Zeiss Contaflex Prima and Pantar Lens Test

[PFMcFarland]

The Zeiss Contaflex Prima is an improved version of the earlier Alpha and Beta models (Alpha had no meter, while the Beta did). It offers a built-in accessory shoe, and a rapid winder, along with the selenium meter. Standard lens element is a 2.8/45 Pantar, with 4/30 and 4/75 Pantars available.

I know that the Pantar series of lens elements (only the front section interchanges, the middle and rear elements are permanently mounted in the camera) aren’t known for being the sharpest in the Zeiss stable, but I expected better results than what I got with these. It could be that the mirror needs adjustment. It also could be that the 2.8/45 I used from my Contina III does not match well with the Prima (the one that came on the Prima is damaged). I was also using Kodak Gold 200 which, while having good color rendition, is not as good as any of their 100 speed offerings when it comes to resolution. I’ll have to give the camera a good check-out before shooting it again.

But I like it. It has a good weight to it, especially with the 30 and 75 attached. And with the 1132 hood on the 75, it looks like a rocket motor.

2.8/45

Pink Pops by br1078phot, on Flickr


4/30

Lick Run by br1078phot, on Flickr



4/75

Entrance To The Zone by br1078phot, on Flickr



The Kit

Zeiss Contaflex Prima Group Photo by br1078phot, on Flickr

See all the photos and commentary at:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/7699588@N ... 095160551/

PF

[Bennybee]

Hi Phil, that is a very nice set of equipment you have there. And the results from it are great too.
Looks plenty sharp to me, nothing left to desire. I like the type face on the prism of the camera.

[minoly]

Phil, it's really good to see your photos with the Contaflex and the photos of the equipment itself. As I remember, the various models were really advertised heavily in the photo mags; I suppose that was in the 60's? Your results are fine. It's an impressive set of gear!

Bill Delehanty

[PFMcFarland]

Thanks, guys. My problem is that the viewer in my version of Windows is not very good, and the working image in PS Elements is kinda small, so I'm always thinking the scans are crappy. That is until I see them in a browser. It's an issue I thought I would solve with a new computer, but that didn't happen. I can't stand the thing. So I guess by the amount of scatter I see on my screen how it will look once the image is released to the wild. I probably should hold all my comments until looking at a Web version.

PF