Roland and Caroline's Home Page
BuiltWithNOF
Zeiss Ikon Contessa 35

Click here for complete Site Map

Zeiss Ikon Contessa 35

This is a very fine looking 35mm rangefinder from Zeiss. Although dating from the early 1950s, it has all the classic looks of the 1930s and even in its day would have appealed to the traditionalists looking for new technology in a classic guise.

Its fitted with the high performing Tessar lens - the design of which was widely used by other manufacturers also as the original patent had expired. The shutter is the top of the range Synchro Compur which shows it was a high quality camera. It also has a built in uncoupled selenium meter and a coupled rangefinder.

Top plate showing light meter on the right

There were several different variations of the Contessa. The early versions from 1950-1953 were fitted with a Compur Rapid shutter. The 2nd version is the Synchro Compur one which is illustrated here. This was apparently in production from 1953 to 1955. Zeiss then relaunched the camera in 1961. This had a 50mm Tessar in a ridged mount and a cheaper Pronto shutter.

The apparent gap in the Contessa range can be explained by the fact the name was only used for top end rangefinder compacts. Zeiss also made a very similar but cheaper range bearing the name Contina.

 

Specifications

Lens Type

4 element (coated) Tessar

Focal Length

45mm

Maximum Aperture

F2.8

Film Type

35mm standard cassette

Picture Size

24x36mm 

Shutter

9 speed Synchro Compur + B

Flash Sync

X and M

Rangefinder

Uncoupled

Weight

605g

 

Special note must also be made of the fitted ERC. This has a through winding knob which engages with lugs on the actual winding knob so the camera could still be wound when inside the case.The case also has neat side clips which engage with the camera strap lugs to keep it secure. Having said that - the camera, being a folding one is still not particulary quick to get ready for use

 

Case clip holding strap lug

 

Contessa 35 folded

 

Contessa 35 in ERC

One other notable feature is the pull out stand on the base of the camera. This is designed to allow the camera to sit on a flat surface with its lens/bellows open. The stand can be a bit troublesome as once you’ve pulled it out - it doesn’t just push in again!

Anyway - the trick is to pull it down and to the right (looking from the back of the camera). You should now find that it disengages and can be easily pushed back into the camera. The stand is probably made this way so it doesn’t retract in use under the weight of the camera.

A really good web page covering this model of camera can be found here:

http://www.cameraquest.com/contessa.htm

and an online manual can be found at:

http://www.davidrichert.com/zeiss_contessa_533_24.htm

It is believed this camera spent much of its life in the USA and special thanks to William L. Muessig and his wife Linda from Washington State for their kind gift to us of it.

Got a question or can't find the info you are looking for? Click HERE to contact us.

Click here for other camera shelves

Click here for complete Site Map

All text and images Copyright © 2000-2011 Roland Givan, unless otherwise stated. All Rights Reserved.

[Home Page] [Agfa Billy Record II] [Agfa Billy Clack] [Agfa Clack] [Agfa Flexilette] [Agfa Isolette I] [Agfa Isolette II] [Agfa Isolette III] [Agfa Jsolette V] [Agfa Jsolar] [Agfa Karat 6.3] [Agfa Lucimeter S] [Agfa Parat 1] [Agfa Paramat] [Agfa Solinette II] [Agfa Silette] [Agfa Standard] [Agfa Super Isolette] [Agfa Synchro Box] [Boots Bug Camera] [Boots Giraffe Camera] [Boots Polar Bear Camera] [Boots Tiger Camera] [Cat & Mouse Camera] [Doggy Camera] [Cosmic/Smena Symbol] [Epson PhotoPC 650] [Fed 4b] [Fujica Drive] [Homemade 35mm] [Homemade 4x5"] [Iskra] [Komsomolets] [Lubitel Collection] [Minolta Dynax 7000i] [Olympus 35] [Olympus PEN D] [Pingo Camera] [Polaroid Instant 10] [Polaroid i-zone] [Polaroid SLR680] [Polaroid Super Swinger] [Polaroid SX-70] [Praktica Family Camera] [Seagull 4B] [SeaShot Underwater] [Thomas Tank Camera] [Kodak Ultra Sport] [Universal Finder] [Voigtlander Brilliant V6] [Voigtlander Fo. Brilliant] [Yashica 72E] [Yashica Mat] [Zeiss Ikon Contessa 35] ["Zenit"] [Zenit 3M] [Zenit E] [Zenit EM] [Zorki-4K]