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Contaflex mount
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 21, 2022 1:59 pm    Post subject: Contaflex mount Reply with quote

Bundled with a load of enlarger lenses I've just received is a CZJ Pro-Tessar 85mm/3.2 lens that I think is in Contaflex mount.
From what I've heard this mount leaves the aperture & some elements on the camera, only changing the front elements of the lens.

Is there any way of mounting this lens without destroying a classic camera?
If the optical arrange ment of the portion of the lens that stays on the camera is known I might be able to jury rig something similar.

It's probably more sensible just to sell it on, but I'd like to try using it first Smile


PostPosted: Sun Mar 27, 2022 10:14 am    Post subject: Re: Contaflex mount Reply with quote

DConvert wrote:
Bundled with a load of enlarger lenses I've just received is a CZJ Pro-Tessar 85mm/3.2 lens that I think is in Contaflex mount. From what I've heard this mount leaves the aperture & some elements on the camera, only changing the front elements of the lens.

Is there any way of mounting this lens without destroying a classic camera?
If the optical arrange ment of the portion of the lens that stays on the camera is known I might be able to jury rig something similar.

It's probably more sensible just to sell it on, but I'd like to try using it first Smile

This excellent review by Mike Eckman:

https://www.mikeeckman.com/2018/12/zeiss-ikon-contaflex-super-1959/

...includes an optical diagram of the lenses:

https://www.mikeeckman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Satz_Tessar.jpg

...and the standard lens, despite its removable front element, looks pretty much like the standard Tessar design to me:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tessar

There were lots of inexpensive fixed-lens cameras fitted with 50mm f/2.8 Tessars around this time, and it shouldn't be too hard to find one with mechanical problems that could be removed with a clear conscience. Even if there are optical differences, it's somewhere to start...


PostPosted: Sun Mar 27, 2022 10:58 am    Post subject: Re: Contaflex mount Reply with quote

heritagecameras wrote:
DConvert wrote:
Bundled with a load of enlarger lenses I've just received is a CZJ Pro-Tessar 85mm/3.2 lens that I think is in Contaflex mount. From what I've heard this mount leaves the aperture & some elements on the camera, only changing the front elements of the lens.

Is there any way of mounting this lens without destroying a classic camera?
If the optical arrange ment of the portion of the lens that stays on the camera is known I might be able to jury rig something similar.

It's probably more sensible just to sell it on, but I'd like to try using it first Smile

This excellent review by Mike Eckman:

https://www.mikeeckman.com/2018/12/zeiss-ikon-contaflex-super-1959/

...includes an optical diagram of the lenses:

https://www.mikeeckman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Satz_Tessar.jpg

...and the standard lens, despite its removable front element, looks pretty much like the standard Tessar design to me:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tessar

There were lots of inexpensive fixed-lens cameras fitted with 50mm f/2.8 Tessars around this time, and it shouldn't be too hard to find one with mechanical problems that could be removed with a clear conscience. Even if there are optical differences, it's somewhere to start...


Thanks Dave, I've actually got an M42 CZJ Tessar that has aperture issues, I'll try using that without the front element if it lets me get it close enough.
But first I'll take a look at those links Smile