Difference between revisions of "Contax rangefinder"
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The '''Contax I''' was a high end 35mm rangefinder camera made by [[Zeiss Ikon]] to compete with [[Leica]] models. It was released in 1932. | The '''Contax I''' was a high end 35mm rangefinder camera made by [[Zeiss Ikon]] to compete with [[Leica]] models. It was released in 1932. | ||
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The rangefinder had a very large base to enable precise focusing. | The rangefinder had a very large base to enable precise focusing. | ||
| + | The Contax I had many small variations during its production. It had a special lens mount to put interchangeable lenses (see [[Contax rangefinder lenses]]). | ||
| − | + | Its successor the '''Contax II''' was released in 1936. | |
| − | + | It was the first camera with a rangefinder and viewfinder combined in a single window. | |
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| − | It was the first camera with a rangefinder and viewfinder combined in a single window | ||
| − | The '''Contax III''' was the same model with an exposure meter. It was one of the first cameras with a built-in exposure meter. | + | The '''Contax III''', also released in 1936, was the same model with an exposure meter. It was one of the first cameras with a built-in exposure meter. |
| − | After the war, the | + | After the war, the Soviet Union captured the tooling and drawings of the Contax as war booty, and transfered them to the city of Kiev, where they began the production of the [[Kiev]] rangefinder camera, as such a continuation of the Contax. |
| − | + | At the same time, the Western part of the Zeiss Ikon company, based in Stuttgart, completely redesigned the Contax and launched the '''Contax IIa''' in 1950 and '''Contax IIIa''' in 1951. | |
== Links == | == Links == | ||
| + | * [http://www.cameraquest.com/zconrf1.htm Cameraquest about Contax I] | ||
* [http://www.cameraquest.com/zconrf2.htm Cameraquest about Contax II/III] | * [http://www.cameraquest.com/zconrf2.htm Cameraquest about Contax II/III] | ||
* [http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-29.html Contax (II-III) Shutter Ribbons (also applies to Kiev 35mm rangefinder models) Repair Notes] | * [http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-29.html Contax (II-III) Shutter Ribbons (also applies to Kiev 35mm rangefinder models) Repair Notes] | ||
| + | * [http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-62.html Contax IIa Shutter CLA] | ||
* [http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/kievspool.jpg Make a Takeup Spool for your Contax or Kiev! (by Henry Fisher)] | * [http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/kievspool.jpg Make a Takeup Spool for your Contax or Kiev! (by Henry Fisher)] | ||
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Revision as of 20:05, 13 December 2005
The Contax I was a high end 35mm rangefinder camera made by Zeiss Ikon to compete with Leica models. It was released in 1932. The rangefinder had a very large base to enable precise focusing. The Contax I had many small variations during its production. It had a special lens mount to put interchangeable lenses (see Contax rangefinder lenses).
Its successor the Contax II was released in 1936. It was the first camera with a rangefinder and viewfinder combined in a single window.
The Contax III, also released in 1936, was the same model with an exposure meter. It was one of the first cameras with a built-in exposure meter.
After the war, the Soviet Union captured the tooling and drawings of the Contax as war booty, and transfered them to the city of Kiev, where they began the production of the Kiev rangefinder camera, as such a continuation of the Contax.
At the same time, the Western part of the Zeiss Ikon company, based in Stuttgart, completely redesigned the Contax and launched the Contax IIa in 1950 and Contax IIIa in 1951.
