Contaflex Prima - Antique and Vintage Cameras

Contaflex Prima

1959

Zeiss-Ikon

Stuttgart

West Germany

Image of Contaflex Prima

Lens:
f2.8, 45 mm Pantar, automatic iris diaphragm to f22. Depth-of-field scale. Fixed lens with removable, bayonet mount, front cell for wide-angle or telephoto attachments.

Shutter:
Prontor Reflex, speeds 1 - 1/300, B. Delayed action. X, M Flash synchronisation.

Construction:
Metal body.

Format:
36, 24 x 36 mm exposures on 35 mm film in cassette. Two Contax cassettes can be used or one standard cassette with re-wind.

Focusing:
Front cell to 1 metre.

Attributes:
Reflex viewing through taking lens. Roof pentaprism finder, split-image rangefinder on focusing screen with Fresnel condenser.
Auto-stop on film advance. Film advance tensions the shutter. Film advance and shutter inter-linked for double and blank exposure prevention.
Coupled selenium exposure meter, match needle type with a window on the top of camera. Additional shutter speeds shown on the meter of 4, 8, 15, 30 and 60 sec. Film speed setting: ASA 10 - 1300, 12 - 33 DIN. There is an index mark plus settings for overrating the film by 2 and 4 times.
Exposure counter. Film reminder dial.

Serial Number:
S59082 .

With:

  • Rubber lens hood. Ever-ready case.

The Prima replaced the Alpha and Beta models. It had a coupled exposure meter, but the needle was not visible in the finder. The speed and aperture settings were cross-coupled. When taking a reading, a pointer was aligned to the meter needle by turning the aperture scale on the lens whilst holding down a small catch that disengaged the shutter/aperture coupling. The camera could be used with interchangeable backs and a rapid wind lever was fitted. The front element of the lens could be replaced by lenses giving 30 and 75 mm focal lengths.

Further Information:
For a list of Contaflex models see Contaflex Models and lenses.

Kine Exakta

Cnopm (Sport)

Praktiflex

Praktiflex II

Alpa-Reflex

Contax S

Pentacon F

Pentacon FB

Praktina FX

Praktica

Praktica FX2

Praktica IV F

Praktica nova

Praktica Super TL

Exakta Varex IIa

Exakta Varex IIb

Exakta VX 1000

Exakta RTL 1000

Exa

Edixa

Wrayflex I

Asahiflex IIA

Contaflex

Contaflex Beta

Contaflex Prima

Contaflex Rapid

Contaflex Super (Old)

Contaflex Super B

Contaflex Super BC

Contaflex S

Contarex

Icarex

Bessamatic

Bessamatic

Bessamatic De-Luxe

Bessamatic m

Bessamatic CS

Ultramatic

Ultramatic CS

Leicaflex

Nikon Photomic FTN

Nikkormat FTn

Pentax S1a

Spotmatic

Canon F-1n

Zenith 3M

Pentina

Contaflex 126