Zeiss Ikon Contessa 35 find

jay moussy · Nov 29, 2022

A very affordable Contessa 35 showed up on local CL, so I stepped in!

In my hands now, unblemished, everything seems functioning.
I am not sure about leaks, or actual shutter speeds. Lens looks good to the naked eye. EDIT: metering is weak, probably not usable.
The quality and finish are great, same as Retinas.

It seems there is a double-exposure mechanism, does not allow cocking until the film chamber wheels are worked out.

Only minor negative, I pulled out the support blade at the back, and it resists going back in. Manual offers no clue on pushing it back. EDIT: Fixed it, not going to mess it again.

Next would be load film, and see what happens.

Huss · Nov 29, 2022

Set the shutter speed BEFORE you cock the shutter.

jay moussy · Nov 29, 2022

Huss said:
Set the shutter speed BEFORE you cock the shutter.

Thanks for the warning(I think?)

GRHazelton · Nov 29, 2022

Mike Butkus' orphancameras.com has the Contessa 35 instruction manual here: https://www.butkus.org/chinon/zeiss_ikon/zeiss_ikon_contessa/zeiss_ikon_contessa.htm Do send Mike some money so he can continue this valuable service.
Somewhere I ran across a site giving info on reviving the meter, although I prefer to use a separate meter. The Contessa 35 is truly a lovely camera! But comparable Retinas are easier to use, and the Voigtlander Vitessa with the f2 Ultron is even easier than the Retinas; the f2 Ultron is excellent.

ericB&W · Nov 29, 2022

I have one and seems a swiss clockwork for the perfection of mechanical parts,
with Zeiss Opton red T .
The selenium light metes still works .

jay moussy · Nov 29, 2022

Extra: there is a sticker inside film compartment, "CALIBRATED 10/29/69"

Calibrated meter, or rangefinder?

Huss · Nov 29, 2022

jay moussy said:
Extra: there is a sticker inside film compartment, "CALIBRATED 10/29/69"

Calibrated meter, or rangefinder?

shutter.

jay moussy · Nov 30, 2022

Huss said:
shutter.

Ah, there are minute tool marks near rim of back lens element, film side, and I was wondering why. 1969 was roughly 15 years after factory assembly. Makes sense?

Huss · Nov 30, 2022

jay moussy said:
Ah, there are minute tool marks near rim of back lens element, film side, and I was wondering why. 1969 was roughly 15 years after factory assembly. Makes sense?

Actually I was kidding, I picked the one thing you didn't list. Calibration normally means the RF. The one I had, had a working meter. What kills those cells if they remain exposed to light all the time.
I would exercise the shutter at all speeds for a little while before using it. Wake it up from its slumber. It is a really nicely made camera - file it under 'they don't make stuff like they used to anymore'.

Lee Rust · Nov 30, 2022

That little support tab on the back is a bit confusing... to retract it, push firmly to the right before pushing in. There's an arrow figure on the tab that serves as a reminder.

Lee Rust · Nov 30, 2022

PS.... the camera must be loaded if you want to exercise the shutter etc, so you'll need an expired or sacrificial roll of film. The shutter locks after frame 36, so after film is inserted you'll also need to rotate the counter to the 'diamond' mark and wind on until the knob locks at Frame 1.

Huss · Nov 30, 2022

Lee Rust said:
PS.... the camera must be loaded if you want to exercise the shutter etc, so you'll need an expired or sacrificial roll of film. The shutter locks after frame 36, so after film is inserted you'll also need to rotate the counter to the 'diamond' mark and wind on until the knob locks at Frame 1.

You can also rotate the sprockets inside the camera that sense film movement if you want to fire it w/o film.

jay moussy · Nov 30, 2022

Lee Rust said:
That little support tab on the back is a bit confusing... to retract it, push firmly to the right before pushing in. There's an arrow figure on the tab that serves as a reminder.

I saw the arrow on the tab, tried to do what it says, no go.
I made a very thin metal blade out of a 3 1/2 diskette metal sliding shield, and poked around hoping to relase a catch or such. Not sure what did it, but got the tab back in!

I lie @Huss suggestion, run the shutter up and down the speed range.

A concern (or not?): any chance of leak? I have looked at the service manual, and there is a short bellows in there.

Truzi · Dec 1, 2022

The tab is tricky, but once you get the hang of it things are easy. Try using less pressure - a gentle approach, and different angles. It doesn't work quite like what one would expect.

jay moussy · Dec 1, 2022

What about the tripod mount in the front door?
I see it is closer to the hinge part.

I guess some MF folders, like Kodaks, had such, in earlier days.

Kodachromeguy · Dec 1, 2022

Mike Eckman wrote about the Contessa:

Zeiss-Ikon Contessa 35 (1950)

This is a Contessa 35 (model 533/24), a compact folding 35mm rangefinder camera made in Stuttgart, Germany by Zeiss-Ikon between the years 1950 and 1955. The

mikeeckman.com

His first camera was damaged but he tried a second example and revised his opinions.

Mike Connealy gets nice results from his Contessa:

Zeiss Ikon Contessa 35

I thought it would be interesting to spend some time with my Contessa 35 after putting a few rolls of film through my Kodak Signet 35. Th...

connealy.blogspot.com

GRHazelton · Dec 20, 2022

jay moussy said:
What about the tripod mount in the front door?
I see it is closer to the hinge part.

I guess some MF folders, like Kodaks, had such, in earlier days.

The front door tripod mount is .... different, at least to modern eyes. My Contessa still has the leather covered threaded plug for the tripod mount! Amazing! Either the prior owner or owners never used a tripod, or were really careful. The little plug could so easily be lost.

Ariston · Dec 20, 2022

It's a cool, tiny camera. Get a yellow filter, because the lens (at least mine) has little contrast.

flavio81 · Dec 20, 2022

jay moussy said:
A very affordable Contessa 35 showed up on local CL, so I stepped in!

In my hands now, unblemished, everything seems functioning.
I am not sure about leaks, or actual shutter speeds. Lens looks good to the naked eye. EDIT: metering is weak, probably not usable.
The quality and finish are great, same as Retinas.

It seems there is a double-exposure mechanism, does not allow cocking until the film chamber wheels are worked out.

Only minor negative, I pulled out the support blade at the back, and it resists going back in. Manual offers no clue on pushing it back. EDIT: Fixed it, not going to mess it again.

Next would be load film, and see what happens.

Congratulations! The camera won't operate properly without film. The film, when moving, moves the sprockets which then liberate the shutter release.

Ariston said:
It's a cool, tiny camera. Get a yellow filter, because the lens (at least mine) has little contrast.

Probably your lens needs cleaning.

jay moussy said:
Extra: there is a sticker inside film compartment, "CALIBRATED 10/29/69"

Calibrated meter, or rangefinder?

Most likely the rangeifinder. Every time you disassemble the lens (for cleaning), the rangefinder-lens alignment needs to be calibrated so the focus point is correct.

Be sure to read the manual. The 1/500 speed should be set only BEFORE cocking the shutter. The other speeds are fine if you set them after cocking.

Practice shooting! The index finger can get jammed with one of the levers, preventing correct shutter timing. Ergonomics are horrible in this camera but everything else is so nice!

guangong · Dec 20, 2022

As far a build quality, Steve Gandy compares the finish on Contessa folder with a 1949 Buick.

jay moussy · Dec 20, 2022

guangong said:
As far a build quality, Steve Gandy compares the finish on Contessa folder with a 1949 Buick.

is... is it good or bad?
It is a beautiful piece of machinery, and very few modern objects compare.

I just took the camera for a test at a chamber music performance last Sunday, and it was appropriately quiet in operation!
Awkward ergonomics take a while to get used to. Hard to read the shutter speed dial as it is right in the shadow of the rangefinder blob.

Ariston · Dec 20, 2022

flavio81 said:
Probably your lens needs cleaning.

No, it's crystal clear. Just an older design. I'm assuming it has no coating, or just a coating that is inferior to more modern designs. A yellow filter helps.

GRHazelton · Dec 20, 2022

jay moussy said:
is... is it good or bad?
It is a beautiful piece of machinery, and very few modern objects compare.

I just took the camera for a test at a chamber music performance last Sunday, and it was appropriately quiet in operation!
Awkward ergonomics take a while to get used to. Hard to read the shutter speed dial as it is right in the shadow of the rangefinder blob.

guangong said:
As far a build quality, Steve Gandy compares the finish on Contessa folder with a 1949 Buick.

Umm....I checked Steve Gandy's Cameraquest.com, and he notes that he hasn't seen as much chrome and brass since his father's beloved 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser.
I saw no mention of a Buick. The Contessa's build quality might more properly be compared to a '30s vintage Packard. "Ask the man who owns one" was Packard's slogan of that time, IIRC.

flavio81 · Dec 20, 2022

Ariston said:
No, it's crystal clear. Just an older design. I'm assuming it has no coating, or just a coating that is inferior to more modern designs. A yellow filter helps.

It does have coating at all surfaces. Single-coated Tessar lenses are supposed to be contrasty. There are only three optical groups there (!)

Something must be wrong with your lens or camera. For example, a plethora of tiny micro-scratches at the front surface can wipe off contrast. Same with haze.

Or perhaps you are not covering the lens against flare / peripheral light sources.

guangong · Dec 21, 2022

GRHazelton said:
Umm....I checked Steve Gandy's Cameraquest.com, and he notes that he hasn't seen as much chrome and brass since his father's beloved 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser.
I saw no mention of a Buick. The Contessa's build quality might more properly be compared to a '30s vintage Packard. "Ask the man who owns one" was Packard's slogan of that time, IIRC.

A Packard dealership was down the street from my high school, and as I remember them, compared with other cars at the time, rather reserved in their use of chrome.
I couldn’t recall the exact quote...but the general idea not only holds, but is probably more expressive (massive chrome grill, chrome make believe portholes alongside hood, etc.).

Zeiss Ikon Contessa 35 find

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