Bought a Contax 11.

SCOTFORTHLAD

SCOTFORTHLAD

Slow learner,but keen!
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Spuurred on by a good experience with a Kiev 4 I recently very impulsively picked up a Contax 11 on Ebay.I minimised the risk by dealing with Cupog who has a considerable positive rating,and seems to know his onions with regards to vintage European cameras and lenses.The camera had been CLA'd.
The only 'flaw' mentioned by the seller was a partial loss of the black paint finish on the shutter blinds,I am not sure what could cause this,but when the camera arrived there was no evidence of corrosion either inside or out,and no obvious cause for the brassing over some areas on both sides of the blinds.

Otherwise the camera looks and functions beautifully,and the first film has confirmed that.My time on RFF seems to have consisted of trying out some 'cult' cameras,but this is to me the real McCoy of all those that I have tried.

Almost forgot the fine detail--the camera serial number matches inside and out ,and is K61940,which I believe dates it to 1939(I'd love to know where it spent the war years.)
The lens is a CZJ F2 Sonnar,Serial Number 3007029,which I believe dates it to post war production by Russian controlled CZJ ,for Zeiss, until Zeiis built their own production plant.

If the file is not too large I will attach a picture of this little smasher!

Brian.

PS.No luck---the picture file is too large.I'll try to rectify and send again.
 
Enjoy the classic Contax, it is my absolute favorite RF camera. I have purchased camera items a couple of times from eBay seller cupog, and have always been satisfied. The lens on your camera is definately post-war, and more than likely of fine quality.

Have fun.
 
Another attempt at a picture from a scan taken from a print.Hopefully it will be small enough to come across to the Site.


Cheers Dex---It was fun trying out the others,Fed/Zorki/Lieca/--But I wish I had started with the Kiev first time round:)

Brian.
 

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Nice. I recently picked up a Contax II ... also after finding I really liked Kievs. I've been using the 53/1.8 Menopta and a Jupiter 12 on it most of the time.
 
Xmas said:
Brain

Does the J12 focus ok?

Noel
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Hello Noel,
The J12 is no better on the Contax than with the Kiev 4 -- A little tight when focussing,better since cleaning,but not perfect.(The J8 fits well though.)

Brian
 
Xmas said:
Brian

You can use two bodies if you buy a bigger gbag... or you could sell the Kiev to me.

Noel
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Morning Noel,
I have quite an attachment to the Kiev,but if ever that wanes,you will be first to know;)

Brian.
 
Ash said:
I hope you got it at a fair price :)

I would have loved my C-II to have gone to your capable hands. I can't remember which person on here bought it now, but mine is sadly long gone :(



Brian/Brain :D

Note also Noel's avatar was a photo I had taken using my old Contax-II!
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/second-belated/cny35/Untitled-15a.jpg
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Hi Ash,
I I was very tempted by your C11 at the time,I think that sowed the seeds with me.

I paid $350 for the Contax,which was roughly the price of 'our' Leica 111c body.You know me---I feel faint at anything exceeding 50 quid:eek: ,but this deal included the lens,and a beautiful original leather case(even the case has a serial number !!!),so all things considered it seemed to be a reasonable price.Not sure if it was market price or not,but having the camera has removed any doubts.

Has your custom built camera arrived from Oz yet?

Cheers,
Brain/Brian:D
 
peterc said:
J12 works fine on my Contax. No focusing troubles.
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Hello Peter,
Thanks for the good wishes.My J12 seems to have an aversion to certain contax mount cameras,it worked beautifully on a K4A,but not on my K4,or now the Contax.It seems that this is fairly common with contax mount J12's,Noel helped me to strip and clean,and this certainly improved matters,but it may be a question of trying out another one to get a good match,so hold on to yours:)

Cheers,
Brian.
 
Brian, still got a few weeks left until the custom camera is sent my way :)

Enjoy the contax!
 
Brian, Congrats on the camera and the lens. I have IIIa and CZ Sonnar 1.5. I was looking at the US Camera 1939 Photography Annual last night and kept commenting to my wife that the Contas pix with the Sonnars were the best ones in the book! I'm really a Leica M3 shooter, but I love my Contax, too, and I had to admit that the images from the Contax were better throughout the book than the Leica ones with Elmat 3.5 (which were also great!)
Go out and shoot lots of pictures and post them up here!
Vic
 
SCOTFORTHLAD said:
Thanks Peter!

How are things in John 0'Gaunt Land?

Brian.
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The weather can't make it's mind up, I will be moving house soon :eek: , and I am in the early stages of Kiev addiction (and we know where that leads.) :) Other than that, fine. The town will soon be a big building site, and the by-pass will still be at the discussion stage in 2017.

(New house means I will have room for a darkroom :D )
 
Peter_Jones said:
The weather can't make it's mind up, I will be moving house soon :eek: , and I am in the early stages of Kiev addiction (and we know where that leads.) :) Other than that, fine. The town will soon be a big building site, and the by-pass will still be at the discussion stage in 2017.

(New house means I will have room for a darkroom :D )
Click to expand...

Peter,
Good luck with the house move!,and of course with the darkroom:)

My new home town---Swansea, is a building site already Tower cranes everywhere.A large proportion Docks and waterfront area is being 're-modelled' into smart apartment blocks---we are all wondering who is going to live in them:confused: ,but they look good.

Brian.
 
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