Ron Hildebrand
Newbie
Greetings, all...
I'm pretty new to this, but I've had an old Contax II that my ex gave me in a shoebox some years ago, and I just decided to do a bit of research on it.
It's unfortunately in only fair shape, and what seems to be a very early (1935, from what I can tell) CZ Jenna 50mm f:1.5 Sonnar (Nr. 1660820) lens has about 3/4" of the front lip (the threaded portion) of the lens bent inwards toward the front element.
While I was able to find the listing of lens serial numbers at <http://home.sprynet.com/~stspring/Zeiss%20Ikon.html> to arrive at a 1935 date for the lens, I haven't been able to find a list of body serial numbers and corresponding dates. This one begins with a J (for Jenna?): J73847. There is a small personalized plate just under the Ziess Ikon logo on the back that reads, "Almacen Lindner, Bogota, Calle 3 (or 13)".
So, I have two questions if someone can help: Did Zeiss personalize cameras with plates like the one described, or would this have been something added later by the owner? Also, is there somewhere online that I can look up the date of manufacture by the serial number?
Thanks!
Ron Hildebrand
OK, I don't know how I missed the sticky about the body dating--but I found it immediately after posting this! I'd still like to know about the personalized plate if anyone has seen anything like that before.
Thanks-- Ron
I'm pretty new to this, but I've had an old Contax II that my ex gave me in a shoebox some years ago, and I just decided to do a bit of research on it.
It's unfortunately in only fair shape, and what seems to be a very early (1935, from what I can tell) CZ Jenna 50mm f:1.5 Sonnar (Nr. 1660820) lens has about 3/4" of the front lip (the threaded portion) of the lens bent inwards toward the front element.
While I was able to find the listing of lens serial numbers at <http://home.sprynet.com/~stspring/Zeiss%20Ikon.html> to arrive at a 1935 date for the lens, I haven't been able to find a list of body serial numbers and corresponding dates. This one begins with a J (for Jenna?): J73847. There is a small personalized plate just under the Ziess Ikon logo on the back that reads, "Almacen Lindner, Bogota, Calle 3 (or 13)".
So, I have two questions if someone can help: Did Zeiss personalize cameras with plates like the one described, or would this have been something added later by the owner? Also, is there somewhere online that I can look up the date of manufacture by the serial number?
Thanks!
Ron Hildebrand
OK, I don't know how I missed the sticky about the body dating--but I found it immediately after posting this! I'd still like to know about the personalized plate if anyone has seen anything like that before.
Thanks-- Ron
Last edited:
dexdog
Veteran
The sticky refers only to the post-war Contax IIa and IIIa bodies. I can't find a reference on the pre-war bodies; Zeiss used the letters Z and A through O for the Contax II and Contax III serial numbers. Henry Scherer told me that my D-series Contax II dates to 1937, so I would guess that the J-series was used in 1939 or 1940.
CameraQuest has some info, scroll down on the following link.
http://cameraquest.com/zconrf2.htm
CameraQuest has some info, scroll down on the following link.
http://cameraquest.com/zconrf2.htm
Ron Hildebrand
Newbie
dexdog said:
Thanks--I see that now.
And thanks for the guestimate based on your body.Ron Hildeband
BrunoK
BrunoK
Ron,
While browsing for Contax II sn question I came upon your old post.
A delayed response to one of your questions re: back plate. It is most likely that of the dealer. I have an Agfa with a plate with street address in Geneva Switzerland. So yours most likely was part of a shipment sold by a dealer in Colombia. Google the street address, it might still be in business.
While browsing for Contax II sn question I came upon your old post.
A delayed response to one of your questions re: back plate. It is most likely that of the dealer. I have an Agfa with a plate with street address in Geneva Switzerland. So yours most likely was part of a shipment sold by a dealer in Colombia. Google the street address, it might still be in business.