Skip to product overview

Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* Lens

The Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* is a 85mm f/1.4 lens designed for Contax N mount cameras. Used copies start from $799 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.

Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* Lens

Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* Lens

Own One Like This?

Make room for more gear in minutes!

Sell your Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* on GearFocus
Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* — image 1
Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* — image 2
Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* — image 3
Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* — image 4
Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* — image 5
Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* — image 6
Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* — image 7
Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* — image 8
Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* — image 9
Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* — image 10
Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* — image 11
Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* — image 12
Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* — image 13
Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* — image 14

Contax C/Y Zeiss Planar 85mm f1.4

Condition: Good

Product Highlights

  • 85mm Prime Lens
  • Fast f/1.4 Aperture
  • T* Coating for Reduced Flare
  • Compatible with Contax N-Mount Cameras

Sell your Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* on GearFocus

$799.00

Shipping at Checkout

As low as $45/mo or interest free with

Shop with confidence. GearFocus Buyer Protection is included with every purchase.

Used Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* Listings on GearFocus

Contax C/Y Zeiss Planar 85mm f1.4
Contax C/Y Zeiss Planar 85mm f1.4

Good

$799.00

Lens Overview — Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T*

The Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* is a prime lens built for the Contax N mount system, covering a full-frame image circle. With a maximum aperture of f/1.4, this lens is well-suited to portrait work and shooting in lower-light environments where a wide aperture makes a meaningful difference. The 85mm focal length falls within the standard-to-short-telephoto range, a classic choice for subject-focused shooting where background separation matters.

Weighing in at 640g, it has a solid, substantial feel consistent with a lens of this aperture and focal length. The lens supports both autofocus and manual focus operation, giving shooters flexibility depending on the situation. A 72mm filter thread accommodates standard circular filters.

As a full-frame prime designed specifically for the Contax N mount, this lens is primarily relevant to photographers working within that camera system. No image stabilization is present, which is worth considering when shooting handheld in low light at slower shutter speeds. Overall, this is a dedicated prime offering a fast f/1.4 aperture on a full-frame platform within the Contax N ecosystem.

Key Features — Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T*

85mm f/1.4 Planar T*: Classic Zeiss Planar double-Gaussian optical design with T* anti-reflection coating, delivering the rendering character the Planar formula is known for in portraiture.

Full-Frame Coverage: Designed to cover a full-frame image circle, making it compatible with full-frame Contax N mount bodies without vignetting.

Fast f/1.4 Maximum Aperture: Allows shooting in low-light conditions and produces strong background separation at wide apertures.

Contax N Mount: Built specifically for the Contax N autofocus system, a distinct mount not shared with the earlier Contax/Yashica RTS system.

Autofocus and Manual Focus: Supports both AF and MF operation, giving the photographer flexibility across different shooting situations.

72mm Filter Thread: Standard 72mm front thread accepts a wide range of circular filters including polarizers and ND filters.

Lens Specifications — Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T*

Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* full specifications
SpecDetail
Use CasesPortrait, Studio, Creative Effects
Lens TypePrime
FormatFull Frame
Zoom/PrimePrime
Focal Length85mm
Maximum Aperturef/1.4
Camera SystemDSLR
Lens MountContax N
AutofocusYes
Focus TypeAuto, Manual
Image StabilizationNone
Filter Thread72mm

Description — Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T*

The Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* is a prime lens designed for the Contax N mount system, built to cover a full-frame image circle. The f/1.4 maximum aperture makes it a strong option for photographers working in environments where light is limited, or for those who want the subject-background separation that a wide aperture provides at 85mm. Focusing is flexible, with both autofocus and manual focus modes available.

The lens features a 72mm filter thread for use with standard circular filters. At 640g, the lens has a solid build weight appropriate for a fast prime of this specification. Image stabilization is not included, so handheld shooting in low light will rely on technique and camera support.

This is a dedicated full-frame prime for photographers already invested in or seeking to shoot within the Contax N system.

Pros — Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T*

  • ✓Fast f/1.4 maximum aperture provides strong performance in low-light shooting situations
  • ✓85mm focal length sits in the standard focal length range, well-regarded for portrait and subject-focused work
  • ✓Full-frame coverage makes it compatible with full-frame Contax N mount bodies

Cons — Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T*

  • ✗No image stabilization, which can be a limitation when shooting handheld in low light
  • ✗Contax N mount compatibility limits usable camera bodies to a very small pool of cameras
  • ✗640g weight is substantial and may add noticeable heft to a shooting kit

Videos — Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T*

Angry Photographer: ZEISS 85mm The #1 Absolute MUST OWN Portrait Lens that blows all others away — Theoria Apophasis

Resources & Downloads — Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T*

Manuals & Guides

Frequently Asked Questions — Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T*

What camera mount does this lens use?+
This lens is built for the Contax N mount. It is not compatible with other mount systems without an adapter, and native compatibility is limited to Contax N mount cameras.
Does this lens support autofocus?+
Yes, the lens supports both autofocus and manual focus operation. Shooters can switch between the two depending on the demands of their subject or shooting style.
What filter size does this lens accept?+
The lens has a 72mm filter thread, so circular filters such as polarizers or ND filters sized at 72mm will fit directly onto the front of the lens.
Does this lens have image stabilization?+
No, this lens does not include image stabilization. When shooting handheld, particularly in lower light at wider apertures, technique and shutter speed selection become more important.
What sensor format is this lens designed for?+
This lens is designed to cover a full-frame sensor, making it suitable for use on full-frame Contax N mount camera bodies.
How heavy is this lens?+
The lens weighs 640g. This is a fairly substantial weight, so it is worth factoring into your decision if you are concerned about overall kit weight for extended shooting sessions.

Similar to Contax Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T*

Loading similar products...