Contessa was the name given to a family of cameras produced by Zeiss Ikon in Stuttgart between 1950-1955 and 1960-1971. These were mid to high-end rangefinder/viewfinder cameras.
Between 1960-1970 the name was used again for a family of non-folding cameras that included Contessa, Contessamatic, and Contessamat. Initially, the same name and catalog number was used, but later it was changed to a new catalog number The letter E (entfernungsmesser) was added to the name of the cameras to indicate the presence of a rangefinder.
In the mid-60s the Contessamat line came in production, these cameras had a speed priority system that allowed for an AUTO operation. The lens was a Color-Pantar 45/2.8 or a Tessar 50/2.8
Lens: Carl Zeiss Tessar 2,8/50 coated lens, front element focusing, from 3 feet to infinity, red color 20 for hyperfocusing
Aperture:2,8 to 22 : 8 in red for hyperfocusing
Filter thread: 27mm
Shutter: Pronto SLK Spezial, B,1,2,4... 500
X: flash sync,V: timer, M: bulb flash
Meter: match needle selenium exposure meter
Between 1960-1970 the name was used again for a family of non-folding cameras that included Contessa, Contessamatic, and Contessamat. Initially, the same name and catalog number was used, but later it was changed to a new catalog number The letter E (entfernungsmesser) was added to the name of the cameras to indicate the presence of a rangefinder.
In the mid-60s the Contessamat line came in production, these cameras had a speed priority system that allowed for an AUTO operation. The lens was a Color-Pantar 45/2.8 or a Tessar 50/2.8
Lens: Carl Zeiss Tessar 2,8/50 coated lens, front element focusing, from 3 feet to infinity, red color 20 for hyperfocusing
Aperture:2,8 to 22 : 8 in red for hyperfocusing
Filter thread: 27mm
Shutter: Pronto SLK Spezial, B,1,2,4... 500
X: flash sync,V: timer, M: bulb flash
Meter: match needle selenium exposure meter