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All Contax/Yashica lenses*

*Prime lenses for now, not including zooms or third-party options

Yashica ML

Type I ML lenses can be reliably identified by the distinctive diamond-patterned focusing ring and the double inscription of the word YASHICA on the front barrel.

The 135 mm, 200 mm and 300 mm telephoto lenses where updated for smaller, more compact versions marked C. Reports indicate, the C was dropped later during production.

Yashica DSB

Zeiss T*

All Contax Zeiss lenses were produced in both AE and MM variants, with the exceptions of the Planar T* 85mm f/1.2 50 Years, Distagon T* 15mm f/3.5, Sonnar T* 180mm f/2.8 I, Tele-Tessar T* 200mm f/3.5, and Tele-Tessar T* 300mm f/4.

This list was compiled using available documentation and may contain errors or omissions. 

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The Contax RTS and the Contax/Yashica System

Full list of Contax/Yashica lenses

Timeline: SLRs of a decade (1971 – 1981)

Yashica FR

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SLRs of a decade (1971 – 1981)

Perhaps the most important SLRs of a decade, from the Canon F-1 and Nikon F2 to the New F-1. In between, in the mid-1970s, the Contax RTS and Yashica's FR series. Not shown in the graphic: The transitional Yashica FX-1, Yashica’s first camera with the new bayonet mount (1975), and the quartz-controlled Yashica FX-D (1980).

Selling almost 100,000 units, the RTS was a decent success for Contax/Yashica, but they never caught up with Canon or Nikon. By 1974, FD-compatible lenses had already been available for a decade, the Nikon F mount since 1959. The mass market operated on a completely different scale. For example, 5.7 million units of the popular Canon AE-1 were produced. The number of Yashica FR cameras manufactured is not documented.

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Yashica FR

Two years after introducing the Contax RTS, Yashica released the FR — its second SLR to feature the new bayonet mount, and the first to follow the transitional FX-1. Stylistically aligned with 1980s Japanese SLRs, the FR shares key features with the RTS, including the horizontal cloth shutter, electromagnetic release, 92° viewfinder coverage and real time LED readout. Though fully manual with TTL metering, it still requires a battery (6V 4LR44) to operate the shutter. The viewfinder is bright and clear, with an aperture scale at the top and a shutter speed scale on the right. Turning the shutter speed dial moves a needle accordingly. Metering is activated by locking the exposure switch under the advance lever. A green LED indicates correct exposure; red LEDs warn of over- or underexposure.

The body is solid, weighing 650 g, with top and base plates likely made of brass — often showing characteristic patina with age. Powered by six AA batteries, the Yashica Winder FR adds another 500 g and allows up to 2 images per second.

At the time, the Yashica FR was competitive with offerings from major Japanese brands, delivering high build quality thanks to its metal construction.

Contax RTS motor winders and flash system could be used on the Yashica and vice versa. The RTS still offered a few features not available on the FR, including a faster shutter speed of up to 1/2000s, aperture priority automation (which would later be available on the Yashica FR I) and a range of interchangeable focusing screens.

Early Yashica FR system brochure.

35mm WORLD was a free 90-minute home photography course on cassette tape, offered by Yashica as part of a promotion for the FR series cameras. It included a full-color illustrated guide and was aimed at both beginners and advanced users.

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The Contax RTS and the Contax/Yashica System

The Contax/Yashica system was a collaborative line of 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras and lenses, developed by Yashica Japan in partnership with Carl Zeiss. The joint venture commenced in 1974 with the Contax RTS introduced at Photokina. It would span over three decades merging Zeiss optical expertise with Yashicas strength in electronics and manufacturing.

Two years prior, Zeiss had ceased production of their Contarex camera. Subsequently, Zeiss licensed lens designs and produced lenses for the Rollei QBM system; however, these did not achieve significant commercial success. Around this time, Leitz (Leica), the other remaining German manufacturer, entered into a partnership with Minolta, marking a significant shift in the industry.

Both Contax and Yashica cameras of the era share the same bayonet lens mount and often same internals. In addition to Carl Zeiss, Yashica developed its own range of optics under the DSB and Yashica ML brands.

Photokina 74: Contax RTS launch materials showcasing the real time system and new bayonet mount.

Seventeen Carl Zeiss lenses were introduced at the time, covering focal lengths from 15mm to 1000mm. At least some of them had previously been produced for the Rolleiflex SL35.

Left: Undated German print advertisement for the Contax RTS. Likely around Christmas. Right: Undated German print advertisement. Sci-fi style, merging industrial design, optics, and electronics to present the camera as an extension of human perception.

Mid to late 1970s Contax RTS ad featuring the Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 and the 16mm F-Distagon Fisheye.