Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/02/02
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 08:08 PM 2/2/98 -0600, Bud Cook, provocative soul, wrote: >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? Bud Do you seriously expect me to leave THIS flamer alone? Zeiss designs all Contax SLR and G lenses: they are designed at Oberkochen by Zeiss optical designers. The extreme lenses (wide-angles such as the Hologn and long telephotos such as the Mirotar) are made in Germany. Other lenses are made initially in Germany; production is shifted to Japan thereafter. Many of the older Contax SLR lenses were originally Contarex lenses and have been produced, as well, for the Rollei QBM cameras; one, the 15mm Distagon, began as a Contarex lens and has been produced for the Contax SLR, Rollei QBM, and Leica SLR systems. Kyocera is extremely sensitive on this point, as they are concerned that their domestic market understands that Contax SLR lenses are GERMAN lenses which simply happen to be made in Japan. Blake Zeigler is a fine person to speak with about this; Allen Nomano -- aka, "Mr Contax" -- is an even better source. Marc msmall@roanoke.infi.net FAX: +540/343-7315 Cha robh bas fir gun ghras fir!