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

The shutter speeds to the left of '/s stand for fractions
of seconds (thus
15 means 'lt5 second), the figures
to the right of '/2 stand for full seconds.
The values found are then set on the aperture scale and
shutter speed ring of the CONTAFLEX II as described in
the following pages.
For the figures for full seconds marked
in green the
shutter must be set to "B" (see page 13).
A prism unit
is built in underneath the meter cover.
This ensures
that the direction and angle of view of
the exposure meter exactly correspond to the view
taken
in by the CONTAFLEX II.
11

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Setting the Aperture
Depress the button (17) and at the same
time rotate the black milled ring carrying
the aperture scale (8) until the required
aperture number
is opposite the index
(18) (Fig. 3).
If necessary, the diaphragm
can also be set to intermediate values.
When making somf' consecutive exposures
it
is recommendable to check the setting
before each exposure.
As the aperture ring
clicks into position
at each setting, you can
even set the aperture
in the dark by
touch only.
In that case start from one
end position
and count the clicks to the
required setting.
The aperture can be ad-

justed whether the shutter is tensioned or
not (see next section).
Setting the Shutter Speed
Rotate the chromium plated milled ring
(14) until the black dot (15) is oppositp.
the required speed figure (see Fig. 3).
The milled ring clicks into position at
each settingi this precludes intermediate
speeds.
The numbers indicate fractions
of a second (thus 60 stands for 1/ 60 se-
cond,
and so on). When set to B, the
shutter remains open as long as the
release button (20) is depressed (see page
22). For setting
the selftimer see page 26.
To tension
the Synchro-Compur-MXV
shutter turn the winding knob (19) in the
direction of the arrow as fa r as it will go .
This at the same time advances the film
by one frame.
The coupling of the film
transport and shutter tensioning makes
double exposures and blank frames im-
possible. All shutter speeds can be set
either before or after winding the film.
Keeping the shutter tensioned does not
harm it in any way.
13

A Useful Hint : When winding the knob
don't just twiddle it round with two fin-
gers like a screw. A much more convenient
and quicker way is to swing both hands
simultaneously
in opposite directions with
one
hand holding on to the camera body
and the other gripping the winding knob
(Fig. 4).
When winding the shutter, please note
that the winding knob (19) should be
turned until a positive resistance
is felt,
otherwise the shutter may remain closed
when operating upon being released.

Setting the Distance
The built-in ~oupled rangefinder system
sets the camera to the correct distance.
When you look through the finder eye-
piece (25) you will see a clear circle en-
closed
by a ground glass screen ring in
the centre of the field of view. This circle
is cut in two by a horizontal line (see
illustration right). You can measure the
subject distance in two ways:
1. Sight a vertical line (e. g. the edge of
a wall, or a tree trunk) through the
finder. On turning the focusing mount
(13), the image in the upper half of
the circle will move relative to the
lower half. When the two halves of the
image are exactly aligned, the lens is
set to the correct distance.
2. If the subject shows no prominent ver-
ticals, observe the image in the ground
glass ring. Turn the focusing mount
(13) to or fro until this image on the
ground glass is pin sharp.
15

o
N
N
N
It is immaterial which method you use,
in either case the lens is automatically
set to the required distance.
The Depth of Field Scale
The sharp definition of the lens is not
limited to subjects
at the exact focused
distance,
but also covers a certain range
in front of, and behind, this point. That
zone of sharpness is comparatively small
at full aperture (f: 2.8), but becomes
greater the more you stop down the lens.
The depth of field scale (10) shows the
extent of this zone
at various aperture
settings. Two series of aperture numbers
are engraved for this purpose to the left
and right of the distance setting index
(11).
The distance figures on the focusing
scale (12) opposite these aperture num-
bers then indicate the extent of the depth
of ficld. For
in stance, with the lens set to
6 feet (Fig. 5), the left-hand figure 8 is
opposite about 41 /2 feet, and the right-
hand figure 8 opposite about 9 feet. Thus
for a subject 6 feet away
and with the
lens stopped down to
f: 8, everything
between about
41 /2 and about 9 feet will
be sharp.
The table on ' page 18 gives
more exact values.
16

You can equally well go about it the
• other way round and measure with the
rangefinder the nearest
and farthest
points of
th~ subject that have to be
sharp. Then simply find the required
aperture from the depth of field scale.
Do not, however, stop down further than
necessary to make sure of the depth of
field you want. Otherwise you may need
long
expos~re times, which increase the
risk of camera shake (see page 22).
For technical reasons there is a second scale below
the focusing scale (12), but it has no bearing on
the operation of the CONT AFLEX ll .

Depth-of-field tuble for CONTAFLEX
The settin gs of distance a nd diaphra gm result in the following de pth of field ranges
DiS - I
Depth of Field at Apertu re : I
tance f : 2"8 I f : 4 I f :
5"6
I
f: 8 I
f:ll
I
f: 16
I
f: 22
00
48" 00
33'6" 00
24' 00
16'9"
00
12'3" 00
8'6"'
co 6'3"
00
20' 14'1"
33 ' 2"
1 2'5" 4T3"
10'1 0" 107 ' 9"2"'
co
T6 " 00
6'1"'
00 4'9 "'
00
, "
10'
8'2" 12'1" 7'5"
13'9"
7'2"' 18'4'"
6'3" 22 ' 11 " 5'7'" 46"3" 4"8"
00
4' 00
6' 5'9"
T6"
5'T ' 8'
4'7" 8'2"
4"1" 9' 10 "
3'8" 12"9" 3"1" 25'7" 3'2'"
00
4'
3'8" 4'4"
3'7" 4'1"
3'6" 4' 8"
3' 3" 4' 11 "
3" 1" "5'7"' 2'9" 6'
1l" ' 2'4
"' 9'1"
I 3' 2'1
0" 3'2"
2'8" 3'3" 2'7" 3'
6""
2 '6" 3' 8 '"
2'4 "" 4' 2'2" 4
'9"
I' ll '" 6'1"
00

HoLding the Camera
Hold the CONTAFLEX II perfectly still while
exposing. Support the camera body with
the palm of both hands
and firmly grip
it with the fingers (Fig. ,
6) . Press the
thumbs against the back of the camera.
Use the second finger ' of the left
hand
to rotate the lens mount (13) for focusing,
and the right index finger to press the
release button (20). Press the elbows
19

lightly against the body. You can use
either the left or right eye to look
through the finder (Figs. 7 and 8). This
is the position for horizontal shots with
the CONT
AF LEX II.
For upright pictures turn th e camera
through 90 degrees, and press the upper
end gently against the forehead with the
left hand.
The second finger again
operates the focusing mount (13). The
right hand supports the 'camera from
underneath, with
th e thumb on the
20