Bitsa Bliss - Kontax Kapitulation ?

[dee]

I have just received my Contax II from Ukraine , rebuilt by ex-Arsenal techs from a box of bits ,
from RJ .
Non matching 1937 / 8 body and back - Kiev II shutter and other parts . An honest Miss Match !

It's georgeous ! New paint , polished chrome , revived rear leather , replacement new front leather panels and working exquisitely .
Brian Sweeney's Jupiter 3 in Sonnar mount being the perfect companion -
so much so that a collapsible Sonnar does not look ' right ' on it !

It's my Kontax Too [ 'cos it's Contax and Kiev too , groan ]

I love it 'cos it was both uneconomic and impractical to rescue such a camera , and 'cos it epitomises the continuity of a camera made from 1936 to 1960 across two idealogies .
[ ASdee loves continuity and constancy ' sameness ' ! ]

I love the recent connection to Kiev and Arsenal - to rebuild this camera in it's entirety for 60 euro shows a dedication and pride beyond the pocket money it provides , just as my restored Contax III with working meter indicates .
I wonder if they enjoy the irony of repairing Contax cameras .

I have a lovely CLA 1951 KNeB II and a near mint 1952 KNeB II body which needs CLA ,
but .... somehow it's like being a caretaker of an original Classic .
However , Miss Match echoes my own Idee confusion and ASdee fragmentation , and effectively has no past - is ' new ' for 2010

I am not abandoning my Kievs - a 1954 KNeB III awaits restoration .
In the continued spirit of enforced co'operation both Contax III * / IV and KNeB III / IV hybrids are being created [ I love the compact meter and controls and the original classic body . ]
[* the Contax III needed a donor for meter parts - perfect excuse ! ]

It's just really strange how I seem connected to this specific camera as no other . I took it out with slide film and it is just perfect FOR ME .

 

[pakeha]

Dee, seconded on Dan request.
I really like this-` I love it 'cos it was both uneconomic and impractical to rescue such a camera '

and this-` love the recent connection to Kiev and Arsenal - to rebuild this camera in it's entirety for 60 euro shows a dedication and pride beyond the pocket money it provides '

Actually i think i would really leica contax or even a kontax, later in the year after childrens school fees and tax paid. And i think i would go about it the way you have done.
enjoy and regards

 

[David Murphy]

Now that you've started down this path, if you want to backslide on sound personal fiscal policy even more, acquire a Contax IIa or IIIa -- rebuilt or not (there's no cheap route to these, but they are unequaled for what they do ) 🙂