A "Frankenstein" Contax IIa?

[Eryximachos]

In September 2005, I sent Henry Scherer the Contax IIa and f/1.5 50mm lens I won on the auction site. I heard a few days ago from Henry that it was next in his queue. Today I got another e-mail from him, and thought some of you might be interested in Henry's diagnosis:

"I'm in the assembly phase of your camera overhaul and it has become necessary to replace some parts. The original source of your camera was not the Zeiss factory, it was a repair shop. When Zeiss discontinued the Contax RF line a very large number of cameras were manufactured out of spare parts at repair shops. Some of these cameras were made when new parts were plentiful, and some incorporated defective parts. Unfortunately, your camera incorporated some important defective parts in the film advance system and they must be replaced for the camera to operate properly. There is no way to modify or repair these parts to make them function properly in your camera. The parts in your camera are not all bad. Some of them are from the very end of production and are new and it is very good that your camera has them. Some of them are from the start of production, and some were defective."

I thought post-war Contax bodies weren't "faked" as often as pre-war bodies. Has anyone heard of this way of "manufacturing" Contaxes before? I guess I have a 1950/51/52/53 model?

 

[darkkavenger]

It's really interesting to hear. I own a 1952 Contax-IIIa. It will be in Henry's hand some day, but for now it's operating well. I didn't knew at all that out-of production Contaxes were built at repair shops.

According to Stephen Gandy's info page, black dial cameras were produced from 1952 to 1954, and color dial were produced between 1954 and 1962.

Good luck with your camera, I am sure it will be a pleasure to use soon!


(edit : deleted some nonsense!)

 

[dexdog]

I have heard of similar cameras, essentially built out of spare parts after the end of production. I have such a camera, manufactured by a Zeiss microscope factory after the last year of production, in 1963, according to Henry S. The embossed leather on the back panel is simply stamped "Zeiss Ikon- Made in Germany, Stuttgart" without the characteristic ZI lens-shaped logo.

Have fun with your revived Contax when it arrives- I am very pleased with the reliability of my Scherer-overhauled cameras.

 

[KoNickon]

That's a fascinating note. I'd love to know what "a very large number" means. Good thing that Henry appears to have the parts that are needed!

Do you happen to know the serial number of your camera? There is a very informative thread in the Zeiss Contax forum here that will help date it -- but the IIa and IIIa were made up until ca. 1961, I think, so most likely that's when your camera dates to.

Let us know when you get it back -- post some pix! I bet you can't wait.

 

[darkkavenger]

I am curious to see yours now, Dexdog! The history around Zeiss is so fascinating, that's why I'm considering joining the Zeiss Historica Society soon. 🙂

Nick: maybe the cam has a serial number, but in this case, if they took the s/n plates from the parts (who knows how and when they added the s/n engraving, or if there is one) then it might not match with an actual normal serial number issued out of the production line. Who knows the mysteries of the almighty Zeiss.

 

[dexdog]

Contax IIA, R serial number, manufactured between 2/1961 and 8/1962 according to Hans Jurgen Kuc. Kuc's book does not mention anything about the stamping on the back of this camera.

 

[Eryximachos]

Thanks for your insights. I'll post some pics of the camera and its Serial Nr. when I get it back. And yes, I can't wait!

 

[darkkavenger]

😱 that's amazing, dexdog!!! 😀

Interesting how the Zeiss-Ikon logo seems to be shaped like the original one but without the separating lines/frame typical of Zeiss engraved. Definitely a piece of collection!

 

[dexdog]

Thanks for your insights. I'll post some pics of the camera and its Serial Nr. when I get it back. And yes, I can't wait!

If you know the serial number, you can look it up using this RFF link.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17336

 

[Xmas]

dex

My IIIa has a later serial number than yours but the leather 'ikon' on the back is the same as my contax II.

I must admit I dont like this thread, but what aerial number has Eryx got?.

Noel

 

[David Murphy]

Some vintage aircraft, most notably the Piper Cub and its derivatives are built completely new today out of spare parts. They have been out of production by the original factories for decades. The people doing this have lately tweaked the parts and assembly for improved performance over the original. No reason the same can't be done for cameras or any other mass produced machine if the parts and expertise can be had.

 

[FrankS]

True. I know of a few Rudge motorcycles restored with new cast parts made from the original castings which someone purchased.

 

[michaelging]

Henry ,Rebuilt my IIIa , and I can assure you that your camera will be as good as new when he is done.

 

[MISH]

i have a IIA color dial .... has the color dial and pc flash terminal. the serial number is V15073 which acording to the list would have been made in 1952 and would not have been a color dial, does this mean this is a frankenstein made from spare parts? the original owner told me he bought one of the bodies at Montgomery Wards (not sure if it was the color dial) for $75. still working on my time machine

 

[rolleistef]

they did the same with Bugatti parts, NOS or not. Some people built totally new Bugatti 35B ( normally worth 150-250k€), but they still are bugattis...

 

[outfitter]

I am an early discoverer and fan of Henry S (he has done two post-war Contax cameras and any number of lenses in the days when the turn around time was weeks not years). Harry S’s work and services are unique as he literally re-manufactures these cameras. Henry S is also a very nice person.

That said I must confess that I take Henry S’s pronouncements on Zeiss matters with a grain of salt. Many of his comments are so extravagant as to be bizarre. I am certain any parts he replaced needed replacement, but his analysis as to the reasons – well that’s not important so long as you get a like new functioning camera back (and you will).

 

[Xmas]

When they stopped the contarax, they had lots of lenses left over for the wide angle so they sold them as a job lot to Leitz and they did the 15mm Hologon, about 300 off and real collectors pieces

So Henry may be telling the truth.

My IIIa looks pristine (one little mar) but is it full of spares or an 'assembly line' job.

Noel

 

[Eryximachos]

Camera is back

Camera is back

Well, my Frankenstein Contax IIa is back from Henry Scherer's. The viewfinder is now absolutely clear. Focusing with the focus wheel is very smooth and easy. The shutter sounds great when dry-fired. The rewind knob operates very smoothly. I have been handling and trying to shoot with these Contax IIa's for many years but I've never had so much pleasure in doing so as today. I plan to use it at Colonial Williamsburg tomorrow. Here are some photos of the beast: