Zeiss Ikon Contina I User manual

Venmo @mike-butkus-camera  Ph. 2083
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Shutter Speed: The correct shutter    "stop" for short) depends on the depth
speed to be chosen depends on the   of field desired (see page 8). The
amount of movement of the subject.    smaller the f/number, the larger is the
The faster the subject movement, the    actual opening of the diaphragm.
shorter should be the exposure time.  To set the stop required, the same
The figures on scale (1 6) denote frac-    operation should be performed as fortions of seconds (60 means r/ao sec.,    setting the shutter speed, The desired
etc.), Owners of exposure meters with   value should be set against the setting
                                                  (1/zs,conventional                  speed             shutter                            dials                                                                                value                             mark (18),                                          With                                        an exposure
                               speed                          shutter               select ther/56 sec.) will                                                 combination                                      setting                                  any                                                             of  shutter
closely to the actual reading, They will   speed and lens aperture will automat-use %s sec. instead of t/2u sec., etc.,     ically yield a correctly exposed picture.
without any compensation. When set to  The diaphragm and shutter speed"B" (green), the shutter remains open    setting ring (15) can only be turned
as long as the release knob (1) is de-    until the  f inal va lues of their scales
pressed (see page 16).                 are set against the setting mark (18).
The green figures denote full seconds   The final value at the right end of the
but cannot be set against the setting    shutter speed scale is "B".mark (18). Their importance will be                                                             lf  it should happen that after settingexplained later on.                                         the exposure value, the lens is stopped
Diaphragm or Aperture Setting: The   down until the scale indicates "8", an
correct aperture of the diaphragm (or   exposure time of 2 seconds will now

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be required, lf  it is necessary to stop    Setting the distance
down even further, the required ex-
posure time in full seconds (green fig-  The setting ring with the engraved
ures) can be read off from its position    distance scale (1 1) should be turned
opposite the desired stop to which the    until the required distance in feet is
diaphragm must be set. For that pur-    opposite the setting mark (9, fig. 3).
pose depress the knob (7) as with
setting the exposure value. The ex-
posure time required can then be con-
trolled by depressing the release knob
(1) for the requisite number of seconds.
lf after these long-time exposures you
wish to change from "8" to shorter ex-
posures, the exposure value must first
be set anew.





                                                       fis. 3

Depth-of-field scale
                                         Every lens focused on a definite dis-
                                          tance will yield sharp pictures of sub-
                                                  jects only within a limited space before
                                      or beyond the plane on which it  is
                                            focused, This zone of sharp definition
                                      becomes deeper the more the lens is
                                           stopped down. The depth-of-field range
                                        of any lens aperture can be read off
                                       from the depth-of-field scale (10). The
                                      zone of sharp def inition can be read
                                                  off from the distance scale by means
                                          of the f/numbers to the right and left
                                        of the distance setting mark (9). ln
                                                       illustration 4, lor instance, the distance
                                                   is set to 6 feet and at f/8. The zone of
                                            sharp def inition therefore, extends  f rom
                                              approx. 4' 6" lo 9'. Exact depth-of-field
                                        values can be found in the table on
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Red dot or Snapshot Setting
In order to be ready for quick shots,
the diaphragm should be set to f/8 and
the distance to the red dot (fig. S). To
facilitate this setting, the figure B is
marked in red. With this "red dot
setting" all subjects between approx, I
feet and "infinity" will be sharply re-
cord ed.





fis.5

The correct Exposure Value

can be determined by means of an exposure table
 or, safer still, with the aid of a photo-electric ex-
posure meter such as the lkophot Rapid (see figure).
The exposure value depends on the prevailing light
conditions, the speed of the film and the filter-
factor when a filter is used (see page 22).
As a rule of thumb, it is worthwhile to keep this
in mind:

Outdoor exposures
in bright sunshine for film
speed 40 ASA
exposure value 13
Outdoor exposures
with overcast sun for film
speed 40 ASA
exposure value 1 1

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                                             fis.6





      Flashlight and selftimer
    The speed-synchronized Prontor-
   SVS shutter can be coupled to
     every type of flash equipment.
     Moreover, it has a built-in self-
     timer (delayed action release). By
    means of lever (14), which, in
I     order to avoid unintentional dis-
I     placement, is hidden on the base
    of the Contina, three different
     settings are possible (fig,6).


      11

With 'X" 'setting the shutter fires the  8 seconds. Time exposures ("B" set-
      flash automatically the moment the    ting) are not possible.  lf a flashlamp
      shutter is fully open. Electronic flash    is connected to the shutter in "V" set-
       units should be fired with "X" setting    ting, the delayed action will operate
       exclusively                        and then fire the flash as if in "X"
                                                      setting. The lever (14) can only be sei
liH     With "M" setting there is a delay to   to "V"  if the shutter is tensioned.  lt
                                                                                     must,      peak which corresponds to that of most    returns automatically to "X" and
                                                                                       again.       flashbulbs. The correct settings ("X"      if necessary, be set to "V"
      or "M") for" the various  f lashbulbs and
      capsules should be found in the instruc-   For flash exposures connect the lead
       tions for their use as given by their   of the flash to the flash contact (1 2)
      respective manufactures, or, from the    first and only then insert the bulb. De-
       table on page 13.                        pressing the release knob (1) fires the
                                                 flash bulb in synchronization with the
     With "V" setting the delayed action      s h utte r,
      release or self-timen is set for opera-
        tion. After depressing the release knob   For further information study the in-
       (1), a retarding movement is set in    structions for the use of flash equip-
      motion releasing the shutter after about   ment as supplied by the makers,

                                                                                   12

Holding the Camera
The Contina must be held firmly and steadily
during exposure. The body of the camera
should be held with both hands (fig.7).
Everything that you see within the brightly-
defined outer frame in the crystal-clear
bright line viewf inder will be recorded on the
f ilm. Even spectacle wearers can see ex-
actly what they are taking, without having
to remove their glasses. The right-hand index
f inger operates the shutter release (1) whilst
the elbows are slightly pressed against your
own body.
In this way horizontal pictures should be
taken, To take vertical pictures, the left
hand should hold the camera from above              fiwhile the right hand acts as support from                     #dt
below (fig. 8). ln this case the thumb of the
right hand operates the release knob (1).

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                                                  ttg. lu





As the shutter can be released only
af.te1 being tensioned by the rapid
wind lever (3), and the rapid wind
lever can only be operated after the
shutter has been released by de-
pressing the release knob (1), double
exposures and blanks are thus pre-
vented. However, attention has to be
paid to the fact that the lever (3) is
positively swung home until it  stbps.
The shutter can remain tensioneo
without endangering the mechanism.

17

loading the camera

The Contina can be loaded
with all commercial cartridges
containing black-and-white or
colour" 35 mm miniature film
for 36 or 2O exposures, Load-
ing should neven be done in
bright sunlight.
When the locking bar (13) has
been pulled out, the back of
the camera can be opened.
Pull out the rewind knob (6)
and insert the film cartridge
into the empty chamben  (fig.
1 1), and see that the be-
ginning of the film points to-
wards the take-up spool. Push
back the rewind knob so that
its prong engages correctlY
with the recess at the top of

                                  fig.11

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     the film cartridge. Turn the take-up
      spool by means of the milled flanges
       until the slit with its small lug poi-nts
      upwards. Hook the film to this-lug and
     wind the film on to the take-up ipool
      until the sprockets on botfr sides
     engage in the perforations (fig. 12) de-
     pressing the locking knob (20) ai the
     same time. Now close the back. tension
     the shutter and advance the fiim twice
      by .means of the rapid wind lever (3)
     and release the shutter twice. This will
     advance the unexposed film to the film                    ffi'      gate, Set the film counter (2) by turn-
     ing the black ring in the direciion of
ffim    the arrow to "0", Operate the rapid
K    film wind once again and the Contina
      is ready for the first exposure.




il;.

ffi
      19                                          fiq.12I

Film type indicator                     one of the three black marks  (f or black-
                                       and-white film, daylight colour film or
As soon as you have inserted a new     artificial-light colour film) is opposite
film, set the film type indicator. Turn   the appropriate film speed figure  (fig.
the inner disc with vour thumb until        tJt.


                                           ryJ





Abb. 13
                                                                                   20

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Unloading the Gamera


To make sure whether the camera  is
loaded or not, turn the rewind knob (6)
in the direction of the arrow. A slight
resistance will be felt after a short turn
which means that the camera is loaded.
Before opening the camera, the ex-
posed film should be rewound into its
original cartridge. Depress the revers-
ing button (20) completely and at the
same time turn the rewind knob (6) in
the direction of the arrow  (f ig. 1 ).
After some time, a slight resistance
will indicate that the film has parted                                               fig.14
from the take-up spool. Then open the
back of the camera, pull out the rewind   chips which occasionally occur should
knob (6) completely and remove the   be removed immediately from the cam-
cartridge with the exposed film. Film     e ra.

21

Accessories                           benef it: yellow, yellow-green, orange, red,                                    blue (lkolor-B) and UV. The lkolor-B
                                                 filter should also be used for colour
                                                                  light on daylightI                                   shots with artificial                                          colour film. For daylight shots on arti-
                                              ficial light colour films the lkolor-A
Ever-ready case                                 filter should be used. When using  fil-
                                                                                   beThe Contina is well protected from ex-   ters the exposure time has to                                                                                                                                                                                              f ilterterna I damage by its attractive ever-   extended in accordance with the
ready case, The camera is held in the    factor engraved on the mount of every
case by means of a screw which also    Zeiss lkon filter. When four filters are
 f its the tripod (tripod bush 19) and    ordered, a special case is supplied free
need not be taken out of the case for    of charge.
taking pictures.
                                              Polarising filter Gontapol
Zeiss lkon precision filters                                To reduce or even eliminate reflections
In order to improve the tone values in   in highly polished, non-metallic sur-
black-and-white photographs Zeiss lkon    faces of subjects or to darken the sky
precision   f ilters should be used. Screw-    in both colour and b lack-and-white
ed into the lens mount (Q 27 mm), the    photographs, the polarising  f ilter Conta-
following filters will prove of great   pol can be slipped on to the lens

                                                                        22

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     (28.5 mm diameter). For particulars   by a corresponding displacement  of
    see the instructions for use supplied    either the camera or the subject.
     with the polarising  filter.             When purchasing four Proxar lenses a
                                          handy case is supplied free. On the lid
                                         of the case there is a depth-of-field
     Supplementary lenses for close-ups         calculator, which shows you the re-
                                              quired lens distance-setting  for individ-      (Zeiss Proxar)                                                ual taking distances for close-up shots.
     For photographs taken at short range
     coated Zeiss Proxar lenses should be    Glose-up viewfinder     slipped on to the 28.5 mm diameter
      lens of the Contina. They are available   There is a close-up or short-range
   a    in four different types. For distance   viewfinder for the Contina which  is
    and lens settings necessary see table   supplied together with the Proxar lens
    on page 27. The distance is measured     f :  0.5 m in a combined plastic case.
     from the front rim of the Proxar lens   For determining the distance between
     mount to the subject. Sufficient depth    subject and camera, a special meas-\i   of field is obtained by stopping down   uring chain marked by coloured balls
     the lens to tl8 at least. The finder   at 1'8" and f  is also supplied. The
      parallax, particularly resulting from the   viewfinder shows the correct image
    use of Proxar lenses with very short    field for these distances making even
      focal lengths, can be compensated for    short-range snapshots possible.

     23

Lens hood                                           It can be screwed into the thread of
                                      the body shutter release (1). For longThe use of a lens hood or sunshade   time exposures (shutter setting "B"),prevents halation, flares and fog in                                 the Zeiss lkon cable release has aback-lit photographs. Moreover, a lens    special time lock.hood protects the lens from rain and
snow. The Zeiss lkon lens hood can be
slipped over Zeiss lkon filters and     lkoblitz
Zeiss lkon Proxar lenses (28.5 mm dia-                                   The Zeiss lkon lkoblitz capacitor  f lash-meter).
A leather case is also availab le   f or   gun can easily be  f itted to the Contina;                                              its light-efficiency is really amazing.holding the lens hood together with                                                                                   upthree colour filters, There is also a   The lkoblitz 4 is so simple to fold
flexible lenshood (screw-in mount,   and carry.
27 mm), which can be folded back and
enables you to close the everreadY    lkophot Rapid exposure meter
case with the lenshood mounted on the
lens.                                                  It is extremely difficult to estimate the
                                         correct exposure time but the lkophot
                                Rapid photo-electric exposure meter
Gable release                            immediately gives the correct values
When using a tripod a cable release    for all lighting conditions, without extra
                                                                                                                       isshould also be used (see Page 15)'    calculations. An exposure meter

                                                                             24

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 particularly indispensable when making    dust with a soft brush, then clean the
 colour pictures which call for the most   surface with a lens tissue or with a accurate exposure time. Ask your   frequently washed piece of fluff-free photo-dealer for our special lkophot               I  i nen.
 Rapid leaflet.

                                               Serial Numbers
Movilum lighting Unit
                                     Every Contina has a serial number en-
The general-purpose Movilum unit can    gnaved on its back and every lens unit
be used to provide artificial light of   has a serial number on the mount. lt is
any desired intensity since it can be    strongly recommended that a recordfitted with two, four or even six re-   should be kept of these ntrmbers, which
 f lecto rs.                       may be of valuable aid in establishing
                                     ownership in cases of loss or theft.
Maintenance of the Gontina
The film cartridge chambers and the
track should be cleaned from time to
time with a very soft brush. The lens,
however, should be cleaned onlv when
absolutely necessary. First remove any