Zeiss Ikon Contina Ia User manual

F
 01q<'t'tttiottttl I'u t.ts of the  (, O lt T I NA Ia   t *  |  *rilr;;r
(See illustrations on the two inner cover pages)
1 Release knob                     10 I)i-i-,r.r seili,q ring
2 Frame counter                    11 [)r:tance  settirr;, nrark
3 Rapid film-wind lever              12 Depth-of-field .cal"
4 Accessory shoe                    13 Shutter speed setting ring'
5 Viewfinder                                                " -14 Shutter speed scale                                                 I6 Rewind l<nob with film type indicatoF                                 15 Diaphragm setting ring              {_
7 Flashlight contact nipple            16 Diaphragm scale in f/numbers
B Synchro lever                      lpTripod bush
9 Locking bar fbr the back of the       16 Rewind locking knob                              i.s   calncra                                          "i                                     1l                     =g*r                                 ,.{-''-                  f-*
                       www.butkus.us

Jll.  1
                                                                                                      "''n'    Setting the d'iagtloragmt
    Turn the rearI chrome-plated milledi ring
    (15) until its red mark is" opposite the
    f/number (16) required (ill. 1). The higher
     the figure the smaller is the stoP.
    Setting the shtt,tter sPeed'
    Turn the red mark on the milled front ring
     (13) to the desired shutter speed shown on
     the scale (14) (ill. 2.). The figures denote
      fractions of a second (e. g. " 25" stands for
                                                              tlre        rlz,s second etc.). SThen set to "8" ,
www.butkus.us     shutter remains open as long as the
          ltt. z
                                                 ,t

release knob is pressed down. lt does not matter whether the shutter speed set-
ting is carried out before or after tensioning the shutter by means of the rapid
film wind lever (3) (see page 12).
Setting the d,ista?tee
Turn the setting ring bearing the distance
scale (10) until the setting mark (1 1) is
opposite the distance (in feet) required
(ill. 3).
I)epth-of-field, scale
Everv lens focused fior a deftnite distance
gives sharp pictures of objects only in a
limited space before or beyond the distance
for which it is focused. The zone of sharp
                                                        1lI. s

definition becomes deeper the more the lens is stopped down. This so-called
depth of fteld for eny lens aperture and distance can be read off from the
                                      depth-of-fteld scale (12). The zone of sharp
                                        deffnition can be read off from the distance
                                       scale by means of the diaphragm ftgures on
                                 the right and left side of the distance set-
                                   ting mark (1 1). In illustration 4, for in-
                                   stance, the distance is set to 9 feet. Then the
                                      depth-of-field scale indicates that the depth
                               of field extends from 5 feet in the fore-
                               ground to 30 feet in the background at a
                              stop of [ , ll.  The exact depth-of-ffeld
                         www.butkus.usvalues can be found in the table on page 7.
                                                      Jfi. a

TU. s
                              Bect-ttot  sett'i ng
                                  In order not to lose time over distance and
                              diaphragm settings when rapid snapshots
                                    rnust be taken, the red-clot setting should
                             be used. The distance should be set to the
                            red dot and the diaphragm, to the red
                                      ftgure 8 (ill. 5), whereupon  all objects ^ri:em
                          8 feet to (inftnity) wiil be sharp. The ex-
                                posure time depends on the lighting con-
                                     diticns and the ftlm speed and is normally
                                            llz: to ll:r,o second.
The Gou'reet ercgtosea',7'e tirne                                                              t
can be ascertain'ed from exposure tables or, more reliably, with the aid of a
photo-electric exposure meter, www.butkus.use.g. the ZEISS IKON IKOPHOT shown on page 25.

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The exposure time depends on the lighting conditions, the speed of the ftlm,
          the diaphragm setting and the use of ftlters and their lilter factors (see page21).


                       As a general rule it is:

         for outdoor pictures                       for outdoor picturesJ..,
         in bright sunshine                    under overcast sky
            fcir film speed 40 ASA (2z"BSI)          for film speed 40 ASA (27'BSI)l,l
         stop  f :8                                stop  f :5.6
            r/rlr second                                     l/so second
             "ff"^t
                          .9: 4

Ifolding  the ee,L?tercr,
   The CoNTINA should be held firmly dur-
    ing the exposure. The body of the camera
    nestles safely in both hands (ill. 6) with
    the right index finger resting on the body
    shutter release (1). The elbows should be
    pressed slightly against the body. It does
    not matter whether the right or the left
    eye is used to look through the viewfinder
     (5).
    In this way horizontal pictures will be
    taken. To take vertical pictures, the ca-
   mera is rotated through 90o (ill. 7). The
     left hand holds the CoNTINA from above
    while the right hand serves as a support
www.butkus.usfor the camera. In this case the thumb of
      lll.o

the righ_t.hand operates the body shutter
 release (1).
 Exposures with the hand-held camera
 should be made only when the shutter
 speed is set to between t/uoo and 1/zr second
 (at the outside). For longer shutter speeds
'or when the self-timer is [sed the COxrrxa
should be rested on a firm support or
screwed to a tripod by means of the tripod
b"*  (1?..Fof vertical pictures^interpoiated, a balland socket head must be               be-
tween the camera and the tripod. All ex-
posures longer than rlzs second should, as
a matter of principle, be made with a
cable release which^ can be screwed into
the thread of the release knob (1). This
is the best way of preventirg camera
shake.
                                           lU. 7

Shutter release
                        am,d fi,ltn,a,d,aanee
                          The shutter is released by gelrtly ipressing
                                the release knob (1) either with thb tip or
                                the first joint of the index finger (ill: 8).
                                After every exposure, the shutter must be
                               re-cocked by operating the rapid wind
                                  lever (3). Holding the camera in the tak-
                                ing position, the rapid wind lever should
                              be pushed round with a swift movement of
                                  the right thumb as far as it will go (i11. 9).
                              This advances the film by one frame and
                                              counte                                    frame                                    the
                            number                                            negatives                                                                      r (2) -exposedwhich __indicatesmoves theon                                          of
                                    to the next number, tensioning the shutter
                         www.butkus.usat the same time. The rapid wind lever (3)
                                         Itl. B
12

I
-l
  I1      snaps automatically back to its rest posi-
        tion and the CONTINA is readv for the
       next shot.
      As the shutter can be released onlv after
      being tensioned by operating the rapicl
      wind lever (3), which, on the other hand,
             be moved until the shutter has been       "cannot
          . released by depressing the release knob (1)
        double exposures and blanks are pre'zented.
       However, attention should be paid to the
        fact that the shutter will not be tensioned
        properly and the film cannot advance suf-
         ficiently  if the rapid wind lever (3) is not
       pressed home until it stops. The shutter
     can remain in a tensioned condition
       without any risk of damage.
                                                            JU. g
                                                                                           t3

most flashbulbs. \il7hen set to "M" the fastest shutter speeds can be used to         fire a flashbulb of the "M" classification.
      witb tbe "T"-setting, the delayed action rerease or self-timer is set in opera-        tion. After depressing the                                     .release knob (1), a retarding movement is set in
      motion which releases the shutter after aboui g seconds. ?i-. .*porures (,,B,,)
                          with_-the                                    self-timer.                                                                                      lf                                                  mistake,                                            u                                                                   rt*t                                                                   t"tr^is                                                                             fired'with                                                            , by                                                                                                ,,X,,.I     thecannot"V"-setting,be made it                            will act                               as though                                            the                                                  shutter                                                               to                                                    *"..                                                                         ,.t
I    TheFor flashlight.synchro--leverexposures,(8) can diaphragmbe adjustedandeitherdistancewith cocked,t ouiaoru.uncockedset in theshutter.usual
     way and the flash lead from.the.flishgun connected to the flash conta;rdi;
l       (7). only then insert a flashbulb into the socket of the fiashg.rn- \rh;;'|il;t       shutter is released by depressing the release knob (rj,-ti. nurnt,rlb will be
       fired in synchronisation with tf,e shutter. For furth.r purti.ulars read the
I       instructions for the use of the various flashguns and flashbulbs. The .or..ii      exposureI               times for the "X",  " M" and "v"-ietting can be found in the tabie        page 16.I;     on
$.t
                                                                                    t5
Ii-

Load,png the oa??.ercl
     The CONTINA Ia can be loaded with all commercial cartridges containing
      24 x 36 mm black and white or colour film for 36 or 20 exposures. Loading
       should never be done in bright sunlight.
     When the locking bar (9) has been pulled
I'll      back the back of the camera can be opened.
a       Pull out the rewind knob (6) and insert the


    I       film cartridge into the empty spool cham-
      ber in such a way that the beginning of
       the film points towards the take-up spool.
     Then push back the rewind knob so that
         its prong engages correctly with the open-
       ing in the film cartridge (ill. 11).
                                                                      Jll.   t I

Fil,rn-tApe dise
On the rewind knob (6) there has been fitted a ftlm-type disc, which by means
 of its three small knobs can be set to the type of ftlm in use (black and white
 film, colour ftlm for daylight and artificial
light; and to the corresponding ftlm speed
(ill. 13), so that the user always knows
which type of ftlm he has loaded.'

To make sure whether the camera is loaded
or not, turn the rewind knob (6) in the
direction of the arrow. \When the camera
is loaded a slight resistance will be felt
after a short turn.
                                                                          fll. rs

Ilrtl,oading th e ea,ntercr
Before the camera is opened, the exposed film must be rewound into its car-
tridge. Depress the lccking knob (18) and at the same time turn the rewind
                            knob (6) in the direction of the arrow (ill.
                                   14). After some time a slight resistance
                                       will indicate that the film has parted from
                                the take-up spool, Then open the back of
                                the camera, pull out the rewind knob (6)
                                 completely and remove the cartridge con-
                                    taining the exposed ftlm. Atty fflm parti-
                                      cles which may break off when the end of
                                the film is torn off must be removed from
                         www.butkus.usthe camera immediately.
                                                 Jll. t4

ACCESSORIES

Et'er'-reutlu t,eae
The elegant ever-ready case protects your CONTINA from dust, rain -and
damage. The camera is fixed to the case by means of a screw fitting into
the tripod bush (17) and need not be removed from the case for exposures.
ZnISS  Iilio N Preeision filters
In order to improve the tone values in black and white photos ZEISS IKON
precision ftlters can be screwed into the lens mount (27 mm 6).  Yellow,
yellow-green, oranger red ancl ultra-violet precision filters are available. For
exposures by artificial light on daylight colour film, an IKOLoR (blue) Filter
is also available. \When filters are used the exposure time has to be extended
in accordance with the filter factor engraved on the mount of every filter.

                                                                                   21

PolurCsCt g fl,tter (ZEISS BERNOTAR)
To recluce or eliminate reflections in highly polished, nonmetallic surfaies and
to darken blue skies, the polarising  filter ZEISS BERNOTAR can be slipped on
the lens (32 mm @).
 Sttltltl<'tnertttt ry  l<'ttst'st for elose-u'lts (ZEISS PROXAR)
If photographs at short range are to be taken with the CONTINA Ia, coated
zeiss pn-ox,rR l..,se, should be slipped on to the lens (28.5 mm 0). They are
available in four different types. The correct focusing of the lens and the
corresponding clistance can be found in the table on page 23. The distance
between oblect and camera is measured from the front rim of the supple-
mentary lens mount. Sufficient depth of field should be secured by stopping
down tt at least f   The resulting finder-parallax, particularly when PROXAR                       '8.                        focal length are used, can be compensated for by a cof-lenses of the shortest                         www.butkus.us                               the camera or the object'responding tnovement of either

22

7
      Lens hood,
      The lens hood or sun shade prevent irradiation and fog in pictures against
        the light. A lens hood is just as useful with a coated lens as with an uncoated
        onet it protects the lens from rain and snow and is a necessity for colour
        photographs. The ZEISS IKON lens hood can be slipped over ZEISS IKON
                                                                              be          filters and ZgtSS eROXAR lenses (28.5 mm 0). Vhen not in use, it can
         carried in a practical leather case.

         ('ttttle rel<,ttxe
      For long instantaneous and time exposures from a tripod a cable release
        should be used (see page 11). It can be screwed into the release knob (1).
                                www.butkus.us       The ZEISS IKON cable release has a special time lock (for shutter setting "B").

        21

fI{OPIf  OT enltostore noeter
       Guessing the exposure time may lead to
        serious mistakes. The photo-electric ex-
       posure meter zEISS IKoN IKopHor indi-
        cates immediately and without any calcu-
         lations the correct exposure time for all
 1      lighting conditions even when ftlters are
        used. This is of special value when taking
        colour shots, as accurate exposure is essen-
        tial for good colour pictures. Ask your
        photographic dealer for our special leaflet
       about the IKOPHOT.
I-

IIiOBLITZ
       The capacitor flashguns IKoBLITZ o and IKoBLITZ III can easily be fixed to
         the GoNTINA. For connecting the flash lead to the flash contact nipple (7)
        the zEISS IIioN angle plug (see ill.10) should be used, as it prevents the
        lead from interfering with the fteld of view.
                III O V I LU lll Lig hti ng eq'uiptntent
      The universal t"tovtLuu lighting equipment provides artificial light of any
          intensity, as it can be fitted with 2, 4 or even 6 reflectors.

        llfaintettctnee of tloe eunoera
      The film cartridge chambers and the film track should be cleaned from time
        to time with o soft brush. The lens, however, should be cleaned only when
         absolutely necessary. First remove any dust with a soft brush, then clean the
         surface of the lens with lens tissuewww.butkus.usor a frequently washed piece of linen.
        26
\

There is an inexhaustible
  number of subjects sui-
  table for Your elegant
  CONTINA. The Photo
  on the left was taken
,,. (is' the mofningrl sun at
    f  : 4.5 and 1/roo second;
   the one on the right

   with bright sunlight also
    at f :8 and 1/roo second'