Help identifying this item

[Eugen Mezei]

Hello all!

Please identify this.

Sorry for the very bad picture quality I was on antiques fair, inside a building, bad light and I had only my mobile phone with me.

I have two suspicions:
- that it is a Leica part, based on the fact that I bought a Hektor and the seller told me this part came in the same lot as the Hektor. (The Hektor has the short fokus tube and an adaptor to Exakta. You can see it in the background at right from the Edixa.)
- that it is for the Contax/Kiev mount. The part number model (two numbers separated by a slash) is typical Zeiss, the lens itself is a Zeiss Tessar and the silver clip/tab at the bayonet end reminds me the bayonet of the Contax/Kiev.

The handle has a tripod attachment. (Don't remember if 1/4" or 3/8", could be it had an adaptor screwed in.)
I don't know if the item is complete.

 

[Eugen Mezei]

Two more (bad) pictures:

 

[wes loder]

It's a contaprox

It's a contaprox

It is a Zeiss post-war Contaprox for the Contax camera. Somewhat rare and a cool lens. Focus is from past infinity to nearly 1:1. Does not couple to rangefinder. You will need a focusing groundglass to set focus, then substitute the camera. That's why it has the tripod mount. No way to hold it in position while you change the camera otherwise. Should be quite sharp. If the price is low, grab it. WES LODER

 

[sevo]

I agree, a Contaprox. The ground glass component (which you would need, if you don't want to attach it to a mirrorless digital) does show up on ebay fairly often.

http://www.trenholm.org/hmmerk/SHBG11.pdf

 

[Eugen Mezei]

Wes and sevo, thank you for your help.

2 Questions:
- will this work on a Kiev (aka prewar Contax)?
- what would a fair price for it?

What other lenses are usable with it?

 

[sevo]

It will work on a Kiev, and it is a (macro) lens in itself, so no other lenses will work with it. But its extension rings and focusing aids can be used with any Contax outer bayonet mount lens - I sometimes use the matte screen for lens tests or as a directors finder.

As far as the current value is concerned, they don't fetch past prices any more - a Contaprox lens by itself (like yours) recently was sold for 92€ on ebay, a complete kit for 220€.

 

[Bill Jones]

Contaprox I

Contaprox I

Without the 1X extension tube this lens focuses to 1/2 life size. It makes very interesting lens on the Sony A7 series cameras as it can be used with the less expensive outer bayonet only type of adapters. Also the deep recess of the lens in its mounting allows it to be used without a lens shade.

When I use mine this way, I increase the contrast in post processing when I want an image to look like a modern digital one. If you want to use it with a Contax, the focusing screen and a magnifier are a must have and the rotating stage plate is very helpful.

All Contaprox 's were made with 3/8 inch screw fittings and those zoned for the USA had reducing bushings installed for 1/4 inch screws.

Bill