Zeiss Ikon Contaflex III

Compact 1950s German 35mm SLR

35mm SLR in the 1950s

The Contaflex is a leaf shutter SLR that was in production from 1953 to 1972, with the Contaflex III variant made from 1957 to 1959 (McKeown, 1996). As a 1950s SLR, it was an innovative design in the pre-Nikon F era, before the 35mm SLR had reached maturity.

At less than half the price of the Leica IIIf and Contax IIa, the target market was advanced amateurs, and professionals for use as a back-up camera (Small and Barringer, 1999). Kind of like, a German 1950s equivalent of Nikon’s Nikkormat line.

**Ceremony Coffee** Bethesda, Md. Zeiss Ikon Contaflex III, 50mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Tessar, FP4+, 2023.

**The lens is superb, but not fast.** Despite the small maximum aperture, viewing is very bright and focusing is easier than some 1960s Japanese SLRs that lack a split image.

The leaf shutter added complexity

Leaf shutter SLRs are complex. Because the leaf shutter is forward of the mirror, it needs to be open to let light in for framing and focusing. Meanwhile, the film is shielded from light by a separate, door-type shutter located to the rear, behind the mirror.

When the shutter button is pressed, a string of actions takes place. The leaf shutter closes, the mirror flips up, the rear shutter opens, and the exposure is made by the leaf shutter opening and closing. Upon advancing the film, the rear shutter closes, the mirror goes back to its down position, the leaf shutter opens, and the camera is then ready for the next exposure.

Why the leaf shutter?

The leaf shutter design was not the right move. While it made for a compact design, Japanese competitors opted for the focal plane shutter in 35mm SLRs. They captured the market while Zeiss Ikon struggled and ceased camera production in 1972.

**Ceremony Coffee Roasters** Bethesda, Md. Zeiss Ikon Contaflex III, 50mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Tessar, FP4+, 2023.

My Contaflex is not the most reliable…

The complexity of the Contaflex shutter operation is similar to that of the Hasselblad, but its reliability is not. My Contaflex suffers from intermittent light leaks which I believe are due to incomplete closure of the rear shutter when the film is advanced.

Matanle (1996) likes Contaflexes, describing the original model which is very similar to mine, as ‘a beautifully simple, classically engineered camera capable of superb results’. However, ‘To use Contaflex equipment on a regular basis, you need to be fairly devoted to the marque and prepared to own several and meet repair bills as they arise’ — not encouraging!

**The Confaflex has lens-centered controls.** Everything’s there, including shutter speed. The Hasselblad is similar. Which makes sense, since they’re both SLRs with Synchro Compur leaf shutters.

… but I like it

When the Contaflex works, maybe 2/3 of the time, the results are good. The lens is top notch, the viewfinder is bright, and it has very clear split image focusing. It is easy to frame and focus. I like using it.

It’s a compact, good looking camera that gets more than its share of compliments.

**Halloween cookies** at Breads Unlimited, Bethesda, Md. Zeiss Ikon Contaflex III, 50mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Tessar, FP4+, 2023. The store clerk exclaimed, “Oh, what a cute camera!”

Maintenance and repair

I’ve not done any maintenance on this camera, but it does need a shutter repair.

References / further reading

Matanle, I. 1986. Collecting and Using Classic Cameras. London: Thames and Hudson.

McKeown, J.M. and J.C. 1996. McKeown’s Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 1997-1998. Grantsburg, Wis.: Centennial Photo.

Small, M.J. and C.M. Barringer. 1999. Zeiss Compendium: East and West — 1940-1972, 2nd ed. West Sussex, England: Hove.