Contax · Contax/Yashica (C/Y) · From 1975
Zeiss called the 85mm f/1.4 Planar one of the best fast lenses available for 35mm reflex cameras, and aimed it at stage, sports and portrait work where you shoot wide open. It's a six-element, five-group lens with eight aperture blades, a 1 m close focus and about 595 g of metal and glass. It takes 67mm filters, where most Zeiss C/Y lenses share 55mm. The everyday Zeiss lenses were made in Japan early on, but this one was built in West Germany as an AE lens from 1975. The MM version came in 1985, made in Germany at first and in Japan from the early 1990s. Collectors often prefer the German-made copies, though both factories worked to the same Zeiss standards. On a mirrorless body it's a heavy lens on a small adapter, so support it by the barrel. A plain C/Y adapter is all you need.
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 three versions, an AE made in West Germany (1975–1985), an MM made in West Germany (1985–1988) and an MM made in Japan in the 1990s. MM copies have a green 16 on the aperture ring and a small extra prong on the mount. The 85mm f/1.2 Planar anniversary editions are a different, much rarer lens.
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 a West German AEG copy from a Japan dealer, like the one graded Almost MINT with both caps at $359 delivered, well under the $430–600 band. There are at least 161 for sale, nearly all from Japan dealers, and German-made AEG copies mostly ask $303–610 delivered while the Japan-made MMJ asks $430–701, the rarer German MMG $633–869 and US stock $464–530. Collectors often prefer the German copies, and people who service these lenses see haze and balsam separation more often in MM ones, so ask for a flashlight photo through the back and one of the blades at f/8. A green 16 on the aperture ring means MM and a white one AE, and a dented 67mm filter ring often means the lens was dropped. It needs a Contax/Yashica adapter, and the model page lists the adapters by camera; at about 595 g, hold it by the barrel rather than the adapter.
![[Exc +3] Carl Zeiss Planar T* 85mm F/1.4 AEG MF Lens Contax C/Y From Japan #971](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/bsgAAeSweKZqsHhe/s-l500.jpg)
$303.00est. delivered
The lowest delivered copy here at $303, a West German AEG graded Exc +3 by the Japan dealer, with both caps and a filter in the photo. Treat the grade as a claim and ask for a flashlight photo through the back.
[Exc +3] Carl Zeiss Planar T* 85mm F/1.4 AEG MF Lens Contax C/Y From Japan #971
![[Almost MINT] Contax Carl Zeiss Planar T* 85mm F1.4 Lens AEG C/Y From JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/1SsAAeSwIDhqDHoA/s-l500.jpg)
$359.00est. delivered
A West German AEG graded Almost MINT, with both caps in the photo, at $359 delivered, $71 under the band. The German-made AE copies collectors often prefer are also the cheapest on this page.
[Almost MINT] Contax Carl Zeiss Planar T* 85mm F1.4 Lens AEG C/Y From JAPAN
$463.99est. delivered
The easy US buy, titled excellent condition with its original caps, at $464 delivered, inside the band and without the wait or the return trip to Japan. The title doesn't say AE or MM, so ask for a photo of the 16 on the aperture ring.
Contax Carl Zeiss Planar T* 85mm F1.4 Lens + Original Caps - Excellent Condition
![CLA'd [MINT in Box] Contax Carl Zeiss Planar T* 85mm f1.4 Lens AEG CY From JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/o1gAAeSwcXFqnFYl/s-l500.jpg)
$609.00est. delivered
Titled CLA'd and graded MINT in box, a West German AEG at $609 delivered, just over the band with $110 of it shipping from Japan. It's the only service claim on the page.
CLA'd [MINT in Box] Contax Carl Zeiss Planar T* 85mm f1.4 Lens AEG CY From JAPAN
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 14, 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 14, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$303.00est. delivered
$268.00 + $35.00 shipping
Buy It Now$268.00
Good buy
AEG, West German. Exc +3 is the Japan dealer's grade, with caps and a filter in the photo.
Seller: h.66.japan
100% positive
Used$359.00est. delivered
$309.00 + $50.00 shipping
Buy It Now$309.00
Good buy
AEG, West German. Almost MINT is the Japan dealer's grade, caps in the photo.
Seller: shibaroku_camera_japan
100% positive
Used$463.99est. delivered
$449.99 + $14.00 shipping
Buy It Now$449.99
Good buy
US dealer. Titled excellent condition, with original caps.
Seller: nycamprince
99.8% positive
Serviced$609.00est. delivered
$499.00 + $110.00 shipping
Buy It Now$499.00
Good buy
AEG titled CLA'd. MINT in Box is the Japan dealer's grade.
Seller: rx1478
99.2% positive
![[Unused w/ Case] Contax Carl Zeiss Planar T* 85mm F/1.4 Lens AEG CY Mount JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/diAAAeSwwaVqvB9G/s-l500.jpg)
New old stock$543.00est. delivered
$463.00 + $80.00 shipping
Buy It Now$463.00
Our take
AEG titled unused, with a case. A metal hood box is in the photo.
Seller: samura1_camera_japan
99.5% positive
Used$869.19est. delivered
$770.19 + $99.00 shipping
Buy It Now$770.19
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.
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Our take
MMG, the German-made MM of 1985–1988. MMG copies here ask $633–869.
Seller: kyoto_camera
100% positive
![[Near MINT] Contax Carl Zeiss Planar T* 85mm F/1.4 Lens CY Mount MMJ From JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/u~oAAeSwTIlqzqrm/s-l500.jpg)
Used$489.99est. delivered
$419.99 + $70.00 shipping
Buy It Now$419.99
Check the seller
Same title as another seller's listing. Compare photos before buying.
Seller: mieeeco_camera_tokyo
100% positive
![[Top MINT] Contax Carl Zeiss Planar T* 85mm F1.4 Lens AEG C/Y From JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/IJwAAeSwj8RqwkTO/s-l500.jpg)
Used$569.99est. delivered
$499.99 + $70.00 shipping
Buy It Now$499.99
Check the seller
Same title as another seller's listing. Compare photos before buying.
Seller: taka-66
100% positive
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