Zeiss Ikon Contina II - III User manual

The Gontina

is a miniature camera which has many   Pantar lens is a convertible lens. With
advantages. In this our era of automa-    the Contina  lll you are enabled to take
tion the automatic exposure device, the    interesting telephoto, wide-angle and
unique Zeiss lkon "auto-lock", will en-   even stereo-pictures merely by exchang'
sure correctly exposed pictures right    ing the front element of the lens. All
from the beginning. By means of the    lenses ane coated, of course, and colour
coupled photo-electric exposure meter    corrected. You will be delighted with the
 you will soon be able to find the correct    efficiency of your lenses particularly in
setting for the new special Prontor-SLK    colour photography. Before you load a
shutter for black-and-white shots as well    miniature film into your Contina lll for
as for colour photographs, even when   the first time, you should study these
the lighting conditions are unfavonable,    instructions carefully and try to master
With the Contina you are always ready    the various mechanical movements and
for action, due to the rapid wind lever    operations, Once you have learned how
and the clear and bright luminous frame    to use it the camera will rer'nain a source
viewfinder. The excellent 45 mm, t12.8    of constant pleasure.

3

Everything enclosed by the luminous    Exposures with the hand-held camera
frame will be.depicted on the film. Even   should be made only when the shutter
if you wear spectacles you will be able   speed is set between l/soo andl/ss second
to determine the exact image field with-    (at the outside). For slower shutter
out removing your glasses. With the   speeds on when the selftimer is used
Contina lll the lnner   f rame, identif ied    the Contina should be placed on a firm
by small angles, indicates the image    support or screwed to a tripod by means
area obtained with the Telephoto-Pantar   of the tripod bush (21). For vertical
114,75 mm lens. More about it on page 25.    pictures a ball-and-socket head should
The Contina should be held firmly dur-   be interpolated bb-
ing the exposure. The camera body must   tween the camera
be held with both hands. The right-hand   and the tripod. All
index finger should operate the shutter    these slow shutter-
release (1). The elbows shou ld be pressed   speed exposures
lightly against the body,                         1 shpws the   should be made                               "Fig.way horizontal pictures shduTd'be'  taJ<en,   with a cable re-
whilst tig.2 shows how to hold the ca-    lease, which can be
mera when taking vertical pictures.  In   screwed into the
this case the thumb of the right hand   thread of the re-
can be used to operate the release knob,   lease knob (1).
                                                                Fis.2
5

Determining the exposure values

               With the built-in coupled exposure meter, you will easily find the
                 correct shutter settings for black-and-vrhita and colour film, both
.,r?                  negative and reversar. First the meter must be set to the speed of
                  the film in use. For this purpose the smail rever (17) strourd be moved
                 to the left or the right pressing it towards the camera body at the
              same time, untir the appropriate firm speed is opposite the triangre
                   setting mark for DIN or ASA (fig.3).  rf necessary, the triangre setting          '4
               mark must be shifted.by contra-rotating the two lnobs (ti). rhe mark
              can afso be set to intermediate firm speeds. The meaning of ihe             *,,"{
                  figures 2 and 4 beside the setting mark wiil be expraineJ on page za                       (filter correction).                                  s
             when the speed of the firm has been quoted in B.s.r. indices by the    b
                 manufacturer the corresponding values can be found in the tabre on               page 32.                                                                                                                                                                             .$

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Fis. 3


Since the speed of colour
 films connof be defermined
in the sqme way os fhof of
block-ond-white films, the
colour   f ilm monuf clcturers ore
 unqble fo give exocf speed
numbers ;n ASA or DIN in-
dices buf recommend their
films should be exposed "os
o block-and-white film of XY
DIN or ASA'. Generolly,
fhis odvice is quite relioble,
but in order fo be obsolutely
on the sofe side you should
cqlibrqte youL" own equip-
ment by moking vorious fesf
exposures of differenf oper-
fures ond fhus determine fhe
qctuql speed of fhe film in
quesfion ond the correcf sef-
fing gF ygur oryn built-in ex-
posure meter.

Fig. 4



To measure the light the Contina is
 pointed towards the subject so as it is
 intended to appear in the photograph.
The white pointe r (4) will then be seen
to deflect. Now, with thumb and index
 finger, turn both the two knobs (1S) de-
pressing at the same time the smaft
  f ocking bar  (fi g. 4), and watch the small
white circufar mark (4) untif it is ex-
actly gyer the pointer when viewed from
above)'Wh'etuthis  is the case the shutter
speeds are automatically set opposite
the corresponding flnumbers. The most
suitable aperture/speed pairing can now

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be selected in accordance with the light-
ing conditions and the depth of   f ield
required. For this purpose the setting
ring (14) with its red setting mark shou ld
be turned to the values required. The
ring will click in at the individual shutter
speeds. The unique Zeiss lkon "auto-
lock" ensures that the measuring range
of the exposure meter cannot be ex-
ceeded when the lighting conditions are
poor. Furthermore, the measured value,
once determined, is locked.

The choice of the apertune depends on
the depth of field required (see page 12)
                                       e                                        il  *s 9a19,T lS-+mallglLq*tgltt" e- lJ  -3"' -ftlelgr"gs@.


                                                                                                       Fis. 5

The shutter speed depends on the rate   knobs (15) the aperiure required is then
of motion of the subject. The faster the   moved towards the green "B" which re-
subject movement the shorter should be   mains opposite the red mark on ring
the shutter speed. The silver figures on     (1a). The exposure time can then be con-
the front scale (13) denote fractions of    trolled by depressing the release knob
a second (60 means 1/6,s second, etc.).   or the cable release for the requisite
                                    number of seconds, The value measured
When set to "B " (green), the shutter   beforehand, however, is cancelled.  lf
remains open as long as the release    after these time exposures you wish to                                                           I'8"                                                    back to shorter ex-knob (1) remains depressed, The green   change from
figures denote full seconds. These can-    posures, a new measurement should be
not be set against the setting mark, how-    taken.
ever. lf it should happen that after set-
ting it to a definite f/number the red    Setting the distance. The distance set-
mark of the setting ring (14) indicates    ting ring (12) with the engraved distance
"B" (green) an exposure time of 2 sec-    scale should be turned until the required
onds will be required. lf it is necessary    distance in feet is opposite the setting
to stop down even further, the required   mark (11) (fig. 6),               ,
                                  (green                    secondsexposure         time               in full                                    both                        "r  ..  ,,,                     By turning                          off,       can          be readfigures)
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Snapshot setting
In order to be ready for action at any
time, particularly for taking candid shots
ring (14) should be turned to  f lB and the
distance set to 15 ft (fig.8). To facilitate
this setting both figures are marked in
red. At these settings all subjects be-
tween approx. B ft and oo will be recorded
sharply.





                                                          Fis. 8

Flashligh{and  selftimer

 $    The  f ully synchronized
 $     special Prontor-SLK
      shutter can be coupled
$     to any type of flashgun.
 $    The shutter has a built-in
       selftimer. Three different
      settings are possible by
N    moving lever 16 (fig. 9):

t

 ffi

R

N

N
 i
li                                        Fis.9


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With the "X" setting the shutter fires   cannot be made with the selftimer. lf,
the flash the moment the blades are   by mistake, a flashbulb is fired with the
fully open. Electronic flashes should be   "V" setting no harm is done, since  it
fired with the "X" setting exclusively.       will act as though the shutter were set
                                         to "X",
With the "M" setting, there is a delay   The lever (16) can be set to "V" onlywhich corresponds to the delay-to-peak                                  when the shutter is tensioned.  lt returnsof most flashbulbs,                                             automatically to "X" and must, if neces-The correct settings ("X" or "M") for                                            sary, be reset to "V", For flash expo-the various flashbulbs and flash cap-                                       sures the flash lead from the flashgunsules should be found in the instructions                                         should be connected to the flash contactfor the use of the bulbs and the indr-                                                (19) and only then the flashbulb inserted.vidual flashguns, or from a careful study                             When the shutter is released (1) theof the table on page 34.                                             flashbulb will be fired in synchronisation
With the "V" setting, the delayed action    with the shutter. For further particulars
release or selftimer is set for use. After    study the instructions for the use of the
depressing the shutter release knob (1),    various flashguns.
a retarding movement is set in motion
which releases the shutter after about
8 seconds, Time exposures (setting "B")

15

Releasing and cocking the shutter       mera is guaranteed when the rewind
                                   knob (9) turns automatically when theThe shutter is released by gently and           f ilm is advanced.quietly depressing the release knob (1),
Do not jerk but squeeze the knob (1)
gently, taking up the slack in the release      Fig.l0
mechanism slowly. Jerking the shutter
causes camera shake and camera shake
is the cause of many unsharp pictures.
So release the shutter with either the
tip of the first joint of the index finger
(f ig. 10). After every exposure, the shut-
ter must be cocked by means of the rapid
wind lever (3). Holding the Contina in the
taking position, the wind lever should
be swung round with a swift movement
of the right thumb until it stops (fig. 11).
This also advances the film by one fram.e
and the frame counter (2), which indi-
cates the number of frames exposed,
moves on to the next number, while the
shutter is cocked at the same time. The
correct advance of the film in the ca-
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Since the shutter can be released
only after being cocked bY the
rapid wind lever (3), the latter, on
the other hand, can be oPerated
only when the shutter has been
released by depressing the release
knob (1). Double exposures and
blanks are thus Prevented' How-
ever, attention has to be Paid to
the fact that the raPid wind lever
(3) must be swung PositivelY until
 it stops. The shutter can remain in
a cocked Position without anY risk
 of damage.




                                       Fis. l1


 17

means of the milled flanges until the slit with its small
lug points upwards. Hook this lug into a perforation hole
of the film. Wind the film on the take-up spool until the
sprockets on both sides engage the perforation (fig. 13),
at the same time depressing the reversing button for
rewindin g (22). Close the camera b.ack, cock the shutter
and advance the  f ilm twice by operating the rapid wind
lever (3) and the shutter release (1). This will advance
the unexposed  f ilm to the  f ilm gate.
It is of the greatest importance that the speed of the
film inserted into the camera should now be adjusted
on the lever (17) - ?s described on page 6 -  in orderto make the automatic exposure control work correctly.
Finally, set the  f rame counte r (2) by turning the black
ring in the direction of the arrow to "0", Operate the
rapid film wind (3) once again and the Contina is ready,,*
for the firsi exposure. To make sure whether the, camera
is loaded or not, turn the rewind knob (9) in the direction
of the arrow.'When the camera is loaded a slight resist-
ance will be felt after a short tuth;r. .    . l-,

Film type indicator
                lmmediately after loading the
              camera with a  f resh   f ilm the
                fifm type indicator (7) should
             be set accordingly, The inner
                 disc should be turned with the
             thumb until one of the three
                black strokes (black-and-white
                 fifm, daylight colour film or
                      artificial-light colour film) is ex-
                  actly opposite the correspond-
                ing speed of the film (fig. 1a).
             The correct setting of the film
              type indicator is  particularly
                 important when making expo-
                 sures with a filter (see pa,ge 28),



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Fis.l5      Unloading the Gontina
           Before opening the camera, the ex-
         posed  f ilm must be rewound into
             its original cartridge. Depress the
          reversing button (22) and at the
        same time turn the rewind knob
             (9) - which for easier handling will
           automatically unscrew a little -  in          the direction of the arrow (fig. 14).
           After some time a slight resistance
             will indicate that the film has pa,rted
          from the take-up spool. Then open
         the back of the camera, pull out
           the rewind knob (9) completely and
         remove the cartridge with the ex-
         posed film. Film fragme,nts which
         break off occasionally should be
         removed immediately from the ca-
           mefa.           Yf'  ,,   'oF

The system of the Gontina lll
The Pantar convertible lens

To give the greatest possible versatility   When the standard lens is re-assembled
to the Contina  lll  it is equipped with a    the red dot on the front element should
Pantar Convertible Lens, which has an    exactly coincide with the red dot on the
easily interchangeable front element, so    locking pawl. Then press in the lens
that telephoto, wide-angle and even    firmly and turn it to the right until  it
stereo shots can be made on the same   snaps in audibly.
film strip. To remove the front element     All additional lens elements, usually cal-
of the standard 45 mm, f/2.8 Pantar lens    led "component lenses", should be inter-
the Contina  lll should be held with the   changed in the same way, that is; when
left hand (fig, 16). The thumb depresses     inserting the lens: red dot on red dot
the locking pawl (18) whilst the right      turn to the right. When removing the                                              -
hand turns the distance setting ring (12)    lens: depress the locking pawl (18) -to the left, thereby overcoming a slight    turn to the left. In order to prevent
resistance, until it stops. Then remove   damage or soiling of the highly sensitive
the ring holding the front element from    surfaces of the lenses, their, glass por-
the bayonet mount by pulling it upwards.    tions should never be touched!
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                                                                             22

When removing :              ,
     Depress locking pawl (1 8)                                                           Fig.16
     Turn to the left
    When inserting:
     Red dot on red dot -
      Turn to the right





T


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 Ia

    i

<175
                                          Furthermore, there is a tele-view/range-
                                        finder for shots with the Tele-Pantar
                                             114,75 fftrTr, which at a glance not only
                                   shows the correct image field but also
                                         the distance to be focused on.



scope it makes distant objects appear
nearer and gives the photographer  the
ability to "fill the frame". lt is the lens
for landscape photography,  portraiture                                                                                              ;ir
and wild animal life in  its  natural
hab itat.
The inner rectangle in the luminous
frame finder marked by small luminou6
angles shows the correct irnage field
covered by this lens combination. For
certain cases, however, the special
tele-viewfinder should be used.

25

Steritar-D is designed to take stereo-    the breaks in the upper and lower trans-
photographs ,on the Zeiss lkon Stereo-   verse lines, whilst the borders above
System. This opens up a new and inter-   and below are indicated by the lumi-
esting   f ield for the Contina  lll. The two   nous frame itself.
half-images 16 x 23 mm in size are
immediately side by side in one frame
of the miniature film and can be
mounted without separating by means
of the special Zeiss lkon stereo masks,
in the same way as other transparen-
cies. The stereo-pictures can be viewed
in the Zeiss lkon rrOrt                         -  stereo-vieweror projected by means of the highly
efficient lkolux projectors with their

ste reo-access o ries.
The correct image field for stereo shots
can be sighted through the luminous
f rame  f inder of the Contina lll. The
lateral border of the image is shown by
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                                                                                   2e

Universal Viewfinder                       Accessories
                                                   for the Contina ll and lll
     This viewfinden shows the correct
     image field for all focal lengths               Ever-ready case
      (30, 45 and 75 mm) and for stereo           The Contina is Proiected from ex'
     exposures by suPer-imPosed lumi-             ternal strain and damage bY an
     nous frames.                                   attractive ever-readY case, The
                                        camera is held in the case bY
                                          means of a screw which is screw-
     Leather cases                         ed into the triPod bush (21) and
                                             need not be taken out of the casec    There is a well  f itting leather case                                                          for taking Pictures.      for every viewfinder, which can be
      attached to the strap of the ever-              Zeiss lkon precision filters
     ready case. Moreover, the Pantar              In order to imProve the tone va-
                                                                                         Pictures     30 mm, tl4 and the Pantar 75 mm'            lues in black-and-white
       f/4 with their corresponding view-             Zeiss lkon precision filters should
      finders and two filters can be ac-         be screwed into the lens mount
     commodated in a combined leather          (A 27 mm for Pantar 45 mm and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          f or Pantar      case. For the Steritar-D a sPecial              Steritar-D; @ 60' r.nm
      leather case is available'               30mm and 75 mm). Yellow, Yellow-