Production is currently progressing and publication estimates indicate a release date early in 2005. This book will be a compilation of 100 consecutive serial articles that were first published in: CameraShopper Magazine© between May 1994 and (expected) January of 2005 when the series will be completed. At the rate of 10 issues annually, this is a ledger that will have taken 10 years to create. At its conception, this series started out as a random selection of essays detailing the history behind, and the features of, a different classic Zeiss Ikon camera model each month. There was never any outline or chronological plan to these installments. These columns flowed one after another in a haphazard arrangement and they were never intended to follow any predictable standard or timeline. Had this work been conceived as a research study, a more uniform pattern would have been used. It was only after a few dozen issues were published that the notion of a book materialized. Compiled together, they contain simplified information that emphasizes the depth and width of the Zeiss Ikon companies and they describe the marvelous cameras that Zeiss Ikon produced between 1926 and 1972.

It's important to note that each one of these chapters was written in a different timeframe. Several of the articles are composed with a serious slant while others are humorous and less somber. Some of the cameras discussed are well known to collectors everywhere and are considered "classic cameras" while others seem less significant. Details highlighted are most often based on personal observations and most of the questions raised are rhetorical. Some conclusions are speculative and facts and/or figures must be taken with a certain amount of latitude. Liberties are taken when hard numbers, dates or details can't be positively confirmed. These columns use an informal writing style to engage a complicated and compelling subject. Each chapter contains a repeating reference to: "Greg'z" Logic, a term that was given to me by a fellow collector. When I'm not sure about a specific detail, "Greg'z" logic always helps out. I've enjoyed this minor obsession of collecting Zeiss Ikon cameras and other Zeiss products for over a decade now but, I'm not an expert on the subject. I hold no degree or diploma in Zeissology. I've learned what I can about these curious cameras and enjoy passing on what I've discovered to other camera collectors. I invite readers from all over the world to contribute meaningful dialog and related information on the "specific topic" of Zeiss Ikon Camera Collecting by using the "Feedback" pages.

This new book will contain a lot of information and, no doubt, some misinformation. While every effort has been made to relay reliable data, some errors are bound to be included. Several readers of CameraShopper Magazine pointed out a few contradictions to me as the series rolled on. Footnotes will be included where these corrections are described and addressed along the way. These chapters are not verbatim as they were first published. Some lines will have been changed, omitted or added to improve clarity or readability. For the most part, they will be reissued here in the same form as they were originally printed. Changes made were kept to a minimum and added only when needed. Be sure to check the Progress Report Pages for publishing updates.

For those interested in information about Zeiss Ikon products I've included a list of notable reference materials I've used over the years. 

• The "Journals of the Zeiss Historica Society".
• "Zeiss Ikon Cameras 1926-39" D.B. Tubbs. 
• "Zeiss Cameras:1945-75" Bernd K. Otto & Kurt Jüttner.
• "Zeiss Compendium" Charles Barringer & Marc James Small.
• "Zeiss Ikon Catalog Numbers 1926-72" Maurice Zabatkin & Phillip Laycock.
• "Zeiss Ikon 35mm Guide" Ken Tydings/Greenberg Publishing.
• "Zeiss Information with Jena Review": Journals published by Carl Zeiss Inc.
• "Die Carl Zeiss-Stiftung": The History of Zeiss. Carl Zeiss, New York.
• "Carl Zeiss 150 Years in Optics". Zeiss/Jena.
• "Only Zeiss" Carl Zeiss T* Lenses. Published by Yashica/Kyocera.
• "Auf den Spuren der Contax". (On the Trail of the Contax) Hans-Jürgen Kuc.
• "The Contax Guide" Emanuel/Focal Press.
• "The Contax Way" Freytag/Focal Press.
• "The Contax Connection" Peter Dechart HCP Publishing.
• "The Contax S Camera Family" Peter Dechart HCP Publishing.
• "The Contaflex Guide" Emanuel/Focal Press.
• "The Contaflex Way" Freytag/Focal Press.
• "The Contaflex Pocket Companion" Cooper/Universal Photo Books.
• "Contaflex/Contarex" Hans-Jürgen Kuc.
• "The Contarex Guide" Emanuel/Focal Press.
• "The Contarex Way" Freytag/Focal Press.
• "The Ikoflex Guide" Emanuel/Focal Press.
• "Windows to the Universe" Charles F. Hager. Carl Zeiss/Oberkochen.
• "Royal Microscope Society" History of Zeiss Microscopes/ London.
• "Innovations" Zeiss Magazine from Carl Zeiss/Germany.
• "Products of Vision" The Zeiss Ikon Company & its Cameras. Dan Meinwald
• California Museum of Photography: Journal. Vol. #7 Number #2.
• "The Collector's Checklist" of Contax and other Zeiss Classic Miniature Cameras, Lenses and Accessories. Ivor Matanle & Dr. Neill Wright.

These Catalogs, Instruction Booklets and Brochures contain priceless detailed information and prove to be invaluable to the Zeiss Ikon collector. The following items listed in these next three categories are Zeiss Publications and, where possible, Zeiss Ikon product code numbers and publishing dates are included. The published year and month numerals are sometimes included in these number codes, used on the back of the brochures and instruction booklets. Catalogs give a lot of specific information on options and different model combinations.