Carl Zeiss Contax 100mm Planar f/2 Lens
The Carl Zeiss Planar 100mm f/2 is a 100mm f/2 lens designed for Contax/Yashica mount cameras. Used copies start from $1,099 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Carl Zeiss Contax 100mm Planar f/2 Lens
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Lens Overview — Carl Zeiss Planar 100mm f/2
Key Features — Carl Zeiss Planar 100mm f/2
100mm f/2 Prime: A fixed focal length with a wide maximum aperture, well-suited to portrait, still life, and studio photography where subject isolation matters.
Contax/Yashica Mount: Designed natively for the Contax/Yashica system, and widely adaptable to modern mirrorless and DSLR bodies via third-party adapters.
Full-Frame Coverage: Projects an image circle covering the full 35mm frame, making it usable on both film bodies and full-frame digital systems with an adapter.
Zeiss Planar Optics: The Planar design delivers high contrast, fine resolution, and characterful rendering, making it a sought-after portrait and studio lens.
Manual Focus Only: Fully manual focus operation suits photographers who prefer deliberate, precise control over focus placement, particularly in portrait and close-up work.
67mm Filter Thread: Standard 67mm thread size gives broad compatibility with commonly available filters, lens caps, and other front-of-lens accessories.
Lens Specifications — Carl Zeiss Planar 100mm f/2
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Portrait, Studio, Creative Effects |
| Lens Type | Prime |
| Format | Full Frame |
| Zoom/Prime | Prime |
| Focal Length | 100mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2 |
| Camera System | DSLR |
| Lens Mount | Contax/Yashica |
| Autofocus | No |
| Focus Type | Manual Focus |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Filter Thread | 67mm |
Description — Carl Zeiss Planar 100mm f/2
The Carl Zeiss Contax 100mm Planar f/2 is a prime lens designed for the Contax/Yashica mount, with a fixed focal length of 100mm and a maximum aperture of f/2. It is a full-frame format lens, making it suitable for use with both 35mm film bodies and, via adapter, full-frame digital cameras. The lens is manual focus only, with no autofocus capability, appealing to photographers who prefer precise, deliberate focus control.
A 67mm filter thread provides straightforward compatibility with a wide range of photographic filters and accessories. Weighing 600g, the lens has a substantial physical presence. Image stabilization is not included, so a steady hand or support system is advisable when shooting at lower shutter speeds.
The f/2 aperture makes this lens a practical choice in controlled or lower-light shooting environments where light gathering and background separation are priorities.
Pros — Carl Zeiss Planar 100mm f/2
- ✓Wide f/2 maximum aperture provides strong light-gathering capability
- ✓Full-frame coverage makes it versatile across film and adapted digital systems
- ✓100mm prime focal length is well-suited for portrait and close-up work
Cons — Carl Zeiss Planar 100mm f/2
- ✗Manual focus only — no autofocus support for any camera system
- ✗Contax/Yashica mount requires an adapter for use on most modern digital bodies
- ✗No image stabilization, which demands careful technique in handheld shooting
Reviews — Carl Zeiss Planar 100mm f/2
Videos — Carl Zeiss Planar 100mm f/2
Are 35 yr old Carl Zeiss really that good? Testing Contax lenses out! — Martijn Baudoin