Contax (Yashica/Kyocera)

• For the original rangefinder model, see Contax rangefinder
• For the East German SLR, see Contax S

Contax is originally the name of a rangefinder model made from 1932 by Zeiss Ikon (see Contax rangefinder), then it was the name of a single-lens reflex made from 1947 by the Eastern part of Zeiss Ikon (see Contax S).

In 1973 the Contax name was licensed to the Japanese maker Yashica to create a prestigious brand of 35mm cameras and interchangeable lenses in cooperation with the German company. By that time, Yashica was a production giant with considerable electronic camera experience, and was seeking ways to expand sales and improve brand name recognition in the highly competitive 35mm SLR market. Thus began ‘Top Secret Project 130’, a collaboration with Carl Zeiss to produce a new, professional 35mm SLR with an electronically-controlled shutter, bearing the Contax brand name, along with a new line of premium quality lenses by Carl Zeiss. The F. Alexander Porsche Group was hired to complete an ergonomic and styling study of the new camera. The new Contax RTS and its Zeiss T* lenses appeared at Photokina in 1974, and proved an immediate hit.

Until 1984, Contax cameras were made by Yashica in Japan, with lenses made by Carl Zeiss - some in Germany, some in Japan. The cameras were noteworthy for their advanced electronics. The Carl Zeiss T* lenses, in particular, soon gained a reputation for superb optical quality. Since manual-focus Contax and Yashica manual-focus 35mm SLR cameras share the same common bayonet lens mount, their lenses may be used interchangeably.

Contax cameras continued to be produced by Yashica until the latter was acquired by Kyocera in 1983. At that time, Kyocera's new camera division took over responsibility for production of all Contax and Yashica branded cameras, eventually introducing cameras under its own name as well.

In 2005, Kyocera halted production on all Contax-brand film and digital cameras.

Digital SLR

• Contax N1 Digital (N-mount)

Digital (non-SLR)

• Contax SL 300 T*
• Contax SL 400 T*
• Contax TVS digital

35mm SLR

M42 screwmount

see Zeiss Ikon for the Contax S, D, E, F, FB, FM, FBM and the corresponding Pentacon models.

Manual-Focus (Yashica/Contax)

• Contax 137 MA
• Contax 137 MD
• Contax 139 Q
• Contax 159 MM
• Contax 167 MT
• Contax Aria
• Contax AX
• Contax RTS
• Contax RTS II
• Contax RTS III
• Contax RX
• Contax RX II
• Contax S2 / S2b
• Contax ST

Auto-Focus (N)

• Contax N1
• Contax NX

35mm Rangefinders

Manual Focus

see Zeiss Ikon for the Contax I, II, III, IIa and IIIa

Auto Focus

• Contax G1
• Contax G2
• Contax T
• Contax T2
• Contax T3
• Contax TVS

APS film

Contax Tix

Medium Format

• Contax 645 AF

Links

• ContaxImages.Com
• Contax group on flickr
• The Contax G Pages
• Very detailed site on all Contax / Yashica cameras and lenses, particularly SLR models
• The Contax Camera discussion community!
• The biggest Contax User Forum - Contaxinfo.com!
• The German Contax User Forum -Contaxinfo.de
• Focus tips for Contax Rangefinders