Analog Lounge · Identify your camera
Check the serial number of your Contax RF and compare possible models and production periods. The database covers the five classic Zeiss Ikon series Contax I, II, III, IIa and IIIa.
- Contax I
- Contax II
- Contax III
- Contax IIa
- Contax IIIa
Enter your Contax serial number
Use the complete body number, including letters. The number on the lens is not evaluated by this search.
JavaScript must be available for the automatic search. All information in the database is also provided in the expandable tables below.
Coverage: classic Zeiss Ikon Contax RF cameras. Contax G1/G2, T compact cameras, SLR models and Kiev belong to other series and are not included here.
Where can I find the Contax serial number?
- Contax I: inside the camera, on the lower part of the shutter housing, and on the inside of the removable back. Source 2
- Contax II and III: look inside the camera at the bottom of the shutter frame and on the inside of the back, next to the film pressure plate. On some examples, the number also appears on the rewind knob. A back may have no number, or its number may differ after replacement. Source 10
- Contax IIa and IIIa: check the viewfinder/accessory shoe first. The original IIa manual also mentions an engraving inside the camera, visible after removing the back. Source 7
Only open the back when no film is loaded. Copy all characters exactly as they appear. In particular, the search does not automatically interchange O and 0.
On the usual Contax lenses, the lens serial number is on the front barrel ring. It may date from a different production period and does not automatically establish the age of the body. Original manual
Contax RF: the five classic models
The launch date refers to the model. It is not the year of manufacture of an individual camera. On the Contax I, the viewfinder and rangefinder are separate; II, III, IIa and IIIa have a combined rangefinder/viewfinder. Manufacturer documentation · Museum records
| Model | Launch date | Camera type | Lens | Power supply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contax I | 1932 | Small-format camera; coupled rangefinder and separate viewfinder. | Interchangeable lenses with Contax RF bayonet mount. | Mechanical operation without a camera battery. |
| Contax II | 1936 | Small-format rangefinder camera with combined viewfinder and rangefinder. | Interchangeable lenses; Contax inner and outer bayonet mounts. | Mechanical operation without a camera battery. |
| Contax III | 1936 | Small-format rangefinder camera with built-in photoelectric exposure meter. | Interchangeable lenses with Contax RF bayonet mount. | No camera battery; the photocell generates the metering current from light. |
| Contax IIa | Introduced in 1950 | Small-format rangefinder camera from the Stuttgart post-war series; no built-in exposure meter. | Interchangeable lenses with Contax RF bayonet mount. | Mechanical operation without a camera battery. |
| Contax IIIa | Introduced in the manufacturer’s brochure in 1951 | Small-format rangefinder camera from Stuttgart; built-in, uncoupled selenium exposure meter. | Interchangeable lenses; Contax inner and outer bayonet mounts. | No camera battery; selenium cell for the exposure meter. |
A particular 50 mm lens is not a fixed feature of a camera body. Compatibility of older RF lenses must also be checked individually: the IIa manual explicitly identifies an exception for the older Biogon. Source 7
The serial number tables in the database
Number block boundaries are compared inclusively, covering both the first and last numbers. Gaps are not filled; no exact manufacturing date is calculated from a number’s position within a block.
Contax IIa and IIIa: 27 number blocks from published lists
Lists reproduced from specialist literature and attributed online to Hans-Jürgen Kuc. The original book pages were not checked directly for this database. The dates should therefore be understood as information reported in the literature. Provenance and comparison sources
| Model / version | Body numbers | Period stated in the list | Interpretation / source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contax IIa Mechanical flash synchronisation | P97001–P100000 | 11/1949–06/1950 | |
| Contax IIa Mechanical flash synchronisation | S20001–S28000 | 07/1950–04/1951 | |
| Contax IIa Mechanical flash synchronisation | T05001–T09000 | 03/1951–07/1951 | |
| Contax IIa Mechanical flash synchronisation | T28001–T35000 | 08/1951–12/1951 | |
| Contax IIa Mechanical flash synchronisation | U00001–U05000 | 01/1952–05/1952 | |
| Contax IIa Mechanical flash synchronisation | V15001–V20000 | 07/1952–08/1952 | |
| Contax IIa Mechanical flash synchronisation | X00001–X03000 | 09/1952–10/1952 | |
| Contax IIa Mechanical flash synchronisation | Y57001–Y62001 | Conflicting dates | The earlier version of the table gives 11/1952–03/1953; a later transcription gives 04/1953–10/1953. No unambiguous period. |
| Contax IIa Mechanical flash synchronisation | A43001–A46001 | 04/1953–10/1953 | A46000 and A46001 overlap with the adjacent IIa entry. Both assignments remain visible. |
| Contax IIa PC flash synchronisation | A46000–A53000 | 11/1953–09/1954 | A46000 and A46001 overlap with the adjacent IIa entry. Both assignments remain visible. |
| Contax IIa PC flash synchronisation | B90001–B95000 | 10/1954–02/1955 | |
| Contax IIa PC flash synchronisation | F20001–F25000 | 03/1955–07/1956 | |
| Contax IIa PC flash synchronisation | Q30001–Q33000 | 07/1956–09/1957 | |
| Contax IIa PC flash synchronisation | R33001–R34000 | 11/1956–04/1958 | |
| Contax IIa PC flash synchronisation | L85001–L87000 | 04/1958–02/1961 | |
| Contax IIIa Mechanical flash synchronisation | T35001–T40000 | 03/1951–07/1952 | |
| Contax IIIa Mechanical flash synchronisation | V20001–V25000 | 07/1952–10/1952 | |
| Contax IIIa Mechanical flash synchronisation | Y52001–Y57000 | 11/1952–03/1953 | |
| Contax IIIa Mechanical flash synchronisation | A53001–A63000 | 04/1953–10/1953 | |
| Contax IIIa PC flash synchronisation | B95001–B100000 | 11/1953–09/1954 | |
| Contax IIIa PC flash synchronisation | C00001–C05000 | 10/1954–02/1955 | |
| Contax IIIa PC flash synchronisation | D76001–D86000 | 03/1955–01/1956 | |
| Contax IIIa PC flash synchronisation | F25001–F30000 | 02/1956–08/1956 | |
| Contax IIIa PC flash synchronisation | L75001–L85000 | Conflicting start dates; end date in the lists: 07/1961 | The widely reproduced table gives 07/1956–07/1961; Walter Waldis, citing Kuc, gives 03/1955–07/1961. The start date remains unresolved. |
| Contax IIIa PC flash synchronisation | O86001–O91000 | 11/1956–07/1957 | |
| Contax IIIa PC flash synchronisation | Q00001–Q00025 | 1960 | |
| Contax IIIa PC flash synchronisation | R34001–R38000 | 02/1961–08/1962 |
Contax I, II and III: 21 letter-based indications
This table compares only the initial letter. It does not contain fully documented number ranges for individual models. The same letters may reappear in later Contax series. M, N and O are explicitly treated as uncertain because of the available sources.
| Series | Prefix | Approximate date according to the table | Interpretation / source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contax I | T + digits | 1931/32 | Shared Zeiss Ikon number block; Contax launched in 1932. No evidence of a regular-production Contax from 1931. |
| Contax I | U + digits | 1932/33 | |
| Contax I | V + digits | 1933/34 | |
| Contax I | X + digits | 1934 | |
| Contax I | Y + digits | 1934/35 | |
| Contax I | Z + digits | 1935/36 | |
| Contax I | A + digits | 1936 | |
| Contax II / III | Z + digits | 1935/36 | Number block, not a confirmed first sale date; model introduced in 1936. |
| Contax II / III | A + digits | 1936 | |
| Contax II / III | B + digits | 1936 | |
| Contax II / III | C + digits | 1936/37 | |
| Contax II / III | D + digits | 1937 | |
| Contax II / III | E + digits | 1937 | |
| Contax II / III | F + digits | 1937/38 | |
| Contax II / III | G + digits | 1938 | |
| Contax II / III | J + digits | 1938/39 | |
| Contax II / III | K + digits | 1939 | |
| Contax II / III | L + digits | 1939 | |
| Contax II / III | M + digits | No unambiguous date | CameraQuest/Petrakla: 1940–42; LeicaContax table: 1940–41. Broad guidance only, no firm date. |
| Contax II / III | N + digits | No unambiguous date | CameraQuest/LeicaContax: 1941–43; Petrakla: 1942–43. Broad guidance only, no firm date. |
| Contax II / III | O + digits | No unambiguous date | LeicaContax gives 1943 and O65500 as the endpoint; Petrakla explicitly marks O as speculative. No confirmed year of manufacture can be given. |
Contax I: seven versions according to Kuc
The following starting points come from Kuc’s published research and are explicitly approximate. They are not used as continuous number ranges for the automatic search. The 1–7 classification must not be equated with other collectors’ classifications. Source 6
| Version | First appearance according to Kuc | Approximate starting point | Selected features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contax I, Kuc version 1 | Spring 1932 | approx. U20001 | Small front plate; no slow shutter speeds, no raised bumps. |
| Contax I, Kuc version 2 | Summer 1932 | approx. U21000 | Small front plate; one or two raised bumps. |
| Contax I, Kuc version 3 | Spring 1933 | approx. U21201 | Front plate now surrounds the finder windows; still no slow shutter speeds. |
| Contax I, Kuc version 4 | Spring 1933 | approx. U54001 | Slow shutter speeds and Type III front plate. |
| Contax I, Kuc version 5 | Summer 1934 | approx. X28001 | Rounded body corners; infinity lock release; Type IV front plate. |
| Contax I, Kuc version 6 | Autumn 1934 | approx. X31001 | Rotating-wedge rangefinder; long finder mask; Type V front plate. |
| Contax I, Kuc version 7 | Late 1935 | Y, Z or A; no numerical starting point given | Four visible accessory shoe screws; arrow as shutter-speed index mark. |
Jena-Contax, additional letters and modifications
The Jena-Contax post-war versions of Contax II and III require separate examination. Research describes gaps in the numbering and some numbers being used more than once. A range defined by the lowest and highest known numbers would therefore not be a reliable lookup register. No automatic year-of-manufacture or authenticity determination is provided here for these versions. Source 9
Additional letters are documented on the Contax I. Worsley identifies the second letter in AU and AV as the number-series prefix, but leaves the meaning of the additional A unresolved. The search explains these two markings specifically; other additional characters are not removed. Likewise, a coloured rather than black shutter-speed scale alone does not establish a year of manufacture: body features and numbers may no longer correspond after repairs. Source 10 · Source 4
“Carl Zeiss Jena” on the lens is not enough to identify the body as a Jena-Contax. Photographs of the front, top, all body markings and the fully legible number help with identification.
Frequently asked questions about the Contax number lookup
Can I establish the exact year my Contax was made?
A matching IIa/IIIa number block can identify a period stated in the specialist list. For early models, the letter chronology is less precise. No individual manufacturing day or exact year calculated from the number is provided. Conflicting sources remain labelled as such.
Why do I get more than one result?
Letters were used across different series. Some boundaries reproduced in the lists also overlap: A46000 and A46001 are assigned to both the early and later versions of the IIa. The search shows both entries. Choosing one definitively on the basis of these lists alone would be unsupported.
What does “no entry in the database” mean?
The entry does not match the information in the database or is excluded by the model filter. This proves neither a counterfeit nor an incorrect number. Please check the characters and compare the camera with the model overview.
Can this also establish the value?
No. A serial number alone establishes neither condition, working order, originality nor the value of the equipment. An assessment requires the specific model, the lenses and accessories included, and any known defects.
Data and sources
The database distinguishes between original manuals, published collector research and transcribed tables. It is not a complete manufacturer archive. Last checked: .
- IIa/IIIa: number blocks attributed to Hans-Jürgen Kuc
The online table is attributed to On the Trail of the Contax, Volume II. The relevant book pages were not checked directly for this database; online transcriptions are not independent factory evidence.
Rangefinderforum – provenance of the table (new tab) MFlenses – table from 2009 (new tab) Nikontax – another table transcription (new tab)
- Contax I: letters and number location
Stephen Gandy, CameraQuest. The letter chronology refers to Foto Saga, Benchmarks. It dates the letter series approximately and does not validate any individual serial number.
- Contax II/III: early letter chronology
CameraQuest and Petrakla. The years given for M and N differ from other lists; Petrakla marks O as speculative.
CameraQuest – Contax II and III (new tab) Petrakla – Dating the Contax (new tab)
- IIIa L series and variations in equipment
Walter Waldis: report on his own Contax IIIa and documented reader submissions. The comment dated 19.10.2023 gives a different starting date for L75001–L85000.
- Discrepancies between tables
Comparison sources for the unresolved dating questions concerning M, N, O and the IIa Y series. Inconsistencies are identified rather than silently corrected.
Leica Contax – early number lists (new tab) Alex Fedorov – different dating for Y (new tab)
- Contax I: seven versions according to Kuc
Hans-Jürgen Kuc: Identifying the Contax I, Zeiss Historica 15/1, Spring 1993, pages 8–9. Scan of the original published research; starting numbers explicitly approximate.
- Original manuals: operation, lenses and serial number
Contemporary manufacturer documentation from Zeiss Ikon. The IIa manual gives the body number locations as the accessory shoe and the interior, and the separate lens number as being on the barrel ring (page 31).
Contax I – original brochure (PDF) (new tab) Contax II – original manual (PDF) (new tab) Contax III – original manual (PDF) (new tab) Contax IIa – original manual (PDF) (new tab) Zeiss Ikon catalogue 1955 (PDF) (new tab)
- Model dates and museum examples
Museum objects and contemporary manufacturer information support the model overview. A lens mounted on a museum object does not define every equipment configuration of a model.
Deutsches Kameramuseum – Contax I (new tab) Museo Nicolis – Contax II (new tab) Science Museum Group – Contax III (new tab) Deutsches Kameramuseum – Contax IIa (new tab) Deutsches Kameramuseum – Contax IIIa (new tab)
- Jena-Contax: a special case of post-war production
Mike Eckman summarises research on the Jena-Contax and refers to Zeiss Historica. No continuous serial number range is inferred from this material here.
- Additional markings and numbers on early cameras
Simon Worsley: Zeiss Ikon Serial Numbers, 1926 to 1939, Zeiss Historica 15/2, Autumn 1993, pages 11–13. The original article identifies the second letter in AU/AV as the number prefix; the meaning of the additional A remains unresolved.
Zeiss Historica Autumn 1993 (PDF) (new tab) Contax I – example photographed by Mike Eckman (new tab) Contax II/III – reported number locations (new tab) Leitz auction – Contax II with number on the rewind knob (new tab)
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