Precision Zeiss Ikon leaf-shutter SLR with fixed Tessar 50mm f/2.8 and full flash sync.
The Zeiss Ikon Contaflex S-Matic is a 35mm SLR featuring a fixed Carl Zeiss Tessar 50mm f/2.8 lens and a between-the-lens Synchro-Compur leaf shutter. This unusual design enables flash synchronisation at all shutter speeds, a significant advantage over focal plane shutter cameras of the same era.
The Tessar 50mm f/2.8 is one of the most famous lens designs in photographic history, delivering sharp, contrasty images with a distinctive rendering character. While not interchangeable in the conventional sense, the Contaflex system uses supplementary front elements to alter focal length while retaining the rear Tessar group.
Build quality is outstanding with the precision engineering that Zeiss Ikon was renowned for. The camera body is beautifully finished with chrome metalwork and leatherette covering. The selenium light meter is coupled to the exposure system for semi-automatic operation, providing convenient ambient light metering.
An elegant and beautifully crafted camera that represents the pinnacle of the leaf-shutter SLR concept. On the used market, the Contaflex S-Matic appeals to collectors of fine German cameras and photographers who appreciate the unique characteristics of a leaf-shutter SLR with genuine Zeiss Tessar optics.