Contaflex Super BC
Introduced in 1965, this camera evolved directly from the iconic Contaflex series—and its technical specs caused quite a stir at the time. Just like its predecessor, the Contaflex Super B, the Super BC offered automatic flash functionality alongside shutter-priority autoexposure. The groundbreaking innovation, however, was its exposure meter: it utilized a CdS (cadmium sulfide) cell to measure light directly through the taking lens ("TTL" — through the lens). This TTL metering system was the true sensation! Best of all, this advanced metering and automation worked seamlessly across the entire lineup of available lenses.
Contaflex Super BC
Year of construction: 1965-1971
Format: for 35mm film (24x36)
Lenses: Set of lenses from Carl Zeiss Oberkochen.
Tessar 2.8 / 50mm
Pro-Tessar 3.2 / 35mm
Pro-Tessar 4 / 115mm
Older invoices:
Pro-Tessar 4 / 35mm
Pro-Tessar 4 / 85mm
Apertures: 2.8 to 22
Shutter: Central shutter, permanently installed in the camera, the optical system of the shutter is part of the optical calculations of the available set of lens attachments
Shutter speeds: 1; 1/2; 1/4; 1/8; 1/15; 1/30; 1/60; 1/125; 1/250; 1/500 sec. + Bulb
Hot shoe and connection for wireless icon flashes
Exposure meter: CdS exposure system with automatic aperture (can be switched off). No tracking measurement in manual mode
Battery: PX 625 mercury 1.35 volts (no longer available, see text on the right)
The battery is only required for exposure metering, otherwise the camera works fully mechanically.
Film counter: yes, resettable
(counting down in the elevator button)
Viewfinder: Roof-edge SLR viewfinder No viewfinder image after taking the picture before the shutter is cocked again!
Film advance: quick advance lever
Rangefinder: yes, cross-section and fine grid ring
Self-timer: yes
Film sensitivities: DIN 12-27 /
ISO-ASA 12 to 400
Additional:
Tripod thread, eyepiece lock, interchangeable cassettes for films
Contaflex Super BC
Through-the-lens (TTL) metering was a game-changer, and still is today, because it automatically compensates for light loss caused by accessories like filters and extension tubes.
The exposure meter is designed to run on a 1.35V PX625 mercury battery. However, manufacturing or importing these cells has been strictly banned in Europe and North America for years. While you might still find online sources shipping them from Russia—BE WARNED: importing these batteries is illegal and can lead to heavy penalties.
To stay on the right side of the law, you can have your camera's meter adjusted to 1.5 volts, allowing you to use standard SR44 silver oxide or alkaline button cells. Another popular option is zinc-air batteries (like WeinCells). They deliver a near-perfect 1.4V, but keep in mind that they drain constantly once the air seal is broken, completely exhausting themselves after about 6 months even if the camera just sits on the shelf.
To prevent battery drain, you can completely turn off the light meter by switching the central shutter selector away from the "A" position to any manual aperture setting.
Contafelex Super BC
Around 17,475 units of this model were produced. The photo below shows the camera equipped with the Pro-Tessar 115mm f/4 lens component.
These convertible lenses lack a built-in focusing helicoid. Instead, focusing is done via two levers on the camera body itself, which shift the elements to lock onto your subject.
Once focused, the distance value can be read and transferred to a scale on the lens attachment, making it easy to check your depth of field depending on the chosen aperture. When it comes to these classic lens attachments, there's only one way to describe them: A vintage dream made of glass, lots of glass, and solid metal!
Below is a brief gallery showcasing the Contaflex Super BC and some of its accessories.
If you can work around the limited selection of focal lengths, you'll find that this is an incredibly rewarding 35mm SLR system.
The ability to use interchangeable film backs is a rare and brilliant feature for a 35mm camera. It means you can swap film stocks on the fly based on your subject or the lighting situation—switching between C-41 color, black-and-white, ISO 100, or ISO 3200 mid-roll—and change them whenever you feel like it, without wasting a single frame!
Contaflex Super BC - built-in eyepiece lock
Ikoblitz 6 is triggered - in slow motion
Self-timer and central locking do their job
A picture gallery with a description
 Ein Blick durch den Sucher einer Contaflex Super BC. A view through the viewfinder of a Contaflex Super BC. |  Rechts sind die Blenden und Verschlußzeiten abzulesen. Die Verschlußzeit wird vorgewählt, die Blende ermittelt der eingebaute CDS-Belichtungsmesser (TTL-Messung). The apertures and shutter speeds can be read on the right. The shutter speed is preselected, the aperture is determined by the built-in CDS light meter (TTL metering). |  Ikoblitz in verschiedenen Ausführungen. Ikoblitz in various designs. |
|---|---|---|
 Verwendet werden können z.B. Blitzlichtbirnen vom Typ XM 1/5/6 (Fa. Osram), Philips AG3 (mit Splitterschutz) und Philips PF1. Ein "B" in der Bezeichnung steht für die Verwendung mit Tageslichtfarbfilm. For example, you can use flashbulb types such as the Osram XM 1/5/6, the Philips AG3 (featuring an anti-shatter coating), and the Philips PF1. The letter "B" in the model name stands for daylight-balanced color film. |  Kompatibel sind beispielsweise Blitzbirnen-Typen wie die Osram XM 1/5/6, die Philips AG3 (mit integriertem Splitterschutz) sowie die Philips PF1. Das „B“ in der Modellbezeichnung weist dabei auf die Eignung für Tageslicht-Farbfilme hin. The following can be used, for example Flash bulbs of type XM 1/5/6 (Osram), Philips AG3 (with splinter protection) and Philips PF1. A "B" in the designation stands for use with daylight color film. |  Batteriefach - klicke für mehr Informationen! Battery tray - klick for more informations! |
 Okularverschluß Eye piece lock |  Belichtungsmesser - klicke für mehr Informationen Light meter - klick for more informations! |  Belichtungsmesser - klicke für mehr Informationen Light meter - klick for more informations! |
 X-Kontakt für Blitzgeräte contact for flashes |  |  Nahlinse von Carl Zeiss Close-up lens by Carl Zeiss |
The following pictures are with the Zeiss Ikon Contaflex Super BC and the lenses
Pro Tessar 4/35, 3.2 / 35, 2.8 / 50, 4/85 and 4/115 were made.
From a quality point of view, you can use any lens without hesitation - the results will convince and satisfy you!
Instructions for you to download can be found here!
I love shooting with my Voigtländer Bessamatic cameras. I also often adapt the DKL lenses to my Sony A7 III—the Septon 50mm f/2 is a particular favorite of mine. Unfortunately, when it came to wide-angle lenses, Voigtländer topped out at a focal length of 35mm. Kodak, however, offered more flexibility for its Retina Reflex system, including the Rodenstock Eurygon 30mm f/2.8 and the Schneider-Kreuznach Curtagon 28mm f/4. Both camera systems (and several other brands) relied on the Compur bayonet designed by the Deckel company in Munich, widely known as the DKL mount or "Deutsche Einheitsbajonett."
Sadly, they aren't directly interchangeable. The manufacturers introduced proprietary physical modifications to the mounts to prevent users from swapping lenses between competing systems. But there is a workaround: to mount Kodak Retina Reflex lenses onto a Voigtländer Bessamatic body, the lens mount requires a minor "surgical intervention" that you can see in the video below. A small metal tab on the bayonet simply needs to be milled or filed down.
My son Julian handled the modification for me... it’s actually a breeze! Don't be afraid to try it yourself, and open up a whole new world of glass for your Voigtländer Bessamatic!
Here is the video in German:
Here you can see this video in english:
Here you can see where the notch has to be milled. In my experience, it doesn't depend on the millimeter!
