Contax · Contax/Yashica (C/Y) · From about 1979
Zeiss pitched the f/1.7 Planar as the affordable alternative to the f/1.4, and said its image quality compares with the faster lens at the same f-stops. It shares the f/1.4's seven-element, six-group layout in a shorter, lighter barrel of about 195 g, with a 0.6 m close focus and a 55mm filter. It arrived around 1979, and every copy was made in Japan, the AE version first and the MM version from 1985. You can tell them apart by the 16 on the aperture ring, green on MM and white on AE. The ninja-star aperture shape AE lenses are known for barely shows here, because it falls between two click stops. On a mirrorless body it's the light, common way into Zeiss C/Y glass, and any plain C/Y adapter works. It also makes a neat short portrait lens on APS-C.
On a mirrorless camera
It’s a Contax/Yashica (C/Y) lens, and its mount sits 45.5 mm from the film. Every mirrorless mount below sits closer than that, so a plain adapter ring fills the gap and the lens still focuses to infinity. On a smaller sensor it frames tighter, like a longer lens.
Versions
There are two versions, both made in Japan, the AE first and then the MM from 1985. MM copies have a green 16 on the aperture ring and a small extra prong on the mount. Don't confuse it with the Yashica ML 50mm f/1.7, a cheaper Yashica-branded lens on the same mount.
Expect the usual age problems of haze, fungus and oily blades. People who service Zeiss C/Y lenses say haze and balsam separation turn up more often in MM lenses than in AE ones.
New to old glass? How to check a used vintage lens covers haze, fungus and the rest in detail.
Buying guide
We'd buy from a US seller here, like the Planar titled tested and working at $216 delivered from a 100% seller, inside the $200–260 band. There are at least 35 for sale, and US dealers ask about $162–228 delivered for working copies, while Japan dealers mostly ask $200–340 under their own MINT and Exc+5 grades. Any plain Contax/Yashica adapter works, and the model page lists the adapters by camera. MM copies have a green 16 on the aperture ring and AE copies a white one, and people who service these see haze and balsam separation more often in MM lenses, so ask for a flashlight-through photo. Don't mix it up with the cheaper Yashica ML 50mm f/1.7, and skip the zero-feedback Japan seller.
$172.93delivered
The lowest delivered Planar here without a catch in the title, an MM copy at $173 with free shipping from a 99.8% US dealer, on a Refurbished card. Ask what the refurbishing covered and for a flashlight-through photo, since MM lenses show haze more often.
Contax 50mm f1.7 Planar T* MM Lens C/Y Mount #166
$216.20est. delivered
Titled tested and working, at $216 delivered from a 100% US seller, inside the band and under most Japan asks. Ask what the test covered and whether caps come with it.
Contax Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f/1.7 CY Mount (Tested Working)
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 12, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 12, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Refurbished$172.93delivered
$172.93 · free shipping
Buy It Now$172.93
Good buy
MM copy on a Refurbished card. US dealer, free shipping.
Seller: robertscamera
99.8% positive
Used$216.20est. delivered
$199.00 + $17.20 shipping
Buy It Now$199.00
Good buy
Titled tested and working. US seller.
Seller: monrez
100% positive
For parts$145.95est. delivered
$125.00 + $20.95 shipping
Buy It Now$125.00
Our take
Titled as is, and only $16–27 under working copies here.
Seller: seawoodphoto
100% positive
Used$161.93delivered
$161.93 · free shipping
Buy It Now$161.93
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
MM copy titled *Read, so the description flags something. Read it first.
Seller: robertscamera
99.8% positive
Used$227.51est. delivered
$219.99 + $7.52 shipping
Buy It Now$219.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
US seller. Titled excellent with clean glass.
Seller: collectablescurated
100% positive
![[Exc+5] Contax Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm F/1.7 Lens CY Mount MMJ From JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/DyUAAeSwy5JphxlY/s-l500.jpg)
Used$229.99est. delivered
$209.99 + $20.00 shipping
Buy It Now$209.99
Our take
MMJ, Exc+5 by the dealer's grade. Cap in the photo.
Seller: ok_s.camera
100% positive
Used$247.95delivered
$247.95 · free shipping
Buy It Now$247.95
Our take
AEJ titled Mint and fully functional. Free shipping from Japan.
Seller: quorefl-53
100% positive
![[Ner Mint] Contax Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm F1.7 AE J Fully Functional From Japan](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/7CMAAeSwtXlqtK2S/s-l500.jpg)
Used$328.99est. delivered
$248.99 + $80.00 shipping
Buy It Now$248.99
Check the seller
Seller has zero feedback. Hood and caps in the photo.
Seller: ninja-camera-store
No feedback yet
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