Difference between revisions of "Contaflex (TLR)"

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(link to the Contaflex patent)
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== Links ==
 
== Links ==
* [http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/pp/zeiss/contaflx/contflxt.htm The Contaflex page at Pacific Rim]
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In English:
* [http://www.tapestry.org.uk/html/35tlr.html The Contaflex in context]: 35mm TLR cameras
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* [http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/pp/zeiss/contaflx/contflxt.htm Contaflex TLR] at [http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/pp/rindex.htm Pacific Rim Camera]
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* Contaflex in context: [http://www.tapestry.org.uk/html/35tlr.html 35mm TLR cameras] at [http://www.tapestry.org.uk/index.html Tapestry]
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* [http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPAT2058086 Patent for the Contaflex TLR] at Google Patents
  
 
{{Zeiss classic}}
 
{{Zeiss classic}}

Revision as of 23:42, 18 January 2007

The original Contaflex is a 24x36 TLR introduced in 1935 by Zeiss Ikon, and announcing the Contax II and III models. The name was reused from the 1950s for a range of 35mm SLRs with leaf shutter, see Contaflex (SLR).

The original Contaflex had the same type of metal focal plane shutter as the Contax I. It also had a built-in selenium exposure meter, and was the first camera in the world with a built-in meter.

The viewer lens was a Sucher-Objektiv 8cm f:2.8 giving a magnified image for the angle of view of the 50mm standard lens. Two lines were drawn on the viewing screen to indicate the 85mm and 135mm frame. The focusing was done by a lever around the viewing lens. The finder incorporated an automatic parallax compensation with focusing. A big button on the right side served to wind the shutter and to set the shutter speed. The rewind button was on the left side.


The Contaflex had a special lens mount, incompatible with the rangefinder Contax models. The range of lenses included:

  • Biogon 3.5cm f:2.8, with a special right angle finder
  • Orthometar 3.5cm f:4.5
  • Sonnar 5cm f:1.5
  • Sonnar 5cm f:2
  • Tessar 5cm f:2.8
  • Sonnar 8.5cm f:2
  • Triotar 8.5cm f:4
  • Sonnar 13.5cm f:4

The Contaflex was one of the most expensive camera of its time. It introduced features that paved the way for the Contax II and Contax III models. But it did not really indicate the way forward, and was more an experimental model. Quite few were sold and today it is a very expensive camera. The lenses made specially for it are yet rarer, and are very expensive too.

Links

In English:

Zeiss Ikon Classic Cameras
Contax | Contaflex (TLR) | Super Nettel | Nettax | Tenax II | Tenax I | Ikoflex | Super Ikonta

Contax S | Contaflex (SLR) | Contarex | Icarex | SL706