Zeiss Ikon Contax iia vs. Canon L1

[ryeryeguyguy]

Hi there. I have the opportunity to get either a Zeiss Ikon Contax iia or a Canon 1L rangefinder. Both are in working order (bodies only, no lenses). I know the Contax will give me access to very nice Zeiss glass, but the Canon has a Leica screw mount and access to lots of lenses too and those screw mount Canon lenses are no slouch, either. The Contax will be a bit pricier than the Canon. The Canon is a more modern layout (dial winder vs lever winder, etc.). All things being equal, with how difficult it is to find a repair person for a Contax vs one for a Canon, which should I choose and why?

 

[Coldkennels]

Contaxes are an acquired taste.

The Contax IIa is very nice little camera, but you're locked into a dead/orphaned mount with very few lens options, the ergonomics of the Contax are weird as hell, and getting them repaired is next to impossible - very few people will fix them.

The Canon L1 (not 1L!), on the other hand, will feel much more natural to anyone coming to rangefinders from an SLR. It's pretty straightforward to use, and there's still lenses being made in LTM today, so you have a lot more options. You also get a built-in 35mm viewfinder setting; the Contax is limited to 50mm only.

That said, out of the two, I'd take the Contax. I'm not a fan of Canon's bodies at all (with the L1 being particularly destructive to my eyeglasses due to the position of the serrated wheel to change viewfinder magnification), and the quirks and weirdnesses of the Contax are charming if you're willing to tolerate them. Just know what you're getting yourself into!

 

[splitimageview]

There is OKVintageCamera for Contax repair if you're ok shipping overseas.

Can you inspect both prior to purchase?

 

[ryeryeguyguy]

There is OKVintageCamera for Contax repair if you're ok shipping overseas.

Can you inspect both prior to purchase?

I am unfortunately not able to inspect them.

 

[splitimageview]

What about return options?

The key to any rangefinder purchase is confirming good RF patch contrast, good shutter curtains and speeds. Having seen many cameras described as 'full working order' that are not, a return option is valuable.

 

[ryeryeguyguy]

Contaxes are an acquired taste.

The Contax IIa is very nice little camera, but you're locked into a dead/orphaned mount with very few lens options, the ergonomics of the Contax are weird as hell, and getting them repaired is next to impossible - very few people will fix them.

The Canon L1 (not 1L!), on the other hand, will feel much more natural to anyone coming to rangefinders from an SLR. It's pretty straightforward to use, and there's still lenses being made in LTM today, so you have a lot more options. You also get a built-in 35mm viewfinder setting; the Contax is limited to 50mm only.

That said, out of the two, I'd take the Contax. I'm not a fan of Canon's bodies at all (with the L1 being particularly destructive to my eyeglasses due to the position of the serrated wheel to change viewfinder magnification), and the quirks and weirdnesses of the Contax are charming if you're willing to tolerate them. Just know what you're getting yourself into!

I'm not scared of quirky cameras haha. I have an Ilhagee Exakta Varex VX and an Aires 35V (which needs its rangefinder aligned and rangefinder mask adjusted, which is a question for another thread because I'm at a loss there). I already have a Canonet QL17 GIII and Olympus 35 SP rangefinder already, but I'm very interested in a third, being one of these two. The Varex gives me access to Zeiss glass already, but I'm still very interested in the Contax but I'm mainly wary due to the the repair needs scare. I'm stuck on which I want because I do love the body of the Canon and the vast array of lenses, but those Zeiss lenses for the Contax....

 

[ryeryeguyguy]

What about return options?

The key to any rangefinder purchase is confirming good RF patch contrast, good shutter curtains and speeds. Having seen many cameras described as 'full working order' that are not, a return option is valuable.

Good question. They both can be returned.

 

[rick oleson]

Something that might be relevant is that the Canon will be easier to service and maintain. In the case of the Contax, double and triple check to make sure that the shutter is not fading at 1/1250, and that the vertical alignment in the rangefinder is correct. These can be time consuming to correct if it requires it. Similar issues in the Canon would be much quicker and easier to address.
vs

 

[Steve Goldstein]

Peter Dechert spoke very highly of the L1 in his book and mentioned that the viewfinder holds up very well. I've read on the interwebs (so it must be true!!!) that this is thanks to the use of a gold, rather than a silver, rangefinder patch. I own an L2; can't speak to the Contax.

 

[rick oleson]

I'm not scared of quirky cameras haha. I have an Ilhagee Exakta Varex VX and an Aires 35V (which needs its rangefinder aligned and rangefinder mask adjusted, which is a question for another thread because I'm at a loss there). I already have a Canonet QL17 GIII and Olympus 35 SP rangefinder already, but I'm very interested in a third, being one of these two. The Varex gives me access to Zeiss glass already, but I'm still very interested in the Contax but I'm mainly wary due to the the repair needs scare. I'm stuck on which I want because I do love the body of the Canon and the vast array of lenses, but those Zeiss lenses for the Contax....

A question comes to mind - what Zeiss lenses specifically do you have in mind? There aren’t really a ton of options in Contax mount; postwar wide angles are excellent but quite expensive, and the prewar Biogon will not mount on the IIa. The 50mm Sonnars are excellent, as are the telephotos. There are also excellent Nikkors in both Contax and Leica mount. But you will have many more options in the Canon’s Leica thread mount than you will find in the Contax bayonet.

 

[Coldkennels]

But you will have many more options in the Canon’s Leica thread mount than you will find in the Contax bayonet.

Also, for those with more money than sense (myself included), Amedeo adapters allow for the use of Contax lenses on LTM bodies. I have gotten far more use out of my favourite pre-war Sonnar on a series of reliable Leica III bodies than I ever did on a massively problematic Contax II.

 

[steveyork]

Hi there. I have the opportunity to get either a Zeiss Ikon Contax iia or a Canon 1L rangefinder. Both are in working order (bodies only, no lenses). I know the Contax will give me access to very nice Zeiss glass, but the Canon has a Leica screw mount and access to lots of lenses too and those screw mount Canon lenses are no slouch, either. The Contax will be a bit pricier than the Canon. The Canon is a more modern layout (dial winder vs lever winder, etc.). All things being equal, with how difficult it is to find a repair person for a Contax vs one for a Canon, which should I choose and why?

Robert Capa died with a Contax iia (and Nikon S) in his hands! Not sure if that means anything, but spooky that the film was subsequently developed. Ask yourself what focal lengths you might use, because there're probably more and faster wide angle lens options in LTM.

 

[ryeryeguyguy]

A question comes to mind - what Zeiss lenses specifically do you have in mind? There aren’t really a ton of options in Contax mount; postwar wide angles are excellent but quite expensive, and the prewar Biogon will not mount on the IIa. The 50mm Sonnars are excellent, as are the telephotos. There are also excellent Nikkors in both Contax and Leica mount. But you will have many more options in the Canon’s Leica thread mount than you will find in the Contax bayonet.

I love the Sonnar. That's what I had in mind. But you're right and this thread has successfully talked sense into me and I'm going to get the L1!

 

[steveyork]

I've played with a Contax iia, owned a Canon L3 and pre-war Contax II, and they're all very well made. Solid chunks of metal. Can't really go wrong with either, assuming you can get the Zeiss repaired.

 

[TenEleven]

As the guy who has both.

My main user cameras are Contaxes (II & IIa, with the I for occasions) however the important caveat is that I had a cheap source for them here in Japan, and also I can do basic service for them by myself. I love the lens lineup. For me there is just nothing better, especially for color. As simple as.

After service my II and IIa's have run without problems (even 1/1250) for a little over a decade now. In rain and snow and freezing temperatures. The Contax I also - but even I would dissuade anyone from using that as an everyday camera. It's just very quirky in use.

I do agree that Contaxes (and to some extent Nikon S) is an acquired taste. Personally, I love the razor wheel for one-handed shooting in the rain or sneakily where this motion is less obvious than the hand on the lens. With a well serviced camera and lens you can focus external lens mount lenses - no problem.

The Canon L1 shutter can fade, too. It's not immune. Mine did - also the low end hung. So it needs checking for condition too. The clever multi-position finder is prone to fogging and might need a clean. Speaking of that, the view at 35... is ... usable. But, it makes the Contax finder seem roomy - it is very squint-y. It does however have a third finder view called "RF" which is cool for longer lenses or when you want to remind yourself to not compose with the internal finder.

In the end, as others have correctly pointed out, it is easier to get good service for Leica & copy cameras. One thing I would see to, is that ideally it should be a later or factory upgraded model with the metal shutter.

That way it would be - like the Contax - impervious to the sun and shutter burns. It can still break (the one on my Canon 7 did due to over-use and fatigue) but it's a good peace of mind while it lasts.

Edit: On the Contax side, the II finder is the nicest of the lot for 50mm view. Then the L1 then the IIa. However either Contax will be easier to focus in difficult light due to the hard edged RF patch.

 

[ryeryeguyguy]

As the guy who has both.

My main user cameras are Contaxes (II & IIa, with the I for occasions) however the important caveat is that I had a cheap source for them here in Japan, and also I can do basic service for them by myself. I love the lens lineup. For me there is just nothing better, especially for color. As simple as.

After service my II and IIa's have run without problems (even 1/1250) for a little over a decade now. In rain and snow and freezing temperatures. The Contax I also - but even I would dissuade anyone from using that as an everyday camera. It's just very quirky in use.

I do agree that Contaxes (and to some extent Nikon S) is an acquired taste. Personally, I love the razor wheel for one-handed shooting in the rain or sneakily where this motion is less obvious than the hand on the lens. With a well serviced camera and lens you can focus external lens mount lenses - no problem.

The Canon L1 shutter can fade, too. It's not immune. Mine did - also the low end hung. So it needs checking for condition too. The clever multi-position finder is prone to fogging and might need a clean. Speaking of that, the view at 35... is ... usable. But, it makes the Contax finder seem roomy - it is very squint-y. It does however have a third finder view called "RF" which is cool for longer lenses or when you want to remind yourself to not compose with the internal finder.

In the end, as others have correctly pointed out, it is easier to get good service for Leica & copy cameras. One thing I would see to, is that ideally it should be a later or factory upgraded model with the metal shutter.

That way it would be - like the Contax - impervious to the sun and shutter burns. It can still break (the one on my Canon 7 did due to over-use and fatigue) but it's a good peace of mind while it lasts.

I'm a pretty poor guy. I'm a social worker that protects abused, abandoned and neglected children. I get paid extremely little, but I can sleep at night. But it means I have to be super careful on purchases. Photography is my therapy from the PTSD and extreme anxiety caused by the horrors of the job. All of my cameras were inherited, so this would be the first camera I've ever purchased. None of the ones I own are in great working order, sadly, except my Nikon FM2n that I've used since 1990. This would be my first rangefinder that (hopefully) works right.

What does my heart want? My heart wants working Contax iia that works great with a Sonnar lens. But my brain is worried about being able to get one in that condition and not needing repairs. But I'm almost 50. I'm not getting younger. And my life is super tough. I've been lusting after Leicas for decades. I'll never have "Leica Money," so I have been trying to find a nice rangefinder I can change lenses on.

Sorry for the long story.

 

[rick oleson]

As TenEleven noted, the high speeds can fade in either camera, and did in both my IIA and my Canon P. Both are good now, the Contax has been good for decades … but if I had paid someone for the work it took to get it there, it would have become a very expensive camera.

The Canon P (and the series that share its body), on the other hand, is by far the easiest to service of anything in its class - much easier than Contax, Leica, Nikon or other Canons. That may be important down the road, since time is money.

 

[TenEleven]

I'm a pretty poor guy. I'm a social worker that protects abused, abandoned and neglected children. I get paid extremely little, but I can sleep at night. But it means I have to be super careful on purchases. Photography is my therapy from the PTSD and extreme anxiety caused by the horrors of the job. All of my cameras were inherited, so this would be the first camera I've ever purchased. None of the ones I own are in great working order, sadly, except my Nikon FM2n that I've used since 1990. This would be my first rangefinder that (hopefully) works right.

What does my heart want? My heart wants working Contax iia that works great with a Sonnar lens. But my brain is worried about being able to get one in that condition and not needing repairs. But I'm almost 50. I'm not getting younger. And my life is super tough. I've been lusting after Leicas for decades. I'll never have "Leica Money," so I have been trying to find a nice rangefinder I can change lenses on.

Sorry for the long story.

That's all very understandable - and I think you are making the right call.

However, have you considered getting one of the cheapies first? For example a fixed lens Rangefinder? The Olympus cameras especially are very good - the head bartender wrote about them at length.

I (re)started with an Olympus ECR - simply because that was gifted to me by my partners father. I then shot with an Olympus SP for a good while.

Also what Rick states above is very true and actually extends to Canon RF lenses too.
The assembly/parts are very well organized and put together in an extremely simple and logical fashion.

 

[steveyork]

If you wear glasses, you'll need to figure out some for of protection (eg, corn plasters) for either camera, because they both have a metal rim that would chew up lenses.

 

[ryeryeguyguy]

If you wear glasses, you'll need to figure out some for of protection (eg, corn plasters) for either camera, because they both have a metal rim that would chew up lenses.

No glasses here, fortunately.