Zeiss Ikon Contarex Pro User manual

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         Operational camera parts
     1 Distance setting ring (focusing ring)
     2 Aperture setting wheel.
     3  Lever for delayed action device.
     4 Aperture scale.
     5  Aperture setting mark.
            Distance setting mark, with depth of field scale.      ," 6
     7 Red dot, for lens change.
     8  Distance scale.
     9 Push button, for lens change.
     10 Flash socket, with locking device for special flash plugs.
     11 Shutter release button with screw thread for cable release.
     12 Film speed reminder disc.
     13 Retractable rewind lever.
     14 Setting mark for reminder disc 12.
     15 Accessory shoe with cord-free flash contact.
            Shutter speed setting mark.l[    16
             Sliding button, for raising the mirror.$    1T
     18 Film plane indicator mark.
            Rapid film transport lever.rtll    19
f    20 Frame counter dial.
! j    21 Opening, for viewing of film reminder disc.
ltr;   22 Shutter speed scale.
pi         Reference numbers 2g-g2 refer to the illustration on the rear cover
               ftap.
.I    23 Eyelet(s) for carrying strap.$
F   24 Guide fork (must engage with the film cartridge).
     25 Viewfinder eyepiece, with removable correction lens mounting.It'ri   26 Slit for introduction of negative tiiling strip.
    27 Bayonet fitting on lens, to take firters and lens hood.
     28 Film channel with sprocket wheels, which engage in the film perfo-
              ration.
     29 Film take-up spool.
         Camera back tock.h   30
                   setting, for rewinding film.-,   31 "R"
t    g2 Tripod socket.

Loading camera and unloading
 Before loading the camera, activate the rapid film transport tever 19
 until it comes to a stop. Then raise the two carnera back bolts 30, rotate
 them in mutually opposite directions, and remove the camera back.
 Insertion of film
 (Do not perform this operation in direct sunlighil)
 lnsert the film leader in the slot of the take-up spool 29, which has been
 removed from the camera. Engage the second or third perforation hole
 in the special slot-protrusion, wind the film twice around the spool, and
hold it. Now insert take-up spool and cassette into the camera in such
a way that the film perforation is engaged on both sides by the sprocket
wheels 28.
Replace the camera back from above in such a manner that one half
of the film width is still visible. From this position push the camera back
home, and lock it.
Setting frame counter and control of film transport
Position the white mark on the black milled ring of the frame counter
dial 20 three units ahead of that number which corresponds with the
number of frames on the film which has been inserted.
Pull up the retractable rewind lever 13 and rotate it in the direction of the
arrow until a distinct resistance is felt. This serves to tauten the film in
the cassette, where it normally lies somewhat loosely. Next operate the
shutter release 11 and rapid film transport lever 19 alternately, two times
each, to bring the white mark to the number which corresponds with the
total frame number of the film. ln doing so, the rewind lever should
rotate in the direction opposite to the arrow. This serves as an important
control to see that the film is being transported properly.
The frame counter always indicates the number of unexposed frames
that remain. After the final exposure (frame counter indicates "1") do
not operate the rapid film transport lever 19 again, but rewind the film.
Removing the film
Raise the left camera-back bolt 30 and set it to "R,,.
Rotate the extended rewind lever 13 in the direction of the arrow until
a slight resistance is felt (as the film releases itself from the take-up
spool). only now should both camera-back bolts be opened. Remove the
camera back and take out the film cassette.
Always keep the take-up spool and the film channel clean!
The film reminder discs
These serve only as a memory aid, and have no influenceonthefunction-
ing of the camera.
The film speed reminder disc 12 carries the film speed values in DIN and
ASA, while the disc below the window 21 bears symbols to indicate the
type of film being used. This latter disc can be rotated by means of the
small button on the frame counter dial.

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The focusing screEns
The ability to change focusing screens at will means that  focusing
 methods can be selected to suit all kinds of conditions.
The Fresnel screen 20.1310 (with split-image wedge rangefinder and fine-
 grain focusing ring) is the standard viewing screen supplied with the
 camera.
The viewing screen 20.1311 is of basically similar construction, and is
 intended for focusing with lenses having a focal length of 250 mm or
more (e. g. the tl4-250 mm ZEtss oLyMptA-soNNAR or the f/+.s-soo mm
ZEISS MIROTAR). This screen differs from the standard Fresnel sjcreen
 20.1310 in that it does not have the concentric rings, and in addition it
 has a bevelled front edge. lt gives a good bright viewing image, making
 possible rapid and precise focusing.
The ground glass screen 20.1312 is to be recommended when it is
 desired to have a control of sharpness over the whole picture area. This
 is mostly the case with close-up work, and when using close-up attach-       ,l
ments. lf there is sufficient illumination the depth of field can even be
checked with the lens stopped down, before operating the film transport
 lever. The ground glass screen is also useful for hand-held telephoto
shots, which often present visual difficulties in the use of the wedge
 rangefinder or the fine-grain focusing ring. The focusing screen 20.1914
(ground glass screen incorporating split-image wedge rangefinder)
combines the advantages of ground glass focusing and wedge range-
finder focusing.
The clear glass screen with cross lines20.1313 (photomicrographyscreen)
is designed for photography through the microscope and through
endoscopes.  lt is further useful in cases where, due to too small a lens
aperture, the wedge rangefinder on the viewing screen 20.1310 can not
be satisfactorily used and where the lighting conditions are not suffi-
ciently good for focusing on the ground glass area.

Changing the focusing screens
First the camera lens must be removed (see page 13). Then push the
retaining spring A on the front edge toward the front (illustr. 1) until the
frame containing the viewing screen hinges downward. The screen can
now be gripped on the protrusion provided for this purpose with the
speoial tweezers, and carefully removed (illustr. 2).
lmportant: Do not toucfr the mlrror!
By following the reverse of the procedure described above the required
viewing screen is inserted.
The frontal protrusion must fit exactly into the recess in the frame B
(illustr. 3). lf it does not, then the screen has been inserted the wrong
way round and must be reversed. Finally push the frame B up once again
until the retaining spring A can be heard to snap into position.

Take care: Try never to touch the
viewing screens with the fingers, but
only with the special tweezers from
the container 20.TO74. Remove dust
with a soft hair brush!





                                Fig. 1





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                                 Fig. 2





                                 Fig. 3

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 Fig. 4 Focusing with fine-grain         Fig. 5  Focusing with split-image
        focusing ring.                           rangelinder.

Focusing the camera (lllustrs. 4 and 5)
Look through the viewfinder and adiust the focusing ring 1 until the split
image visible in the centre ol the viewing area combines into one inte-
grated image or, in the case of subject matter which has no distinct
outlines, until the image in the fine-grain focusing ring is as sharp as
possible. The distance which has been set can be read off opposite the
setting mark 6 on the distance scale 8.

Setting the lens aperture
The lens aperture is set by turning the wheel 2. The desired aperture
value must be positioned opposite the setting mark 5. The aperture to
be used is dependent on the depth of field required. The smaller the
aperture number, the larger is the lens opening, and the more limited is
the depth of field. (ln the case of the /4.5 21 mm BIOGON the aperture
 is not set through the wheel 2, but on the lens itsell.)
The depth of field available at any distance setting can be read off on
the lens. To the right and left of the setting mark 6 the aperture values
are engraved. The depth of field extends from the distance which is
indicated opposite the appropriate aperture value on the left to the
distance opposite the same f-number on the right-hand side. (lllustr.6).

Fig. 6


With the use of the ground-glass screen the depth ot lield can also be
controlled directly, provided that the film transport lever has not been
 operated previously.
More detailed depth of field data are to be found in the special depth
of lield tables. The distances are measured trom the film plane, whic*r
 is indicated by the special mark (line through circle) 18.
The depth of field scale can also be used for "zone focusing". This is
particularly useful where rapid action is involved. The lens is set in such
a way that, with an appropriately chosen aperture, the required depth
of field is encompassed by that aperture. No further focusing is then
necessary.

Setting the shutter speed
Lift the ring 22 and rotate it until the required shutter speed lies opposite
the setting mark 16. Do nct use intermediate settings!
The shutter speed is dependent on both the lighting conditions and on
the rate of movement ot the subject matter. The faster the motion, the
shorter the exposure must be. The ligures on the scale 22 represent
fractions of a second,  (i. e. 60 indicates  r/aoth sec., etc.).
At the "8" setting the shutter remains open as long as the release
bulton 11 remains deoressed.

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shutter speed and lens aperture are interdependent. The shorter the
exposure time, the larger must the lens aperture be, and vice versa.
The correct time-aperture combination is dependent on the film speed,
the illumination and, when using filters, on the filter factor. The correct
time-aperture setting can be determined from exposure tables, while
even greater precision can be obtained through the use of the ZEISS
IKON photo-electric exposure meter IKOPHOT CD (illustr. 7). In the case
of colour films, which must be exposed very correctly, the exposure
meter is virtually indispensible.

Releasing the shutter
Depress the shutter release button 11 genily, without jerking. On doing
so the mirror will rise, the pre-selected aperture will be set on the lens,
and the focal plane shutter will operate at the speed which had been set.
Aftenvards the mirror will immediately return to the viewing position,
but the lens aperture remains set to the selected value. The latter serves
as a reminder that the rapid film transport lever must be operated again
before another exposure can be made.





                                  Fig.7

Use of the delayed action release
       First tension the shutter through operation of the rapid film transport
       lever, and then push down the lever3 as faras itwillgo. Afterdepressing
      the shutter release 11 some twelve seconds will pass before the shutter
       is actually, and automatically, released. During this process the lever 3
       will return to its normal position.
    Time exposures (with shutter setting "8") are not possible with the
      delayed action device.
     The delayed action lever can also be set to intermediate  settings, thus
      giving accordingly shorter delayed action times.
    Flash photography
    The focal plane shutter of the OONTAREX permits the use of all types
      of flash equipment. Provided that the correct shutter speed is used, the
      instant of firing is automatically regulated to always assure correcily
     timed ignition for the various types of flash bulbs as well as electronic
      flash. The respective correct shutter speeds are indicated by coloured
      figures, thus:
    white    (1 to t/ooth sec., as well as "B") for use with short-peak flash
                bulbs (type M) as well as electronic flash.
    Yellow   (t/aoth sec.) for use with electronic flash.
    orange  (r/rusth to r/roooth sec.) for use with long-peak flash bulbs
                (type FP), which are specially produced for use with focal
                plane shutters.
    The correct aperture for any particular type of flash can be derived
     from the appropriate flash guide number and the shooting distance.
     This aperture is then set with the wheel 2. The delayed action device
    can       be used for flash photography, at all shutter speeds from 1 to        r/roooth           second.
    The plug of the flash unit is inserted into the flash socket 10. In the case
     of a special safety plug, the locking lever on the socket 10 should be
     pushed in the direction of the arrow in order to lock the contact. The
      flash gun or unit may either be attached to the camera accessory shoe
      15, or it can be fixed with the use of a flash bracket and thecameratripod
     socket 32.
     with flash guns and units having a cable-free shoe contact the electrical
     connection with the camera is achieved direcily through the special1
     contact in the accessory shoe 15.
I    Special flash lenses
    (The reference numbers used in this section apply only to the illustra-
     tions 8 and 9).
    PLANAR t/2 50 mm with automatic flash exposure control
    DISTAGON f/4 35 mm with automatic flash exposure control

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 Use ol lhese lenses without automatic flash control
For this purpose the lens must be set in such a way that the orange
triangle 3 lies opposite the setting mark 2. lf this setting is not already
correct, push the key 5 toward the camera and then use it to get two
marks to coincide, (see illustr. 8).

Use of these lenses with automatic flash conlrol
Here the appropriate guide number of the llash source must be set. For
this purpose the lens has the special guide number scale 4, on which
the following guide numbers can be clicked into position:

       12    14    17   20         28     34     40                       80

                               90      1't0    130          180          260

The white scale applies to the distance setting in meters, and the orange
scale is for use with the distance setting in feet. For the sake of better
clarity the figures printed small in the table are not engraved on the lens,
although special intermediate click-settings are provided for them on the
lens.  lf the required guide number is not included in the table,  i. e. on
the scale 4, then the numerically nearest smaller guide number should
be set.
Positions between the special click-settings must not be used. To set
the guide number press the key 5 toward the camera, and then use  it to
bring the correct guide number opposite the setting mark 2 (see
illustr. 9).

Fig. 8                                        Fig.Fig. 99





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To take a picture aim the camera, focus with the aid of the split-image
     wedge rangefinder, and release the shutter.
        In the case of subjects having some depth, use an intermediate distance
       setting. The aperture necessary lor a correct exposure is set automa-
        tically through focusing. Use of the aperture setting wheel on the camera
       is thus eliminated.  lt is not necessary for the aperture to be on a
       specific full f-number setting. In order to safeguard against wrong flash
      exposures the distance setting is automatically blocked when the distance
      becomes too short for the guide number.
      At the far end of the scale the distance setting is not limited. The
       furthest distances to which the automatic flash control can be used can
      be found from the following table.



           Guide                          I                  Furthest Distance
          number            et"n"r.  f 2 50 mm       oistaoon  f 4 35 mm                          I                           I    m   I  feet  aperturemlfeetlaperturemlfeet
           10       32       2          c       16    4         2.5        I
           14        45       2          7       22    4         3.5       11                                                                               |           20        oc       2         10       32    45                16
           28        90       2.8       10       32    4                  22                                              )7           40       130       4        10       32    4     |  10        32
          co       180       5.6       10       32    5.6 I  lo        32
           80      260      8        10       32    810             32

\t

*l   Changing lenses

     Removing lens: Depress the button 9 and at the same time rotate the lens
       in a counter-clockwise  direction as far as it will go. This will bring the
      red dot on the lens opposite the red dot 7 on the CONTAREX. In this
       position the lens will automatically release itself from thecamerabayonet
      socket (illustr. 10).

       Insertlng lens: lnsert the lens into the bayonet socket in such a way that
      the red dot on the lens and the red dot 7 on the CONTAREX coincide,
lri    and then rotate the lens to the right until it locks into position. In doing
       this the button 9 will be seen to spring out. In inserting the lens it does
       not matter whether  it is set to infinity, or to any other distance. lt is also
       immaterial to which aperture the CONTAREX  is set.

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                                                                                        \
 Fig. 10

On insertion of the lens the aperture setting is automatically limited to
the maximum aperture of the lens in question.
The CONTAREX lenses can be changed in full daylight without in any
way endangering the film in the camera, but the open lens socket in the
camera should not be exposed to direct sunlight.
On removing the flash lenses from the bellows attachment care should
be taken that the two triangular marks lie opposite each other.
One special case: For insertion of the t14.5 21 mm BIOGON, which
extends far into the body of the CONTAREX, the shutter must first be
tensioned and the mirror raised, by means of the sliding button 17. The
1114.5 21 mm BIOGON can then be inserted, observing the rule "red dot
opposite red dot". The red dot on the rotating rear section of the
BIOGON must furthermore be brought into alignment with the red dot
on the lens mount. For viewing purposes the special 2'l mm viewfinder,
which fits into the accessory shoe 15, should be used. fne t|4.5 21 mm
BIOGON has such a great depth of field that an estimated distance setting
suffices. At f/5.6, for example, this depth extends, at a setting of 1.7
metres, from 86 cm to infinity. Insertion of the BIOGON does not involve
the loss of a lilm frame. On removal ol the BIOGON the mirror automa-
tically drops again.
(For technical reasons the first exposure after insertion of the BIOGON
can not be made with the delaved action release.)

Fig. 11





The negative titling facilitY
This device - used in conjunction with either the standard camera back
or with an interchangeable magazine - enables data concerning the
photograph to be transferred directly onto the film at the time of expo-
sure. it is merely necessary to write the required data onto one of the
strips provided, which is then inserted so far in the slit 26 in the camera
back that a slight resistance can be felt (see illustr' 11)'
when writing on the strip the "step" should be at the upper left-hand
side. The writing itself must lie within the area bounded on the strip by
two small holes (see illustr. 12).
The data strip should be inserted into the slit in such a way that the
writing appears the right way round when looking at the camera back
("step,, to the right). The writing will appear on the processed film in a
4 mm wide strip along the edge of the negative or transparency  in
question. lf it is at all possible,  it is advisable to write the data onto
the strip with white ink. This yields the best results.  lt is, of course, also
possible to write on the strip with any other kind of ink or paint. In order
to be sure that the writing will be clearly visible on the negative or
transparency, care should be taken to see that the relevant edge of the
film corresponds with a fairly bright part of the subject matter (e. g. light
 wall, open sky, etc), if this is at all possible.

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   For this purpose the viewing screens 20.1310, 20. 1311 and 20.1314 are
   marked with lines which indicate in the viewfinder exactly that area
   which the data strip occupies on the film area. The data strip area should,
   of course, not contain important parts of the picture image,  if possible.
  The abovementioned viewing-screen  outlines make control of this easy.
   After making the exposure, do not forget to remove the data strip again
   immediately, so as to avoid the transfer of wrong data onto the following
    pictures.





        Supplementary equipment and accessories
Reference
       no.    Lenses and viewfinder
    11.2402   BIOGON t/4.5-21 mm
    20.1 500    Viewfinder for Biogon t14.5-21 mm
    11.2408   DfSTAGON  t12.8-25 mm
    11.2414   DISTAGON  f/2-35 mm
    11.2403   DISTAGON  f/4-35 mm, with automatic flash control
    11.2401   PLANAR f/2-50 mm, with automatic flash control
    11 .2501   TESSAR f/2.8-50 mm
    11.2415   S-PLANAR f/4-50 mm
    11.2407   PLANAR f/1.4-55 mm
    11.2404   SONNAR f/2-85 mm
    11.2417   TESSAR f/3.5-'115 mm for bellows attachment
    11.2405   SONNAR  f/4-135 mm
    11.2409   OLYMPIA SONNAR f/2.8-135 mm
    11.242'l   OLYMPIA SONNAR tl4-250 mm with leather carrying case
    20.1629   ZEISS monocular tele attachment 8x30 B
               (to give working focal length of 400 mm)
    20.1639    Adapter ring to above, for Planar 50 mm and Tessar 50 mm

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             Supplementary equipment and accessories
        Reference
               No.
             23.7757    Leather case for Distagon t2.8 25 mm and f 2 35 mm,
                     Planar 55 mm and Sonnar 85 mm
            23.7758    Leather case for 135 mm lenses
             23.1203    Leather bag for ZEISS monocular tele attachment
             23.7694    Carrying traps for leather cases, (single)
             23.7838    Leather container for lens hood 20.0710
                         (21 mm-35 mm lenses)
             23.7837    Leather container for lens hood 20.0712
                       (50 mm-135 mm lenses)
             23.2001    Leather container for 1 filter, or 1 Proxar
                     attachment, or 1 CONTAPOL, O B 56

                       Protective caps
             20.0609    Lens cap for 21 mm to 135 mm lenses
             20.0624    Lens cap for Sonnar 250 mm
             20.0625    Rear lens cap for 25 mm to 250 mm lenses
            20.0626   Rear lens cap for Biogon 21 mm
             20.0627    Protective cap for Cohtarex housing

                     Other accessorles
             20.0001    Take-up spool
             20.0504    Eye-piece correction lens, + 0.5 to + 5 diopters
             35.0207    Eye-piece shield
             20.0281    Cable release with locking device
             20.0002    Tripod socket adapter bush
                        (Translator's note: Please check this!)
             20.0300    Gassette, with core and container,
'1"                       (for exchange of partially exposed films)
             20.0301    Spool core for cassette 20.0300
             23.0211     Carrying strap, with attachment facility    I                          (for camera without ever-ready case)
tI
    I                  Gopylng and photomlcrography accessories
             20.1617    Bellows attachment
             20.1631    Effects box for bellows attachment
             20.1636    Adapter ring for 20.1631 with Planar  f 2 50 mm
                20.'1634    Angled telescope with adapter piece
             20.1628    Adapter ring for micro attachment
             20.1616    Connecting head for micro attachment
               20.1 853   REPROPHOT universal copying unit
             20.1850    Table copying unit
             20.1826     consisting  of : 1 table clamp
             20.1819               1 column 32 O x 600             20.1828               1 tripod head adapter
             20.1824               1 tripod head
            20.1852    Lighting equipment
             20.1810     consisting  of : 1 cross joinl 32122
             20.1820               1 lateral bar 22 x 600
             20.1808              2 light bars 15 x 400
             20.1808             2 light bars 15x400
            20.1812              4 cross ioints'15i15
             20.1813              4 reflect6rs with hinoed bar

Care of the CONTAREX
It is advisable to carefully clean out the entire film channel area of the
CONTAREX as well as the inside of the camera back with o soft hair
brush at regular intervals. (Take great care not to scratch the shutter
blind!) Dust or fluff at the focusing plane or on the mirror may be
carefully removed with a soft hair brush, after removing the lens. Finger
marks on the lens surface and on the viewfinder eye-piece can be
carefully cleaned off with a soft linen cloth. But remove dust first with a
soft hair brush.

Manufacturer's number
Every CONTAREX bears a manufacturer's number (figure, preceded by a
serial letter) in the housing. Each lens, too, has its own number.
 It is advisable to keep a note of these numbers. They can prove helpful
when making a claim in case of loss.

And one final note:
Both your photographic dealer and the photographic advice department
of the ZEISS IKON-VOIGTLANDER  will gladly supply advice and infor-
mation on all photographic questions, free of charge.
Address: Fotoberatung ZEISS IKON-VOIGTLANDER, 7. Stuttgart, Post-
fach 540, W. Germany.



We reserve the right to make alterations in the interest of technical
progress.

zBlss ll(oN
I Englisch I  GA110.2712 Printed in Germany Author: W. Kaiser 1 0666/16-1