Contax II worth the repair?

[Coldkennels]

I a, using the the '36 CZJ %cm f/2.0 that came with the camera. But I understand (?) that if you mount the lens when the focus is not at infinity you are screwed. The lens is good. And for $200 I got a '37 CZJ 5cm f/1.5, coated. The III came along for free.

You should be able to mount a 50mm lens at any point - it clips into the internal bayonet, and as there's no focusing helical in the lens itself, it's pretty much position-agnostic when you mount it. It's only external mount lenses that need to be set to infinity (with the body set to infinity, too) to make sure it connects to the rangefinder correctly. Even then they might need a bit of a "wiggle" after mounting to make sure everything's seated properly.

@Miles. makes a valid point, though - if your f/2 Sonnar is a collapsible one, it has to be fully extended and locked. That's the only way a 50mm Contax lens can go wrong... assuming the RF and lens are calibrated correctly, of course.

 

[boojum]

One thing to be aware is that with these cameras it is necessary to first rewind /cock the shutter before you change the shutter speed for the next shot If the camera is locked up then this would be my first line of inquiry - especially if the camera has been in the hands of an untutored owner / holder (like a brother 😳) I once owned one to which this had happened.

This is a commonly held belief. However the Contax II user manual is explicit



I believed the same before I read the manual.

 

[boojum]

You should be able to mount a 50mm lens at any point - it clips into the internal bayonet, and as there's no focusing helical in the lens itself, it's pretty much position-agnostic when you mount it. It's only external mount lenses that need to be set to infinity (with the body set to infinity, too) to make sure it connects to the rangefinder correctly. Even then they might need a bit of a "wiggle" after mounting to make sure everything's seated properly.

@Miles. makes a valid point, though - if your f/2 Sonnar is a collapsible one, it has to be fully extended and locked. That's the only way a 50mm Contax lens can go wrong... assuming the RF and lens are calibrated correctly, of course.

OK, it looks like "cockpit error" again. The lens is collapsible. That may be why the first roll looks myopic. You will not be treated to a view and I am removing and replacing the lens now on the II. ;o)

 

[boojum]

OK, I found a good one and vanity overcame me. This is image #2, roll #1. Blind Hog event. In reviewing roll #1 I see that with no coating the lens suffers from flare easily so I just keep the sun at my back.

As in my memory back in '53 or '54 the camera is impressive. Holding it impresses immediately that this is a real camera being held. And a lucky shot of fishing boats unloading catch at Bornstein's here in Astoria's West Mooring Basin proves that even a blind hog can find a root once in a while. ;o)

 

[Muggins]

It’s very easy for the collapsible f2 Sonnar to be bumped out of alignment and not realize it. I shoot this system a lot, and know to check often, and it still gets me!

I've used mine and then found it wasn't locked before now. I find the way it doesn't lock when collapsed counter-intuitive as well.