Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/02/02
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Bud - This quote from the Contax Web site will answer your question: CONTAX represents a trade name that is owned by CARL ZEISS. CARL ZEISS began as a German company in 1846. Today CARL ZEISS is the pre-eminent optical company in the world, with more than 30,000 employees around the world. In 1970 CARL ZEISS decided to withdraw from the camera manufacturing industry. They closed the legendary ZEISS IKON WORKS so that they could concentrate on optical production. Camera body production was given over to Yashica, an advanced designer and builder of electronic system cameras. In 1975, the first new generation CONTAX camera arrived, it was called the CONTAX RTS. CARL ZEISS has retained the CONTAX name and they continue to build CARL ZEISS lenses for the CONTAX. Further, CARL ZEISS has, over the years, shifted much of their lens production to Japan. These lenses are CARL ZEISS lenses in every way, they just happen to be made in Japan. The country of origin information states the following: "This lens is made by CARL ZEISS FOUNDATION of Federal Republic of Germany, in Japan." > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us > [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of Bud Cook > Sent: Monday, February 02, 1998 9:08 PM > To: Leica_Post > Subject: [Leica] Contax/Zeiss > > > I keep seeing posts that imply that Contax lenses are *Zeiss*. I wonder > just how much Zeiss have to do with the lenses used on Contax cameras. Do > they simply supply the optical formulae? Do they also design the mounts? > Do they supply any physical part of lenses? Do they simply lend Contax the > prestige of the Zeiss name? Are Contax lenses no more Zeiss lenses than > NASCAR race cars are actually Fords and Chevys? > > > > >