Contina Ic and IIa

Fixed lens, scale-focusing cameras from Zeiss Ikon.

 

Zeiss Ikon Contina Ic with 45mm f/2.8 Pantar lens. (Color photos of the cameras in this review were made with a Nikon F, 55mm f/3.5 Micro-Nikkor-P.C, and Portra 400.)

 

Continas were high quality cameras for the popular market

The Zeiss Ikon Continas were viewfinder cameras made in Stuttgart, Germany for the upper tier of the popular market. They are fixed-lens cameras with no rangefinder. You estimate the distance, and set the lens for that (scale focusing). There were several variants. I have two Continas; a Ic and IIa.

 
 

Glen Echo, Md. Arcade Building, Glen Echo Park. Zeiss Ikon Contina Ic, 45mm f/2.8 Pantar, HP5+, 2025.

Contina Ic

This model was made from 1958 to 1960 (McKeown, 1996). The lens is a 45mm f/2.8 Pantar. I think this is the best-designed Contina model because it has:

  • An extra large and bright viewfinder,

  • No unsightly meter door (because no meter), and

  • ‘Contina’ is inscribed in very stylish cursive on the front.

 

Zeiss Ikon Contina Ic with 45mm f/2.8 Pantar lens.

 

Contina IIa

This model was made from 1956 to 1958 (McKeown, 1996). The Zeiss Ikon model number, 527/24, is embossed in the leather on the left side of the back.

The lens is a 45mm f/2.8 Novicar-Anastigmat. The camera has an uncoupled selenium meter inside the door next to the viewfinder window. To use it, flip up the door. The meter on mine doesn’t work, and that’s ok because I use a hand-held meter or the sunny 16 rule.

 

Zeiss Ikon Contina IIa with 45mm f/2.8 Novicar-Anastigmat lens. (This photo was made with a Nikon F, 55mm f/3.5 Micro-Nikkor-P.C, and Portra 400.)

Custom motorcycle Pacific Palisades, Calif.: Coast Highway at Sunset Blvd. Zeiss Ikon Contina IIa, 45mm f/2.8 Novicar-Anastigmat, Tri-X, early 2000s.

 

Assessment

Matanle (1986) likes the Contina, finding it ‘…a solidly built, heavy and reliable camera capable of fine pictures’. The Rollei 35 is another scale-focusing camera with a fixed lens of similar focal length and aperture. Because it’s smaller and has a higher-spec lens, I use the Rollei 35 more than the Contina.

Maintenance and repair

Neither of the two Continas (IIa, Ic) has had any maintenance (under my ownership) yet.

 

Getty Center Los Angeles. Zeiss Ikon Contina IIa, 45mm f/2.8 Novicar-Anastigmat, Tri-X, early 2000s.

 

References / further reading

Camera manual: orphancameras.com

More references:

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. The Continas are on p. 455.

Small, M.J. and C.M. Barringer. 1995. Zeiss Compendium: East and West — 1940-1972, West Sussex, England: Hove.