lifted from cameraquest website
lifted from cameraquest website
Zeiss Contax IIa and IIIa
Postwar Precision 1950-61
The Zeiss Contax was arguably the best 35mm rangefinder made before WWII, with a larger range of faster and sharper lenses than Leica. Many considered the pre-war Contax the "professional" 35mm camera, while the Leica was for amateurs. While Leica remained relatively intact after the war, Zeiss postwar recovery was made infinitely harder by being split into two separate competing West and East German companies. After W.W.II West German Zeiss introduced the modernized Contax IIa and IIIa in 1950. Compared to the prewar Contax II and III (without and with meter), the IIa and IIIa used the same lens mount with a completely re-engineered shutter mechanism, new body, and much improved chrome finish. Many believe the post war cameras are more dependable, but others will argue the point. Contax offered a complete system approach, including a broad range of lenses, viewfinders and close-up devices. Competing against the likes of the postwar Leica IIIf, Nikon S, and Canon IV, the Contax IIa and IIIa were very competitive designs in 1950.