Hi + my gear + suggestion

[picman]

I have a Contax RTS II + W3 winder with 28mm f2, 60mm f2.8 macro and 100mm f2. I am now contemplating going to digital but I will never sell my Contax gear which has served me well for 20 years. Actually I think the RTS is one of the finest cameras ever made and the Zeiss lenses are without competition.

As you know the Contax name belongs to Zeiss but they still are under contract with Kyocera.

Would it be worthwhile to mount a worldwide petition to Kyocera to release that contract and give Zeiss the option to revive the Contax line (in digital form). If you go to the Zeiss site and read what they say there it almost looks as though they might want to do that.

Cheers, Bob.

[Alex]

I don't know what the terms of the licence agreement are, but I would not be surprised if it required Kyocera to manufacture Contax-branded products at a certain level within a certain interval. And if this is the case, Kyocera's abandoning of the photo market may well cause the licence to lapse. Perhaps someone with an ear closer to the ground may be able to comment.

[picman]

I don't know what the terms of the licence agreement are, but I would not be surprised if it required Kyocera to manufacture Contax-branded products at a certain level within a certain interval. And if this is the case, Kyocera's abandoning of the photo market may well cause the licence to lapse. Perhaps someone with an ear closer to the ground may be able to comment.

I have my information from the Zeiss site

http://www.zeiss.com/c12567a8003b58b9/Contents-Frame/858dbbbbd2fb78a6c125711800592377

That explanation has been on the site for at least two years now. You have to click on Contax and read through the different items.

[Alex]

Yes, you're right, it's not very informative, and Zeiss is reticent about saying how long is left on the licence. One has to wonder what Kyocera have - or intend - to gain by holding on to it, given that they're out of the photo market, after what seems to have been a faltering entry into the digital arena. It is a pity. I have tried many camera systems, Nikon, Canon, Olympus, and good as they all are, nothing approaches the feel in my hands of the Contax. I so wish it had a developing future. That said, I have no intention of moving away ; they'll stay in my kit bag until they stop working and can't be repaired. (Applies to me too.)

[polux]

I think that even if Zeiss revive Contax brand and create a dslr, it will not be compatible with C/Y mount
when Kyocera switched to AF, they used a new mount
Contax lenses can be used on Canon, Olympus and even Pentax dslr
I use my Contax lenses on a canon 40D and I hope to switch to full frame (5D or 5DII)

[picman]

I think that even if Zeiss revive Contax brand and create a dslr, it will not be compatible with C/Y mount
when Kyocera switched to AF, they used a new mount
Contax lenses can be used on Canon, Olympus and even Pentax dslr
I use my Contax lenses on a canon 40D and I hope to switch to full frame (5D or 5DII)

Yes I am sure you are right but I would not mind buying new lenses :D

[Alex]

I think that even if Zeiss revive Contax brand and create a dslr, it will not be compatible with C/Y mount
when Kyocera switched to AF, they used a new mount
There were two different mounts, the YAF for the Yashica range, and the Contax N. I imagine that Zeiss won't own any interest in the mounts if they are still within any patent period. The Contax N is obviously incompatible with CY, but intriguingly, although the YAF is different from the CY, there is an adapter available which will allow CY manual lenses to be mounted on a YAF body, and still allow AF. It's a x1.6 teleconverter with an internal optical element and motor. The CY lens is mounted on the adapter, and the lens is set to infinity focus. The assembly is then offered to the camera mount. Focussing takes place within the adapter. Some 'tweaking' of the focus ring may be required for closer focus, but all the same, it's an ingenious accessory, and it works.

[picman]

There were two different mounts, the YAF for the Yashica range, and the Contax N. I imagine that Zeiss won't own any interest in the mounts if they are still within any patent period. The Contax N is obviously incompatible with CY, but intriguingly, although the YAF is different from the CY, there is an adapter available which will allow CY manual lenses to be mounted on a YAF body, and still allow AF. It's a x1.6 teleconverter with an internal optical element and motor. The CY lens is mounted on the adapter, and the lens is set to infinity focus. The assembly is then offered to the camera mount. Focussing takes place within the adapter. Some 'tweaking' of the focus ring may be required for closer focus, but all the same, it's an ingenious accessory, and it works.

Alex, which cameras does this adapter fit? Any digital ones?

Cheers, Bob