Tag Archives: Contarex

the good, the bad, and the ugly – again

Posted on January 3, 2022 by Robert

Toronto. The last time I used this title. it was for a Leica accessory . This time it is camera design at and after the mid 1930s and the minicam revolution. Good camera design encompasses many considerations. Ergonomically designed, utilitarian, light, … Continue reading →

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not with a bang, but a whimper

Posted on May 3, 2021 by Robert

Toronto. Talk about bad timing laced with bad decisions! Zeiss introduced the Contarex SLR just as Nippon Kogaku introduced it’s Nikon F. The Contarex was an engineer’s dream – a massive three pounds; over 1,000 parts per camera body; every … Continue reading →

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plus ça change

Posted on April 13, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. It is said that the more things change, the more they are the same. Like the Zeiss Sonnar lens for example. Larry Gubas in his massive text “Zeiss and Photography” shows the Sonnar as it was initially sold in … Continue reading →

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way too much, way too late

Posted on April 7, 2020 by Robert

Toronto. The Contarex was Zeiss-Ikon’s SLR flagship. With some 1,100 plus precision measured components, it was an engineer’s dream – and a repairman’s nightmare. The $500 US  “Bulls-eye” Contarex was announced at the 1958 Photokina but didn’t hit the shelves … Continue reading →

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