Solid-body coupled rangefinder camera for 35mm film 24x36mm. Zeiss Tessar lens F:5cm f/2.8-22, No 1543338. Tube errected, helical focusing coupled to coincidence type rangefinder (faulty), depth of field scale. Metal vertical running focal plane shutter 23/50/100/200/500/1000/T. Direct vision optical finder, seperate from rangefinder. Rotary frame counter; accessory shoe. Lens interchangeable, on three point bayonet mount. Sliding mask for tele lens over viewfinder. No A U 65520.

Original Contax, made by Zeiss Ikon in Germany from 1932 to 1936.

Zeiss Tessar lens F:5cm f/2.8-22, No 1543338. Tube errected, helical focusing coupled to coincidence type rangefinder (faulty), depth of field scale. Metal vertical running focal plane shutter 23/50/100/200/500/1000/T. Direct vision optical finder, seperate from rangefinder. Rotary frame counter; accessory shoe. Lens interchangeable, on three point bayonet mount. Sliding mask for tele lens over viewfinder.

The Original Contax, or Contax I, was a 35mm rangefinder camera. It was made as a competitor to the Leica II. A poll was taken amongst employees to pick a name. The camera was designed to have more accurate focussing, faster loading and lens interchangeability, and a faster maximum speed than the Leica II.