SUPERB! 1934 Zeiss Ikon Contax I, FRESHLY SERVICED!

Cleaned, Lubricated & Adjusted. Ready for immediate use!

Black Leica NOT included!

This is a prewar 35mm prewar Contax I rangefinder camera produced by Zeiss-Ikon in Germany. It was a historically important rangefinder camera that along with Leica, lead to the acceptance of the then new 35mm format by professional photographers. If you’re familiar with the Contax and the legendary performance of its lenses, you’ll also know that the black paint, Contax I was only briefly produced for four years from 1932 to 1936. Because of the relatively limited production run, and the survival rate (after more than 80 years!) it can be very difficult indeed to find a clean, fully functional Contax I. The result is that Contax collectors that have finally managed to find one, aren’t generally interested in selling it…

So if you’ve been searching for a Contax I, this original camera is the real deal and it’s in exceptionally fine condition. The serial number, AU 80768, indicates that it was built in circa 1934. It was a time when the world looked incredible different than it does now. This Contax was a testament of genius, of pride and faith in precision mechanics. It was also at the cutting edge of photography at that time and it was very very expensive. The high purchase price reflected the time, money and effort that went into the design, production and patient hand assembly of each camera. Now holding this Contax 82 years after it was produced, I see that the effort did not fade into the darkness of all the passing years… it is still a thing of beauty.

Understandably a Contax I is a desirable and significant camera. But what makes this camera extra desirable is the fact that it’s been carefully serviced and everything works as it should. Additionally the serial numbers match. The serial number on the body is identical to the number on the removable back. (This indicates that it still has the original back supplied with this camera.)

The camera has recently been carefully cleaned, lubricated and adjusted. The shutter has received special attention, new shutter ribbons have been installed and of course it’s been cleaned, lubricated. All speeds are appropriate. The slow speeds buzz along nicely and the fast speeds are clean and snappy. The self-timer has been cleaned and works correctly. The coupled rangefinder optical array has also been carefully serviced. The image is easy to see and focusing is smooth and accurate.

The camera comes complete with a lens and a Zeiss film take up spool.

All in all a wonderful black Contax I rangefinder camera. Perfect for photographers with a historical interest or reenactors. So if you’ve been looking for a fine, freshly serviced example, then you’ve just found it…