Contarex Professional. A high-end focal-plane shutter 35mm SLR camera made by Zeiss Ikon. Introduced in 1967 and produced for only one year until 1968. With a production run of around 1,500 units, it is a relatively rare model.

Designed as a professional model without a built-in light meter, it features a completely different design approach compared to its predecessor, the Contarex Special.

With the light meter omitted, it became the lightest model in the Contarex series (even so!), weighing exactly 800g in actual measurement. The finder, using a full-reflection prism, is well regarded for its brightness and clarity.

The Contarex series was produced with the full technical capabilities of Zeiss Ikon at the time. It is said that more than 1,200 components were assembled by highly skilled craftsmen with 20 to 30 years of experience. Remarkably, the production cost was reportedly composed of only about 10% raw materials and as much as 90% labor. A camera that truly represents the culmination of Zeiss Ikon’s engineering.

From the front, there is a small ding on the right side of the pentaprism housing near the accessory shoe, but it is not very noticeable. There are also very minor signs of wear such as light scuffs on the top cover and bottom plate, but overall it presents as a clean and well-kept camera.

Under the previous owner, a full service was carried out in Tokyo in 2024, including shutter mechanism repair, advance mechanism servicing, cleaning of the finder, mirror, and focusing screen, as well as replacement of the light seals.

We have also checked all functions in-house, including focus accuracy using a ground glass, and everything is working properly and smoothly. The viewfinder is clear and bright.

A rather hard-to-find genuine body cap is included.