Contaflex TLR

Yes, I've certainly carried an SL66 around my neck, not to mention an RB67, so I really don't mind the weight at all. As you say, I don't envision myself shooting a basketball game or spot news with the Contaflex, but it looks like something fun to figure out and see if I can make meaningful images with it. Hopefully if all works out I'll be taking it along with the Contax I (a) to Brittany in the fall.
 
Heard back from the master (or is that the wizard?) himself, Frank Marshman at Camera Wiz, and the Contaflex is done. He said that it is one of the most difficult cameras to work on, so we DO appreciate his efforts! The entire camera was taken apart, and he replaced the straps that he guarantees will never break (not using nylon!), and hopefully if he's feeling benevolent he'll send along a case for the camera that he's had kicking around his place for years. So, it should be here this week, and it will have film in it by the weekend. Photos to come soon!
 
Just got the camera back yesterday from King Frank, and WOW! The camera works fantastic (even the meter), and I've actually figured out how to use the thing. Not really that difficult, and taking a vertical shot is really no big deal (just use the sports finder). And, bless Frank, he sent me the everready case that he had kicking around his shop for 10 years. So, this weekend we'll be putting it to use and hopefully will report back on its performance.

The only part of operating the camera that you need to keep track of is whether to set the shutter speeds using the red or black dot, depending upon what shutter speed 'segment' you're in. Apparently, this shutter is not like any of the other Contax cameras, though they look alike at first glance. And I guess you need to make sure you're not mistakenly framing the picture using the 85mm frame lines.

I'll also try to post more shots of the camera itself.....
 
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Wow!
I saw this camera for the first time a week ago on EBAY and didn't know anything about it, beside the fact that it looked beautiful and cost 2500$ (there).
What can you tell about it? Is it medium format at all? Can you change the lenses?
What year is if from?
About using it - I guess that it's used like other TLRs, meaning that you have a focusing screen. Is it the original one? Are you thinking about upgrading it?
Thanks
Assaf
 
It is 35mm, not medium format. It was the 1st camera w/a built-in light meter. It was the most technologically advanced 35mm camera of its time, though it turned out to be a dead-end & diverted some sales (& production resources) from Zeiss Ikon's Contax RF system.

Google is your friend:

http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/pp/zeiss/contaflx/contflxt.htm

Assaf said:
Wow!
I saw this camera for the first time a week ago on EBAY and didn't know anything about it, beside the fact that it looked beautiful and cost 2500$ (there).
What can you tell about it? Is it medium format at all? Can you change the lenses?
What year is if from?
About using it - I guess that it's used like other TLRs, meaning that you have a focusing screen. Is it the original one? Are you thinking about upgrading it?
Thanks
Assaf
Click to expand...
 
The shutter is very similar (not absolutely equal) to the one designed for the Contax I with it´s selector for speed groups.
This camera has a lot in common with that Contax model, like the lenses available (up to 135 mm).

Cheers

Ernesto
 
Well I finally put the camera to some use today, and I have to say this is my new favourite camera, also now the most beautiful camera I own. It is really a joy to use, and the whole issue with vertical shots is really a non-issue. The meter works but I need to calibrate it so that it will be able to read with any degree of accuracy (shooting black and white I don't really use a meter anyways). As far as lenses go,n right now I just have the 50mm f/2 Sonnar, but they also made 35mm, 85mm and 135mm lenses, and they're often as expensive as the cameras. I have my eye on a 135mm lens that Leica Shop has, but that will have to wait for a while.

Photos to come soon!
 
Just bought the 135mm lens from Leica Shop (yes, yes, I have no control, but you all knew that anyways). Still running through this roll of film, and focusing without the magnifier is actually quite easy. My wife took a few shots with it today sans magnifier, and she marveled at the clarity of the viewfinder and its relative ease of operation.

As an aside, I just found out through Internet digging that this was the most expensive camera in the world back in 1935 (£ 88, and a car was £ 100 apparently), so it's indeed quite an honour to use it.
 
Finally here are a few photos from my first roll of film. Unfortunately I had to send the camera back the Frank for an adjustment. At the higher shutter speeds only one half of the frame is properly exposed - the other half is white. At 1/100th and below it's fine. Oh well....

I got the 135mm lens from Leica Shop last week, and it's really clean - actually turned out to be much cheaper to buy this one and have it shipped than buying what I've seen available here in the U.S. for the same kind of lens.
 

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So far, seems pretty good, shutter-capping notwithstanding.

Were all of these taken w/the 13.5cm?

And where is the Leica Shop?

Vince Lupo said:
Finally here are a few photos from my first roll of film. Unfortunately I had to send the camera back the Frank for an adjustment. At the higher shutter speeds only one half of the frame is properly exposed - the other half is white. At 1/100th and below it's fine. Oh well....

I got the 135mm lens from Leica Shop last week, and it's really clean - actually turned out to be much cheaper to buy this one and have it shipped than buying what I've seen available here in the U.S. for the same kind of lens.
Click to expand...
 
These shots are done with the 50 f/2 Sonnar (before I got the 135 lens). I have a roll of colour that I shot using the 135 lens, but I haven't gotten it processed yet. One of the things that you have to be careful of is to not move the camera as you press the shutter release lever down, particularly with the 135 lens (I managed to do that quite a bit!).

The Leica Shop/Westlicht Auction is located in Vienna, Austria, and their fantastic inventory can be seen at www.leicashop.com. They have two more 135 lenses for the Contaflex, and they also have an 85 f/2 lens, but that one is really beyond my reach -- at least for now. 🙄
 
Yeah, and we don't mean no neck strap neither!

Well the beast is back in Vinny's hands (almost like getting a new camera!), so you know what I'll be doing this weekend. I'll try to post the next set of results as soon as I can...
 
Fascinating thread about a fascinating camera ... thanks Vince. This has been a lot more enjoyable than I thought it would be after reading the first post.

It's become my new favourite show! 😛
 
That's good news. If you ever make it down to DC, feel free to bring it w/you for some show & tell! 😛

I recently had the privilege of handling 2 (yes 2) different Contaflice(sp?) in Tokyo camera stores while on vacation (ask jonmanjiro), but have never put film through one.

Vince Lupo said:
Yeah, and we don't mean no neck strap neither!

Well the beast is back in Vinny's hands (almost like getting a new camera!), so you know what I'll be doing this weekend. I'll try to post the next set of results as soon as I can...
Click to expand...
 
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