Zeiss Ikon Contessa

<p>Found this at an estate sale today for $10. Everything seems to be working the way it should including the

shutter and the light meter. No bad for a camera made in 1950-'51. Zeiss should could build 'em pretty.</p>

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<p>I don't know if I remember correctly but it should have film in the camera to test it? Have you run a roll of film through the camera?<br>

Joe</p>

<p>You are correct. The shutter won't release on the camera unless it has film in it.</p>

<p>Wayne, these are one of my favorite cameras! This was also my first "real" camera when I was a kid. My dad bought his while stationed in Germany, around 1953. I thought it was the coolest camera. My dad finally let me use it when he bought a new Minolta SRT 101. I shot hundreds of rolls of images through it before I had my first SLR.</p>

<p>I still carry it with me everywhere and shoot images with it. My light meter doesn't work, and you're lucky to have one that does--as you already know. I love the rangefinder. It has always been easy to focus with. My <em>only </em> complaint... and it's a small one, is that you have to keep track of whether you've advanced the film between shots, or you'll get double exposures. Congratulations.</p>

<p>The lens is very sharp and very contrasty. This image (sorry I don't have many scanned on this computer from that camera) is shot with Delta 100. It is not an ideal film because it is too contrasty, but Acros or Pan F works pretty well.</p><div></div>

<p>Wayne, I am trying hard not to hate you. I have three of these cameras, and they are great, but I spent a lot more than $30.</p>

<p>Cameraquest has a nice write up on this model.</p>

My feelings aren't like Jim's... I just wonder why this never happens to me! Mine I bought in 1988 in

Stuttgart. I thought because it was second-hand I could bargain. I proposed to the shop owner a lower price and he replied that the price marked was 130DM as if I'd not seen it .... I can't say I've ever gotten any great "deal" on

anything in my life. I don't want to sound ungrateful, just these 10,00$ Zeiss Ikon cameras just don't come my way!

 

BTW I noticed one reply mentioned.. there was no double exposure protection! MMhmmh I think so! You can't fire the shutter unless you advance the film. I think it's possible to cock the shutter, but it won't release unless you actuate the cogs..or (assuming you have film in the camera) advance the film!

<p>Awesome score Wayne! I keep looking at them on the "bay" but tend to talk myself out of bidding...stupid inner voices.</p>

<p>But I do have a couple of the Contessa's less royal sisters the Contina. The Contina's are essentially the same except for the rangefinder is not coupled and there is no light meter. On one of my Continas the lens and shutter are Tessar/Compur Rapid but on the other it's Novar/Prontor SVS. I believe the Contessa only came with the Tessar/Compur Rapid combo.</p>

<p>Life doesn't get much better than a sunny day and a hand full with a Contessa/Contina loaded with Tri-X. If god invented anything better, he/she kept it for him/herself....IMHO!</p>

<p>Cannot wait for the photos.</p>

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