pb908
Well-known
I have been learning from few threads over RFF/ZI-forum about how to make black paint RF, and get an idea to do the same on my contax IIa/II.
I think that should be easy enough compared to a leica M body, as we can strip down almost all the plate of Contax II/IIa with just screw driver. But I came to a problem that the back (and lower) plate of our II/IIa is having 2 locks in the bottom and it is hard to remove those locks.
In Contax II, the locks is held by a spirol pin, but no way I can knock it out from any direction as the locks have it's protective "housing". It is similar as on Zorki 3/4 lock. I believe the only way to do it is by pulling the pin out, but it is flush enough that no plier can grab it.
In Contax IIa, it even worst, the mechanism still looks the same, but the protective housing is deep as a part on the bottom plate itself.
I need to remove the locks in order to be able to save it from the dechroming process. So at the end, the locks is going to be one of few chrome parts left on the bottom plate.
any idea how to do it?
I see that on ZI-forum, some one had done it long time back, but as the thread is so old, I think it is better to put my question on a more active forum, just in case any member have the same project like me. Any idea will be appreciated.
I think that should be easy enough compared to a leica M body, as we can strip down almost all the plate of Contax II/IIa with just screw driver. But I came to a problem that the back (and lower) plate of our II/IIa is having 2 locks in the bottom and it is hard to remove those locks.
In Contax II, the locks is held by a spirol pin, but no way I can knock it out from any direction as the locks have it's protective "housing". It is similar as on Zorki 3/4 lock. I believe the only way to do it is by pulling the pin out, but it is flush enough that no plier can grab it.
In Contax IIa, it even worst, the mechanism still looks the same, but the protective housing is deep as a part on the bottom plate itself.
I need to remove the locks in order to be able to save it from the dechroming process. So at the end, the locks is going to be one of few chrome parts left on the bottom plate.
any idea how to do it?
I see that on ZI-forum, some one had done it long time back, but as the thread is so old, I think it is better to put my question on a more active forum, just in case any member have the same project like me. Any idea will be appreciated.
Highway 61
Revisited
The Contax IIa back locking keys are very easy to remove, you just unscrew their central dot from the inside with a pair of precision pliers then all the parts of the mechanism can be taken apart in order to clean (and relube) them so that you have keys that open and close very gently.
There is no proper way to remove the keys from a Contax II back baseplate without destroying them.
I have seen some samples of black repainted Contax cameras and I found the result quite ugly. The paint job had been professionally done and there was no issue with the paint itself - but those cameras weren't designed to be black and it shows.
There is no proper way to remove the keys from a Contax II back baseplate without destroying them.
I have seen some samples of black repainted Contax cameras and I found the result quite ugly. The paint job had been professionally done and there was no issue with the paint itself - but those cameras weren't designed to be black and it shows.
pb908
Well-known
Thanks a lot higway61,
any idea to remove the rewind button on IIa? I forget to ask in the first time. Thanks
any idea to remove the rewind button on IIa? I forget to ask in the first time. Thanks
Highway 61
Revisited
You have to unscrew it from the inside using a spanner (while you grip it from the outside with something made of rubber).
pb908
Well-known
thanks again Highway61, the back locks as you said is easy to open, but the rewind button is not that easy. anyway, now I can start stripdown the chrome!! hopefully I can show it here later on if the paint is done. thanks !!