Zeiss Ikon Contaflex II
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The Contaflex II was produced between 1954 and 1958. Their are two sub-types of this model based on what meter is has. This is the earlier dual-range meter version. The Contaflex is a fixed lens SLR with a leaf shutter rather than the more common focal plane shutter seen in most SLRs.
The Contaflex is a solid camera that weighs more than it looks. Mine came with cold shoe accessory that fits on top of the prism housing. The Contaflex II lacks an instant return mirror so the viewfinder is blacked out till the shutter has been cocked for the next shot.
The Contaflex II features a Tessar 2.8 45mm lens with the typical range of shutter speeds. The lens is very thin compared to the body making it a relatively compact unit.
The focus ring on the Contaflex is thin and very close to the front element. I had many accidental exposures of my thumb that I didn't notice in the viewfinder till after the film was developed.
contaflexDaytonFlowerKodak Porta 400Wegerzyn GardensZeiss Ikon Contaflexclassic camerafoldertulips
The camera itself is simple but slow to operate. It's funny how much you notice the lack of a film advance lever on an SLR even when you aren't taking rapid photos. Oddly enough it doesn't bother me with most cameras. I guess that the presence of an advance lever is just ingrained into my mind when it comes to my internal conception of an SLR.
contaflexDaytonKodak Porta 400Wegerzyn GardensZeiss Ikon Contaflexclassic camerafolder
For the first time I was forced to send my film to an outside lab for development. Most of the local places i used to use have stopped processing film and the few that remain are charging exorbitant prices. I don't shoot enough color to justify processing my own considering the short life of the chemicals. It's annoying but just the way it is now. At least there are plenty of great labs around the country. This roll was processed by Dwayne's in Kansas.
contaflexDaytonKodak Porta 400Wegerzyn GardensZeiss Ikon Contaflexclassic camerafolder
The film is a five year old roll of Kodak Porta that I found in the back of my film drawer. Usually I freeze any color film that I won't be using quickly but this roll seems to have held up well.
contaflexDaytonFlowerKodak Porta 400Wegerzyn GardensZeiss Ikon Contaflexclassic camerafoldertulips
This part of Wegerzyn Gardens floods for part of the year. The water is usually very still creating very sharp reflections in the water.
contaflexDaytonKodak Porta 400Wegerzyn GardensZeiss Ikon Contaflexclassic camerafolder
I've always found this statue to be particularly peaceful. it stands alone at the edge of the park and is easy to miss as it isn't surrounded by the more dramatic flowers of the gardens.
contaflexDaytonKodak Porta 400Wegerzyn GardensZeiss Ikon Contaflexclassic camerafolderstatue
Wegerzyn Gardens
2015
Kodak Porta 400contaflexDaytonKodak Porta 400Wegerzyn GardensZeiss Ikon Contaflexclassic camerafolderforestwoods
