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Close up of a circa 1963 Zeiss Ikon Contaflex Super B 35mm SLR. Zeiss Ikon were the pride of the German camera industry in their heyday from the 1930s to the early 1970s.
Amongst their famous and superlative camera line up were names such as Contax; Nettar, Ikonta, Contarex; Contessa, and of course, Contaflex. Around 13 or so different models of Contaflex were produced from 1953 to 1970-71. I currently own examples of eight different Tessar lens models and will continue to acquire the remainder as I regularly use several examples, which are all delightful.
This circa 1963 model Contaflex Super B is part of the second half of the production run and, interestingly, was the first to feature auto exposure functionality by way of shutter priority exposure connected to the cameras built-in selenium cell-powered light meter. Unlike many Japanese manufactured cameras of similar vintage, it’s quite typical for these meter cells to work and work well; testimony to the extreme quality standards of the great German manufacturers like Zeiss Ikon and Voigtländer.
After fifty-plus years, it’s almost expected that finish of leather and chrome plating will be as new, or nearly; they really were made to standards equal to Leica (some say exceeding Leitz cameras in some respects). I can’t get enough of them. Interested parties should buy soon as prices are rising.
© COPYRIGHT BRETT ROGERS 2012
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Tasmanian Brett Rogers captures landscape, cityscape, and architectural photographs in and around his home town of Hobart. He also provides quality black and white film processing services and tuition in traditional film photography.
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Comments
what a beauty, loving the DOF here too.
;-) xox
Thanks, Aglaia, I have a dozen or more of these, so you’re always welcome to come down and play with them! Love your comment. Thank you!
;) xox
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– Brett Rogers
Superb!!!
Thanks so much Fern. You’re very kind. I have quite a collection of Contaflice I’m slowly servicing and adjusting so they can be used. Eventually I will upload a few more photos of them, too.
An example in working order (unusual, simply because they usually need a service) is worth perservering to find. The results can be first rate even by todays standards.
Best,
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– Brett Rogers
Very nice, Brett. Surprised I missed this. I usually prefer these in b&w, but that little splash of colour in the lens really makes this stand out.
Thanks so much, Geoff, great to hear from you. Thanks for commenting, I’m always interested to hear your thoughts mate.
Hope this finds you well.
Best,
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– Brett Rogers
Top shot of this beauty Brett… I have a Zeiss Ikon Contaflex but it looks a little different to this one… Not sure what year model it is…
Hi Keith,
thanks mate. I’ve got a bit of an obsession going with the Contaflex and have an example of most of them. If you can tell me the lens type (Tessar or Pantar) and focal length (45mm or 50mm) and whether it has a light meter or not, I can probably let you know what it is. Some were selenium powered, the last couple had a small battery hatch on the right front (as you hold it) for a mercury cell for the CdS TTL metering. I’d love to know what kind it is, actually, so feel free to send me a bubblemail and I’ll pinpoint which one it is for you. I have a collection of images I’ve taken with various types. They’re actually very capable, so consider loading a film into yours!
Cheers,
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– Brett Rogers
Hey Brett, I have done a bit of further research and can tell you mine is the Contaflex Super with Tessar 50mm lense. All the best mate…
Popular model, Keith, I have three or four of that one, myself! It has the little thumb wheel on the front left of the body.
Cheers,
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– Brett Rogers