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SAMPLES
SUMMARY
The Contaflex I was first produced in 1953 and proved itself to be a rock solid manual SLR. It’s hard to go wrong with Zeiss Ikon etched in the nameplate of your camera. This was the first and most basic version of the Contaflex series. Unlike its future brethren, the Contaflex I did not have interchangeable lens nor the built-in light meter, you’d have to pick up a II, III or IV for those. The Contaflex I features a top quality Carl Zeiss, coated, Tessar 45mm lens with a nice aperture range from f2.8 to f/22 and the Synchro Compur shutter with speeds from 1 second to 1/500, plus Bulb. It also includes M and X flash synch. A Pantar version of the lens is also available. The pentaprism TTL viewfinder is bright and clear and includes a split image focusing screen. The mirror stays up after an exposure blacking out the viewfinder. When the film is advanced it not only cocks the shutter it lowers the mirror back in place, allowing the operator to compose the frame; a nice multiple exposure prevention system. The entire back is removable allowing for ease of film loading, but make sure the removable take up reel doesn’t fall out and roll across the floor. This annoying feature is also present in the Perfex Deluxe. The main drawback with this camera, which keeps it from being the jewel in my modest collection, is the design Zeiss Ikon chose for its TTL viewfinder system. To ensure a bright TTL viewfinder, the aperture diaphragm in the lens opens all the way up between exposures. This means that when set to a small aperture such as f/16 or f/22 the aperture diaphragm must stop down instantly when the shutter is triggered. This may work well for newer SLR systems, but these older models tend to gum up and if using fast shutter speeds, expect overexposed negatives if the aperture blades stick even the slightest. Mine do.
All other combinations seem to function well and the properly exposed images from this camera are a delight. The Contaflex I also features a removable accessory shoe, an integrated film counter in the film advance knob and a film type and speed reminder dial integrated into the rewind knob. The rewind release button is on the bottom of the camera near the tripod mount. The focus dial on the front of the lens is a little awkward to maneuver but overall a solid classic.
CLEANING AND REPAIR
Beware of the Contaflex. It seems most seasoned camera repair people are of the opinion that the Contaflex line of manual SLR cameras is very difficult to work on. After attempting to remove the lens to access the shutter and aperture diaphragm in order to perform a clean and lubrication, I quickly decided it will stay the way it is. I love this camera, but Zeiss Ikon made it difficult to facilitate repairs on the lens/shutter assembly. The two tiny screws on either side of the focus ring are a bear to remove, and once that is accomplished there are apparently two or three smaller screws underneath the ring that must be removed. I backed out of that process quickly. I have since read that the shutter assembly is easier to remove from the inside of the camera, but have not had the heart to try it yet. One day...
Otherwise this camera cleans up well, I just used a soft toothbrush and some M.A.A.S. metal polish to shine up the beautiful steel portions of this heavy, solid camera. Leather cleaner and a soft cloth brought the leatherette back to life, and viewfinder and lens cleaned up perfectly with a 50/50 solution of ammonia and hydrogen peroxide. The optics are perfect, and except for the lazy aperture diaphragm the leaf shutter fires correctly and consistently, while the focus dial and other selector dials move smoothly.
EBAY SUGGESTION
The Contaflex I is the first in a long line of cameras and obviously has its limitations. No interchangeable lens, no meter, etc. However I've seen them on EBay for as low as ten dollars and as high as sixty or seventy dollars. I picked up mine for less than twenty and even though it displays the common problem of slow aperture response, it is worth the money. It's a problem that can be fixed with some effort or easily worked around. The first question I would ask any seller when thinking of picking up any Contaflex model is to verify that they have tested the camera for this defect. It's a simple process no film is needed. Just remove the back, hold the camera in front of a bright light source, set the aperture to f/16 or f/22 and the shutter to B. Cock the shutter by turning the film advance knob and while looking through the front of the lens, fire the shutter by holding down the button. A small dot of light will be seen for as long as the shutter button is depressed. Now, change the shutter speed to 1/500 and turn the film advance all the way to cock the shutter. Fire the shutter. If functioning properly the aperture will stop down immediately and the tiny dot of light will be seen for a split second. If the aperture diaphragm is sticking, a larger circle of light will be seen. Mine generally stops down no smaller than f/8 before the shutter closes. It's very obvious that the aperture is not stopping down fast enough. You can also set the shutter to 1/8 and the aperture to f/16 and really see how long it takes for the aperture to stop down. Again, the workaround is to simply use larger apertures at higher speeds, compromising depth of field in the process, or small apertures at slower speeds. This is a very common problem with all of the Contaflex cameras, so if the camera up for auction is a bit weathered, the chances of it having this issue are pretty good.
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Contaflex Links
Pacfic Rim Camera - Contaflex Index
Matt's Cameras - Contaflex
Contaflex Evolution
Contaflex
Chris's Contaflex List
Contaflex IV
Zeiss Historical Society
Something Zeiss To Say...
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