Pentacon Contax D

Photos by Howard Patterson text by Howard Patterson. From the collection of Howard Patterson. Last update 2017-11-28 par Michel Rochevalier.

Manufactured or assembled in Germany (Former GDR) from 1952 to 1956.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 6927

See the complete technical specifications

Chronology of cameras Pentacon

This is the second SLR with a pentaprism made by Pentacon (Zeiss Ikon of Dresden). There were two names derived from the combination of 'Pentaprism' with 'Contax'; Zeiss Ikon of Dresden became 'Pentacon', and sold the name 'Pentax' to Asahi of Japan.

The mirror returns to the viewing position only after winding on the film. Focusing must be performed at near to maximum aperture on a frosted glass screen; there is no split image or Fresnel glass.

There are three unusual features of this camera: 1. there is a shutter lock, a small slider beside the viewfinder, 2. the timer is activated by turning the little wheel at the base of the lever about 1/4 turn to the right, 3. There is a spring loaded ring behind the aperture ring of the lens which when turned has the effect of restricting the range of apertures which can be used.

It was also sold with a Carl Zeiss Tessar lens. The body weighs 560 grams without a lens attached.

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