Contax II original flash synch?

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Carlo

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Hallo everybody,

I am happy owner of a Contax II (serial K59497). From the beginning, I was wondering about 2 "holes" on the top left side of the body, which looked like plugs. Now I took the camera apart for cleaning (I boght this camera in an antique shop on Long Island, the former owner seemed have been a strong smoker), and I found these two "holes" really to be plugs, with two wires soldered to them leading to something I would consider a switch right above the shutter. The camera seems to be original, no sign of later manipulation, even the name of the guy who assembled the shutter is still there, written with a pencil along with the serial number of the camera.

My question:
Is this "Flash synch" a known feature (I read everywhere that this Contax never had a flash synch, so I wonder) ?

What do you think?

Thanks for the answers,
Carlo
 
seems like a post conversion...
Could send a picture...

and never heard of zeiss worker signing their work... probably someone signed a CLA...

Stephan

opening a contax II is not an easy job... is it just for cleaning ? don't open the shutter mecanism unless you are a skilled watch maker .-)
 
Hi Carlo

today I 've got my Contax II back from a CLA. It was very well done by Uwe Kersten in Castrop-Rauxel www.classic-camera.de. On his homepage you will find his phone number. I think he can answer your question.
Grüsse aus Stuttgart
Michael
 
photovdz said:
seems like a post conversion...
Could send a picture...

and never heard of zeiss worker signing their work... probably someone signed a CLA...

Stephan

opening a contax II is not an easy job... is it just for cleaning ? don't open the shutter mecanism unless you are a skilled watch maker .-)
Click to expand...

I thought this might be a post conversion, on the other hand the plugs and the contacs are extremely well done, and the plugs are somehow a kind I've never seen before.

You can find some pictures here:
http://www.akindofview.com/P1050122
http://www.akindofview.com/P1050124
http://www.akindofview.com/P1050125
http://www.akindofview.com/P1050127

By now, the camera is back together again and works smoothly. I stayed away from the shutter since this was fine, but I cleaned all glasses and the helical which was giving me some troubles.

@Michael:
thx for the link, I'll call them and ask what they think. I had the camera "CLA'd" here in Berlin and was VERY disappointed. That's why I decided to do some work on it myself.
 
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I'm also not aware of any Contax IIs (or IIIs) that had factory-installed flash sync, so it's most likely that it was done in the aftermarket, albeit by a high quality shop, which were more commonplace back in the day.

You might want to post your query on the Zeiss Ikon Collectors Group on Yahoo (you have to join, but it's not difficult): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZICG/

as there are folks there who could give you a pretty definitive answer.

Carlo said:
Hallo everybody,

I am happy owner of a Contax II (serial K59497). From the beginning, I was wondering about 2 "holes" on the top left side of the body, which looked like plugs. Now I took the camera apart for cleaning (I boght this camera in an antique shop on Long Island, the former owner seemed have been a strong smoker), and I found these two "holes" really to be plugs, with two wires soldered to them leading to something I would consider a switch right above the shutter. The camera seems to be original, no sign of later manipulation, even the name of the guy who assembled the shutter is still there, written with a pencil along with the serial number of the camera.

My question:
Is this "Flash synch" a known feature (I read everywhere that this Contax never had a flash synch, so I wonder) ?

What do you think?

Thanks for the answers,
Carlo
Click to expand...
 
furcafe said:
I'm also not aware of any Contax IIs (or IIIs) that had factory-installed flash sync, so it's most likely that it was done in the aftermarket, albeit by a high quality shop, which were more commonplace back in the day.
Click to expand...
Rick Oleson once wrote a great article about a Contax III of his in which he had found a flash sync. and which didn't look like any of the numerous aftermarket flash syncs. that we often find on the Contax II and III bodies. IIRC it was a late wartime Contax III.

Alas I couldn't find that article back on Rick's website.

OTOH, the rare postwar Contax II cameras (also known as the "Jena Contax" cameras although made in Saalfeld not Jena) had a flash sync. installed, but it rather looked like a standard PC connector installed ontop the camera body :

http://www3.telus.net/public/rpnchbck/Pic_3_CZJ_Contax_II.jpg

It may very well possible that some late prewar or wartime Contax II/III cameras had some flash sync. installed at the Zeiss Ikon Dresden factory (either upon customers' request or as a new feature which was planned to be installed on all the cameras after the war), but what is very unlikely is that those very rare cameras had reached us safe and sound.
 
Thanks for all comments.

I think knowing which type of plug for flashes was common between 1936 and 1947 could help understanding a little whether the camera has a rare, factory-build synch or if it is a later update. Does anyone have infos on this topic?
 
Reply in quoted areas

Highway 61 said:
Rick Oleson once wrote a great article about a Contax III of his in which he had found a flash sync. and which didn't look like any of the numerous aftermarket flash syncs. that we often find on the Contax II and III bodies. IIRC it was a late wartime Contax III.

I have a 1936 Contax III with a factory added flash sync (the newer type). My Grandfather bought the Camera in NY City in 1936, and sent it to Zeiss - in Germany- in 1937 to have a flash sync added. It is on the back of the meter housing I think (it's packed away now). So I assume a new meter housing was put in place of the original one. I can't take a picture of right now, because it is boxed up with other photography stuff. I am moving next week, so I can take a picture then if you wish.

I am going to get the camera and 5cm f/2 sonnar overhalled this year..Funds permitting.

Alas I couldn't find that article back on Rick's website.

OTOH, the rare postwar Contax II cameras (also known as the "Jena Contax" cameras although made in Saalfeld not Jena) had a flash sync. installed, but it rather looked like a standard PC connector installed ontop the camera body :

http://www3.telus.net/public/rpnchbck/Pic_3_CZJ_Contax_II.jpg

It may very well possible that some late prewar or wartime Contax II/III cameras had some flash sync. installed at the Zeiss Ikon Dresden factory (either upon customers' request or as a new feature which was planned to be installed on all the cameras after the war), but what is very unlikely is that those very rare cameras had reached us safe and sound.
Yes, they did offer this service...My grandfather sent his Contax III there for a flash sync in 1937

CORRECTION:
I just found out by Henry Scherer in a email about overhauling my Contax III. Who will repair/overhaul ALL Contax (I,II,III, IIa, IIIa),
http://www.zeisscamera.com/first.shtml..
That Zeiss Never offered Flash sync in Germany on any prewar models.
But many deallers would have a sync added. Henry says "The problem with these home brew flash synchronization modifications is that they always interfere with proper shutter operation and must be removed if the shutter is to be made to operate properly; it is that precise. In some cases the damage done to the shutter when this contraption is installed is so great the only remedy is an entire replacement shutter"
Click to expand...
 
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