Zeiss Ikon Contessa 35mm Compact

Zeiss Ikon Contessa 35mm Compact - Good Condition | Classic West German Compact with Zeiss-Opton Tessar 45mm f/2.8 Lens

The Zeiss Ikon Contessa is one of the most beautifully crafted and historically significant 35mm compact cameras ever produced — a genuine masterpiece of West German precision engineering that combines a superb Zeiss-Opton Tessar 45mm f/2.8 fixed lens with a coupled rangefinder and an elegant folding body design. The Zeiss-Opton Tessar formula — universally known as the “Eagle Eye” — delivers exceptional sharpness, natural colour rendering, and outstanding contrast that consistently impresses even by modern standards. The Contessa represents the pinnacle of Zeiss Ikon’s post-war compact camera engineering — solid, precise, and deeply satisfying to shoot with. Serial number SR 608903.

Key Features

• Zeiss-Opton Tessar 45mm f/2.8 fixed lens — legendary Eagle Eye optical formula
• Fast f/2.8 maximum aperture for good low-light performance
• Coupled rangefinder for precise and accurate focusing
• Elegant folding design — slim and pocketable when closed
• Built-in uncoupled selenium exposure meter
• Solid West German precision construction of the highest quality
• A genuine icon of post-war German compact camera engineering history

Condition Report

• Body: Good condition — light handling marks consistent with age and use, no cracks or damage to housing or folding mechanism
• Optics: Lens clean and clear — no fungus, haze, or significant dust; Tessar coatings intact; rangefinder patch clear and accurate
• Mechanics: Shutter fires correctly across all speeds; aperture and focus controls operating smoothly; folding mechanism operating smoothly; film transport functioning as expected

“The Zeiss Ikon Contessa is one of those cameras that photographers and collectors hold in genuine reverence — a beautifully crafted piece of West German precision engineering that delivers the legendary Tessar optical quality in a supremely elegant folding package. The coupled rangefinder is precise and satisfying to use, and the overall quality of construction is simply exceptional. A genuine icon of post-war German photographic history.”

What’s Included

• Zeiss Ikon Contessa camera

Technical Specifications

• Brand: Zeiss Ikon
• Model: Contessa
• Serial Number: SR 608903
• Lens: Zeiss-Opton Tessar 45mm f/2.8 (fixed)
• Lens Construction: 4 elements in 3 groups (Tessar formula)
• Film Format: 35mm (135)
• Focus: Coupled rangefinder
• Exposure: Manual with built-in selenium meter
• Shutter Speed: 1s – 1/500s + Bulb
• Aperture Range: f/2.8 – f/22
• Minimum Focus Distance: approx. 1.0m
• Filter Thread: 40.5mm
• Viewfinder: Coupled rangefinder
• Built-in Flash: No — flash sync socket
• Dimensions: approx. 120 x 75 x 45mm (folded)
• Weight: approx. 380g
• Type: Rangefinder Cameras
• Category: Cameras
• Condition: Good Condition