Photographica Pages

An online guide to collectable cameras and related stuff

85mm Zeiss Pro-Tessar for Contaflex

The 85/4 Pro-Tessar was an interchangeable front cell for the Contaflex III and IV when it was introduced in 1956. It would also fit the Rapid, both Supers, the Super B and Super BC . It was a eight element design and took 60mm filters.

It was replaced in 1961 by the 85/3.2 Pro-Tessar, with the same mount, same filter size and also eight elements.

These Pro-Tessar lenses are prone to separation in the front cell. The cement that holds the front two elements together tends to fail at the edges, leaving an affect that looks like oil on water.

The 35/4 Pro-Tessar for Contaflex, with the bubble, cap and instruction book.

Rear view of the 85/4 .

The 85/3.2 Pro-Tessar for Contaflex, with the bubble and front cap.

Rear view of the 85/3.2 .

This is what separation on Pro-Tessar lenses typically looks like .