Introduction: The Contina II at a Glance
The Zeiss Ikon Contina II is a 35mm camera from the maker's Contina line, and it belongs to the broad group of analog cameras that put a lens, a shutter and a viewfinder into one sturdy body. You compose through a separate window and wind the film with a lever.
This particular version carries the type number 527/24 and was built for a short stretch, from 1956 to 1958. It is a rigid model, meaning the lens does not fold into the body on a bellows. Inside the front you find either a Novar f/3.5 or a Novicar f/2.8, and a built-in photo-electric meter tells you what exposure to dial in.
Cameras of this kind reward a slower rhythm. With no autofocus, you read the scene, set the controls yourself and press the release once.
Design Roots and Historical Background
A family built for newcomers
The Contina name covers a range of compact 35mm cameras produced by Zeiss Ikon from 1948 until 1965. According to our source material, these cameras were meant as an accessible way in: they targeted people who were not professional photographers but still wanted properly made equipment.
The II sits in that story as a rigid member of the line. For another Zeiss Ikon from the 1950s, read our article on the Zeiss Ikon Contaflex.
Details that set the II apart
Compared with the IIa, the viewfinder window of the II is larger and is surrounded by a frame. The controls follow the layout that rigid Contina bodies share: a lever on top that you swing through 180 degrees to wind on, a knob for rewinding, and a frame counter that sits around the shutter release.
Key Technical Highlights
Lens and shutter
The lens is a Novar f/3.5 or a Novicar f/2.8, and the manual describes it as a 45 mm design. Both sit in front of a Prontor-SVS shutter. The manual calls it fully synchronised, so it can be coupled to flash units through its contact, and it also contains a built-in self-timer.
Meter and viewfinder
A photo-electric exposure meter is built in, and its needle shows you which setting suits the light. The measuring range is a single one, and the needle window carries no EV scale, so you read the needle against the camera's own markings rather than converting to a number.
Filters and a lens hood slip onto the front of the lens, which has a diameter of 28.5 mm according to the manual.
- Rigid 35mm body, type 527/24
- Lens: Novar f/3.5 or Novicar f/2.8, 45 mm per the manual
- Prontor-SVS shutter with flash contact and self-timer
- Built-in photo-electric meter with a single range
- Top lever wind (180 degrees), rewind knob, frame counter around the release
Modern-Day Use in 2026
Where the Contina II excels
This camera is at its best when you want a calm, mechanical approach to film, with little to configure.
Use it for:
- Travel photos where you want one small body and one lens.
- Daylight street and family pictures without fuss.
- Learning exposure by pairing the needle with your own judgment.
Practical shooting tips
- Set the focus before you raise the camera, then check it again before you press the release.
- Start in bright daylight, where the meter has the easiest job.
- Brace your elbows against your body at slower speeds.
- Note each frame's settings so you can learn from the negatives.
Buying and Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying used
A camera from the 1950s has had a long life, so inspect it patiently, ideally in daylight:
- Look through the lens at a bright window for haze, fungus threads or scratches.
- Fire the shutter at every speed and listen for slow or sticky behaviour.
- Test the self-timer and make sure it runs and releases the shutter.
- Move the meter needle by changing the light that hits the cell, and confirm it responds smoothly.
- Operate the wind lever, frame counter and rewind knob, and look for skipped or stiff movements.
Open the back and inspect the light seals and film channel for crumbling material or corrosion, and check that the viewfinder is clear.
Power and the light meter
The manual describes the meter as built-in and photo-electric, and it does not point to a battery for it in the information we hold. Read the manual before you buy or use the camera.
- Watch whether the needle moves between bright and dim light.
- Make sure the needle returns to rest when the cell is covered.
- Verify the readings against a second meter once you have the camera home.
Basic care and accessories
A few simple photography accessories will protect the camera and improve your results:
- A soft case or small bag to guard against knocks and dust.
- A hood or filter sized for the 28.5 mm lens mount.
- A microfiber cloth and a blower for cleaning.
- A handheld meter if you want a reliable second opinion.
Conclusion: Simple by Design
The Zeiss Ikon Contina II shows what a straightforward 35mm camera looked like in the 1950s: a rigid body, a Novar or Novicar lens, a Prontor-SVS shutter with flash contact and self-timer, and a meter to help you along. It does not try to do everything, which makes it pleasant to use.
If you enjoy mechanical cameras and are happy to set everything yourself, a well-checked example is a rewarding companion. Keep the manual nearby and enjoy the slower pace.
FAQs
Is the Contina II a folding camera? No. The type 527/24 is a rigid, non-folding model, so the lens does not fold into the body on a bellows.
Which lens does the Contina II have? The lens is either a Novar f/3.5 or a Novicar f/2.8, and the manual gives the focal length as 45 mm.
Does it have a self-timer and a flash contact? Yes. The Prontor-SVS shutter is fully synchronised for flash and includes a built-in self-timer.
Can I fit filters or a hood? Yes. According to the manual they slip onto the front of the lens, which has a diameter of 28.5 mm.
Where can I find the Contina II manual? The original instruction manual is available as a free PDF download on this page, under the first photo.
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Sources: original Zeiss Ikon Contina II instruction manual; Contina on camera-wiki.org, text licensed under GFDL 1.3.