Zeiss Ikon Contessa-35 1950-55 Version
The Contessa-35 cameras, of the early 1950s, are some of the finest folding, 35mm rangefinders you can find. Built by Zeiss Ikon from 1950-55, and based upon a design by Hubert Nerwin, the Contessa-35 was Zeiss Ikon's return to glory, following the devastation of World War II. While a camera, such as the Kodak Retina IIIC, may be the most widely known and sought-after folding 35mm rangefinder, the Contessa-35 will be a very pleasing camera to those who seek it out.
The Contessa-35, also known by it's catalog number of 533/24, is all mechanical. The user sets the shutter speed and aperture via knurled rings around the lens. A relatively prominent knob near the front element is used for adjusting focus, with a combined viewfinder and rangefinder allowing composition and focus confirmation, simultaneously. The Contessa-35 incorporated a selenium cell light meter atop the camera, which was an impressive addition for that era but, given its age since, is likely no longer functional. There are two versions of the folding Contessa-35 and both feature a Tessar 45mm f/2.8 lens. The differences between the two versions include the early model having a Compur-Rapid shutter and X sync for flash, with the later model using a Synchro Compur shutter and having M & X sync.
Between 1960-1970 Zeiss Ikon produced a different version of the Contessa-35 that does not fold and, for all intents and purposes, is simply a different camera.
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