Contaflex super B: reading the aperture for non-standard lenses

[tim_bradshaw1]

I have what I think is a Zeiss Ikon Contaflex super B - it is at least

one of the range (has meter on front of prism but no battery, which I

think makes it a super B).

 

I have several lenses for it - the normal 50mm lens as well as the 35,

85 and 115mm lenses. Since all these `lenses' are really replacement

fronts for the standard lens, they all share the same aperture dial &c.

 

I'm confused as to how I know what the aperture for the other lenses

actually is: for instance the 85mm lens is (I think) f4, but the dial

reads down to 2.8. How do I know what the actual aperture is? Do I

just have to convert from the reading on the dial (so as reading of

2.8 is really 4 and so on) or is there some trick to this? I suspect

the manuals for the lenses may have said, the manual I have for the

camera doesn't.

 

On an unrelated point: the 35mm lens has a ring of what looks like an

oil-slick around the edge - I presume this is where elements are

coming apart from each other and there's really nothing much to be

done about this? Is it the end of the world if it spreads further?

 

Thanks

 

--tim

[mskovacs]

I'd have to check my Contaflex at home to answer the first question about the aperture.

 

<p>The "oil slick" is very likely separation like shown on one of my lenses <a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/2786022">HERE.</a> It may not have much of an effect on the results at all. If you search the archives, I was able to fix mine by wicking a light, clear oil into the separation. Its been 7 months or so and its still going strong. The only way to really fix it is to recement the elements which is risky and/or expensive business.

[Aoresteen]

If it has a round dial on the front of the camera by the rewind knob it's a super.

I think the f/stops are the same if you don't pass the maximum aperture. For the 85mm f/4 you would never set the aperture at f/2.8 but from F/4 on down it is the same as marked.

 

For the 50mmm M1:1 the max aperture is f/5.6.

 

The only lens that requires recomputation is the 8x30 monocular.

 

I'll have to check my books when I'm home.

[georg_scheck]

Tim,

congratulations,you got a nice outfit in good old workmanship.

If you dial "A" for automatic on the aperture ring,the mechanically working automatic will choose the fitting combo of speed/aperture for you.You can read it in the window on the right side inside the prism finder.Sans the auto setting you choose whatever combination you want.

As the Pro-Tessars all have lower aperture than the standart tessar,

you could not get more light in,even if dialing to f:2,8.

 

By the way,filter sizes are S 60 and S 67 for the Pro-Tessars.

Georg

[mike_elek]

On my own Contaflex I, what I thought was oil and then later thought was separation in fact turned out to be some kind of oil. But from what I've read, the auxiliary lenses were prone to separation. I think I recall hearing that the telephoto lenses were the biggest offenders.

[stwrtertbsratbs5]

The 85mm seems to be the worst for separation problems, but I've also seen it in the 35mm. The lenses are quite good, though, if you can find one in decent shape.

 

Robert

[thomas_eager]

The Pro Tessar 35, 85 and 115mm lenses have NO adjustment. The ring

on these is 'informational'. They come in f4.0 (all three) and the

better f3.2(but not 115). More light can be obtained by using the f3.2

instead of the f4.0. Also remember an SLR is 'what you see is what

you get'. The moncular is more difficult is explain so get the manual. They are available. Also when using the monocular, please use

a tripod. I have the short 8x30(straight lens) and treasure it like

gold.