Zeiss Ikon CONTAFLEX I User manual

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THE CONTAFLEX   I CONTROLS
         1 Focusing mount
         2 Focusingscale
         3 Distance setting index
         4 Depth of field scale





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         5 Shutter speedsetting ring
         6 Shutter speedsetting index
         7 Aperture ring
         8 Aperture setting knob
         9 Aperture setting index
       10 Synchronizinglever
      For further camera controls see page 42

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   made by zErss rKoN AG., srurrcARTl
   combines the advantages of a miniature
    with those of a reflex camera. Its de-
    sign is based on many years of expe-
    rience in the manufacture of precision
   cameras. While   it has been produced
                for the advanced amateur, it
                  is of equal value to the pro-
              fessional worker, the scien-
                   tist, and the tecl'rnicalphoto-
              grapher.
           The sensible lay-out of the
              various controls and scales,
            and the coupled shutter ten-
              sioning and   f ilm  transport,
              are  designed   f or  efficient
              operation of  this small and
            handy  camera even under
              the most difficult  conditions.
The  large, bright,  parallax-free  finder  is
combined in one eyepiece with the range-
finder  systems. These, together with  the
outstanding  performance  of  the  world-
famous  13lE inch (45  mrr)  zErss TESSAR
f 12.8 lens, ensure pin-sharp pictures every-
time which will always give pleasure.
To make the most of all the nerv features

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of your coNlArLEX please study this in-
struction booklet  carefully.  While  doing
so/open outthefront andback cover pages
for  easier comparison of  the  description
with the illustrations of the camera.
Start by  practising the various operations
of picture taking without a film in the ca-
rnera.  If you are doubtful on any point,
your photo dealer will be glad to help you
rvith further  advice and  information.
We  are sure that you ha.ve rnade a wise
choice in buyirrg the coNrrnF'lrx. \(/e would
like to share vour enioyment, and we shall
appreciate it  if you care to scncl us sorne
of the outstarrdingpictures -vou have takerr
with  lrour  (igN-I'AtjI-ux.





Tlr(   ficlur(   ttn l)dge z  o.l the (rper  '1,.1s tdk(n  fiith  th?
CON'I'AFLIlX   11t r'2rs .s?crrrt.ldt  J'l   in  brill:t  sunliqht.

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                The  rnost prominent  feature  is the larqe
                    briqbt linder which shows the picture in
                    alinost natural size before you take  it. A
                 stepped Fresnel-type field lens evenly illu-
                 minatesthe parallax-free finder image right
                      into  the corners. You observe  it through
                  a pentaprism which shows an upright and
                   right-way round picture at eye-level. The
                    finder indicates the correct field of view
                 evcn  with  the  lens  attachments  or  the
                  supplementary lenses for  close-up photo-
                   graphy.

                The focuslnQ syslem with the split-image
                   rangefinder and the ground  glass screen
                     ring  within the finder measures the exact
                   distance and automaticallv  sets the lens.

                The world-famous zErss TESSAnf/2.8  lens
                    with a focal length of 731a.inches (45 mm)flnn     yields pin-sharp images on black-and-white
                     or colour film.  It  is of course colour cor-
                     rectecl and coated.

                The Sync'l:ro-Compur sbutler, model MXV  ,
                 has shutter speeds from  1 to 1/;oo second





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as well as a B setting for time €xposures
of any duration. The built-in flash contact
permits synchronization with  all types of
flash at the fastest shutter speed. It is also
fitted with a selJ-timer.

All  settings are visible at a glance frorr-r
above.

The  bright, parallax-free, viewfinder and
rangefinder system, the sltrinQ-loaded pre-
selector iris and the coupled fihn transport
and  shutter tensioning mec'hanism make
the camera ready for action at a moment's
notice.

The camera takes 24x36 mm negativeson
35 mrn miniaturcfiln  available in standarcl
daylight  cassettes, daylight  refills,  dark-
room  refills, or  as bulk  film. With  the
special cassettesthe film can be changed
in daylight after any nunrber of erposures
without  rewinding.

The rcirropableback simplifies loading and
unloading as well as cleaning of the camera.

The ttll-mctal botly guarantees tl-reutnrost
mechanical precision of  all conrponents
the hall-mark of zr:rss rxoN Irroducts.

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i-o             Setting  the Aperture
s r O            Depress the button  (8) and  at the same
                  time rotate the black milled ring (7) carry-
                   ing  the aperture scale until  the required
-t'o                  aperture number  is opposite the index (9).
                              If necessary/ the diaphragm can also be€ O
                    set to intermediate values. Vhen  making
              some consecutive exposures it  is recomm-
= o                 endable  to check the  setting before each
                 exposure. As the aperture ring clicks into
: o                position at each setting, you can even set
                   the aperture in the dark by touch only. In
N o                that  case  start  from  one  cnd  pcsition





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and count the clicksto the required setting.
The aperture can be adjusted whether the
shutter  is  tensioned or  not  (see next
section).

Setting the Shutter Speed

Rotate the chromiumplated milled ring (5)
until the black dot (6) is opposite the re-
quired speedfigure (see Fig.2). The milled
ring clicks into position at eachsetting; this
precludes intermediate speeds. The num-
bers indicate fractions of a second (thus
60standsforl/aosecond,and so on).\When
set to B, the shutter remains open as long
as the releasebutton(14)is depressed(see
page 20). For setting the self-timer see
page 24.

To tension the SynchrJ-Compur shutter
turn the winding knob (12) in the direc-
tion of the arrow as far as it will  go. Thisat the sametime advancesthe film by one                                           tiiiiIframe. The coupling of the film transport l,^0,*",
and shutter tensioning makes double ex-
posures and blank frames impossible.All
shutter speedscan be set either before or
after winding the film. Keeping the shutter
tensioneddoesnot harm it in anv wav.                              lI
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                     A  Useful  Hint,  \7hen  winding  the knob
                             don't   just  twiddle    it  round  with  two
                            fingers like a screw. A much more con-
                           venient and quicker way  is to swing both
                       hands simultaneously  in  opposite direc-
                              tions, with one hand holding on  to  the
                       camera body and the other gripping the
                         winding knob (Fig. 3).
                      Vhen   winding  the  shutter, please note
                              that  the  winding  knob  (12)  should be
                         turned until  a positive resistance is  felt,
                          otherwise the shutter may remain closed
                     when operating upon being released.





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 Settirtg  the  clistanee


The  built-in  coupled rangef inder  system
sets the camera to the  correct distance.
tVhen you look through the   f inder eye-
piece (20) you  will see a clear circle en-
closed by u ground glass screen ring  in the
centre of the field of view. This  circle  is
cut in two by a horizontal line (Figs.4
and 5). You can measure the subfect di-
stance in two w&vS:

 t. Siqht a uertical line (t.q. Ibe edqe of
   a  utall, or a  tree trunk) tbrouqb tbe
   finder. On turninQ the  f ocusittg mount
    (r), the imaQe in the upper half of the
   c:ircle will mot)e relatiue to  tbe lower
    halt'. Wben tbe two haloes of the imaQe
   are exactly aliqned, tbe lens is set to
   the correct distance.

2.  lf  the subiect shows no prominent uer-
   ticals, obserue tbe imaQe in tbe ground
   glass rinq. Turn the  f ocusing mount (t)
   to or fro until this imaQe on the ground
   glass is Pin sbarp.


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It is iinmaterial which method lou use; in
either case the lens is automatically set to
the required distance.

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The Depth   of  field   seale

The  sharp  definition  of  the lens  is not
limited  to  subjects at  the exact focused
distance, but also covers a certain range
in  front  of , and behind, this  point. That
zone of sharpness is comparatively small
at  full aperture (f12.8), but increases the
filore you stop down the lens.

The  depth  of  field scale (4) shows the
extent  of             this              zone                         at                         various                                 aperture                       -osettings.       Two               series                        of                        aperture                            numbers
are engraved for  this purpose to the  left
and right of the distance setting index (3).                                       hto
The figures on the focusing scale (2) op-
posite these aperture numbers then  in-
dicate the extent of the depth of field. For

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instance,with the lens set to 6 feet(Fig.6),
the left-hand figure 8  is opposite about
4rlz feet, and the right-hand figure 8 op-
posite about 9  feet. Thus for a subject
6 feet away and with the lens stopped
down to  f/8,  everything between about
4rlz and 9 feet will be sharp. The table
on page 16 gives more exact values.
You can equally go about  it  the other
way round and measure with the range-
finder the nearest and farthest points of
the subject that have to be sharp. Then
simply find the required aperture from
the depth of field scale.
For technical reasoris there is a second scale below
the focusing scale (2), but  it has no bearing on the       ,'l
operation on the CONTAFLEX.
The Correet Erposure                                I
can be obtainedfrom tables or determined
more accurately with the zslss IKoN IKo-
pHor RAIIDphoto-electricexposuremeter.
The exposuretime (shutter speed)depends
on the speed of  the  film,  the general                                Isubject brightness, the aperture, and the          {
factor of any filter that may be used. Do               l
not stop down further than necessaryto

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make sure of the depth of field you want.
Otherwise you may need long exposlrre
tinres which increase the risk  of camera
shake, for  the  srnaller the aperture the
longer you have to expose.The znrss rxoN
rKopHo-r' RAr)r) exposure mcter  clirectly
shows the shutter speed corresponding to
each apcrture. A special rnoclelis available
calibrated  f or the  shutter speecls of the

C O N f A t r t - l t x    I .


Ilememhet'  tltese Busic,Setlirrt!'s:

C)utdoorshotsirr bright sunshine,rvith26
IISI (32 ASA) film:
    Aperturef/B
     Shrrtterspeecl1/r,:;second

Outcloorshotswith overcastsky',
rvith 26' BSI (32 ASA) f ilm,
    Aperture //5.6
    Shutterspeed1/oosecond





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                                      fl;n,     N-l:i$:$





Holding   the eamera
Hold  the coNrAFLEx perfectly  still while
exposing. Support  the camera body  with
the palm of both hands and firmly  grip  it
with the fingers (Fig. 7). Press the thumbs
against the back of the camera. Use the
second finger of the left hand to rotate the
lens mount (1) for focusing, and the right
index  finger  to press the release button
(14). Press the elbows lightly against the
body. You can use either the  left or the
right eye to look through the finder (Figs.
8 and 9).


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Releasing

To  release the  shutter, press the release
button (14).Use  either the tip of the in-
dex finger  (Fig.  14) or  the  first  joint  of
the finger  (Fig.  15), squeezing it down-
wards. This method of releasing is special-
ly recommended, as experience has shown
that   it   is  least  liable  to  cause camera
shake. If by any chance the winding knob
(12) was not wound to  its  fullest extent,
thus advancing  the  film  only  part  of the
wdy, the shutter  will  not open when you
press the  release. This  prevents double
exposures.


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SIPECI A I. F EAT T"IR I15
'         i = H E f   r N T { F I " E X  r

The Finder

The finder image is only visible after ad-
vancing the film and tensioningthe shutter
by the winding knob (12). This at the
same time pushesdown the mirror inside
the camera;you know at a glancewhether
the camera is ready to shoot'
As long as you can see the large bright
finder image, the lens aperture automati-
cally remains fully open. This permits
comfortable and accurate focusing. On
pressing the release button the spring-
loaded iris jumps to its pre-selectedsetting
 just before the shutter uncovers the film'
The coNTAFLExis the  first camera to
 utilize this system. The  finder always
showsthe correct field of view absolutely
 without any parallax error, even with the
 lens attachments or  for  close-ups with
 supplementary lenses' You  can  easily

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                       "follow" moving subjects with the camera,
                         for you see the image at eye-level,upright,
                  and the right way round. The black eye-
                    piece mount (20) unscrews and  will take
                      suitable correction lenses (Order No. 902)
                        to compensate for defects of vision. Even
                                      if you normally wear spectacles you can                                                                                                                                                                                                  f,t
                     therefore observe the  field  of  view and
                     the rangefinder without glasses.


                  Zone  Foeusing

                  To save time  in focusing action subjects,
                    a zone focus setting is provided. Set the
                     aperture to the red figure 8 and the distance
                        to 20 feet, also marked  in red (Fig. 16).
                    Everything from 9 feet to infinity  will now
                   be sharp. According to the lighting condi-
                       tions, set the shutter to  rln,  Lloo,or  rle-,
                                       second.
                                       Another  useful way                                        I
                                                of dealing with action
                                        subiects is as follows.
                                       For  instance, if you
                                     want to get a shot of





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 clrildren at  play, set the  aperrure and
 shutter speed',and focus the lens ar the
 most suitable distance. Now  watch the
 view in the finder, and approach the sub-
 ject until the two halves of the image in
 the rangefinder field coincide, or the pic-
 ture  is sharp on the ground glass ring.
 Then  just check the view once more, and
 release.

 E;rposrtres  frorn   a  Tripor!
The (;oN-r'ArrlF.x can be mounted on a  tri-
 pod (Fig. 17) by means of the tripod bush
 (21). A ball-and-sockethead or similar tri-
pod head  is required  for  upright  photo-
graphs.To avoid camera shake/use a cable
release(see page 3Z); this screws into the
threaded socket in the releasebutton (14).
Always  make  expo-
suresat shutter speeds
slower than   rf:to se-
cond and time expo-
sures from  a  tripod
or other solid supporr.


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Fla.sh Shots and the Self-Timer
The speed-synchronizedSynchro-Compurshutter model
MXV can be connectedto any flash gun. The synchron-
izing lever (10) has three settings(Fig. 18).           e
Witb the leoer set to X the shutter closesthe firing
circuit at the instant when the blades are fully open.
This is the correct setting for electronicflash units.                   ,j
                                                               *
Witb the leoer set to M the shutter closesthe firing
circuit beforethe blades are open; the delay correspondt                                                                                                   \
to the firing delay of most flash bulbs. The M-setting
therefore synchronizes flash bulbs up  to  the fastest
shutter speeds.
 Setting tlte leuer to V brings the self-timer into action'
On pressingthe releasebutton (14) the mirror moves
out of the way and the iris jumps to  its pre-selected
 aperture. The selftimer mechanism then takes about
 8 seconds to run down, after which  it  automatically
releasesthe shutter at the set speed. The self-timer
 will not work with time exposures(with the shutter set
                             to B). \With the self-timerin
                           operation, the  shutter will                   f,
                         synchronize flash  units  in
                           the same way  as at  the
                           X-setting. Always tension
                           the  shutter  by  winding     /
                          the knob (12) before rou   I
                            set the synchronizing  le-                                                                                                 \
                          ver  to v.
                                     24



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         Opening  the Camera
         Hold the coNrAFLExin your
              left  hand  with  the  lens
           pointing  downwards,  and
          the  finder housing against
          the palm of the hand (Fig.
           19). Place the thumb on the
        camera back (18). Lift  the
           locking keys  (19)  in  the
         bottom  of  the coNTAFLEX
           with  the  right  hand  and
           turn  them  to  the  right  or
               left. Slightly push down the
         camera back with  the  left
         thumb (Fig. 20), and lift  off
           with the right hand (Fig. 2l).

          Loading

            First introduce the beginning
            of the film into the long slot
         and hook  it  to  the small
         nose (fig. 22). Vhen  using
          bulk  film the beginning of
          the  film must for  this pur-
         pose  be   cut   obliquely
              (fig . 23).

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