Contax 45mm F/2.8 Tessar T* C/Y Mount Lens Review

The Contax 45mm f/2.8 Tessar T* is a compact pancake lens for the Contax/Yashica manual focus mount. It uses the classic four-element Tessar optical formula, coated with Zeiss T* multicoating for improved contrast and color accuracy. At 45mm, it sits close to a normal field of view on full-frame film and digital bodies, making it a versatile walkaround option for street and documentary work. The f/2.8 maximum aperture is modest but keeps the lens small and lightweight.

This listing from KEH is for a used copy in Excellent Plus condition, which typically means minimal cosmetic wear and clean optics. The C/Y mount is straightforward to adapt to modern mirrorless cameras from Sony, Fujifilm, Canon, and others, though you'll be working with manual focus and aperture control. Prices for these lenses vary widely depending on condition and availability, but they remain popular with shooters who value the Zeiss Tessar rendering and compact form factor.