Peter Brown
Newbie
Can anyone tell me what lens/bayonet mount the Contax rangefinders use?
Thanx
Thanx
Contax Zeis Ikon IIIa Rangefinder
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xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
It uses the Contax RF bayonet mount, the original mount that is used on the Contax I, II III, IIa and IIIa. Kiev RF cameras use the same lens mount also.
Nikon RF cameras use a similar mount, but only wide angle lenses from Zeiss or FSU lenses can focus correctly on the Nikons.
Nikon RF cameras use a similar mount, but only wide angle lenses from Zeiss or FSU lenses can focus correctly on the Nikons.
Crazy Fedya
Well-known
They use Contax RF bayonet. 🙂
Seriously.
Seriously.
jim_jm
Well-known
In addition to Zeiss lenses for Contax RF, Nikon also made lenses for this mount. Many Russian lenses were also made to fit. Be aware that some lenses that fit the pre-War Contax, like the 35/2.8 Biogon, will not fit the post-War IIA and IIIA - their rear element protrudes too deeply into the body. Standard Nikon RF mount lenses will attach to a Contax, but may not focus accurately with 50mm and longer lenses. Nikon's lenses that were made for Contax will have a "C" engraved on the underside of the barrel. 35mm and wider Nikon lenses work fine on Contax bodies.
Last edited:
markjwyatt
Well-known
The pre-war 35mm f2.8 Biogon is the only example I know of that works on the pre-war but not post-war Contaxes. The post-war 35mm f2.8 Biogons will fit the pre-war Contaxes. The Jupiter 12 35mm f2.8 only fits the pre-war Contaxes. There may be other conflicts with off-brand lenses, not sure.
Elmar Lang
Well-known
There's also a postwar Carl Zeiss Jena Biometar 35/2,8 "T" that can be used either on the Contax-II/III, or the IIa/IIIa
