lenses are too expensive for you there are number of decent Yashica lenses in C/Y mount.

RobertoMiglioli · Oct 4, 2014

I have some Contax lenses (25, 35, 50, 85, 135 and 200) and I assure you that the extra cash you pay for Contax lenses doesn´t turn into better pictures. Yashica lenses are very good and much cheaper or you can use M42 lenses with adapters.

analoguey · Oct 4, 2014

Yashica lenses mount directly on Contaxes?

Jeff L · Oct 4, 2014

analoguey said:
Yashica lenses mount directly on Contaxes?

Yashica lenses with the Yashica/Contax mount fit on modern (1974? and up) Contax and Yashica SLRs. It was a great partnership IMO.

jjphoto · Oct 5, 2014

RobertoMiglioli said:
...I assure you that the extra cash you pay for Contax lenses doesn´t turn into better pictures. ...

It depends on your definition of a 'better picture'. I also have had many Contax (28/2.8AE and MM, 45/2.8, 50/1.4AE and MM, 50/1.7, 85/1.4, 135/2.0 and 180/2.8) and Yashica (21/3.5, 24/2.8, 50/1.4, 50/2, 55/2.8 macro, 200/4 Yashica ML) lenses and have consistently found the Contax lenses to be sharper and with fewer aberrations than the Yashica equivalents, but some times the difference is very small. The T* multi coating on Contax lenses is superior to the coatings on Yashica lenses and this helps to give better contrast overall and fewer issues with flare.

So whilst Contax lenses certainly won't make you a better photographer I would argue that they would give you technically better pictures, with few aberrations. As for the cost and whether it's worth paying more, well that's totally subjective.

Taslim Abdani · Oct 5, 2014

About ten years ago I purchased new the Zeiss 35mm 2.8 for $300.00 from B&H. A couple of months ago I saw the 35 going for $325.00 used. Have you looked into the Yashica ML lenses? They are also c/y mount, and should be a lot cheaper.

Price of manual focus Contax lenses

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