A review and results of the Zeiss Ikon Contaflex IV & Ilford HP5+. First a detailed look at the camera and achieved results taking corona guidelines into account!
In the latter 1950s, there were three series of 55mm SLRs based on leaf shutters and partial or wholly interchangeable lenses. These were the Contaflex (here), the Kodak retina Reflex series, and the Voigtlander Bessamatics. All three camera series were tied to the Synchro-Compur leaf shutter, which made operation of a SLR extremely complex, all done mechanically. Voigtlander and Kodak pushed features and lens development farther than Zeiss, having optics with a wider range of focal lengths and overall better quality. The complexity of the camera mechanics made them prone is problems more than other types of cameras, expensive to make and very expensive and technically challenging to repair. Overall, Voigtlanders were probably the best quality and least troublesome. The advantages of the focal plane shutter over the leaf shutter killed these types of cameras by the mid-1960s, but Voightlander stayed with theirs the longest and ended with its "Ultron" models, which are two of the most beautiful 35mm cameras ever made, and offered a "Septon" 50mm 2.0 (7 element) lens which was probably the best lens of the type at the time, and still stands as a very nice lens to use if you can find a working body to mount it on.
I have three Contaflexes. A IV, a II and a Super versions. It was the first camera I ever had when I was fourteen. It was a II. Excellent results over the years. Even now sharp and precise. The Super model has speed and aperture in bright display in the finder. Very convenient ! Excellent German manufacture.
Back in the mid-1970's, in order to assess how to handle a leaf shutter 120 roll film camera, I bought a Contaflex III and IV via Shutterbug Ads. Eventually, I bought a 35mm and a 115mm lens for this "system." All in all, I found that I didn't miss a film wind lever, since this "Contax 35mm SLR" was for deliberate photographers who needed X (electronic flash) synchronization at all speeds. When the experiment was concluded, I found a Shutterbug Ads buyer and moved on to a Bronica ETR system. If I needed speed or longer lenses, Ye Olde Nikkormat FTN or Nikon F2 were available for action or Orchid photography work.
Little bit late here. Great video. Immediate subscription. Would like to give one advice to everyone who's getting Contaflex camera. It's very important to use the shutter as frequently as possible to keep it working. Many times otherwise pristine Contaflex cameras have shutters freezed because of lack of use. I have made myself a habit to shoot blanks at least once a month with my Contaflex to keep it working.
Informatieve video. Dank hiervoor. Morgen krijg ik van een collega deze camera cadeau. Volgend weekend gaan we naar de Ardennen en wil ik hem uitproberen, waarschijnlijk met Ilford Delta 100. Ik ben heel benieuwd. Groeten! Peter de Koning uit Boxtel (parttime professioneel fotograaf, werkend met Fujifilm X).
I loved your video!!! I live in Berlin, Germany, and my father taught me as a boy on a Zeiss-Ikon Contaflex IV, sadly his was lost in a house fire back in the 90s, and it broke my heart. I have been looking for a working version of this camera plus its accessories and haven't been able to find one around here. Could you maybe help me to find one? I would be so very grateful! It seems like the Netherlands has many camera enthusiasts for 35mm cameras like this. I learned on this camera, as well as Mamiya C330s and Mamiya RB67, and Mamiya 645 Pro TL, which I still use. I also used Olympus and then changed up to Canon EOS 3, and later Canon EOS Digitals. But the Zeiss-Ikon Contaflex IV is very close to my heart and I would love to have one in my hands again. If you could point me in the right direction, I would be very very grateful. Thanks for this video, you really made my day with this! - Antonio Rodriguez, Berlin, Germany.
Great video. I recently purchased one in wonderful condition except that the light meter doesn't work. I downloaded a light meter to my phone and will try to use that. Any suggestions?
Just bought one. Will be my first SLR camera lol. Luckily the original manuals are still available for download but this video was also very helpful. Thanks! stay safe
@@tamwana8175 Hey mate, but ofcourse! I've bought the contaflex II and downloaded and printed this manual: www.cameramanuals.org/zeiss_ikon/zeiss_ikon_contaflex_ii.pdf
Thank you, good question. I just tested this by taking off the lens so that I have a better view of the aperture. Then I put the shutter to bulb, the aperture to f22 and deactivated the lightmeter by closing the cover. I can absolutely confirm that you indeed can disregard the lightmeter and go totally manual.
In the latter 1950s, there were three series of 55mm SLRs based on leaf shutters and partial or wholly interchangeable lenses. These were the Contaflex (here), the Kodak retina Reflex series, and the Voigtlander Bessamatics. All three camera series were tied to the Synchro-Compur leaf shutter, which made operation of a SLR extremely complex, all done mechanically. Voigtlander and Kodak pushed features and lens development farther than Zeiss, having optics with a wider range of focal lengths and overall better quality. The complexity of the camera mechanics made them prone is problems more than other types of cameras, expensive to make and very expensive and technically challenging to repair. Overall, Voigtlanders were probably the best quality and least troublesome. The advantages of the focal plane shutter over the leaf shutter killed these types of cameras by the mid-1960s, but Voightlander stayed with theirs the longest and ended with its "Ultron" models, which are two of the most beautiful 35mm cameras ever made, and offered a "Septon" 50mm 2.0 (7 element) lens which was probably the best lens of the type at the time, and still stands as a very nice lens to use if you can find a working body to mount it on.
I have three Contaflexes. A IV, a II and a Super versions. It was the first camera I ever had when I was fourteen. It was a II.
Excellent results over the years. Even now sharp and precise. The Super model has speed and aperture in bright display in the finder.
Very convenient ! Excellent German manufacture.
Back in the mid-1970's, in order to assess how to handle a leaf shutter 120 roll film camera, I bought a Contaflex III and IV via Shutterbug Ads. Eventually, I bought a 35mm and a 115mm lens for this "system." All in all, I found that I didn't miss a film wind lever, since this "Contax 35mm SLR" was for deliberate photographers who needed X (electronic flash) synchronization at all speeds. When the experiment was concluded, I found a Shutterbug Ads buyer and moved on to a Bronica ETR system. If I needed speed or longer lenses, Ye Olde Nikkormat FTN or Nikon F2 were available for action or Orchid photography work.
Really great video! Easy to understand, really well structured too
Little bit late here. Great video. Immediate subscription. Would like to give one advice to everyone who's getting Contaflex camera. It's very important to use the shutter as frequently as possible to keep it working. Many times otherwise pristine Contaflex cameras have shutters freezed because of lack of use. I have made myself a habit to shoot blanks at least once a month with my Contaflex to keep it working.
Thank you, good advice!
Great camera. Wached your video and orderd a contaflex for myself. Very glad. Thank you for review)
I like my Contaflex II. It is very basic and totally manual. Works great all the time and I love it with Kodak TX400.
Informatieve video. Dank hiervoor. Morgen krijg ik van een collega deze camera cadeau. Volgend weekend gaan we naar de Ardennen en wil ik hem uitproberen, waarschijnlijk met Ilford Delta 100. Ik ben heel benieuwd. Groeten! Peter de Koning uit Boxtel (parttime professioneel fotograaf, werkend met Fujifilm X).
Een leuk vooruitzicht! Ben benieuwd naar de resultaten!
I have one and use it constantly. I also have the auxiliary lenses for it.
I loved your video!!! I live in Berlin, Germany, and my father taught me as a boy on a Zeiss-Ikon Contaflex IV, sadly his was lost in a house fire back in the 90s, and it broke my heart. I have been looking for a working version of this camera plus its accessories and haven't been able to find one around here. Could you maybe help me to find one? I would be so very grateful! It seems like the Netherlands has many camera enthusiasts for 35mm cameras like this. I learned on this camera, as well as Mamiya C330s and Mamiya RB67, and Mamiya 645 Pro TL, which I still use. I also used Olympus and then changed up to Canon EOS 3, and later Canon EOS Digitals. But the Zeiss-Ikon Contaflex IV is very close to my heart and I would love to have one in my hands again. If you could point me in the right direction, I would be very very grateful. Thanks for this video, you really made my day with this! - Antonio Rodriguez, Berlin, Germany.
Great video. I recently purchased one in wonderful condition except that the light meter doesn't work. I downloaded a light meter to my phone and will try to use that. Any suggestions?
Lovely B&W images! I'm using the Super Contaflex with 35mm adapter (definitely recommend btw). If you use the self timer it works like a mirror lock.
Thank you! Good point!
Just bought one. Will be my first SLR camera lol. Luckily the original manuals are still available for download but this video was also very helpful. Thanks! stay safe
Thanks and enjoy the camera!
Hi Hamish, could you please share the manuals? Thanks
@@tamwana8175 Hey mate, but ofcourse! I've bought the contaflex II and downloaded and printed this manual:
www.cameramanuals.org/zeiss_ikon/zeiss_ikon_contaflex_ii.pdf
Thanks mate for the link and your prompt reply, cheers
I have enjoyed this, I inherited a Contaflex, but I am not sure of the model, I believe it’s a beta
I have a Voigtlander Brillant V6 and i will buy a Contaflex IV
Thank you for the video! very helpful
Nice video, very helpful
Thank you!
I see in another video a man putting ISO 800 Iin a contaflex. I have your same model, probably this one doesnt have 800 ISO?
Interesting and helpful. Can you disregard the meter and go totally manual?
Thank you, good question. I just tested this by taking off the lens so that I have a better view of the aperture. Then I put the shutter to bulb, the aperture to f22 and deactivated the lightmeter by closing the cover. I can absolutely confirm that you indeed can disregard the lightmeter and go totally manual.
The light meter is uncoupled, ie stand alone and the camera can be used without it
Do you have problems with the slow shutter speeds ? I have 2 and they both have problems with 1s to 1/4s. 1s behave like 2s, 1/2 likes 1 etc.
6:02 The reason why you can't adapt these lenses. Part of the "Almost" interchangeable lens is built inside the camera!
Thank's for the clarification?
I found it for 30 euros. Do you recommend buying it?
First make absolutely sure it works correctly. If so, then 30 euro's is a good price. Good Luck!
@@ThePhotographyMinimalist Thank you!!
Is this X10?Subscribe. ^^