Zeiss Ikon Contina IIa

The Contina IIa was a step up over the Contina Ia, adding an uncoupled light meter, and was successfully positioned at the forefront of the midrange German cameras market, say against the Vito line.

The 1952 Contina II, aka Mess Contina, was a capable camera, klapp rangefinder style. It was slotted a notch below the Ikonta / Contessa models, priced at  DM280. Three years later, Zeiss introduced the Contins IIa, which was a change in direction. The rangefinder was dropped in favour of a light meter. I guess Zeiss saw more importance in correct exposure, as the distance is easily measured/estimated, or as meters became a staple in the industry, Zeiss used this model as a stopgap. The camera price had also dropped to DM190. Both models had the same 3.5/45 lens.

The result was the best-seller Contina, which sold about 242,000 units. A 2.8/45 lens was available at a premium of just DM25. A version named Contina IIc is mentioned in some articles, also known as a short-run variant of the IIa, or Contina II Monoblock is described here.

True to Zeiss’s simplicity and quality, the camera is a pleasure to use. No hidden tricks or mystery levers, all is self-explanatory. For good measure, a link to a manual is provided below. The only downside are the tiny viewer and the excessive weight of this model. On the flip side, here, weight hints to quality. The camera on my bench is spotless; other than the 1-second speed, all other speeds happily click. The meter is agaile. Surviving in this condition for over sixty years is a badge of honour to Zeiss, who gave up on making cameras less than two decades after this model.

The lever winder contains the frame counter dial. Resetting by turning the black serrated ring in the arrow’s direction. The trigger button is modestly hidden within the counter ring.

The light meter is a classic Zeiss.

• On the meter dial, it has two sets of values, green and black.
• A dial on top sets the film speed in ASA and DIN.
• Around this dial, a skirt shows shutter speeds.
• The front-facing meter lens is covered with a hinged, slotted flap.
• Once shut, a green mark is visible. Use this setting with normal daylight.
• In poor light, open the flap by slightly pushing in the protruding pin. Once the flap is up, the green mark will be hidden.
• To read the recommended value on the light meter dial, turn the shutter speed skirt till it shows black or green, as per the flap position.
• Match the shutter speed with the aperture value suggested by the meter’s needle.

The rest of the settings are straightforward: a dial for shutter speed and another for the aperture. The synch selector X/M is on the side, combined with V for the timer. From experience, old cameras do not like self-timers, as the governors are too frail to survive. Suggest not to fiddle with it. However, if your camera does not fire, see if it is engaged.

For the collector, it is an inexpensive representation of a German post-war Zeiss product, either on the shelf or as a competent shooter.