Contax camera

PART OF:
The Kodak Museum Collection
Made:
1932-1936 in Dresden
maker:
Zeiss Ikon AG
Contax I camera
    Original Contax

Contax I camera Original Contax
The Kodak Collection at the National Media Museum, Bradford

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.

Details

Category:
Photographic Technology
Collection:
Kodak Collection
Object Number:
1990-5036/4321
Materials:
white metal (unknown) and glass
Measurements:
overall: 76 mm x 140 mm x 65 mm,
type:
35mm camera and rollfilm camera
credit:
The Kodak Collection at the National Media Museum, Bradford