Zeiss Contarex 35 Electronic and 35 Mechanic

The Zeiss Contarex 35 Electronic was probably the most sophisticated camera of its time and was supposed to be an engineering marvel from Zeiss.

It's a massive, chrome-plated beast that impresses, at least looking at it. But it's very rare to have one working properly. 

The camera has a huge, very bright optical viewfinder that accepts interchangeable focus screens. The standard one is a fresnel-type with a micro prism collar and split image focusing aid. The viewfinder also shows the light meter and the shutter speed readings.

Ergonomics? What for? Just a very heavy brick-like body with a strange control layout. The focusing control is standard, but the aperture is linked to a wheel at the camera's front, near the prism box. The shutter speed control is around the counter, film advance, and shutter release button. 

This is a terribly complicated setup in terms of mechanics and a nightmare to CLA. Do not try to CLA it unless you're a very experienced technician. This camera demands a true expert for this.

Contarex 35 Electronic

The shutter is electronically controlled and this means that the camera needs batteries to work. It uses a strange choice, two "N" batteries, being the original mercury ones. But you can use alkaline as well, and the camera has a built-in battery test button.

If you really want to dig into this camera internals, please read this first. Again, be advised and do not try to service it unless you're a very skilled technician.

It's a very interesting camera IF you can find one in proper working order, but expect to pay $800 (working) to $1500 (for one in perfect condition), body only.

Avoid it if not working ! It may cost you an arm and a leg to get it repaired. If in good working order, it's a pleasure to use it.

The Contarex 35 Professional is the classical mechanical version of the previously mentioned camera. It's still very complicated to service. But it's far more reliable than the electronic model.

Contarex 35 Professional

The camera has no electronics of any kind, neither a light-meter. That's the good news, no unreliable mercury-battery powered tricky meter.

The shutter speeds go from 1s to 1/1000s and the curtain is made of cloth. The viewfinder is, like the electronic cousin, very clear and allows a precise focus.

Contarex 35 Professional
Top View

Not a cheap camera on eBay, but who knows when you will find one on a garage sale ?

Here is a small list of the available lenses for the Contarex

• 15mm F8 Hologon (outrageously expensive)
• 18mm F4 Distagon (veeery expensive)
• 21mm F4.5 Biogon (still veeery expensive)
• 35mm F2 Distagon (expensive)
• 35mm F4 Distagon (budget)
• 50mm F2.8 Tessar (budget)
• 50mm F2 Planar (expensive) *
• 55mm F1.4 Planar (very expensive)
• 85mm F2 Sonnar (expensive) *
• 135mm F2.8 Sonnar (expensive)
• 135mm F4 Sonnar (budget) *
• 250mm F4 Sonnar (no idea)

* My favorites, all insanely sharp.