ZEISS IKON CONTAFLEX II User manual

THE CONTAFLEX II CONTROLS
1 Point er of exposure meter
2 Setting dial of exposure meter
3 Film speed setting knob
4 Rewind knob
5 Button to open the meter cover
6 Eyelets for
carrying strap
7 Flash socket
8 Aperture Scale
9 Synchronizing lever
10 Depth-of-field scale
11 Distance setting index
12 Focusing scale
13 Focusing mount
14 Shutter speed setting ring
For funher camera controls sec page 42 .

made by ZEISS IKON AG ., STlITrG , \RT com·
bines the advantages of a miniature with
those of a reflex camera. Its design
is
based on many years of experience in
the manufacture of precision cameras.
While it has been produced for the ad-
vanced amateur, it
is of great value to
the professional worker, the scientist,
and the technical photographer.
The C ONTAFL EX II offers every imagin-
able
safeguard for the success of your
pictures.
The built- in photo-electric ex-
posure meter, completely encased within
the camera body for maximum protec-
tion, reliably indicates the correct aper-
ture amI shutter speed even for colour
shots.
Two coupled focusing systems en-
sure
accurate focusing of the world-
famous 13/. inch (45 mm.) Z EISS
TES S AR
f 2.8 lens. The large clear finder image
is completely free from parallax even
at close range. The automatic coupling
of
quite a few operations and the clear
arrangement of all controls make the
camera instantly
ready for action. And
with the extensive
CONTAFL EX system of
accessories described in detail on the
last pages of this booklet, ,you can cover
an amazing range of interesting subjects.
4

To make the best use of all the features
of your Contaflex and to get the most
out of your pictures, please study this
instruction booklet carefully. While doing
so, open out the front and
back cover pages for easier
comparison of the descrip-
tion with the i)lustrations
of the camera.
Start by practising the
various operations of pic-
ture taking without a film
in the camera. If you are
doubtful
on any point, your
photo dealer will be glad
to help you with further
advice and information.
We are sure that you have made a wise
choice
in buying the CONTAFLEX, and
that it will giveyou much pleasure to u
se it.
We would like to share your enjoyment,
and
we shall appreciate it if you care to
send us some of the outstanding pictures
you have taken with your CONTA
FL EX II.
Tb, pi ct u rr on pa g' 2 of tb, cov er was t ak, n w it b tb,
CONTAFLEX at s un s't. E xpos ur , '/ 60 stco nd at f' 5.6.
5

The large bright finder shows the picture
in almost natural size before you take it.
The built-in Fresnel-type field lens evenly
illuminates the finder screen right into
the corners. The pentaprism ensures an
upright
and right-way-round image at
eye-level. The finder shows the correct
view, completely free from parallax,
even with the lens attachments' or the
supplementary lenses for close-up photo-
graphy.
The built-in photo - electric exposure meter
indicates reliably aperture and shutter
speed settings even in poor light.
It has
behind it twenty years of experience by
ZEISS IKON in the design and manufacture
of photo-electric exposure meters.
The focusing system clearly shows the
point of sharpest definition in the finder
by means of a split-image rangefinder
and ground glass screen, and is coupled
with the lens.
The lens is the world-famous ZEISS TESSAR
f : 2.8 with a focal length of 13 /, inches
(45 mm.).
It is coated and fully colour-
6

corrected, and yields pin-sharp images on
black-and-white or colour film.
Tbe SynCbro-Compur-Sbutter, model MXV
with built-in selftimer has shutter speeds
1 to 1/ 500 second as well as a B setting
for time exposures of any duration.
It
is speedsynchronized and can be used
with any flash unit up to the fastest
shutter speed.
All settings are visible at a glance from
above. The
spring-loaded pre - selector iris
and the coupled film transport and shut-
ter tensioning mechanism make the ca-
mera ready for action
at a moment's
notice.
The camera takes 24x36
mm . negatives
on 35 mm. miniature film available in
standard daylight cassettes, daylight
refills, darkroom refills, or as bulk film.
With the special cassettes the film can be
. changed in daylight after any number
of
exposures without rewinding.
Tbe re movable baCk simplifies loading
and unl
oa ding as well as cleaning of the
camera.
Tb e all -me tal bo dy guarantees the utmost
mechanical
pr e ci sion of all components -
the haIl-mark of ZEISS
IKO N products.
7
o

Exposure Readings
Before taking the picture, determine the
exposure time with the built-in photo-
electric exposure meter (Fig. 2). This
yields accurate readings even
in poor
light, irrespective of whether the
CONTA-
FLEX II is loaded with black-and-white
film, or negative or reversal colour
material.
First set the speed of the film used. Rotate
the inner disc by means of the small knob
(3) until the black index line of one
of
the two windows is opposite the appro-
priate speed number. Use the window
on the left (looking in the direction
of
the subject) for ASA speeds, or the right-
hand window for
DIN exposure index
numbers. The disc can also be set
to intermediate values. To make things
easier, partly pull up the rewind knob (4)
(see Fig.
31 on page 34).
If the film speed is quoted in systems
other than
DIN or ASA,' use the table
to obtain the corresponding speed.
8

Comparison Table
of the most co mmonl y u.sed film speed ,(ystems
ASA SdJ'iner
Scbei tltr
Weston
DIN
Exp . Ind.
Europe
USA
jn 110°
5 20
13 4
12
6
21
14 5 13
8
22
15 6 14
10
23
16 8
15
12
24
17 10 16
16
25
18
12
17
20
26 19 16 18
25 27 20 20
19
32
28
21 24 20
40 29 22
32
21
50 30
23
40
22
64 31
24 50 23
80 32
25
64
24
100
33
26
80
25
12 5 34 27 100 26
160 35
28 125 27
200
36
29 160 28
250 37 30 200 29
320 38 31 250 30
9

With colour film straightforward speed
figures are more difficult, because
by their
terms of reference the various speed systems
only apply to black-and-white materials.
Most film manufacturers therefore quote
the s.peed of their colour films as
If to be
exposed like
... If. This generally gives
perfectly good results. But if you want to
be quite certain, make a series of test shots
with different exposure times. This will
show the b
es t film speed setting on your
exposure meter for the colour film em-
ployed.
For exact measurement, the flap of the
exposure meter should be opened
by a
slight pressure towards the left of button
(5).
The CONTAF LEX II should then be
aimed
at the subject in the way you ac-
tually want to take it.
When this is done
the pointer (1) will deflect immediately.
Now the setting ring (2) should be turned
until the centre of the small circular mark
is exactly on top of the pointer when seen
from above (see Fig. 2).
The correct ex-
posure time (outer scale) can now be read
immediately from the setting ring (2) for
any stop (inner scale) required and vice
versa.
10