The Contaflex series is a family of 35mm Single-lens reflex cameras (SLR) equipped with a leaf shutter , produced by Zeiss Ikon in the 1950s and 1960s. The name was first used by Zeiss Ikon in 1935 for a 35mm Twin-lens reflex camera , the Contaflex TLR ; for the earlier TLR, the -flex suffix referred to the integral reflex mirror for the viewfinder. The first SLR models, the Contaflex I and II (introduced in 1953) have fixed lenses, while the later models have interchangeable lenses; eventually the Contaflexes became a camera system with a wide variety of accessories.
54-488: The Mecaflex was presented at photokina 1951 and launched two years later as one of the first SLRs, fitted with a leaf shutter behind the removable lens and a waist-level viewfinder with a reflex mirror that swings out of the way during the film exposure. Compared to twin-lens reflex cameras, the SLR offered several advantages: photographer would be able to view the scene exactly through the same lens that would be used to expose
108-589: A Metz product for which Kilfitt was to supply the lenses, was manufactured at the Metz Apparatefabrik in Fürth, Germany; but reputedly, due to conflicting interests, the production was taken over by Kilfitt and moved to Monaco in 1958, and manufactured there for another seven years. Apart from the SEROA markings at the top to this effect, these later cameras have a different fine grain body covering material,
162-477: A Zeiss Tessar 50mm f:2.8 lens (27mm screw-in or 28.5mm push-on filters); the front element can be removed and replaced by a supplemental lens: There was also a Zeiss Pro-Tessar M 1:1 supplementary lens, that kept the focal length of 50mm but allowed 1:1 reproduction. The effective speed of the M 1:1 lens is f/5.6. The 50mm standard front elements, as well as the Pro-Tessar M 1:1 elements, were different between
216-443: A fixed lens. The advantages of using the leaf shutter are low manufacturing costs, compactness, quieter operation, and flash synchronization at all shutter speeds. However, using a leaf shutter in an SLR requires additional mechanical complications to cock the shutter and return the mirror after the shutter is released and the film is wound; these were seen more as a challenge than a drawback at Zeiss Ikon, but no Contaflex model ever got
270-459: A matching viewfinder. The viewfinder had seven elements, more than the lens itself. The field of view was so wide the camera was bundled with an accessory pistol grip that screws into the tripod socket to prevent inadvertent inclusion of the photographer's hands in the image. To compensate for vignetting, a radially-graduated neutral density filter was included. The Hologon was built from 1969 to 1972, when Zeiss Ikon ceased camera production. Like
324-465: A new body design, being longer with added bulk. The information about which came first is a bit contradictory in some reference books, but it seems the Super (new) was launched in 1962, introducing the new body design and a new selenium exposure meter in a prominent rectangle marked Zeiss Ikon in front of the prism. The aperture wheel was replaced by a more traditional aperture command, and the meter read-out
378-652: A partly exposed film inside. Magazine backs, rare among 35mm cameras, also were supplied for the Contarex of Zeiss Ikon. The Rapid and Super (old style) could take the same supplementary 35 mm f /4 and 80 mm f /4 lenses as the III and IV, and newer Pro-Tessar supplementary lenses were available for the Rapid and Super to create 35 mm f /3.2 , 85 mm f /3.2 , and 115 mm f /4 lenses. The Contaflex Prima , launched in 1959 and sold until 1965,
432-699: A photokina show under the name Weber SL75 , but could not afford to put it into production, and did not find a partner to do so. The lens mount was a modification of the Contarex camera lens mount . Carl Zeiss advertised a range of lenses for the Weber SL75, all with the T* multicoating: An eBay seller seems to have uncovered a small stock of the Planar lens, and has recently sold a couple of them. Recently (2021), several of these lenses have surfaced again and were sold on eBay. No SL75 body seems to have surfaced so far, and
486-456: A rapid return mirror. However, only a very limited range of interchangeable lenses became available. For the models I and II, having a fixed lens, only three add-on converters were offered using a slide-on adapter, but from models III and IV onwards interchangeable lenses from 35mm to 115mm focal length were provided; at the time regarded as quite sufficient, as most would only be used with the standard lens anyway. Three years later, during 1956,
540-464: A split image inside of a micro-prism. A thumb-wheel on the camera controls the lens aperture, and the value is shown in a window on top of the centrally located meter cell (the Cyclops window ). The shutter speed dial is lifted and rotated to set the film speed. The aperture in the interchangeable automatic lens closes when the shutter release is depressed and reopens when the camera is wound on for
594-546: A waist-level finder. The Contarex Professional or P (catalog 10.2700) replaced the Special with updated cosmetics, and like the Special , also deleted the internal light meter. It was built from 1966 to 1967. Unlike the Special , the Professional was equipped with a fixed eye-level pentaprism viewfinder. The Professional was the first model released in the second generation of Contarex SLR cameras (spanning
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#1732787384571648-540: Is a 35mm SLR camera for 50 exposures of 24 × 24 mm. It was presented at the photokina in Cologne in 1951, and launched commercially about two years later. The design is by Heinz Kilfitt , who is also known for designing the original Robot camera and the Kowa Six . The camera is equipped with the newly developed Prontor-Compur (PC) reflex shutter, which would pave the way for reputable camera designs such as
702-539: Is set on the camera aperture wheel. The Contarex lens mount takes only Contarex lenses and accessories. The lenses Zeiss designed and manufactured for the Contarex cameras have been called "the best 35 mm lenses that have ever been made". According to noted Leica historian and reviewer Erwin Puts, "Zeiss designers gave the most attention to flatness of field and the reduction of astigmatism. [...] The characteristics of
756-437: Is situated on the left-hand lens control. A PC sync. contact is situated at the edge of the lens panel. The Metz manufactured cameras also has an M / X synchronisation selector on the opposite side on the lens panel, and the fastest shutter speed is 1/300 sec. The Mecaflex is built of precision cast metal alloy parts with a matte chrome finish and decorated with a striped black body covering material. The camera, at first
810-473: Is the Carl Zeiss Planar 1:2 f=50mm in bright aluminium finish with a chrome 49 mm thread filter ring and an outer bayonet for Zeiss-Ikon filters. The lens focuses to 0.3 m (1 ft 0 in), which is closer than the usual 0.5 m (1 ft 8 in) for a normal lens. The focusing helical is remarkably smooth and precise. There is no aperture ring on the Contarex lens itself. It
864-459: The Bullseye with the same updated cosmetics of the Professional . It was built from 1967 to 1972, when Zeiss Ikon ceased camera production. The internal meter for second-generation Contarex models so equipped ( Super and Super Electronic ) used a CdS through-the-lens photoresistor , rather than the external selenium meter of the first-generation Bullseye . The meter power switch is on
918-422: The Professional , Super , and Electronic ); the updated appearance included replacing the script "Contarex" logo of the first generation ( Bullseye and Special ) with a blocky typeface set on a black background on the front of the pentaprism viewfinder housing. In addition, the film speed setting/reminder dial was moved to be coaxial with the rewind knob. The Contarex Super or S (catalog 10.2600) succeeded
972-472: The 126 film cassette. This was after he emigrated to the U.S. after World War 2 and was working for Kodak. The Contaflex 126 is an SLR with a focal-plane shutter and interchangeable lenses. It was available in chrome or black finish. The range of lenses was: The Contaflex 126 lenses are often confused with other lenses by the sellers. They can only be used on the Contaflex 126 body, which can only accept
1026-598: The 126-format Contaflex 126, available in chrome or black finish. The Contaflex 126 is related to the Contaflex SLR family primarily by its name and general appearance, as it takes a different film format ( 126 film ) and uses a different shutter technology ( focal plane shutter ) than the rest of the family. Voigtländer had developed it as the Icarex 126, and it was released as a Zeiss Ikon camera after Voigtländer's operations were consolidated into its larger parent in
1080-408: The 1953 Contaflex , the 1956 Retina Reflex , the 1957 Hasselblad 500 , and the 1959 Voigtländer Bessamatic . However, it does not have the built-in eye-level pentaprism finder, which was first seen on 35mm SLR cameras in 1949. Instead, it has a waist-level finder with a central split-image rangefinder complemented by large full frame magnifier incorporating a central loupe that covers
1134-480: The I, but equipped with a Zeiss Tessar 50mm f /2.8 with unit helical focusing. The Contaflex IV , introduced the same year, was the same camera with the uncoupled meter inherited from the Contaflex II. The III and IV were equipped with a convertible lens system branded Pro-Tessar , where the front element of the standard lens was removable and could be replaced by supplementary lenses, as discussed in
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#17327873845711188-632: The Kodak Retina Reflex was launched, followed by the Voigtländer Bessamatic and the Ultramatic . The market soon flourished with leaf-shuttered SLR cameras. These mechanically complex cameras required precision assembly and high quality materials. More often than not many camera makes suffered from reliability issues, while the few better ones performed well, selling in quantity. The Contaflex I , launched in 1953,
1242-543: The SE was capable of aperture-priority autoexposure . The Contarex Hologon was a fixed-lens camera that used the same stripped-down second-generation chassis as the microscope camera, which removed the reflex mirror and viewfinder mechanisms, featuring mechanically-controlled shutter speeds ranging from 1– 1 ⁄ 500 s plus "B"ulb and "T"imer. It was purpose-built to carry the fixed-focus, fixed-aperture, three-element Hologon 15 mm f /8 ultra wide angle lens and
1296-461: The Super and Electronic, a few cameras were assembled later. Some Hologon cameras have been disassembled for their lenses, which were fitted with Leica M bayonet mounts. The Contarex Microscope used the chassis of the Super , stripped of its viewfinder and mirror assembly. Shutter speeds for the focal plane shutter range from 1– 1 ⁄ 500 sec with B and T settings. The standard lens
1350-423: The earlier (1955) Contina III 35mm viewfinder camera. The Contaflex Rapid was introduced in 1958; compared to the III, which it replaced, the Rapid had a slightly longer body, a built-in accessory shoe, a winding lever and a rewind crank. It retained the 50 mm Tessar and convertible lens system from the III. The "Contaflex" name engraved on the front of the prism was changed to a script typeface instead of
1404-430: The early models III, IV, Rapid and Super with the old model of Tessar, and the later models Super (new), Super B, Super BC and S with the recomputed Tessar. It appears that the mount was very slightly modified, and it seems physically impossible to mismatch the elements as the journal diameter above the bayonet mount had been reduced by approximately .006" There were also stereo attachments: (Normally interchangeable with
1458-571: The film, and only a single lens was required, reducing costs. The later Hasselblad 500C , introduced in 1957, is a similar SLR design that uses leaf shutters; for the Hasselblad, each of its interchangeable lenses has a shutter. The first Contaflex SLRs were introduced in 1953, following the general design of the Mecaflex using a Compur leaf shutter and reflex mirror, but the Contaflex cameras were equipped with an integral eye-level finder and
1512-564: The first NASA extra vehicular activity ( EVA ) on June 3, 1965, during the flight of Gemini 4 . Geoffrey Crawley published an extensive review of the Contarex Super and lens system in 1970 for the British Journal of Photography . The Contarex I , aka Bullseye (catalog 10.2401), was built between 1959 and 1966. It was the first 35mm SLR camera with a focal plane shutter that provides direct light meter coupling to
1566-512: The front plate. For both the Teleskop 1.7× supplementary lens could be attached to the front of the fixed lens using an accessory carrier bracket; as the name suggests, this extended the focal length by 70% to approximately 75 mm. The same bracket could be used for the Steritar A attachment, which was used for stereo photography . The Contaflex III , launched in 1956, was the same as
1620-513: The late 1960s. It was introduced in 1967 to accept Kodak 126 (Instamatic) cartridges. It was one of the very few SLRs taking 126 film, and one of the very few cameras using that film aimed at the premium market. Two other examples of 126 SLRs are the Rollei SL26 and Kodak Instamatic Reflex . Former Zeiss-Ikon chief designer Hubert Nerwin, who designed the famous CONTAX 2 and 3 rangefinder cameras and other cameras for Zeiss-Ikon, later invented
1674-490: The lens. The shutter speed dial surrounds the lens mount. The semi-automatic preset lens diaphragm is automatically closed by a small protrusion at seven-o-clock at the lens mount, but activated manually by an anti-clockwise turn of the aperture ring while depressing a small release button on it and then returned to the required preset aperture value. In this way, the lens is wide open for bright finder image and ready to instantly close down upon shutter release. A focusing lever
Contaflex SLR - Misplaced Pages Continue
1728-424: The next exposure. Due to the limited meter range, not every camera setting combination is possible to accommodate on the Contarex I exposure meter. The Contarex Special (catalog 10.2500) was equivalent to the Bullseye , but the Special omitted the selenium cell meter. It was built from 1960 to 1966. The viewfinder of the Special is removable and two styles were available: a pentaprism, for eye-level use, or
1782-459: The obsolete 126 film cartridge, so the value of these lenses is not very high, despite their famous names. When Zeiss Ikon stopped making cameras in 1972, they had prototypes in various stages of development. One of them was the SL725 , which would be a successor to the Contaflex line with an electronic shutter. The prototype ended in the hands of a company named Weber , which presented the camera at
1836-555: The older Tessar line of Steritar B camera lenses) A complete line of these Contaflex Steritar lenses can be seen at ( https://www.flickr.com/photos/12670411@N02/ ) Zeiss Proxar for Contaflex: 1M,0.5M,0.3M,0.2M and 0.1M This article was originally based on " Contaflex (SLR) " in Camerapedia, retrieved at an unknown date under the GNU Free Documentation License . Mecaflex The Mecaflex
1890-624: The only picture found on the web is here and from an Italian photo magazine as a preview in their Nov. 1974 issue, as seen to the right. There are three classes of supplemental lenses available for Contaflex SLRs, which are not interchangeable between class: The Contaflex I and II could only take the Teleskop 1.7x supplementary lenses, and the Alpha, Beta and Prima had their own limited range of Pantar supplementary lenses. The models III, IV, Rapid, Super, Super (new), Super B, Super BC and S all have
1944-484: The opposite side of the lens mount escutcheon from the aperture setting wheel. The Contarex Super Electronic or SE (catalog 10.2800) used the chassis of the Super , fitted with an electronically-controlled shutter. It was built from 1968 to 1972, when Zeiss Ikon ceased camera production. A few cameras were assembled later, with the Carl Zeiss brand instead of Zeiss Ikon. With a "photoelectric timer" attachment,
1998-483: The photographer's right hand. Contarex SLRs featured a slip-off back, which could be removed and replaced by an interchangeable magazine back (catalog 20.0304). This magazine back concept was shared with the Contaflex SLR , although Contarex magazine backs are wider and physically incompatible with Contaflex cameras and vice versa. A custom modified Contarex Special was used by astronaut Ed White during
2052-416: The rangefinder central area. The complete camera top, hinged at the front, is a flush cover with no protruding controls. When flipped open, it reveals the waist-level finder . On the right-hand side is the single-stroke wind-on lever with the manual reset frame counter on top, and next to it the remote-release-threaded shutter button. On the left-hand side is the rewind knob with a film reminder on top. When
2106-454: The retail price (including the 50 mm f /2.0 Planar lens) was $ 499. The camera bodies are complex; for example, the first model includes nearly 1100 parts, with seven principal alloy pressure castings and additional stamped cover plates to complete the structure. However, it is rugged and roller bearings are used in the aperture mechanism. Inevitably it requires a specialist for its repair; 43 parts have to be dismantled to remove
2160-401: The same supplementary lenses, with one exception discussed in the relevant section. The Contaflex Super BC was introduced in 1965, and was a Super B with the selenium meter replaced by a CdS through-the-lens exposure meter. It still had a black rectangle marked Zeiss Ikon on the front of the prism, but it was only decorative. It had a battery compartment at the bottom front. The Contaflex S
2214-411: The sans-serif used on prior Contaflex cameras. It was the meterless version and was discontinued in 1960. The Contaflex Super , launched the following year, was based on the Rapid and had a coupled selenium exposure meter on the front side of the prism. It is easily recognized by the wheel on the front plate for the setting of the film speed (DIN). The meter needle was visible in the finder as well as on
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2268-461: The section Contaflex lenses , to create 35 mm and 80 mm lenses, both f /4 . The Contaflex Alpha and Contaflex Beta , both introduced in 1957, were lower-cost versions of the convertible-lens Contaflex III and IV, respectively; to reduce costs, the lens was changed to a Rodenstock (Zeiss-branded) Pantar 45 mm f /2.8 triplet with front-element focusing and the Compur shutter
2322-593: The shutter speed extend to 1/250 sec. and the M/X flash sync switch is left out, the feature conspicuously missing on the top left of the lens panel. Kilfitt was a reputable lens manufacturer, well known for designs like the 1955 Macro Kilar series and the manufacture of the Voigtländer 2.8 / 32-86 mm Zoomar . He started lens manufacturing in Munich in 1941 and expanded production to Liechtenstein in 1947, but production
2376-448: The shutter-, aperture-, and film speed -settings; they are interconnected by cords. An aperture simulator for the exposure meter in the Cyclops window uses an iris in front of the selenium meter cell. To set the proper exposure, the meter needle is aligned with an index triangle, which is visible both in a top plate window and to the right side of the viewfinder. The camera also has an interchangeable focusing screen which is, by default,
2430-480: The top lid is fully opened, the large square magnifier swings up over the focusing screen . An action finder is also incorporated into the top cover. At the base are the ¼ inch tripod socket, the A/R (advance/rewind) switch, and a release button for the removable back. The Mecaflex is equipped with a unique breech-lock lens mount operated by a lever at five-o-clock at the front. Sliding the lever toward six-o-clock releases
2484-525: The top plate for internal access. There is a prominent wheel for the photographer's right index finger, on the top corner of the lens mount escutcheon, which controls aperture. This detail was reminiscent of the focusing wheel on pre-war Contax rangefinder cameras, and was carried throughout the Contarex SLR line. Shutter speeds are controlled by a dial coaxial with and at the base of the film winding lever / exposure counter / shutter release button at
2538-530: The top plate from the outside. It is sometimes referred to parenthetically as the Super (old style) to avoid confusion with the later Super (new). The major innovation for the Rapid/Super over the III/IV was the introduction of interchangeable film magazines, which permitted the photographer to swap emulsions mid-roll. The new body of the Rapid and Super allowed them to take magazine backs, interchangeable with
2592-622: Was based on the body of the Rapid, retaining the new film magazine and lever wind, but with costs reduced by fitting the Pantar triplet lens and the Prontor shutter like the Alpha and Beta. The Prima had a coupled exposure meter placed on the side of the front plate, similar to the Beta. The Prima could take the same Pantar supplementary lenses as the Alpha and Beta. The Contaflex Super (new) and Contaflex Super B are very similar cameras. Both have
2646-443: Was equipped with a fixed Zeiss Tessar 45 mm f /2.8 lens with front-cell focusing. The earliest Contaflex I cameras had a Synchro-Compur shutter with the old scale of shutter speeds (1-2-5-10-25-50-100-250-500) and no self-timer, but very soon it adopted the new scale 1-2-4-8-15-30-60-125-250-500. The Contaflex II , introduced the following year, was the same camera with an uncoupled selenium meter added to one side of
2700-496: Was first presented at Photokina in 1958 and initially scheduled for delivery in the spring of 1959, but it was not made generally available in the United States until March 1960. The first model is popularly known as the Contarex I , the Bullseye , or the Cyclops , after the prominent light meter window above the lens, in front of the pentaprism . The camera was aimed at the high-end and professional markets; in 1961,
2754-502: Was later gathered in Munich. However, only a limited number of lenses were made for the Mecaflex: The camera came in a small box complete with a zippered case and a metal neck strap. Accessories included an add-on eyelevel mirror finder that would attach inside the folding finder. Metz Mecaflex : Kilfitt Mecaflex : Contarex Contarex is a line of 35mm single lens reflex cameras (SLRs) made by Zeiss Ikon . It
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#17327873845712808-514: Was replaced by a Prontor Reflex shutter, with a slight reduction in minimum shutter speed to 1 ⁄ 300 . The Alpha had no meter, like the I/III, and the Beta had the selenium meter of the II/IV. The front element of the lens could be interchanged with supplemental lenses to create 30 mm and 75 mm lenses, both f /4 . These supplemental lenses had been introduced and were shared with
2862-507: Was the last variant, introduced in 1968, and was simply a renamed Super BC, sold until Zeiss Ikon ceased production in 1972. It had a black rectangle marked Contaflex S on the front, and a different, newer Zeiss Ikon logo. It proudly sported the word Automatic on the front of the shutter. The Super BC and S could take the magazine backs, as well as the usual supplementary lenses. Both the Contaflex Super BC and S were, along with
2916-505: Was visible both on the exterior and in the finder. The Super B was launched in 1963, and added a shutter-priority automatic aperture, and some other small changes. The Super B can be distinguished by the presence of an "A"utomatic setting for the shutter speed ring and an EV scale in the viewfinder. From the Super (new) and Super B, the Zeiss Tessar 50mm f:2.8 lens was recomputed and supposedly performed better. They could still take
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