Zeiss Ikon Contessa - Found My Everyday Rangefinder

Colorado CJ

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Well, I think I found my new EDC (every day carry) rangefinder, a Zeiss Ikon Contessa 35.

I bought it from eBay for $49.00. The shutter needed cleaning, but everything else was excellent, the meter still works and matches up to my Gossen Luna Pro F. The rangefinder is BRIGHT and contrasty, it's very easy to focus. Has a great Zeiss Opton T Tessar 45mm f2.8 lens. The Contessa is built extremely well also, typical Zeiss quality. It's one of the nicest built cameras I own.

The best thing is its size. When folded, the camera is TINY!

Here it is next to my Gossen Luna Pro F

Canon 50mm F1.5 Sonnar Test 3 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

And next to a can of pop

Zeiss Ikon Contessa by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr
 

kb244

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Very nice. My favorite Zeiss which I unfortunately no longer have and would love to re-acquire was a 1937 Zeiss Ikon Nettar 515 that was 6x4.5.

Ilford HP5+ printed onto Agfa Brovira Glossy #6


It looked something like this and very tiny like yours.

 

flavio81

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Colorado CJ,

I have one but i have never shot any roll with it! It is too cute for me to risk it taking it outside...
 

chip j

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Yes, I have a Contessa too. Very Jules Vern-looking opened up.
 

GRHazelton

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I have a Contessa, but I paid a deal more than you! Congratulations! I was able to score the everready case, and a filter adapter. As you've probably noted the lens is threaded on the OUTSIDE. These good folks came through for me: filterfind.net/Home.html They are good for odd requests like this.

It is gorgeous camera! The fit and finish is superb. It personifies quality. My other camera which is comparable in fit and finish is the Vitessa L with the f 2 Ultron. The Vitessa is perhaps a better every day shooter, but the Contessa is a real treat to use or just to admire as a work of mechanical art. With these cameras we are custodians, not merely owners.
 

Ron789

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At $49, with a working light meter, you got yourself an excepional deal. Congratulations! I have one with the original leather case (which is also a beauty) but the lightmeter on mine is dead. Nevertheless, it's my favourite travel camera. On holidays this is all I take with me. It has brought me many great pictures. Maybe the most beautiful 35mm camera ever built? I've been told that this was Zeiss Ikon's masterpiece to show the world that the German camera industry was back on its feet after WWII.
 
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Colorado CJ

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Thanks everyone.

I do have a Zeiss Super Ikonta C with a Tessar 105mm f3.5 lens as well. I just picked it up a few weeks ago in almost mint condition for $100.00. It is a larger camera though, won't fit in my back pocket like the Contessa can.

Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta C by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr
 

kb244

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Looks quite clean, how's the optics and shutter?
 
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Colorado CJ

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Colorado CJ

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Hatchetman said:
I have same Contessa but shutter only does 1/100. Beautiful piece of equipment.
Click to expand...

Mine barely worked when I got it.

I took the lens off the camera completely, then took the shutter apart and cleaned it with naptha. I had to realign the rangefinder afterwards, but that wasn't too hard using a small ground glass and a 10x magnifier.

The shutter now fires correctly on all speeds, from 1/500 down to 1 second.
 

Theo Sulphate

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Impressive test results.
 

Harry Stevens

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And they ask why people still shoot film........What beautifull wonderfull cameras nearest I come is my pair off Kodak Retinas IIc.......
 

HiHoSilver

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That little Contessa always seems like the original Retina to me. 'Had the Super Ikonta out yest. grabbing a shot of the snow while the power was out. You're right about pocketability. The Ikona works if you have a large coat pocket. I often keep it loaded w/ same film as the 35mm slr & use the slr to meter so I don't have to bring a separate meter. For normal pockets, the Mrs. bought me a Retina. 'Love them both, but the aging focus patches take a long time for me. But then the Oly XA takes time also. 'Maybe why I use rangefinders less than slrs.
 

guangong

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The Zeiss Contessa is a wonderful machine. I could never find an affordable one in the same condition as yours. However, I have several Super Ikonta Bs (post war) that are my 120 large pocket cameras. I am envious of that beautiful Super ikonta C for only $100. Lucky guys, both of you.
 

pbromaghin

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I have a 1937 6x4.5 SuperIkonta with the Tessar and a 1952 531/16 6x6 with the Novar. Yes, they are fiddly, but so rewarding to use. Here are examples from the first roll through each.


 

flavio81

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I can vouch for the clarity of the rangefinder. However the viewfinder has no frame lines and this is a bit disturbing to me.

Please do post more photos made with the folding Contessa!!
 
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Colorado CJ

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Well I processed my first roll tonight. These are just quick snaps from around the yard and walking around as I was waiting on tires being installed on my truck. I shot a roll of Tri-X and developed it in Pyrocat MC for 13 minutes.

I like what I see! The meter worked well, even shooting directly into the sun. The rangefinder is very accurate. The lens is plenty sharp, even wide open, and there isn't really any flare to speak of.

Zeiss Ikon Contessa Test Roll 1 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Zeiss Ikon Contessa Test Roll 2 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Zeiss Ikon Contessa Test Roll 3 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Zeiss Ikon Contessa Test Roll 4 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr
 
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Colorado CJ

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I won a bid on a Kodak Retina IIa a few days after receiving the Contessa, won it for $29.00. It arrived yesterday.

While I like the IIa, the build quality just isn't there compared to the Contessa. The IIa feels kind of hollow, less robust compared to the contessa.

I fully plan on loading the IIa with some film and testing it out once I clean it up, but for right now, my vote definitely goes to the Contessa.

The IIa and Contessa are near identical in every dimension when they are closed though. Here's a few comparison photos.

Zeiss Ikon Contessa vs Kodak Retina IIa 1 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Zeiss Ikon Contessa vs Kodak Retina IIa 2 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Zeiss Ikon Contessa vs Kodak Retina IIa 3 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Zeiss Ikon Contessa vs Kodak Retina IIa 5 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr

Zeiss Ikon Contessa vs Kodak Retina IIa 6 by Andrew Marjama, on Flickr
 
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