1964 Zeiss IKON Contarex Bullseye 35mm SLR Camera Body With Interchangeable Back & Dark Slide

This unusual looking camera, serial number D23404, is a 1964 Zeiss IKON Contarex Bullseye 35mm SLR Camera Body With Interchangeable Back & Dark Slide. The camera is sold without a Zeiss lens.

The camera body is in excellent cosmetic condition with only a few small blemishes on the chrome and body.  The shutter cocks and depresses satisfactorily, and the timer is operating correctly. Tested at 1/8 second speed setting.

We have not had a film through the camera and the Selenium meter does not appear to be active.

Although working, It would benefit from a professional clean and service as it hasn't been used for a number of years. The price has been adjusted accordingly.

First SLR with a focal plane shutter, it also has direct meter coupling to the shutter, aperture and film speed! 

This particular camera has the serial number D23404, which dates it to 1963/64. It is the second version of the Contarex I manufactured and has a 6mm slot in the back of the camera to enable you to insert a data strip.

Specification

• Product Line: Zeiss IKON Contarex I
• Type: SLR body (chrome and black)
• Manufacturer: Zeiss IKON (West Germany) 10.2401
• Year of manufacture: 1964, serial number D23404 {D 20501 to D 21096 and D 21101 to 23604, were produced from 1963-1964}
• Films: 35mm, speeds up to 1600 ASA
• Focal: Manual focus f1.4-f22
• Flash Synchronisation: Flashbulb and electronic flash automatic flash control.
• Two Focusing systems: Split image rangefinder and ground glass ring
• Shutter speeds: 1 to 1/1000
• Metering: Selenium meter (photoelectric cell- not working) located in the 'bullseye.' ASA range 5-1600
• Hotshoe
• Compatible Lens System (not included) 
  • Bayonet Mounted Zeiss 21mm f/4.5 Biogon, 35mm f/4 Distagon, 50mm f/2 Planar, 85mm f/2 Sonnar, 135mm f/4 Sonnar and 250mm f/4 Sonnar.

Due to their rarity, in good working condition, these cameras can sell for over £700 so we think the quoted price is very keen for a camera of such quality and rarity, especially with the added accessory of the interchangeable back.

Affectionally known as the Contarex I 'Cyclops or 'Bullseye,' all settings can be read from the top of the camera. Its extremely complex design contributed to the demise of Zeiss but it is, arguably, the best 35mm SLR ever made; 'designed to handle any photographic task.'

The camera has an interlocking mechanism, which makes removing the interchangeable camera back impossible unless you follow the correct sequence as dictated by the manufacturer. If this is done incorrectly, you can damage the camera and they are incredibly expensive to have repaired!

If you are unfamiliar with this type of camera, we would strongly recommend that you buy and/or read a manual prior to use. This website is an excellent source: https://www.cameramanuals.org/zeiss_ikon/voigtlander_interchangeable_back.pdf. 

Significantly more expensive and rarer than the Leica M3, with only 32,000 produced compared with 225,000 Leica M3 over the same period. 

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