Zeiss Ikon Contaflex Super with Images

[@soldierloz]

A most super video there Gavin! I have just bought one of these as I wish to join the world of vintage photography. Beautifully presented and totally understandable for a novice like me. A handshake from me to you my friend. Laurie

[@angelgrace1175]

Gavin, thank you so much for this review! I fell in love with this fun little tank of a camera, and purchased one! It had a roll of modern film inside and I didnt know how to get it out once the roll was used. I couldnt figure out how to get it to release the film and I heard the sprockets tear the film. SADNESS! Tips would be super helpful! Would you be willing to do a video on how to load and unload film for this camera?

[@brettrogers8482]

You can pre fire the mirror (and the capping plate!) using the self timer. But it won't *lock* the mirror up. As soon as you wind on the advance lever, you cannot prevent the mirror descending again. It's not "locked up". In practice, of course, the pre release is just as useful in eliminating vibration.

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

@@brettrogers8482 Ah thanks for the tip!

[@joolstacho8114]

Yes lovely presentation Gavin. Nice relaxed presentation -and of course that nice Irish 'brogue' can't be beat! I also have a Contaflex, and I also have that 38mm wide angle lens. But I haven't run any film though it yet. looking forward to using it, (along with my M645 PRO). Need to buy the film. Thanks again Gavin, nice work. I sold my darkroom stuff years ago, but I'm thinking of doing my own B&W neg developing now... All I'll need is developing tank and chemicals. Idea then is to photo-scan them to digitise. I've set up a copy stand I can mount my D90 on, which works well digitising 645 trannies.

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Thank you very much !!

[@jimatherton291]

Really nice presentation and sample photos. I’m eyeing a super b at the moment in a local shop.

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

HI Jim, Thanks for you comments, They're super solid camera! You can even get swappable film back for them!

[@ZainRiza]

That lens looks wild!

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

The lens for Contaflex are not so expensive in comparison to the Contarex. Big different. I really do like the 35mm. I'm going to try a standard 50mm on a entire roll. But Im a sucker for 35mm and 24mm

[@rchu1678]

Hi, I had the same camera. However, the viewer window was all dark. The whole camera looks functioning properly. Is there any idea which button or combination of dials will release the shade? BTW I had been seeing the screen working before, allowing me to do the split image focusing. Thanks

[@earthboy9622]

The viewer will go dark until you advance the film for a shot.

[@devroombagchus7460]

As far as I know, you don’t have to adjust the film sensitivity of the lightmeter with the adapters. You just have to be aware that the maximum light sensitivity of the adapters is f 3,2 to f 4. So, any light reading between f4 and f22 will be accurate, adapter or not.

[@RichardStroffolino]

Got this camera from my great uncle, sadly needs a CLA that I can't justify right now. I was shocked to see this supports removable film backs on 35mm! The linked apeture-shutter speed mechanism feels a little fragile (at least in my camera), but otherwise agreed, a total tank!

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Thanks for your comment. The camera's leaf shutter makes servicing rather expensive I guess. Is it working at all ? Yep the film backs are mad, I try a few times to get one but end up with the manual - dodgy ebay sellers and their descriptions! Have you tried a roll or two film in the camera yet?

[@RichardStroffolino]

@@GavinLyonsCreates Sadly no, the shutter release feels like it's completely disconnected. Shame because the optics looks like they are in good shape and the meter still works.

[@wrt142]

Damn in the second picture you have a graffiti of зачем those guys are legends

[@veraicon1]

IHi, thank you for your very informative video. I just found my grandfather’s Zeiss Ikon Contaflex Super, and I would like to get someone to check it out for me. I would like to use it, but I am not sure if the shutter is jammed, I cannot see anything when I look through the viewfinder. Where would I go to have someone clean this camera up, and make sure everything is working? Any advice is appreciated! Thank you so much!

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Hi Veronica, Probably start by taking it to a camera store that sells second hand cameras. Usually you find one in a large city. It maybe something quite simple, as the Contaflex is hard to break and it's very reliable. However if the shutter is broken its near impossible to fix, as leaf shutter are complicated to repair. I hope that helps. Good luck, it's worth shooting film in this camera because of the built in light meter and the Zeiss glass.

[@ShantelJones-uc2mi]

What big lens is that?

[@rogeliofilm]

Is the lens removable and adaptable for mirrorless camera?

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

@@rogeliofilm Not a chance, sorry to say! Pretty much unique to this camera

[@rogeliofilm]

@@GavinLyonsCreates that is sad to know.

[@brettrogers8482]

@@rogeliofilm It's fucking brilliant. Keeps them affordable for those of us who use lenses on their native bodies.

[@gabrysgabriukas]

It was made in west germany or east?

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Hi Medenis, This one was made in the west. I've another video 'why Zeiss stopped making camers ?'- kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGmsXmt3dsiKqbM

[@Ccels5765]

Hi I just found this camera amongst my grandpa’s belongings and am eager to take it out! Do you have any suggestions on the settings for a similar film? I.e. shutter speed, aperture, best film. Any suggestions would be much appreciated :)

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

Hi there, To start out I'd use a 100 ISO or 400 ISO film. If you haven't developed film before, then stick with a color film from Kodak or Fujifilm. This way you can find a place easier to develop the film and make print for you. Most countries in the world still develop color film while B&W film is always a bit more challenging to find a lab that will do it for you. Then load up and keep an eye on the light meter in the camera to see if your exposure is correct. Aperture wise 5.6 or 8 is a good place to start. Ensure to set the film DIN (ISO) up on the camera so that the light meter works correctly. The manual for the camera can still be downloaded from www.cameramanuals.org/zeiss_ikon/zeiss_ikon_contaflex_super-02.pdf Hope that helps, have fun shooting Gavin