bought a contax ii on ebay

[David Hughes]

Newton Ellis and Co have repaired them; I'm in favour of repairs as the same risk is there for the next one and the next one. There's lots that can go wrong with them and that way everything gets checked and also you get a guarantee, usually.


Regards, David

 

[Peter Jennings]

At least inform the seller of the issue and ask nicely for a partial refund. I’ve done it successfully, and I’ve done it for items I’ve sold that developed issues shortly after I’ve sold them. The seller will likely cooperate with you and try to rememdy the situation to preserve his seller rating. Use that money towards repairs.

 

[pauld111]

This is what has happened. I found Ed Trzoska who said he could fix it ,in the UK. In the meantime I sent a message to the seller, he offered me a full refund. We got to communicate back and forth, he then offered me full refund or a partial refund. I took the partial refund and will deal with him in the future. It was very good of him to do this, thought it would be an uphill battle, especially because in the advert he said no refund etc. I would also like to thank all you guys because of the feedback and ideas you have given me regarding this. Thanks

 

[xayraa33]

This is what has happened. I found Ed Trzoska who said he could fix it ,in the UK. In the meantime I sent a message to the seller, he offered me a full refund. We got to communicate back and forth, he then offered me full refund or a partial refund. I took the partial refund and will deal with him in the future. It was very good of him to do this, thought it would be an uphill battle, especially because in the advert he said no refund etc. I would also like to thank all you guys because of the feedback and ideas you have given me regarding this. Thanks

Very glad to hear it is going to work out well for you.

Shows us the photos made with your Contax II and its collapsible f2 Sonnar lens after you get it all sorted out.

 

[Highway 61]

Your seller is a smart guy while your idea of leaving him a negative feedback wasn't fair.

I suggest that you be a more informed bidder next time. This is easy to find some clues about what to expect from vintage unserviced camera gear when you buy some "as is" on the Internet.

Good for you that everything turns out the good way. I hope your camera will benefit from a complete overhaul so that it gets working and reliable on the long term. Be prepared for a repair bill which will likely exceed the partial refund which the seller kindly allowed you.

 

[ForestCap]

It is good that the seller is being reasonable and agree to partial-refund you. I think many old camera sellers on the Bay are hoping that buyers don't know what they are buying or don't actually use the items they buy, unless the sellers sell refurbished cameras (rare) or are 100% confident about the status of the cameras (even rarer). I would call a partial-refund a win-win situation for those old camera deals. At least the seller did not ask you to send it back then he can have it repaired and then send it to you blah blah, which usually wastes more money and time for the buyer.

For repair, I would suggest Oleg if you haven't decided or are still searching alternatives. He just repaired my 1950 KIEV II (which comes with a 1949 ZK 50/2 rigid lens) and he did a fantastic job.

 

[pauld111]

Highway 61 - It said in the advert that it was fully working. It just said 'no returns'. Another thing is that when I was conversing with him I asked him whether he serviced the cameras himself, and he said that he did. So he is servicing these cameras and placing them on Ebay.

nukecoke - I have already decided to send it to Ed Trzoska, who is in the UK, thus easier for me. Thanks

 

[D.O'K.]

Likely you've done the best thing--a few years ago Ed Trzoska did a really great job on my Contax, which had serious shutter (and other) problems, and it's worked flawlessly since.

Good luck!

Regards,
D.

 

[Highway 61]

It said in the advert that it was fully working. It just said 'no returns'. Another thing is that when I was conversing with him I asked him whether he serviced the cameras himself, and he said that he did. So he is servicing these cameras and placing them on Ebay.

This is something you should have mentioned first in your opening post. Since overhauling a Contax II with all its original parts, including the mandatory ribbons replacement, is highly time consuming and cannot really be looked at as a hobby with, as a reward, profit sales off the serviced cameras, it's very possible that this guy fixes those Contax bodies (if this is a seller which lists several of them at auction) with Kiev parts.

So your camera may have a Kiev shutter unit already. A close-up photo of the shutter ribbons would help to check whether you still have an original Contax shutter or a Kiev shutter already (the Kiev ribbons are thicker and of a very recognizable pattern).

Worse case, you bought a Kiev with a Contax II frontplate. But let's not become all paranoid too fast.
A link to the auction page would help, if you don't mind posting it here.

 

[pauld111]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Contax-I...lcZO95ReYE%3D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc

Highway 61 -there was full disclosure of what transpired in it's chronological order. I only dealt with him directly after the sale when the camera was presenting troubles.

 

[dee]

This may sound odd - but a Contax with a new old stock Kiev shutter assembly [Oleged ] may be a better long term fix that trying to sort original parts .
I opted for a pair of £40 dead Contax Bodies with new Kiev shutters from ex-Arensl Techs in Ukraine , and have been well pleased.
One in tan leather with black paint stripped to bare silver metal is great , but still shows the brassing etc of years of use .
I guess my ex-Contax III with Kiev shutter and 1957 Kiev 4 top plate/meter/controls is a step too far on the wild side !
Good luck
dee

 

[pauld111]

I provided the link to the auction page earlier , what are your thoughts? Thanks

 

[pauld111]

I sent the camera off to Ed Trzoska. I will update with further details. If anything this might be educational for future readers.

 

[Highway 61]

I provided the link to the auction page earlier , what are your thoughts? Thanks

From what can be seen on the auction pictures there are no cosmetic Kiev parts but we can't know about the shutter. The shutter crate screws show screwdriver marks. The plastic take-up spool is a postwar Contax model.

 

[pauld111]

Highway 61 - Thanks for your input, I have sent the camera off and we will just have to wait and see what Ed says.

 

[Steve M.]

No, the buyer did not break the camera. What an odd thing to say. If all he did was put film in it and fire the shutter, how is that breaking the camera? Anyway, I'm glad the seller was honorable and offered both a full refund or partial. That's a five star seller in my book. Looks like it will turn out to be a good buy after the repair.

 

[Gregm61]

The ad looks like a typical eBay Contax seller, with little to no knowledge of the body in question (it reads like they picked it up at a flea market for a quarter of the price and flipped it straight to
you) or Contax rangefinders in general, making this the crapshoot of all crapshoots.....and you rolled snake eyes on this one in terms of getting an actual (useable) operating camera, which was almost a foregone conclusion.

 

[pauld111]

Ed has now received the camera and lens. He confirms that it is an original Contax ii, but the camera and lens need a service. I will update as I get more information, but it will be a while as I am in a queue.

 

[JoeLopez]

I was bidding for it 'as is' and no returns. Although he did specify was working. Anyway I took a risk. I will try find someone in the UK to look at it. I paid approx £170 for camera body and lens and case.

If the seller stated it was working via ebay messages you do have a case for a return. File a claim with ebay and keep us posted 🙂

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

That seller has 100% positive feedback and is willing to cooperate with you. I think you have some leverage (refund, return, partial refund). Depends what you want to do, but if you start fixing the camera, then ethically you have to keep it.

Looks in good condition. I say that with an overall you'll have an excellent camera.