Zeiss Contarex Super (10.2600) (chrome)

The Contarex Super (10.2600) represents Zeiss-Ikon's ambitious effort to compete in the professional 35mm single-lens reflex market, directly challenging the dominance of the Nikon F. Introduced in 1968 as the successor to the original Contarex (1958) and the Contarex Bullseye, it refined the core concept of a mechanically superb, system-based SLR. Designed and manufactured in West Germany, the Super embodied Teutonic precision engineering, featuring a robust die-cast body and unparalleled mechanical refinement. It retained the Contarex hallmark of a fixed, superimposed image viewfinder via a unique pentaprism assembly, requiring a reflex mirror that rose only for exposure and returned immediately, enabling faster frame rates and reduced vibration compared to contemporary SLRs where the mirror stayed up. This design, combined with a fully automatic diaphragm and excellent Zeiss lenses, set a high standard for image clarity and handling.

While sharing the core Contarex viewfinder system, the Super incorporated significant user improvements over its predecessors. Most notably, it integrated a coupled through-the-lens (TTL) exposure meter, a critical advancement for accurate exposure reading with any mounted lens. It also featured a much more convenient hinged film back and a rewind crank, addressing common usability criticisms of the earlier models. The camera was part of a comprehensive system offering a wide range of interchangeable lenses (including famous Planar and Sonnar optics), finders, and motor drives. Renowned for its exceptional build quality, smooth mechanics, and optical excellence, the Contarex Super was a prestigious choice among professional and serious amateur photographers who demanded the utmost precision and reliability, though its complexity and weight placed it in a distinct, high-end niche.