Tenax II book

wes loder

Photographer/Historian
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I am currently working on an illustrated history and compendium on the Tenax II camera. I expect to have it in print in 2017. Anyone interested? I am trying to get a feel for numbers, so I will have an idea of costs. Thanks, WES
 
A book about the Tenax II would be great, but I think a lot more people will be interested in a definitive book on the Contax I. The Tenax II is a very rare camera.

Erik.
 
I agree with what Erik has said about the limited copies of the Tenax II out there.
 
A book about the Tenax II would be great, but I think a lot more people will be interested in a definitive book on the Contax I. The Tenax II is a very rare camera.

Erik.
The Tenax II is not that rare, but you are correct about the Contax. But the books on the Contax have been done, and I do not own any Contax Is. I have to work with what I have and like. Thanks for your response. WES
 
It is always great to read a book written by someone who something special and personal has to say about an interesting subject. I remember very well the time I've read Rotoloni's first book about the Nikon rangefinders. That really was something.

About the Contax I I only know the book by Kuc, a good, but not a great book. And it is also about the other 35mm cameras from Zeiss.

Erik.
 
A book about the Tenax-II would be a great contribution on an excellent and relatively less-known camera.

My own Tenax-II, body no. J. 89893 and CZJ Sonnar 1:2 f=4cm no. 1845179, belonged to my grandfather (who was a Zeiss fan): it surely needs an overhaul, but it still works fine.

Best wishes from Italy,

Enzo (E.L.)
 
My own Tenax-II, body no. J. 89893 and CZJ Sonnar 1:2 f=4cm no. 1845179, belonged to my grandfather (who was a Zeiss fan):
Best wishes from Italy,

Enzo (E.L.)[/quote]

An interesting combination. The Sonnar is among the first 200 made for the Tenax and would date to the spring of 1937. The camera is part of the third series and would date to mid-1939. But I have seen other late Tenax with early lenses.
Thank you for your interest. WES
 
Dear Wes,

thank you for your reply.

Actually, my grandfather owned a Contax-I first, then the II, bought late in 1937 and, after the war, a IIa/IIIa. I also have a III, belonged to him, but I don't know if purchased after the hostilities. One thing is sure, in 1943, he received a Sonnar 50/1,5 (Red "T") as a present from his brother, who was a journalist in a German newspaper.

Back to the Tenax, searching through some of his surviving papers and family memories via-my mother, I think he bought it in 1940. I've always seen it, mounted with that Sonnar.

He taught me the "how-to" in photography with his Contax-II (a camera I still have and sometimes use, along with other, related, Zeiss equipment), but I remeber that he -especially while hiking or climbing mountains- took the Tenax, or the folding Contessa with him.

Best wishes,

Enzo (E.L.)
 
Tenax II book is out

Tenax II book is out

My book on the Tenax II camera is now available for purchase through Blurb.


http://www.blurb.com/b/8013552-the-tenax-ii-zeiss-ikon-s-precision-fast-action-ca

A comprehensive history and description of Zeiss Ikon's Tenax II camera from 1937-1945, complete with numerous illustrations taken with the camera and its lenses. You can see a preview of the book on Blurb. Price is $34.99 plus shipping. Take a look.
 
Congrats, Wes.
How can I get a preview? I went to the website, but I am unable to find a way to actually get preview there. Maybe I am doing something incorrectly. Must I "log in"?
 
You should be able to preview the book at the Blurb site noted above. Click on "Preview" then move the bar across that appears under the picture of the cover. Cheers, WES
 
A great resource, indeed!

From what I can see, mine is a pretty early one, both the camera and lens are in the first 300 serial range, E3261 / 1846296 (Tessar).
 
Images from the book

Images from the book

Here are a few images of the Tenax II book. The third picture is of all four lenses that were sold for use on the Tenax II. From left to right they are: 2.7cm f4.5 Orthometar with finder, 4cm f2.8 Tessar, 7.5cm f4 Sonnar with albada finder and 4cm f2 Sonnar.
DSC_0209.JPG
DSC_0210.JPG
4%2Blenses.JPG
 
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