Episode 7: Zeiss Ikon Contina Matic II (Review and Sample Images)

[@maxwright9733]

I really loved this video so much. I got lucky and picked up one of these in great condition at an estate sale and you’ve taught me so much and I also just love how much you seem to enjoy the camera :)

[@henrysiegertsz8204]

And the coolest thing about the camera, is someone of your youthful age has discovered the beauty and simplicity of it. I have a 1962 Ikon Contessa LK. With the same lens hood, however mine has the leather full case. This is essential in order to preserve the selenium light sensor which will deteriorate if left constantly in daylight. I advise keeping it in your camera bag as much as possible!

[@positivelynegative7753]

Thank you for the lovely comment!

[@akoako37]

A good intro to Zeiss Ikon. I have one Contina. Will try loading a roll of film and test it out . Thanks for your video,

[@positivelynegative7753]

Thank you! I hope it goes well!

[@fredericeeckman3002]

I love mine, found it years ago in mint condition and... with the leather case, brand as new.

[@positivelynegative7753]

Lucky! They're beautiful tools.

[@Notso_Wild_Bill]

Picked up a Contessamatic E, beautiful on the outside, sticky on the inside. Have to finish putting, a repaired Neoca 2S, back together. Hope my little Contessa sounds as good as yours.( if, and when I get it ticking). Thanks for the video, gave me some umph to get it done.

[@positivelynegative7753]

Nice! I'm sure you'll get it going. They're lovely little cameras. Good luck!

[@jllanesphoto]

Great review. Great camera.

[@positivelynegative7753]

Thank you! It really is.

[@lukehaywood-jennings1344]

I bought this camera today for £25 :) Thanks for the video, this has really helped!!!

[@positivelynegative7753]

Great deal! Glad I could help.

[@redataoussi]

Got the same camera from my father that he bought in the 60s! But the shutter is stuck? Do you have some tips?

[@positivelynegative7753]

I'm sure it only requires a service (called a CLA). There should be a local camera store or technician near you who could do it quite cheaply and get it going good as new. Assuming there's nothing seriously wrong.

[@lindawilson4634]

Got a Contina with litemeter(dead) and novocar 2.8 lens with the rubber hood like yours. No markings other than Contina & Zeiss logo, so can’t ident model. The meter door /cover similar to yours but diff lens. Any ideas on what version this maybe? Whatever, love the little cam especially the red dot feature you mentioned. Thanks for really neat video!

[@positivelynegative7753]

Hi Linda, Thank you for the lovely comment. Zeiss's naming conventions are pretty infuriating. It's really difficult to figure out exactly what model of camera you have. I'm not sure why they decided to be so vague! Try and look at this link: camera-wiki.org/wiki/Contina Maybe your camera is listed there. My guess would be that there were many different combinations of lenses, shutters, light meters, etc. depending on the price of the camera. Somebody out there would be able to tell you which lens was the best, but that someone is not me! I think they're all great little cameras in any case. I really enjoy mine and I'm glad to hear you love yours too. Good luck in your search for answers!

[@GreyGhost-r4z]

If Zeiss Ikon is in the name, the lens sharpness is amazing. I have a 1960’s version, the Contessmat SE that I purchased for $4. Disassembled it. Did a CLA. The photos it takes are amazing. I could lie to the World and tell everyone the images are from a $20K Leica and people would be amazed. 😂

[@positivelynegative7753]

Zeiss doesn't have a great reputation for nothing! Sounds like you got a bargain.

[@lindawilson4634]

Managed to ident my Contina. It’s a IIa, later model. Evidently IIa’s have two versions. Early type has small slits in the litemeter cover, separate hi/ lo readouts on meter dial and green colored area for EV readout. Later model simpler dial, solid litemeter door and framing around viewfinder window. Indeed Z-Ikon has weird or no system of product ident, including no markings on cam other than Logo. Fun cam though. Again, good video.

[@positivelynegative7753]

Good sleuthing! I'm glad you could figure it out!

[@qwasd0r]

How is the light meter on your Contina? I have a Contina II from the 50s with the same feature and I've been told that it degrades over time, making it very unreliable.

[@johnmckenna8989]

...Selenium light meters have no battery, but they do wear out over time as the selenium degrades....Most of these cameras had leather cases which kept the light meter in the dark(not working) when not in use...It is best to store the camera in the dark to prevent the selenium from decaying if the meter is working....Possibly fashioning a black cover for the meter eye (between shots) when shooting in brighter light would also extend it's life....The meter is not critical, but if you can extend it's life , you should , as it would slowly die eventually, giving false readings as it does.....John (west coast,Canada)

[@TheRandalljburke]

thank you so much. this video has been very helpful

[@positivelynegative7753]

Glad it was helpful!

[@physicaldetails8492]

Great camera I have similar one

[@830Video]

accidentally won this in an auction for 30 bucks, youre the first real person ive seen own this too lol

[@positivelynegative7753]

Sounds like a bargain to me! That's part of the reason I make these videos - I've often got cameras that don't seem to be very popular online and have basically no information available. Just trying to help where I can.

[@jllanesphoto]

Nice video, thanks

[@positivelynegative7753]

It's a pleasure!

[@jacovanlith5082]

In the old days a professional photographer was somebody who could made his living by making high quality photos. All professional photographers are extict now. Today a lot of persons are running around with one expensive camera, a too fast lens, a spotmeter, a small carbon fiber tripod and an underpowered electronic flash set. Telling everybody he is a Pro, because his girlfriend says so. His needed lenses and other gear he rents for one day. He shoots with High Speed Synch. His sensor speed setting is allways fixed at 100 ISO, because he was told that the noise problem starts at 200 ISO. Most of his photos have very few depth of field. Without photoshop his photos are crap. With photoshop his photos stay crap. In an argue he exposes himelf being an artist. He has never been in a photo dark room, though he tries to give his digital prints a filmish look. The todays Pro is not graduated. He can not earn his living by making photos, so he is a vlogger, a tester of new gear and an influencer. He claims to be a photography teacher on you tube. Hs bedroom is his studio. His friend has a motor car. The show off types are a technical editor of a photo magzine.

[@jacovanlith5082]

I do not like to push a ( B & W ) film It causes information lost / change It increases the contrast It causes unsharpness It causes grain. All film brands can be pushed andd pulled All film speeds can be pushed and pulled All B&W positive and negative films can be pushed and pulled All colour films can be pushed and pulled. Why should you as there is enoough choice of film speeds?