Zeiss Contaflex Super B - a very complex leaf shutter German SLR

[@malcolmtaylor518]

I've got a Contaflex with the wide angle and 115mm telephoto supplementary lenses. The camera is all working even the selenium meter which is cracked. In the hand it has the heft and quality feel of well engineered kit. I love using the camera particularly with black and white film. The contrast from the 50mm is superb. The 115 feels and looks like a cine lens, and gives excellent results if carefully used. This camera has a timeless feel, in the 50's I used to stare in camera shop windows at these unobtainable masterpieces.

[@howpow]

Hi Malcom. You're very lucky to have such a nice setup. They are beautifully made and have that real quality feel. Enjoy!

[@mobiusflight5430]

The Zeiss Ikon flash was a two post unit. One side was the pc socket the other was the retainer

[@howpow]

Hi Mobius, thanks for the information. Cheers, Howard 📸

[@andrewelliott4436]

The Tessar lens is wonderful.

[@howpow]

Hi Andrew. I agree, when it comes to Tessar lens the original Zeiss version is hard to beat. Cheers, Howard 📷

[@andrewelliott4436]

@@howpow Morning Howard, during the late 1960s took lots of pictures of the last British steam trains, using a Contaflex camera. The film was always FP3 (forerunner of FP4) and the developer was always D76 (or ID11 -as Ilford branded it ). In 2006 I took 10 of those 1960s negatives and enlarged them digitally to print at 5feet by 4feet (20 sq feet) for an installation at the University of Durham - which will still be featured somewhere on the DU website. Those Contaflex cameras really do produce very high quality negatives - and they deserve to be respected and taken seriously.

[@howpow]

@@andrewelliott4436 Hi Andrew. England is certainly the place for steam trains and you obviously processed and stored your negatives very well to be able to use them some 40 years later for that amazing project. I was in Britain in 2016 and went on a couple of steam trains plus a trip to the rail museum in York. I actually owned a Contarex Bullseye camera for a while but anything for it cost an arm and a leg so I swapped it for a brand new Nikon F. Anyhow, I digress, the Contaflex range were great cameras with excellent lenses. Cheers, Howard 📷

[@andrewelliott4436]

@@howpow Well ... I think that filing is as important as picture - taking. Around 15 years ago British newspapers were running a photo story about one politician playing croquet: I had a matching picture of the then Prime Minister with a set of gulf clubs - probably worth around £2, 000 at that time. BUT I simply couldn't find it. My fault entirely. Best wishes to you. A.

[@howpow]

@@andrewelliott4436 Could've been onto a winner there. 😀

[@Edubarca46]

Excellent video and a very good help due to the complexity of the camera. Sorry thas most of the video is out of focus but the main aspects can be clearly seen. My camera is exactly the same and I would likevto have it complete. I need the small ring than holds the carrying strap. Only the right one is there, the left one is gone. Any idea where can I get a spare? Thank you again and greetings from Colombia.

[@howpow]

Hi, I'm glad you found the video useful. As for the strap lug, I can only suggest you try to find a cheap broken similar camera and use one from that. Cheers, Howard

[@BarsMonster]

Hehe, have one here in Switzerland in 2024, was was looking how to rewind the film. Thanks alot for the help!

[@howpow]

Hi, glad the video was useful. Cheers, Howard

[@peterkay9050]

Excellent video. I have the Super BC and it is an exceptionally well made piece of kit. I also have the 35mm & 85mm auxiliary lenses. Its crazy to think that these were the equivalent of £2500 when new but now can be had for £25. Its a shame your meter doesn't work as they are lovely to shoot in auto. As I said, great bid (BTW, I also think rangefinders are just the business :) )

[@howpow]

Hi Peter. Thanks for the comment. The Contaflex are beautifully engineered cameras and as you say for very little money these days. Sounds like you really enjoy yours. I haven't put it film through mine yet but I plan to very soon. Cheers, Howard

[@Jiechuang77]

Oh my god, thanks Howard, you know what, I got a Zeiss ikon super B as well. Today I just finished a film, when I rewind it, I met a problem, it encounters a power, it does not rewind smoothly. Then I was looking for a button that release rolls. Since my camera has a special back , it has two meter on the back, and a card, if you search "zeiss ikon super b interchangeable film back you can find what I described. Now I got how to release and then rewind from your video. Forgive my poor English. Thanks you so much, from UK a Chinese man

[@howpow]

Hi, I'm glad that you found the video useful. We have to keep these great old cameras working. Enjoy it. Cheers, Howard 😀

[@malcolmthomas8161]

Thanks Howard. I've been looking forward to an SLR review!

[@howpow]

Thanks Malc. I can always rely on you to make Comment. BTW, the camera is Peg's old camera that she and your dad took to Europe on their holiday.

[@malcolmthomas8161]

@@howpow Oh, is it? I remember the case, but not what was inside!!!

[@howpow]

@@malcolmthomas8161 Now you know. 👍👍

[@frantzgaspardco]

Just got my hands on one. Very helpful video.

[@howpow]

Thanks fonzmarch. I hope you enjoy using it. Cheers, Howard 📷

[@melinamortale945]

thank you Howard! Today I came across my late grandfather's Zeis Ikon and its left me confused so this video has been really helpful. Do you have any tips on how to get the best usage out of it? Thank you in advance for any help :) have a blessed day!

[@howpow]

Hi Melina. If I were you I'd take it to a good camera shop where someone could hopefully check it out for you and show you how to use it. Cheers, Howard 📷

[@clarkmcarthur8179]

Hi Howard, thanks for posting this--I found my grandfather's old Contaflex Super B and it's the first film camera I've ever touched, so everything was quite a mystery to me until I found this video. I do have one question: the lens is stuck, and I am unable to move it at all after pressing down on the release latch. How would you recommend I go about fixing this issue? Would you recommend using some WD-40 around the lens, or something else? Also, the aperture does not visibly move when I adjust the aperture ring. Does this mean that there is a malfunction in this area, too?

[@howpow]

Hi Clark. I think the best idea is to take it to a camera store and let them have a look at it. See what they suggest. Good luck. Howard

[@dflf]

My dad's camera in the 1960's

[@howpow]

You're Dad had good taste 😄

[@ShantelJones-uc2mi]

Where do the batteries go?

[@howpow]

Hi Shantel. There are no batteries. This model has a selenium cell which preceded the requirement for batteries. Cheers, Howard 📷

[@ShantelJones-uc2mi]

I’m really struggling I just got this on my birthday 2 days ago. My view finder is black because the shutter won’t open? I have no idea how to use this baby :(

[@howpow]

@@ShantelJones-uc2mi You could try taking it to your nearest camera store. Someone there may be able to check if it works and possibly recommend a repairer if required. Good luck, Howard 📷

[@devroombagchus7460]

The camera is great, but the taps are ridiculous. Too sharp and tiny. Furthermore, if not used in A, the lightmeter does nothing. You still have to use an external meter.

[@howpow]

Hi, what do you mean by "the taps"?

[@danielraskin7424]

I’m guessing he meant “tabs”.

[@danielraskin7424]

…and btw, thank you for the video. It has been an amazing aid in helping me understand this camera. I have a quick question (probably a foolish one). Mine is missing the little plastic lens that covers the port where I believe the light enters for the meter (top of the front side, below the rewind knob). A.) Do you think this would greatly affect the reading, and B.) do you have any suggestions for a workaround to fix this? I can’t see myself purchasing another camera just as a donor for this piece. I realize question A is probably a foolish question, as previously suggested, because the piece was most likely included in the camera’s design for a reason. I thought I’d ask though, just in case.

[@Jiechuang77]

Hi, I know what you said, the little plastic optic. It works for the meter, you can find the currently aperture and shutter speeds into the viewfinder, light come in through the front lens. It allows you see the meter and shutter speeds. If you can see it without the plastic lens, I suppose that's ok, because you know it's little hard to find a part to repair that. Forgive my poor English, I'm not a native. @@danielraskin7424