Rescued Pentacon D
The return of my "Spiegel Reflex Contax" Pentacon D from the repair service.
The camera blocked severely during my initial mechanical tests in December 2023. My preferred local repair shop successfully repaired the camera and recalibrated the shutter, at this Pentacon D was fortunately salvaged from a poor condition.
It returned home today and took place next to my Contax F in my collection.
June 20, 2024
69004 Lyon
France
About the camera :
The VEB Pentacon Dresden company was the name chosen in the 50's for the suite of Zeiss Ikon Dresden after the WWII in the former Deutsche Demokratische Republik (DDR).
I just got this body of Pentacon camera that was the export version of the Contax D manufactured in Dresden between March 1953 to August 1956. Both Zeiss Ikon and Contax brands were contested to the Zeiss branch on the other side of the west-east internal German border.
To avoid legal problems for exportation, Zeiss Ikon Dresden deposited two new possible trade marks resulting from the contraction of the words "Pentaprism" + "Contax" giving "Pentacon" and "Pentax". The name of Pentax was sold to Asahi Opticals in 1956 and the SLR Contax continued its distribution either under the name "Contax" for the internal East market, and "Pentacon" for export.
A new logo symbolizing the Ernemann tower of the Dresden Zeiss Ikon factory. For a time the "ZI" initials were included in the logo before disappearing later.
My camera came without lens but with its original user manual of Pentacon U.S.A., a splendid ever-ready bag made of a strong leather with a carmin velvet inside, and the original box. I present the camera here fitted with the normal lens of my Praktica VLC3 from the 80's that was constructed 20 years later.
Contax D followed the initial SLR 35mm Contax S presented in 1946. Other versions (E, F, EF) were on the market until the early 60's.
Rescued Pentacon D
The return of my "Spiegel Reflex Contax" Pentacon D from the repair service.
The camera blocked severely during my initial mechanical tests in December 2023. My preferred local repair shop successfully repaired the camera and recalibrated the shutter, at this Pentacon D was fortunately salvaged from a poor condition.
It returned home today and took place next to my Contax F in my collection.
June 20, 2024
69004 Lyon
France
About the camera :
The VEB Pentacon Dresden company was the name chosen in the 50's for the suite of Zeiss Ikon Dresden after the WWII in the former Deutsche Demokratische Republik (DDR).
I just got this body of Pentacon camera that was the export version of the Contax D manufactured in Dresden between March 1953 to August 1956. Both Zeiss Ikon and Contax brands were contested to the Zeiss branch on the other side of the west-east internal German border.
To avoid legal problems for exportation, Zeiss Ikon Dresden deposited two new possible trade marks resulting from the contraction of the words "Pentaprism" + "Contax" giving "Pentacon" and "Pentax". The name of Pentax was sold to Asahi Opticals in 1956 and the SLR Contax continued its distribution either under the name "Contax" for the internal East market, and "Pentacon" for export.
A new logo symbolizing the Ernemann tower of the Dresden Zeiss Ikon factory. For a time the "ZI" initials were included in the logo before disappearing later.
My camera came without lens but with its original user manual of Pentacon U.S.A., a splendid ever-ready bag made of a strong leather with a carmin velvet inside, and the original box. I present the camera here fitted with the normal lens of my Praktica VLC3 from the 80's that was constructed 20 years later.
Contax D followed the initial SLR 35mm Contax S presented in 1946. Other versions (E, F, EF) were on the market until the early 60's.