My name is Thomas Bell. I’m a hobbyist photographer based in Atlanta, Georgia. I come from a film crew background, so Im used to the mechanics of photography, but until I picked up analog still cameras I had only shot true celluloid film a handful of times. I picked up the film habit just under a year ago, when I was presented with my late Grandfather’s pristine Zeiss Ikon Contessa (2nd Version). This camera probably hadn’t seen the light of day in 30 years, but I cleaned off the lens, popped in some expired Ultramax 400, and one week later I was one roll into a healthy celluloid addiction.
The Zeiss is a really solid camera. It just feels well made. Im just lucky this one is still in good condition. The Zeiss Tessar 45mm f/2.8 is relatively sharp, especially when you stop it down. It’s a little difficult to get exact focus and tack-sharp while wide open. The lens folds out with a nice, firm click and holds steady, while the gear-like focus feels smooth and quick. One of the real surprises is that the meter still works. I exposed the first few rolls using nothing but the meter and they all came out wonderfully.
The (few) Grievances: I wish the viewfinder was a little bigger, the shutter speed dial doesn’t fully reach the 1/500th mark, and the film loads backwards, meaning that your scans come back upside down from the lab.
Its a fun, solid, no-frills rangefinder, and I’m a lucky man.
More on my instagram
Share this post:
Comments
Terry B on 5 Frames with a Zeiss Ikon Contessa – by Thomas Bell
Comment posted: 24/05/2018
Your comment about the 1/500 second setting set me thinking. I don't have this model, but on some of the early compur shutters with 1/500 you will find that you have to push harder to set it, there is a noticeable resistance to be overcome. Also, you may find the 1/500 speed probably needs to be set before you cock the shutter. Hope this helps.
Comment posted: 24/05/2018
Martin south of France on 5 Frames with a Zeiss Ikon Contessa – by Thomas Bell
Comment posted: 24/05/2018
davhill on 5 Frames with a Zeiss Ikon Contessa – by Thomas Bell
Comment posted: 24/05/2018
Comment posted: 24/05/2018
Kathleen Johnson on 5 Frames with a Zeiss Ikon Contessa – by Thomas Bell
Comment posted: 24/05/2018
Comment posted: 24/05/2018
Dan Castelli on 5 Frames with a Zeiss Ikon Contessa – by Thomas Bell
Comment posted: 25/05/2018
Kodachromeguy on 5 Frames with a Zeiss Ikon Contessa – by Thomas Bell
Comment posted: 18/11/2018
Thomas Bell on 5 Frames with a Zeiss Ikon Contessa – by Thomas Bell
Comment posted: 22/11/2018
Rudolf Borgardijn on 5 Frames with a Zeiss Ikon Contessa – by Thomas Bell
Comment posted: 14/04/2019
I am curious: maybe there is some vignetting, caused by the front cover, visible on the bottom of all the pictures?
My own Contessa: at first quite unhappy. There was a film in the camera, as advertised, but the shutter couldn't be released and the film could neither be advanced nor wound back. A few hours ago I removed the film from the camera and tried all of its functions. It proves to be fully ok now.
My more or less educated guess: probably nothing serious happened to your Contessa in the past months. Just be sure the front cover is fully down.
Giving it a thorough CLA is a wise decision anyway. Mine will be CLA'd quite soon. Happy shooting! Rudolf
Naarden, Netherlands April 14 2019