 1. Who owns the "Contax" brand?
2. What will happen to the Contax brand in the future?
3. Who is responsible for service on my Contax camera?
4. Why don't existing Contax RTS lenses fit Contax N cameras?
5. What are MM lenses, or lenses with MM function, for Contax RTS?
6. Why are ZEISS lenses for Contax produced in Japan? Are ZEISS lenses "Made in Germany" better than ZEISS lenses "Made in Japan"?
7. Are ZEISS lenses for the Contax 645 as good as previous ZEISS optics for the medium format despite autofocus?
8. Where can I find Data Sheets of Lenses for Contax-Yashica and Contax Series 645, G and N?
1. Who owns the "Contax" brand?
The "Contax" brand belongs to Carl Zeiss. Carl Zeiss has granted a license to Kyocera for the use of the "Contax" brand. In return, Kyocera has undertaken to purchase the lenses for all "Contax" cameras from Carl Zeiss.
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2. What will happen to the Contax brand in the future?
Under the brand name CONTAX, Kyocera – Kyoto Ceramics has launched excellent cameras with Carl Zeiss lenses on the market for many years. We regret that Kyocera has decided not to continue these activities in accordance with an agreement signed on April 12, 2005.
However, there is still a contract between Carl Zeiss and Kyocera governing the exclusive use of the CONTAX brand by Kyocera. Since this contract will remain in effect for several more years, we cannot yet provide any concrete information on future developments.
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3. Who is responsible for service on my Contax camera?
The service for CONTAX cameras is now in the hands of Tritec GmbH, Germany. For service issues please contact:
Tritec GmbH
Kolpingstraße 5
D-38159 Vechelde, GERMANY
Tel.: +49 (0)5302 9181 - 0
Fax.: +49 (0)5302 9181 - 49
 info@tritec-service.de
 http://www.tritec-service.de
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4. Why don't existing Contax RTS lenses fit Contax N cameras? Are there adapters available?
The existing lenses cannot be attached using an adapter, as the Contax N system features a larger flange distance (48 mm). Ultrasound AF motors in the lenses, electronic aperture control and the possibility of offering lenses with f/1.0 speed required a significantly larger bayonet and hence a totally new design.
For the Contax N system, a new bayonet with a larger diameter was chosen to be able to design high speed lenses for digital sensors (telecentric lenses). Like the Contax 645 system, the new bayonet features an electronic lens interface. The Contax 645 lenses can be connected to Contax N cameras without any restrictions by using the "NAM-1" lens adapter.
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5. What are MM lenses, or lenses with an MM function, for Contax RTS?
MM stands for "Multi-Mode". Multi-Mode lenses are equipped with a mechanical aperture system in which the f-stop of the camera can be completely automatically controlled. Aperture priority (automatic control of time and automatic program mode) is only possible with these lenses. Cameras featuring these automatic capabilities recognize themselves whether an MM lens is being used. If an older AE model is attached, the camera mode automatically switches to aperture priority. MM lenses can be easily recognized as the smallest aperture on the scale is green.
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6. Why are ZEISS lenses for Contax produced in Japan? Are ZEISS lenses "Made in Germany" better than ZEISS lenses "Made in Japan"?
Our lenses in Japan and Germany are produced using the same materials, the same design and the same quality standards. Wherever the lenses are made, quality assurance is conducted by Carl Zeiss personnel working with Carl Zeiss measuring instruments. Carl Zeiss does everything possible to guarantee that the same quality standard is achieved.
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7. Are ZEISS lenses for the Contax 645 as good as previous ZEISS optics for the medium format despite autofocus?
ZEISS lenses for the Contax 645 are top-quality lenses for professional requirements.
These lenses are not mass produced with relaxed tolerances, but in exclusive small batches with metal mounts and very narrow tolerances. As a result, Carl Zeiss and Kyocera guarantee the necessary high mechanical precision and centering accuracy.
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8. Where can I find Data Sheets of Lenses for Contax-Yashica and Contax Series 645, G and N?
Historical Data Sheets can be found in our Download Center inside the "Service" category.
 Download Center
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