Contax lenses: In the same league as Leica or Hasselblad?

[kcf]

Are Contax lenses in the same league as Leica or Hasselblad lenses?

[Keith Tapscott.]

Are Contax lenses in the same league as Leica or Hasselblad lenses?

I believe that the Contax lenses were made by Zeiss in Germany who also manufacture the lenses for Hasselblad. Leica AFAIK make their own lenses. All of these lenses should be of premium optical quality.

http://www.zeiss.de/C12567A8003B58B9?Open

[Wirehead]

An astonishingly large number of lenses these days are in the same league as Leica or Hasselblad lenses.

Remember, the H-series 'blads are using Fuji lenses, not Zeiss lenses. And you don't hear folks complaining about how their H-series 'blad isn't sharp.

[Ornello]

Are Contax lenses in the same league as Leica or Hasselblad lenses?

Well, Hasselblad lenses are made by both Schneider and Zeiss. Contax lenses are no longer being manufactured, but Zeiss designed those lenses, most of which were manufactured in Japan. Critical evaluation of lenses is always difficult, but the current Leica 'M' lenses are state of the art. Almost every one is without peer.

You may want to take a look here:

http://www.imx.nl/photosite/leica/leicaM.html

[melek]

Erwin Putts is hardly an objective observer. Some of his conclusions are nonsensical -- citing intangibles that are not supported by scientific evidence. In general, in his comparison tests, the Leica lens almost always is rated higher.

I believe Kyocera produced some of the lenses for the Leica SLRs.

Kyocera made Carl Zeiss lenses, under license.