Photographica Pages

An online guide to collectable cameras and related stuff


Zeiss Ikon Contessa LK, LKE and LBE

The Contessa line got another overhaul in 1963 with the introduction of the Contessa LK and LKE. Both feature 50/2.8 Tessar lenses in Prontor shutter to 1/500, and match needle coupled selenium meters. The LKE has a coupled rangefinder, the LK just a viewfinder. The product codes are 10.0638 for the LKE, and 10.0637 for the LK.

Both cameras were replaced by the Contessa LBE. It was similar to the LKE, but had a flash setting in which the aperture is adjusted by the distance set on the focus to provide flash automation. It was given the Zeiss number 10.0639, and was discontinued in 1967.