Contax IIa 35mm Rangefinder Kit with Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 50mm f/2

Contax IIa 35mm Rangefinder Kit with Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 50mm f/2 - Good Condition | Legendary German Rangefinder with Classic Standard Prime

The Contax IIa is one of the most celebrated and historically significant 35mm rangefinder cameras ever produced — a legendary German precision instrument from Zeiss Ikon that combined outstanding build quality, a bright and accurate coupled rangefinder, and compatibility with the exceptional Carl Zeiss lens ecosystem in an elegantly compact body. The IIa was the definitive professional rangefinder of its era — used by photojournalists, documentary photographers, and artists worldwide who demanded the finest optical and mechanical precision available. The Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 50mm f/2 is one of the most celebrated standard lenses ever produced — delivering exceptional sharpness, beautiful background rendering, and the legendary Sonnar rendering quality that has captivated photographers for decades. Together they form one of the most historically significant and desirable 35mm camera and lens combinations ever made. Serial numbers: Body SR 25433 / Lens SR 3095836.

Key Features

• Contax rangefinder mount — compatible with a wide range of Contax/Zeiss C-mount lenses
• Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 50mm f/2 — legendary German standard prime
• Fast f/2 maximum aperture for excellent low-light performance and beautiful background separation
• Coupled rangefinder for precise and accurate focusing
• Bright and clear viewfinder with rangefinder patch
• Solid all-metal German construction built to professional standards
• Produced by Zeiss Ikon Stuttgart — a genuine masterpiece of German precision engineering
• A historically significant and highly collectible camera and lens combination

Condition Report

• Camera needs service
• Body: Good condition — light marks consistent with age and use, no cracks or damage to housing
• Optics: Lens elements clean and clear — no fungus, haze, or significant dust; T-coating intact; rangefinder patch clear and accurate
• Mechanics: Shutter fires correctly across available speeds; all controls and film transport functioning as expected; rangefinder mechanism operating smoothly; Contax mount connection clean and secure

"The Contax IIa with a Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 50mm f/2 is one of those combinations that serious camera collectors and film photographers seek out with genuine reverence. The Sonnar's rendering is unmistakably legendary — smooth, three-dimensional, and with a natural quality that modern glass rarely replicates. The IIa body is a masterpiece of German precision engineering, and together they represent the very finest of mid-century photographic technology. A truly exceptional and historically significant find in good condition."

What's Included

• Contax IIa camera body
• Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 50mm f/2 lens
• Case

Technical Specifications

• Brand: Contax (Zeiss Ikon)
• Model: IIa with Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 50mm f/2
• Serial Number (Body): SR 25433
• Serial Number (Lens): SR 3095836
• Mount: Contax rangefinder mount
• Film Format: 35mm (135)
• Exposure Modes: Manual
• Metering: No built-in metering
• Shutter Speed: 1s – 1/1250s + Bulb
• Viewfinder: Coupled rangefinder with bright frame lines
• Lens Focal Length: 50mm
• Lens Maximum Aperture: f/2
• Minimum Aperture: f/22
• Lens Construction: 7 elements in 3 groups (Sonnar formula)
• Minimum Focus Distance: approx. 1.0m
• Filter Thread: 40.5mm
• Dimensions (Body): approx. 135 x 73 x 34mm
• Weight (Body): approx. 600g (without battery)
• Type: 35mm Rangefinder Camera
• Category: Cameras
• Condition: Good Condition