ZEISS IKON CONTAFLEX SUPER B

Name: Zeiss Contaflex Super B
Brand: Zeiss

The Zeiss Ikon Contaflex Super B is a 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera introduced in 1963. It is an advanced version of the Contaflex line of compact leaf-shutter SLRs. It was the first model in the series with automatic exposure (AE), using a built-in selenium-cell meter and shutter-priority operation. For Zeiss Ikon, it was a big step toward automation in consumer photography.

Overview

The Super B came out while SLR design was changing fast. Manufacturers were looking for ways to build in metering and exposure automation without giving up optical quality or mechanical reliability. It was a premium compact SLR, aimed at serious amateurs and professionals who wanted a portable system camera. It paired Carl Zeiss optics with a mechanically sturdy body and an exposure system that was new for its time.

The Contaflex series used a fixed, non-interchangeable lens with an unusual dual-lens reflex-like layout. A front taking lens and a rear viewing lens sat in a single optical unit and moved together. The Super B kept this design and carried the Carl Zeiss Tessar f/2.8 45mm lens, known for sharpness and compact size. Most SLRs of the era used focal-plane shutters. The Contaflex had a leaf shutter inside the lens assembly, which allowed flash synchronization at all shutter speeds. That was a big advantage for studio and flash work.

The Super B was the first Contaflex with automatic exposure. A selenium-cell exposure meter was mounted around the lens barrel. It drove a "match-needle" system visible in the viewfinder. The user adjusted the shutter speed by hand until the needle lined up with the correct exposure value. It was not fully automatic in the modern sense, but it was an early step toward exposure automation in German camera engineering.

Key Features

Selenium-cell TTL metering with match-needle display: Enabled exposure guidance without batteries, with needle alignment in the viewfinder indicating correct exposure.
Shutter-priority semi-automatic exposure: User selected shutter speed; meter indicated correct aperture via needle, streamlining exposure decisions.
Leaf shutter with flash sync at all speeds: Allowed flash use at maximum shutter speed (1/500 sec), a rare advantage over focal-plane shutter SLRs.
High-quality Carl Zeiss Tessar 45mm f/2.8 lens: Delivered excellent sharpness and contrast, with smooth bokeh and reliable close-focusing (down to 0.8m).
Compact, integrated SLR design: Unusual for its era, combining SLR functionality in a relatively small body with fixed lens and pop-up rewind crank.

Historical Context

The Contaflex Super B was released in 1963, when Japanese manufacturers like Nikon, Canon, and Pentax were moving fast with interchangeable-lens SLRs using focal-plane shutters. Zeiss Ikon kept a conservative but refined approach, putting optical precision and mechanical durability ahead of modularity. The Super B was Zeiss Ikon’s attempt to modernize the Contaflex line as demand grew for metered and semi-automatic cameras.

It competed directly with models like the Kodak Retina Reflex IV and the Braun Paxette Reflex. Its main rivals, though, were the new Japanese SLRs such as the Pentax Spotmatic (1964) and Canon FX (1964). Those offered interchangeable lenses. The Super B answered with superior build quality, a leaf shutter advantage for flash, and a sleek, compact form. The fixed lens limited its appeal to professionals, so its market was affluent amateurs and enthusiasts.

Despite its technical merits, the Super B had a fairly short production run, ending in 1967. Part of the reason was declining market share for German 35mm SLRs and rising production costs. The industry was also moving to through-the-lens (TTL) metering with CdS cells, and the selenium-based Super B could not easily adopt it.

Collectibility & Value

Today the Contaflex Super B is a sought-after collectible among vintage camera enthusiasts, especially those interested in exposure automation and German optical engineering. Zeiss optics, mechanical sophistication, and its place as Zeiss Ikon’s first AE SLR all add to the appeal. Units in excellent working condition typically sell for $400 - $700 USD. Fully serviced examples with strong meter response go for more.

Watch for degraded selenium cells. They can lose sensitivity over time or leak and damage surrounding parts. The meter needs no batteries, but a dead cell hurts both usability and value. Other common problems are stiff shutter speeds, sticky aperture blades, and deteriorated leatherette. Spare parts are scarce and repair expertise is limited, so working examples are prized. The pop-up rewind knob and film advance lever also wear, so check that they operate smoothly before buying.

Similar Cameras

Kodak Retina Reflex IV (1960–1966): German-built 35mm SLR with interchangeable lenses, leaf shutter, and built-in meter.
Pentax Spotmatic (1964–1976): Japanese SLR with M42 screw mount, TTL metering, and fully manual exposure.
Canon FX (1964): Early Canon 35mm SLR with built-in CdS meter and fixed prism.
Braun Paxette Reflex (1953–1960): German-designed SLR with interchangeable lenses and innovative styling.
Yashica Mat-124G (1970): TLR with built-in CdS meter and automatic exposure, though medium format.

Repair & Maintenance

The Contaflex Super B needs no batteries, because its selenium-cell meter makes power directly from light. These cells degrade over time, often causing underexposure or complete meter failure. Replacing the cell with a modern CdS meter is possible, but it takes extensive modification and cannot be reversed. The Compur-Rapid shutter is generally reliable but may need cleaning and lubrication if speeds are inaccurate. Check the aperture blades for oil or stiffness, especially if the camera has been stored for decades. The leaf shutter and coupled metering system are complex, so servicing should go to technicians experienced with vintage German cameras. Regular use, proper storage, and periodic CLA (clean, lubricate, adjust) services are recommended to keep it working.

Market Value

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ZEISS CONTAFLEX SUPER B                                         Nov 2026 │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ High      $130                                    Latest             $15 │
│ Median    $63                                     Trend                — │
│ Low       $15                                     Volume           ~4/mo │
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│   $200 ┤                                                                 │
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│   $114 ┤     .                                      .                    │
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│     $0 ┤                                                                .│
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│    vol │█    █ █               █         █     █    █       █           █│
│        └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│
│         2026-06                      2026-07                      2026-08│
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