help needed for contameter

[murpograph]

I recently bought a "Zeiss Ikon Contameter". But I cannot find any instructions how to use. No scale inside visible and only a small lever in the back. But in every position of the lever the both yellowish spots match at a distance of approx. 30 cm (1 ft. I guess).

Does anybody how how to use and even the type of contameter?

Thanks in advance

 

[ernesto]

I do not know this particular model.
Anyway my guess is that they should have several presets (probably as read in the picture) 3f.

Then while you look through the viewfinder, you can adjust the camera distance to the subject to match the desired preset.



Ernesto

 

[Wouter]

As far as I recall, the contameter comes with several close-up lenses - it's the combination that does the trick. Don't you have the lenses ?

 

[ZeissFan]

That's right. You would use the Contameter with a matching set of close-up lenses, marked as 20, 30 and 50 (I think ... doing this part from memory).

Some also are marked according to their distance, depending on the set you have.

The ones for the Contax were marked as 20-30-50, while the ones for the Contaflex (and Ikonta 35, Contina and Contessa) were marked by distance: 1m, 0.5m, 0.3m and 0.2m.

Mount the viewfinder to the camera. Move the lever to the matching close-up lens. To focus, move the camera to and fro (backward and forward) until the images are lined up.

Sort of a pain, but that's how it is with rangefinders and close-up lenses.

Here's another Contameter.

 

[ernesto]

This was for Contax I

http://www.cameraquest.com/zconrf1a.htm

Indeed it comes with closeup lens

This other is for Contax II

http://www.cameraquest.com/zconrf2.htm

And it comes with 3 closeup lens

E

 

[ZeissFan]

By the way, that little lever corrects for parallax. For some reason, I think this particular model was made for the rigid-lens (nonfolding) Continas, although I might be wrong about this.

 

[Robert Lai]

This is a late posting, but I have the same Contameter.
It came in a leather case with a Proxar 1, 27mm diameter close-up lens.
I use it on my Zeiss Contessa.

In use, Zeiss recommends that you use f/8 or a smaller stop.
There are two settings on the foot, that control the parallax adjustment.
At the infinity symbol, set the camera lens with Proxar to infinity on the focusing ring, and look through the contameter to determine when the object is in focus. Use the larger set of framelines for framing.

If you want to get closer, set the lens focus distance to 3 feet, and make the appropriate adjustment on the Contameter. Then, use the inner set of framelines for composition. Contameter's RF will provide the correct focus indication.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

The range-finder had 3 prisms matching the 3 supplementary lenses for the camera's lens. Marked 50, 33 and 20 (cm). They gave 1:10, 1:6.5 and 1:4 respectively.

The RF had two shoes "50-33" and "20" used for parallax correction.

Once fitted the camera's lens was focused at infinity and then the camera was moved backwards and forwards to get the images in the RF OK.

That's a quick summary taken from the Focal Guide to the Contax (vintage 1942). Freytag's book says the same.

Regards, David

 

[David Hughes]

Just found a picture etc in a Zeiss Ikon catalogue (1937 Vintage).

Sorry the page is a little curved but the catalogue is rather thick (100 pages) and has been edge stapled.

Regards, David

PS About 4 UD dollars to the pound sterling then so £10=5/= translates to US $41.