Adapters/Contax/Contarex....what is the truth?

[iamprof40]

I have just received from an e-Bay member an CZ Distagon 2.8/32 #4388457. Unfortunately I had bought an CO/Y-EOS adapter, but there is no way this lens will fit.
We need clarification from the experts as to which Contax/CZJ/Contarex lenses ARE adaptable to Canon EOS bodies via these adapters.
Could some expert please (once and for all) explain this matter to the rest of us as it seems to be very confusing, with all sorts of subtle ramifications.
Thanks
cm

[ziggy53]

I don't claim to be an expert but I believe the Contax series of cameras and associated lens mounts is one of the more confusing for recent camera and lens collectors in the history of cameras in general.

The first Contax cameras in common use were the Contax RangeFinder 35mm bodies. The lens mount is commonly abbreviated as the Contax RF.

In the late 1940s the first Contax SLR was developed, the Contax S. That camera used the venerable M42 mount, as did Praktica, Pentax and Mamiya. In 1946 the Contax F was developed and had an automatic diaphragm mechanism. The lens mount was still the M42 but both the lenses and the camera have linkage to operate the diaphragm.

In the 1950s and 1960s the Contarex and Contaflex were designed and used a proprietary bayonet mount that is almost the inverse of what other manufacturers ultimately used.

By the 1970s Contax was struggling and, in order to stay alive, entered into a relationship with Yashica. The resulting Yashica/Contax lens mount revitalized the Contax name in lenses since you could buy an inexpensive Yashica SLR and add a very nice Zeiss-Contax lens to the front.

In 1994 Contax was back building rangefinder cameras with the G series and Contax G lens mount.

Around 2000-2001 Contax developed the N-series SLRs with the Contax N mount. This culminated in the Contax Digital N in 2002.

As far as I know only the Contax-S/M42 and Yashica/Contax (C/Y) mount lenses are easily adapted to the Canon EOS cameras via simple adapter. A fairly good reference for the lenses is at:

http://photo.net/equipment/contax/shea-lenses

A pretty good view of the C/Y mount is here (scroll down around 75 percent):

http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-99.html


A pretty good view of an M42 mount is here:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4GGoCaglvKw/RqGXsumFYWI/AAAAAAAAICE/fXco_0ilDgg/IMGP9489.JPG

Zeiss lenses made for the M42 mount:

http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/14317/m42-mount-lens/

Note that none of these lenses which can be easily adapted to the Canon EOS cameras will have either autofocus or autoexposure, although when manually stopped down they can be used in Aperture Priority mode.

The best way to go, new Zeiss lenses with EOS mount (auto-aperture and manual focus with focus confirmation):

http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/zeiss_for_eos.html
http://www.zeiss.com/C12567A8003B58B9/Contents-Frame/858DBBBBD2FB78A6C125711800592377

[Seymore]

You may want to inquire here: http://forum.mflenses.com I suspect an answer may be easily found at the site...

[Jane B.]

(Snip)

In the late 1940s the first Contax SLR was developed, the Contax S. That camera used the venerable M42 mount, as did Praktica, Pentax and Mamiya. In 1946 the Contax F was developed and had an automatic diaphragm mechanism. The lens mount was still the M42 but both the lenses and the camera have linkage to operate the diaphragm.
[/URL]
Note that none of these lenses which can be easily adapted to the Canon EOS cameras will have neither autofocus or autoexposure, although when manually stopped down they can be used in Aperture Priority mode.
(snip)

[URL="http://www.zeiss.com/C12567A8003B58B9/Contents-Frame/858DBBBBD2FB78A6C125711800592377"] (http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-99.html)

As a side note I have a Vivitar 220/SL camera that I just pulled the stuff on to check the model and also found that I purchased in Feb. 12, 1977 which uses the M42 mount. If I take a notion to run a roll of film through it, the advantage of my hearing loss it that I can just stick a 675 hearing aid battery in it and have use of the meter (everything is manual though for actually setting anything).

Using an adaptor I am still having fun with the few lenes that I purchased for that camera; but now use on a Canon EOS D60. In fact, just this spring I bought a 2X tele-converter to use with an old 200mm Vivitar lens and it works fine if you have time to set eveything.

Jane B.