Contarex model 1 with Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm f/2 lens (1960).

The first Contarex was generally available in 1959, the same year as also Nikon and Canon introduced their 35mm SLR cameras. However, the Contarex came with a built-in external exposure meter, and it was coupled to the aperture wheel by means of an aperture simulator, as well as to the shutter and film speed settings. In just a few years TTL full aperture metering was introduced by Topcon and the race was on. Never before had a camera such’s a impressive been put on the market, it was the biggest , heaviest and most lavish camera of its kind ever to be built. The first Contarex consisted of 1100 parts and weighted 910 grams and was a very expensive camera compared to its competitors of Nikon, Topcon and Canon. The range of high quality lenses and accessories was long.

Production : 1959—1966.

Maker: Zeiss Ikon.

Lens mount : Zeiss Ikon Contarex

Focusing : Manual by means of a knob on the right side of the lens.

ASA range : 5-1300

Finder screen : Ground glass ( not interchangeable )

Flash : Front contact.

Flash speed: 1/60 sec.

Shutter  :  Horizontal focal plane shutter. 1/1000sec. to 1 sec and B

Metering system :  Photo electric selenium meter

Exposure modes : Manual

Dimensions: 153x98x63mm

Weight : 910 gram.

Lens : Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm f/2.8 chrome lens . (1960)

Production: 1960-1969

Type:  Standard lens.

Angle of view : 47⁰

Lens construction : 4 elements in 3 groups.

Aperture system : Automatic

Minimum aperture : F22.

Closest distance: 0,35cm

Filter size:  B56

Length : 44mm

Weight: 210 grams

This camera has no interchangeable focusing screen and the film speed is in ASA setting.

It is a working camera but we cant tell the accuracy of all the speeds and light meter. This camera is 59 years old. It is a nice camera but not to be compared with a new one.