"Contina-matic"
For 1959, Zeiss Ikon added an integrated exposure meter into their Contina and called it "Contina-matic" II and III. (The III enabled attachment of three interchangeable lenses.) The mechanism connecting the camera body to the shutter assembly of the Contina-matic II and III is different from the Contina II and III. I am stumped to find a non-destructive way to disassemble the exposure meter's integration between the body and the shutter assembly.
I have the factory service literature for the Contina Ia and IIa updated in 1955 and the 1956 supplement for the Contina III, but have been unable to find any for the Contina-matic cameras. I found only one reference to the elusive 1958 Contina-matic service manual, listed on the website of the late John Craig, as follows:
*90237. CraigCamera Reprint: ZEISS CONTINA I, CONTINA (MATIC) II, CONTINA (MATIC) III, 1958 72pp, fully illustrated. Reprint of the original Zeiss factory service manual on these three models. Identified as Contina I (10.0602), Contina (matic) II (10.0613), Contina (matic) III (10.0622). Includes exploded views, parts lists, service and adjustment information. $25.00
I followed the instructions to contact his widow by email, but a week later I received an eccentric reply email with irrelevant historical quotes and a note that the business is closed...and yet the website is still active. Inquiries to third parties as to the disposition of Mr. Craig's collection (digital or otherwise) have been in vain.
Please, if anyone can share the Zeiss Ikon Contina-matic 1958 service and repair manual, knows a good source or has personal Contina-matic experience to share, please reply here or message me. If you have had your Contina-matic serviced by someone, please share the repairman's name.
Thank you!
Zeiss Ikon Contina-matic III:
For 1959, Zeiss Ikon added an integrated exposure meter into their Contina and called it "Contina-matic" II and III. (The III enabled attachment of three interchangeable lenses.) The mechanism connecting the camera body to the shutter assembly of the Contina-matic II and III is different from the Contina II and III. I am stumped to find a non-destructive way to disassemble the exposure meter's integration between the body and the shutter assembly.
I have the factory service literature for the Contina Ia and IIa updated in 1955 and the 1956 supplement for the Contina III, but have been unable to find any for the Contina-matic cameras. I found only one reference to the elusive 1958 Contina-matic service manual, listed on the website of the late John Craig, as follows:
*90237. CraigCamera Reprint: ZEISS CONTINA I, CONTINA (MATIC) II, CONTINA (MATIC) III, 1958 72pp, fully illustrated. Reprint of the original Zeiss factory service manual on these three models. Identified as Contina I (10.0602), Contina (matic) II (10.0613), Contina (matic) III (10.0622). Includes exploded views, parts lists, service and adjustment information. $25.00
I followed the instructions to contact his widow by email, but a week later I received an eccentric reply email with irrelevant historical quotes and a note that the business is closed...and yet the website is still active. Inquiries to third parties as to the disposition of Mr. Craig's collection (digital or otherwise) have been in vain.
Please, if anyone can share the Zeiss Ikon Contina-matic 1958 service and repair manual, knows a good source or has personal Contina-matic experience to share, please reply here or message me. If you have had your Contina-matic serviced by someone, please share the repairman's name.
Thank you!
Zeiss Ikon Contina-matic III:
Last edited:
