Zeiss Planar 50mm f/1.7 for Contax/Yashica — genuine Zeiss quality at an accessible price.
The Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm f/1.7 AEJ is the standard lens for the Contax/Yashica SLR system, offering genuine Zeiss Planar optics at a more accessible price than the flagship f/1.4 version. Made by Kyocera to Zeiss specifications, it delivers much of the same optical character in a smaller, lighter package.
Optical quality is excellent and in some respects matches the more expensive f/1.4 version when both are stopped down to common apertures. The Planar rendering at f/1.7 produces beautiful bokeh with the characteristic Zeiss three-dimensional quality. T* multi-coating delivers the same outstanding flare control and colour accuracy.
Build quality is very good with metal construction and smooth mechanical operation, though slightly less luxurious than the flagship f/1.4. The more modest aperture allows a smaller, lighter design that many photographers actually prefer for everyday carry. The focus ring is smooth and precisely damped.
Arguably the better value proposition on the used market compared to the f/1.4, the Planar 50mm f/1.7 delivers 90 percent of the optical performance at a significantly lower price. For photographers adapting C/Y lenses to mirrorless cameras, it offers genuine Zeiss quality as an affordable daily-use standard lens.