Zeiss Ikon Contax III

Contax III

The Zeiss Ikon Contax III is the metered companion to the Contax II, introduced in 1936 as model 544/24. It combines the Contax RF bayonet, a coupled rangefinder/viewfinder and a vertically travelling metal focal-plane shutter with an uncoupled selenium exposure meter [1][2].

The meter occupies the raised top housing and requires the photographer to transfer its reading to the shutter and aperture controls. The mount provides an internal bayonet and body focusing helicoid for standard 50 mm lenses, plus an external bayonet for other focal lengths. There are no interchangeable brightlines, so accessory finders are normally used outside the standard field [2].

History

Development and Launch

Zeiss Ikon launched the Contax II and III in 1936. The III added an exposure meter while retaining the advanced shutter, removable back and long-base coupled rangefinder of the Contax II [1][2].

Production Evolution

Production continued until wartime disruption in the early 1940s. Running changes and serial blocks complicate precise dating, and surviving bodies may combine parts from different service periods [1].

Special Variants

Military and official-use markings are documented. Such markings should be authenticated individually because post-production engraving and assembled examples exist [2].

Collector Notes

Collectors should verify shutter ribbons, curtain alignment, rangefinder contrast and meter condition. Originality checks should include matching period controls, engravings and covering, not only the body serial number.