John Robertson
Well-known
Glad you are enjoying the Contaflex, pity Aires Camera co didn't produce a lot more of these.
Contaflex TLR
- Thread starter Vince Lupo
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ZeissFan
Veteran
I bought my Contaflex TLR right around this time (December 2007) last year through auction (no eBay), and it came with the 13.5cm Sonnar.
The camera is in good condition, and the light meter works, although I use a handheld meter.
I had bought a case several years ago for $15.
The 13.5cm, like the Contax lens, is a heavy lens. You should focus using the lens ribbing and not the lever on the body. Combined with the body, it makes for a very hefty package.
It's a magnificent camera, and I doubt that Nikon would have had any desire to try to make a camera such as this. I believe the mechanical complexity of the camera would have been too much for Nikon at that time. The Nikon S is a mechanically simple camera. A Contax from the same time period is much more complex.
The 13.5cm Sonnar is a very sharp lens, regardless if it's the Contax I version or the coated postwar optic. I've used the old black-on-nickel version with a Contax I, and I was very impressed with the sharpness and resolution of the images.
The camera is in good condition, and the light meter works, although I use a handheld meter.
I had bought a case several years ago for $15.
The 13.5cm, like the Contax lens, is a heavy lens. You should focus using the lens ribbing and not the lever on the body. Combined with the body, it makes for a very hefty package.
It's a magnificent camera, and I doubt that Nikon would have had any desire to try to make a camera such as this. I believe the mechanical complexity of the camera would have been too much for Nikon at that time. The Nikon S is a mechanically simple camera. A Contax from the same time period is much more complex.
The 13.5cm Sonnar is a very sharp lens, regardless if it's the Contax I version or the coated postwar optic. I've used the old black-on-nickel version with a Contax I, and I was very impressed with the sharpness and resolution of the images.
ray*j*gun
Veteran
ZeissFan
Veteran
Oooh -- nice Ansco! I've always liked that model. How do you load the Ansco? What's different about it? I'm curious.
More recently, I've been after the first Rolleicord ... the art deco model, and the Tengoflex, a TLR version of the humble Box Tengor.
It's quite a testament to workmanship and design that these cameras are still around and still in very usable condition.
More recently, I've been after the first Rolleicord ... the art deco model, and the Tengoflex, a TLR version of the humble Box Tengor.
It's quite a testament to workmanship and design that these cameras are still around and still in very usable condition.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
Well I shot out in the breezy cold today with the beast, and made sure to take some shots with the 135mm lens. Sooo, I'll see if I'll be able to get the film processed this week, and post the results. As well, if I can shoot some colour, I will do that too.
Frank Marshman has a 28mm lens that's been adapted to fit this camera, but as of yet I haven't been successful in persuading him to let me have it. As well, I'm not sure how I'd rig up some kind of 28mm viewfinder. I've seen the one that's for the 35mm lens, and it bayonets onto the front of the taking lens and hangs off the side.
The other thing I'm trying with the 50mm lens is using a Proxar closeup lens to see how that works. I got two of them from KEH a few months back -- they're brown painted metal rings with Chinese script around the edge -- so we'll see how that works out.
Frank Marshman has a 28mm lens that's been adapted to fit this camera, but as of yet I haven't been successful in persuading him to let me have it. As well, I'm not sure how I'd rig up some kind of 28mm viewfinder. I've seen the one that's for the 35mm lens, and it bayonets onto the front of the taking lens and hangs off the side.
The other thing I'm trying with the 50mm lens is using a Proxar closeup lens to see how that works. I got two of them from KEH a few months back -- they're brown painted metal rings with Chinese script around the edge -- so we'll see how that works out.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
Got my roll of Tri-X back this morning, and here are three new shots. The shot with my wife in the field is with the 135mm lens, and it's not too bad. You really need to hold that camera steady with that lens, particularly with horizontal shots. The shutter release is a lever that's on the the side of the camera, and you have have to watch that you don't push the whole camera down as you shoot -- 1/250 of a second is really necessary hand-held. The other two are with the 50mm f/2 Sonnar. I also tried the Proxar closeup lenses, and they actually work! I'll try to post additional shots as I have time.
Right now there's a roll of colour film in the camera, so we'll see how that works out. And Frank is willing to sell me that 28mm lens, so that will be interesting indeed! Any thoughts on what could be done about some kind of 28mm finder arrangement???
Right now there's a roll of colour film in the camera, so we'll see how that works out. And Frank is willing to sell me that 28mm lens, so that will be interesting indeed! Any thoughts on what could be done about some kind of 28mm finder arrangement???
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furcafe
Veteran
Cool.
As far as the 28mm VF, I guess it would depend on how the 35mm accessory finder worked (I've never seen it) because presumably you could substitute a 28mm finder (if it was an optical finder like those for the Contax RFs).
As far as the 28mm VF, I guess it would depend on how the 35mm accessory finder worked (I've never seen it) because presumably you could substitute a 28mm finder (if it was an optical finder like those for the Contax RFs).
Vince Lupo
Whatever
The 35mm finder bayonets onto the front of the taking lens and hangs off the side (It's a waist level finder that's not too unlike one that you'd see on an old Kodak folder).
Here are a couple more photos -- one with the 135mm lens (a rare vertical!) and the shot with the Proxar closeup lens. If you don't mind guessing the framing of the shot due to lack of parallax correction, the Proxar is pretty cool!
Here are a couple more photos -- one with the 135mm lens (a rare vertical!) and the shot with the Proxar closeup lens. If you don't mind guessing the framing of the shot due to lack of parallax correction, the Proxar is pretty cool!
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Vince Lupo
Whatever
Here is a link for a recent Westlicht auction (Lot 696). One photo depicts the most awesome TLR collection you could imagine, a detail shot shows the 35mm lens and viewfinder.
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/5865730#
As far as a 28mm finder goes, maybe I could a adapt a Leitz 28mm AHOOT finder on a flash bar with a shoe?
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/5865730#
As far as a 28mm finder goes, maybe I could a adapt a Leitz 28mm AHOOT finder on a flash bar with a shoe?
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Vince Lupo
Whatever
Just found an AHOOT online -- 990.00 Euros. Um, maybe not such a good idea....
Vince Lupo
Whatever
Finally managed to run a roll of colour film through the Contaflex last week, and they actually turned out better than I thought they would have. Unfortunately, the January colours here in Maryland are varying shades of brown and grey, so these shots were taken just inside the front door of my house. The vertical door shot (wow, another rare vertical!) was taken with the 50mm lens, while the portrait of my wife was done with the 135mm lens. I'll try to do a few outdoor shots in colour and see how they work out.
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Vince Lupo
Whatever
Well the 28mm f/8 lens arrived from the 'Wiz' today. It's a non-coupled lens that was originally for the Contax, and it's in a modified mount for the TLR. Wide open, from 3 feet to infinity is in focus. Minimum aperture is f/32.
I'll take some shots with it this weekend and see how it goes. I haven't worked the viewfinder business out, but let's see how the lens does first.....
I'll take some shots with it this weekend and see how it goes. I haven't worked the viewfinder business out, but let's see how the lens does first.....
Vince Lupo
Whatever
Here's one shot with the 28mm f/8 lens, wide open at 1/50 second. I'll have to try some colour film to see how it works out. It seems to vignette a bit, but it's actually a lot better than I thought. Sharpness is so-so, but I think I need to work with it a bit more to maximize its performance.
As far as a viewfinder goes, what I did was to borrow a screw-on flash shoe mount from a Stroboframe flash bracket, screw a flat head 1/4-20 screw in from the top, screw a 1/4-20 to 3/8 adapter on the other side, screw the whole contraption into the tripod mount on the camera, and then slide a Zeiss turret finder into the shoe. I can then either hold the camera upside-down, or just hold it way up so that the bottom of the camera is at eye level.
One thing I noticed is that I gotta watch my fingers, as they intruded into a couple of the photos!
As far as a viewfinder goes, what I did was to borrow a screw-on flash shoe mount from a Stroboframe flash bracket, screw a flat head 1/4-20 screw in from the top, screw a 1/4-20 to 3/8 adapter on the other side, screw the whole contraption into the tripod mount on the camera, and then slide a Zeiss turret finder into the shoe. I can then either hold the camera upside-down, or just hold it way up so that the bottom of the camera is at eye level.
One thing I noticed is that I gotta watch my fingers, as they intruded into a couple of the photos!
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raid
Dad Photographer
The whole fun is using this camera. The lens could equally well be used on a Contax. This is quite interesting. There will be few people here who will join to compare notes about their Contaflex TLR cameras.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
Finally managed to shoot a roll of colour film with the 28mm lens. Nice and sharp (f/11 from about 3 feet to infinity), no vignetting, but the colour's a bit flat. Anyone have a good recommendation for a nice punchy colour neg film?
The viewfinder arrangement that I worked out seems to be perfect - I'll try to post a photo of the contraption if I have a chance.
The viewfinder arrangement that I worked out seems to be perfect - I'll try to post a photo of the contraption if I have a chance.
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ray*j*gun
Veteran
Hi Vince.
Does Frank do CLA work on Contax RF's? Have you had any experience with him for the prewar II's and III's?
Thanks....oh BTW I own an Ansco Automatic "The Cadillac of TLR's" so I sort of understand heavy monsters that take nice pictures.
Thanks.
Ray
Does Frank do CLA work on Contax RF's? Have you had any experience with him for the prewar II's and III's?
Thanks....oh BTW I own an Ansco Automatic "The Cadillac of TLR's" so I sort of understand heavy monsters that take nice pictures.
Thanks.
Ray
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Vince Lupo
Whatever
Yes, Frank works on all of these. He fixed my Contax I (a) and my Contax II, and they both work great. In all the years I've sent things to him, he's only refused to work on one camera, and that was a Kochmann Reflex Korelle (I think that was more about the quality of the camera than anything!), but he can do screw mount Leicas, Robots, M Leicas, the latest digital equipment....anything, really. I don't think I've ever stumped him, so highly recommended indeed.
KEH had two Ansco Automatic Reflexes about two months ago, and I was dithering about buying both of them as they were cheap (like $ 90.00), but just when I was ready to pounce they were both gone. Ah well, he who hesitates....?
Here are a couple of shots of the 28mm lens/viewfinder setup -- I hold the camera upside down when using it, and it works really well. Stop it down to f/11, and it essentially becomes a point 'n' shoot. The modification that was done to make this lens fit isn't the prettiest, but it does work. Plus, the lens perfectly fits in a bakelite case for a 35mm Summaron screw mount.
KEH had two Ansco Automatic Reflexes about two months ago, and I was dithering about buying both of them as they were cheap (like $ 90.00), but just when I was ready to pounce they were both gone. Ah well, he who hesitates....?
Here are a couple of shots of the 28mm lens/viewfinder setup -- I hold the camera upside down when using it, and it works really well. Stop it down to f/11, and it essentially becomes a point 'n' shoot. The modification that was done to make this lens fit isn't the prettiest, but it does work. Plus, the lens perfectly fits in a bakelite case for a 35mm Summaron screw mount.
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ray*j*gun
Veteran
Thanks Vince!!!
I got my Ansco from Mael here on RFF and it was totally restored etc. Not a cheap purchase but a beautiful restoration.
Thanks for the fast come back. I will put Camera Wiz in my resource file!!
Good luck with the Contaflex its a knock out!
Ray
I got my Ansco from Mael here on RFF and it was totally restored etc. Not a cheap purchase but a beautiful restoration.
Thanks for the fast come back. I will put Camera Wiz in my resource file!!
Good luck with the Contaflex its a knock out!
Ray
Vince Lupo
Whatever
Haven't posted anything in this thread for a while, as there haven't been any new developments until now. Tomorrow I'm heading off to Vienna and am bringing the Contaflex along for the ride, along with a Hasselblad Super Wide C. As well, I'm picking up an 85/2 Sonnar lens for the Contaflex from the Leicashop, and will hopefully be using it while over there.
Don't know what this camera is going to do in the cold weather, but hopefully it will be okay. I'll be sure to post some shots, particularly of the Kriskindlemarts.
Don't know what this camera is going to do in the cold weather, but hopefully it will be okay. I'll be sure to post some shots, particularly of the Kriskindlemarts.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
Surprisingly, I didn't shoot nearly as much film as I thought I would, and the results were somewhat mixed. It was generally pretty grey over the last week in Vienna, and I'll try to post a few of the results from my efforts with the Contaflex while I was there.
This one was taken with Tri-X at the Leopold Museum at the Edvard Munch exhibition...
This one was taken with Tri-X at the Leopold Museum at the Edvard Munch exhibition...
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