CONTAX 645 Options
Introduction of options for Contax 645 lenses
Table of contents
Lens options list
| Product number | Application | Price | Used prices in 2023 |
| GB-B1 | bellows hood | ¥35,000 | ¥3,000〜 |
| GB-101 | D35mm Hood | ¥11,200 | ¥5,000〜 |
| GB-71 | D45mm Hood | ¥11,200 | ¥6,000〜 |
| GB-72 | D55mm/P80mm Hood | ¥11,200 | ¥20,000〜 |
| GB-73 | AMP120mm/S140mm Hood | ¥7,000 | ¥4,000〜 |
| GB-74 | S210mm Hood | ¥7,000 | ¥4,000〜 |
| GB-102 | ATT350mm Hood | ||
| GB-104 | VS45-90 Hood | ¥11,200 | ¥20,000〜 |
| Mutar 1.4x | 1.4x teleconverter | ¥120,000 | ¥10,000〜 |
| Auto Extension tube 13mm | Close-up Tube | ¥10,000〜 | |
| Auto Extension tube 26mm | Close-up Tube | ¥10,000〜 | |
| Auto Extension tube 52mm | Close-up Tube | ¥10,000〜 | |
| AUTO BELLOWS | close-up photography equipment | ||
| MAM-1 | HASSELBLAD V lens mount adapter |
Hood:GB-B1
Extending bellows hood, covers 45mm to 120mm on the 645 version.
All CONTAX 645 lenses with 72mm filter diameter (D45/D55/P80/AMP120/S140/S210) can be attached. The side screws are for telescoping and fixing. Loosen the fixing screw and turn the telescoping screw.
The 45mm point is the shortest and most compact, making it easy to store in a camera bag. The bellows is still in good condition for its age and can still be used. The regular price was 35,000 yen, which was quite a lot, so it was no wonder that it was well made.
Hood:GB-101
Hood for DISTAGON 35mm
Reversible bayonet hood
Fits 645 lenses with a filter diameter of 95mm (supposedly)
Hood:GB-71
Hood for DISTAGON 45mm
Reversible bayonet hood
Fits CONTAX 645 lenses with 72mm filter diameter
Hood:GB-72
Hood for DISTAGON 55mm / PLANAR 80mm
Reversible bayonet hood
Fits CONTAX 645 lenses with 72mm filter diameter
Hood:GB-73
Hood for APO MAKRO PLANAR 120mm and PLANAR 140mm
Reversible bayonet hood
Fits CONTAX 645 lenses with 72mm filter diameter
Hood:GB-74
Hood for SONNAR 210mm
Reversible bayonet hood
Fits CONTAX 645 lenses with 72mm filter diameter
Hood:GB-104
Hood for VARIO SONNAR 45-90mm
Reversible bayonet hood
Fits CONTAX 645 lenses with 95mm filter diameter
Mutar x1.4
A converter that increases the focal length of the master lens by 1.4 times, with the side effect that the f-number becomes half a stop darker.
The lens consists of 6 elements in 5 groups
Compatible lenses are the Sonnar 140mm, Sonnar 210mm, and Tele ApoTessar 350mm. The performance changes when the teleconverter is attached are as follows.
| Master Lens Focal length | Master Lens F value | Focal length after mounting | F value after mounting |
| 140mm | 2.8 | 196 | 4 |
| 210mm | 4 | 294 | 5.6 |
| 350mm | 4 | 490 | 5.6 |
Auto Extension tube 13mm
The focal length when mounted is an approximate measurement of the distance at which the lens is actually mounted and in focus.
The 140mm and 210mm focal lengths that could be used for practical purposes were investigated.
For the VARIO SONNAR, only the 90mm infinite focal length could be measured. The minimum focusing distance of 0.5m is considered to be in focus at 0.2 to 0.4m.
Based on this trend, it appears that the PLANAR 80mm can be used between 0.4 and 0.65m.
I do not think it is practical to use an extension tube at focal lengths below 55mm.
| Master lens | Original Shortest Focal Length | Min focal length after mounting | Max focal length after mounting |
| 35mm | 0.5ｍ | – | – |
| 45mm | 0.5m | – | – |
| 55mm | 0.5m | – | – |
| 80mm | 0.7m | – | – |
| VS45-90 | 0.5ｍ | – | 90mm=0.85m |
| 120mm | 0.3m | – | – |
| 140mm | 1.3m | 0.9ｍ | 1.8m |
| 210mm | 1.4m | 1.2m | 3.8ｍ |
| 350mm | 1.9m | – | – |
Auto Extension tube 26mm
The focal length when mounted is an approximate measurement of the distance at which the lens is actually mounted and in focus.
The 140mm and 210mm focal lengths that could be used in practical applications were investigated.
VARIO SONNAR was able to measure only 90mm at infinity. The minimum focusing distance of 0.5m is considered to be in focus at 0.1 to 0.4m.
Based on this trend, it seems that the PLANAR 80mm can be used between 0.3 and 0.6m.
I do not think it is practical to use an extension tube at focal lengths below 55mm.
| Master lens | Original Shortest Focal Length | Min focal length after mounting | Max focal length after mounting |
| 35mm | 0.5ｍ | – | – |
| 45mm | 0.5m | – | – |
| 55mm | 0.5m | – | – |
| 80mm | 0.7m | – | – |
| 120mm | 0.3m | – | – |
| 140mm | 1.3m | 0.8m | 1.1m |
| 210mm | 1.4m | 1.1m | 2.1m |
| 350mm | 1.9m | – | – |
Auto Extension tube 52mm
The focal length when mounted is an approximate measurement of the distance at which the lens is actually mounted and in focus.
The 140mm and 210mm focal lengths that could be used in practical applications were investigated.
I would consider the use of extension tubes at focal lengths below 90mm impractical.
| Master lens | Original Shortest Focal Length | Min focal length after mounting | Max focal length after mounting |
| 35mm | 0.5ｍ | – | – |
| 45mm | 0.5m | – | – |
| 55mm | 0.5m | – | – |
| 80mm | 0.7m | – | – |
| VS45-90 | 0.5ｍ | – | – |
| 120mm | 0.3m | – | – |
| 140mm | 1.3m | 0.7m | 0.8m |
| 210mm | 1.4m | 0.75m | 0.95m |
| 350mm | 1.9m | – | – |
Reference links
- CONTAX 645 VARIO SONNAR Press release
- CONTAX 645 DISTAGON 55 Press release
- CONTAX 645 Tele-Apotessar and Mutar Press release
Update history
- 2024.7.16
- 2024.3.4:Update article
- 2023.6.2: GB-72/GB-104 added
- 2023.5.21: 13mm extension tube added
- 2023.5.17: First draft
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