Contax I with 5cm f/1.5 Sonnar
Contax I with 13.5 cm f/4 Sonnar and folding Albada viewfinder
Contax I with 2.8cm Tessar and Universal Viewfinder 28 to 1.5
Contax I case with 5cm 1.5 Sonnar
Contax II / III Rangefinder
Transition Contax I and Contax II brochure
Even then the Contax I had a reputation for unreliability. It took some time to sell out of the Contax I.
For its time the Contax III was a technological wonder with its built in exposure meter.
Long past its time, today the meterless Contax II is preferred.
Zeiss Contax II has much better lenses than it smaller Leica III competitor, especially the super fast 50/1.5, 50/2, 85/2 Sonnars and the 35/2.8 Biogon. All were uncoated.
The chrome 18cm f/4 Tessar for the Contax II / III. An earlier black version was made for the Contax I.
40mm viewfinder for the rare chrome 4cm f/2 Biotar
Contax II / III 2.8cm to 18cm universal finder
3.5m f/4.5 Orthometer lens
waistlevel and standard 3.5cm viewfinder
multiple brightline viewfinder
85 and 135 viewfinder mask for Contax II
unusual multiple viewfinder for 50, 85, 135 and 180 lenses
Contameter 1343 for closeups.
Transition Contax I and Contax II brochure
Even then the Contax I had a reputation for unreliability. It took some time to sell out of the Contax I.
For its time the Contax III was a technological wonder with its built in exposure meter.
Long past its time, today the meterless Contax II is preferred.
Zeiss Contax II has much better lenses than it smaller Leica III competitor, especially the super fast 50/1.5, 50/2, 85/2 Sonnars and the 35/2.8 Biogon. All were uncoated.
The chrome 18cm f/4 Tessar for the Contax II / III. An earlier black version was made for the Contax I.
40mm viewfinder for the rare chrome 4cm f/2 Biotar
Contax II / III 2.8cm to 18cm universal finder
3.5m f/4.5 Orthometer lens
waistlevel and standard 3.5cm viewfinder
multiple brightline viewfinder
85 and 135 viewfinder mask for Contax II
unusual multiple viewfinder for 50, 85, 135 and 180 lenses
Contameter 1343 for closeups.
Contax IIa IIIA Rangefinder
bump for those who did not notice this thread
Erik van Straten
Mentor
I did not know that Jim was interested in ... Contaxes??!!?? Does he like this one too?
Erik.
Erik.
Erik van Straten
Mentor
This one I bought from Ives Mascence, former director of Leica France. My only Contax I that works for 100%.
Erik.
Erik van Straten
Mentor
Shot with a Contax I and a Nikkor 50mm f/2 lens.
Erik.
Erik.
charjohncarter
Mentor
Wow, what great technology for the time. They were way ahead of everybody, maybe even Leica.
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
Contax I , Version 5 and Version 4 respectively (according to Kuc's definitions)
With the Contax II, they definitely gave Leica a run for their money in the late 30s and early 40s.
Erik van Straten
Mentor
Nowadays the Contax I is above all a feast for the hobby-repairman.
Erik.
Erik.
Jim Lager
Member
Greetings Erik, yes, the Contaxes have always been interesting to me. The Zeiss glass is
very fine. As a researcher I have most interest in the reflex housings Panflex, Flektoskop, and Flecktometer. Who is the current specialist on these elusive devices? The long Zeiss optics are so rare that it is an event when one comes into the market. 180,300,and 500mm for the reflex housings. Thanks, Jim Lager.
very fine. As a researcher I have most interest in the reflex housings Panflex, Flektoskop, and Flecktometer. Who is the current specialist on these elusive devices? The long Zeiss optics are so rare that it is an event when one comes into the market. 180,300,and 500mm for the reflex housings. Thanks, Jim Lager.
Erik van Straten
Mentor
Thank you, Jim.
Yes, apart from the optics the prewar Zeiss camera technology was also the springboard for the Nikon and Kiev designers, so of great interest anyway.
Erik.
Yes, apart from the optics the prewar Zeiss camera technology was also the springboard for the Nikon and Kiev designers, so of great interest anyway.
Erik.
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
Too many?
Erik van Straten
Mentor
Dralowid
Michael
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
I don't recall I've ever seen a dimpled contax I ever.
Erik van Straten
Mentor
Do you have the book by Kuc? "Auf den Spuren der Contax" band 1?
The dimple camera is version 2 in this book. Before that one there was a model 1.
Erik.
The dimple camera is version 2 in this book. Before that one there was a model 1.
Erik.
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
I do have the book (since earlier this month) I don't think I've ever seen anything older than a version 4 in real life.
Erik van Straten
Mentor
I do have the book (since earlier this month) I don't think I've ever seen anything older than a version 4 in real life.
Yes, I have a 4 too, my best Contax I in fact. All times work. It even has a flash synch.
Erik.