Used Contax 645 & Carl Zeiss Planar 80mm f/2 Kit

Condition & contents

At a glance: Contax 645 + Zeiss Planar 80mm f/2 Kit - pro medium-format 6x4.5 film SLR with Zeiss lens.

About this lens

The Contax 645 + Carl Zeiss Planar 80mm f/2 Kit is a pro-grade medium-format film SLR system from Contax (Zeiss + Kyocera collaboration) - 6x4.5cm format, Carl Zeiss-manufactured lenses, TTL metering, motorised advance. Bundled with the classic 80mm f/2 Planar standard lens. A cult professional medium-format system.

Build & handling

Works with

• Accepts Contax 645 lenses (Carl Zeiss-manufactured: Distagon, Planar, Sonnar, Apo-Makro-Planar)
• Uses 120 roll film
• Accepts Contax 645 film backs (120 standard, 220 extended, Polaroid proof back)

Best for

A celebrated medium-format system - Contax 645 bodies and Zeiss lenses remain highly sought after among professional and serious film photographers. The 80mm f/2 Planar is one of the great portrait lenses in photographic history, delivering distinctive Zeiss rendering. Used extensively for wedding and portrait photography on film.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the Contax 645 so celebrated?

Carl Zeiss T* lens optics, excellent ergonomics, TTL autofocus in medium format (rare for film MF), and a particular rendering character that wedding and portrait photographers seek. The 80mm f/2 Planar in particular is considered one of the great portrait lenses of all time.

Is this still made?

No - Contax ceased producing the 645 system in 2005. Production was limited and the system is now entirely used-market. Prices for Contax 645 bodies and lenses have climbed significantly in recent years.