Contax S

1949

VEB Zeiss-Ikon

Dresden

German Democratic Republic

Lens:

f2, 58 mm Biotar, pre-set iris diaphragm to f22. Depth of field scale. 42 mm screw mount. Serial no. 3538648 .

Shutter:

Focal-plane speeded 1 - 1/1000, B. Delayed action.

Construction:

Leather covered metal body.

Format:

36, 24 x 36 mm exposures on 35 mm film held in cassette.

Focusing:

Helical to 1.75 feet.

Attributes:

Reflex viewing through taking lens.
Film-advance tensions the shutter. Auto-stop on film-advance.

Serial Number:

23511 .

The Contax S was the first single-lens reflex with a pentaprism it also introduced the M42 x 1 lens thread later used on the Praktica, Edixa and Pentax cameras. The Contax set the pattern for 35 mm cameras for many years to come.

Early versions of the S have no delayed action.

Further Information:

Dechert, Contax S Family.; Matanle, Classic SLR, p. 70.

Early Photography