Strange case on a ZI Contessa 35

akptc · 08-10-2006

Found this Contessa 35 at a local photo store today. It looks like the "35" model except for the leather case. The "35" seems to be always shown with another type of a case, like the one here. So I am wondering what kind of a strange animal this might be. Would greatly appreciate a hint.

wlewisiii · 08-10-2006

I'm pretty sure that's just a more recent variation on the case. It is made for the Contessa - see the side hardware that hooks to the camera? AFAIK, the Contessa was the only one they did that with. Wouldn't mind just getting the case sometime for mine.

William

jlw · 08-10-2006

The type of case you show in your thumbnails (not the link) is exactly the same as the one on my Contessa 35. A similar case (with less of a bulge on the front) is used on the Contina, which has a similar body but a non-coupled rangefinder and f/3.5 Novar lens. The Contina case uses the same attachment method of spring-loaded loops that hook over the neckstrap eyelets.

I've never seen one like the one shown in the link.

akptc · 08-10-2006

William, JLW - I appreciate the info, it's nice to know the case matches the camera. Btw, this is my 1st Zeiss Ikon of any kind and I am quite amazed at the sheer quantity and machining detail of all the visible knobs and wheels on the Contessa - and it all seems to work together quite well (that’s my scientific conclusion after nearly an hour of handling the camera

wlewisiii · 08-10-2006

It really is a great little camera. Every time I pick it up I'm amazed at how _much_ it weighs...

And some of the ergonomic decisions that Hubert Nerwin made are a bit ... unusual ... by today's standards. But that 45/2.8 Opton Tessar still does a sweet job. There is little, by any camera maker, that can touch the fit and finish of Zeiss at it's best and the Contessa was them at their best.

If you haven't already seen it, Mr. Gandy has a nice page on the Contessa at Cameraquest.

William

akptc · 08-10-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by wlewisiii

... If you haven't already seen it, Mr. Gandy has a nice page on the Contessa at Cameraquest.

William

I sure did, that's usually the 1st place I go for camera info - I actually have a link to Mr. Gandy's site on my desktop

.

Speaking of ergonomics of the Contessa, I imagine that this type of a camera encouraged more deliberate picture-taking, i.e. I don't see how one could quicly adjust exposure and focus to shoot fast-changing situations. But at the same time, I think I saw a few event/reportage style pics taken with it that suggest otherwise. I suppose those must have been taken with preset exposure/focus values?

wlewisiii · 08-10-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by akptc

But at the same time, I think I saw a few event/reportage style pics taken with it that suggest otherwise. I suppose those must have been taken with preset exposure/focus values?

I would expect so. Hyperfocal distance is your friend

PM me your email address if you can recieve a 2.7mb PDF. I've got a really good copy of the manual from Mike Kovaks and page 13 will tell you all you need to know about the Zeiss red dots.

William

Rich Silfver · 08-10-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by akptc

Speaking of ergonomics of the Contessa, I imagine that this type of a camera encouraged more deliberate picture-taking, i.e. I don't see how one could quicly adjust exposure and focus to shoot fast-changing situations. But at the same time, I think I saw a few event/reportage style pics taken with it that suggest otherwise. I suppose those must have been taken with preset exposure/focus values?

I'm having a love-hate affair with my Contessa 35 - but here are some sample photos from mine (and my case looks like yours):

akptc · 08-10-2006

William, PM sent and thank you.

Rich - it was actually the 2nd and 3rd pictures above that I remembered admiring and wondering how they were taken. Somehow I missed the 1st one though - all I can say is wow.

jlw · 08-11-2006

Quote:

Speaking of ergonomics of the Contessa, I imagine that this type of a camera encouraged more deliberate picture-taking, i.e. I don't see how one could quicly adjust exposure and focus to shoot fast-changing situations.

If the shutter is cocked and the exposure is pre-set for the lighting conditions, you can take the first picture very quickly. One benefit of the odd shutter release (a cylindrical peg that sticks out from the front of the lens frame) is that it puts your index finger close to the rim of the lens, so your finger doesn't have to travel far between focusing the lens and releasing the shutter.

Getting the camera ready for the second and subsequent pictures is quite a bit more deliberate -- but in spontaneous situations, it's usually the first picture that counts.

Rich Silfver · 08-11-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by akptc

William, PM sent and thank you.

Rich - it was actually the 2nd and 3rd pictures above that I remembered admiring and wondering how they were taken. Somehow I missed the 1st one though - all I can say is wow.

Andy, thanks. Both photos were taken in the same way;
- metered with an external meter and pre-set the aperture and shutterspeed I wanted,
- stopped and focused for a few seconds before taking the shots.

drmatthes · 08-11-2006

Let's have a sticky "camera, LEGS and coffee" thread, Rich!

Great one.

Jesko

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