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 from the Contaflex series produced by Zeiss Ikon in Stuttgart, West Germany, in the early 1960s. The Contaflex used a fixed front-cell (Pantar or Tessar) lens design with interchangeable front element groups, rather than a fully interchangeable lens system. The S-Matic variant features Synchro-Compur shutter with automatic exposure (S-Matic = semi-automatic).
Contaflex Pro-Tessar lens mount (interchangeable front elements only), Carl Zeiss Tessar 50mm f/2.8 standard configuration, Synchro-Compur leaf shutter (B to 1/500s), selenium automatic exposure (S-Matic), 35mm film.
The Contaflex S-Matic's semi-automatic exposure system set the aperture automatically based on a selenium cell reading, a sophisticated feature for the early 1960s. The leaf shutter enables flash sync at all shutter speeds. The Pro-Tessar interchangeable front group system allows 35mm, 85mm, and 115mm focal length options. A premium German optical instrument from the height of West German photographic manufacturing.
Test the S-Matic automatic exposure system — selenium cells can deteriorate or fail completely. Check Synchro-Compur shutter function at all speeds. Inspect the Tessar elements for fungus, haze, and coating condition. Confirm front group interchangeability if Pro-Tessar lenses are included. Check the film advance mechanism.