Mystery Camera #2 ?

PGraham3 · Nov 19, 2017

Howdy, APUG! I came across another old photo that caught my eye, and not only the photo, but also the third camera that this war photographer is hanging around his neck. The first two are obviously Leicas, but the third... is that an ICAREX 35?
If not, what do you all think it might be?
If yes, what cool lens do you think is mounted to it?

AgX · Nov 19, 2017

Definitely no Icarex 35.

But a Contarex Super.
(there has been a version with this blank focusing wheel)

EDIT:
"scale selector" wheel

oreston · Nov 19, 2017

PGraham3 said:
Howdy, APUG! I came across another old photo that caught my eye, and not only the photo, but also the third camera that this war photographer is hanging around his neck. The first two are obviously Leicas, but the third... is that an ICAREX 35?
If not, what do you all think it might be?
If yes, what cool lens do you think is mounted to it?

View attachment 190464

That's the legendary Horst Faas, pictured in Vietnam. According to a post on the Facebook page of his estate (https://www.facebook.com/pg/The-Horst-Faas-Estate-380358032082656/posts/?ref=page_internal) it's actually a Contarex Professional (which is quite a rare bird). Nice to see he was loyal to his German camera brands!

AgX · Nov 19, 2017

But on the photo you see a patch between the prism and the rewind.
The model Super has there a meter window, which may have been the cause for the different reflection.
The model Professional though has a plain top cover at that place and thus does not fit the photo.

From the model Super versions existed with blank scale selector wheel and lacking a black logo at their right hand side, thus in all these points fitting the photo.

Trask · Nov 19, 2017

Another view of him with the Contarex, and it seems that as of 1967 he would also use a Visoflex.

AgX · Nov 19, 2017

I would not have thought that that a war photographer used a Visoflex.

AgX · Nov 19, 2017

PGraham3 said:
What cool lens do you think is mounted to it?

Most likely a high speed 50, 55 or 58mm Planar .
(Though I see some blank/dark pattern that does not fit, but the shape fits perfectly.)

Pioneer · Nov 19, 2017

Can you imagine the neck problems those guys endured? I carry my Contarex on a BIG, WIDE, HEAVILY PADDED strap and my neck still hurts at the end of the day! Add the 80 f/2 and it is even worse.

PGraham3 · Nov 19, 2017

Wow! Pretty cool! These cameras still hold a super high value, and the lenses too. I was trying to find a lens comparison between Contarex and Nikkor, but couldn’t find one. Anyone know of one?
I found this site:
https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-carl-zeiss-contarex-planar-f50mm-12/
...but it is just evaluating the 50/2 Contarex Planar lens, which from the sample photos appear to have its own neat look and characteristics.
Thanks again! All very cool!
-Paul

oreston · Nov 26, 2017

AgX said:
I would not have thought that that a war photographer used a Visoflex.

He really did. Contarex and Visoflex but no Nikon F - it seems he liked to swim against the tide.

oreston · Nov 26, 2017

AgX said:
But on the photo you see a patch between the prism and the rewind.
The model Super has there a meter window, which may have been the cause for the different reflection.
The model Professional though has a plain top cover at that place and thus does not fit the photo.

View attachment 190489

From the model Super versions existed with blank scale selector wheel and lacking a black logo at their right hand side, thus in all these points fitting the photo.

Have a look at this image. The camera he's holding lacks the Super's meter switch on the rewind side of the mirror box and has the lower profile rewind crank of the Professional. Also, although one can't read the model name, it looks to me to be a longer word than "Super" - nearer 12 characters than 5 (and no, the camera looks nothing like the Super Electronic) I think this is a Contarex Professional - although of course it's entirely possible that Herr Faas owned both a Super and a Professional.

Mystery Camera #2 ?

PGraham3

AgX

oreston

AgX

Trask

AgX

AgX

Pioneer

PGraham3

oreston

Attachments

oreston

Attachments

Mystery Camera #2 ?

Attachments

Attachments

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency