Zeiss's fast Contax standard prime — the Planar T* 50mm f/1.4, manual-focus glass for the C/Y mount.
The Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 was the fast standard prime for the Contax/Yashica mount, a cornerstone of the Contax system from the mid-1970s and one of its most widely sold lenses. It applied the classic Planar double-Gauss layout at a bright aperture.
This is a manual-focus C/Y-mount lens with a 50mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/1.4. The Planar design and T* multi-coating aimed for high contrast and low flare. Element and weight figures are omitted where they cannot be verified.
As a fast 50mm it covers portraits, street, low-light and everyday shooting with a natural field of view and pleasant subject separation wide open. It is often cited for its colour and contrast, sharpening across the frame as it is stopped down.
Used copies are plentiful and this is one of the most accessible Contax Zeiss lenses to buy. Look for internal haze, fungus and coating scratches, confirm dry aperture blades and smooth focus, and check the front element. It adapts easily to mirrorless with a C/Y adapter.