Ron F
Member
I'm toying with the idea of selling my Contax iiia, but I don't have a good idea of its current worth. The camera and lens are from around 1951-52 with the lens being an early 50mm f2 Zeiss Opton from West Germany.
The body was originally a black dial version, but was apparently factory converted to a color dial camera in the late 60's or early 70's (or so was hypothesized by Henry Scherer when he overhauled it). The body and lens were most recently overhauled by Henry Scherer about 3 years ago. The shutter module and meter are the latest versions. In fact, the the meter module was such a late design that Mr. Scherer had only seen 2 or 3 of the same type in the hundreds of Contax's he had overhauled up to that time. The body does have some brazing on the corners, but has apparently always been cased. The meter has been restored to operating standards with a modern meter cell by Mr. Scherer.
The lens is in cosmeticly great shape, but the front surface of the lens does have cleaning marks as well as a few fine scratches and some circular blemishes in the coating that were caused by humidity. Mr. Scherer said that despite the blemishes, the lens is capable of ~98% of its original rendering quality.
In addition to the camera and lens, I also have 2 cases (1 that has the medalion and one that is missing the medalion and is a bit worn) and 1 film cartridge complete with its red anodized case (both cartridge and case are in excellent condition).
Anyway, I've always been afraid to use this camera for fear of hurting it. Last year I bought a used Leica that I use quite a bit. Now the Contax just sits there - hence, my dilema.
If anyone can please let me know an accurate value of my camera, I would really appreciate it.
The body was originally a black dial version, but was apparently factory converted to a color dial camera in the late 60's or early 70's (or so was hypothesized by Henry Scherer when he overhauled it). The body and lens were most recently overhauled by Henry Scherer about 3 years ago. The shutter module and meter are the latest versions. In fact, the the meter module was such a late design that Mr. Scherer had only seen 2 or 3 of the same type in the hundreds of Contax's he had overhauled up to that time. The body does have some brazing on the corners, but has apparently always been cased. The meter has been restored to operating standards with a modern meter cell by Mr. Scherer.
The lens is in cosmeticly great shape, but the front surface of the lens does have cleaning marks as well as a few fine scratches and some circular blemishes in the coating that were caused by humidity. Mr. Scherer said that despite the blemishes, the lens is capable of ~98% of its original rendering quality.
In addition to the camera and lens, I also have 2 cases (1 that has the medalion and one that is missing the medalion and is a bit worn) and 1 film cartridge complete with its red anodized case (both cartridge and case are in excellent condition).
Anyway, I've always been afraid to use this camera for fear of hurting it. Last year I bought a used Leica that I use quite a bit. Now the Contax just sits there - hence, my dilema.
If anyone can please let me know an accurate value of my camera, I would really appreciate it.
dexdog
Veteran
Check eBay completed auctions for some idea as to value, but given that it has been overhauled by Henry S., I would guess about $400. I can't see why you would be afraid to use this camera- it is a good robust design, and not particularly easy to hurt. I have used my Scherer-overhauled Contax II in Costa Rica, Ecuador and Spain using Velvia slide film, with excellent results.
I am with dex, why sell? I know, you don't want to let it sit on a shelf.
Well, I think $400 as dex says is a fair price. Given that it has had an excellent CLA I would not be surprised if you can get more for it. Search for completed auctions on ebay, that will give you an idea.
Well, I think $400 as dex says is a fair price. Given that it has had an excellent CLA I would not be surprised if you can get more for it. Search for completed auctions on ebay, that will give you an idea.
R
Rich Silfver
Guest
The recent CLA AND the fact that the meter is replaced may well bump up the value of the body to $500.
Ron F
Member
Thanks for your help guys. The main reason I am considering selling this camera is that I really like the TTL meter with eye level display of my M6TTL. However, my reason for keeping the Contax is that the 50mm f2 Sonnar is amazing and I can't get one for my Leica 
. I've heard that the 50mm f2 Nikkor is a prewar Sonnar copy, so if I can get my hands on one of those in LTM and get good results from it, then we'll see what I do...
. I've heard that the 50mm f2 Nikkor is a prewar Sonnar copy, so if I can get my hands on one of those in LTM and get good results from it, then we'll see what I do...jano
Evil Bokeh
You could always buy one of those pricey contax->m adapters?
LOOP
maraboutflash
price contax IIIa
price contax IIIa
Contax IIIa is easily one of the best RF ever. 500$ would be the price if everything works.:angel:
price contax IIIa
Contax IIIa is easily one of the best RF ever. 500$ would be the price if everything works.:angel:
JoeFriday
Agent Provacateur
I'd agree that $500 should be the going rate.. but prices jump around a lot on Contax, particularly with the IIIa
you might consider contacting Henry Scherer again, as he often is on the lookout for cameras to sell to clients on a waiting list
you might consider contacting Henry Scherer again, as he often is on the lookout for cameras to sell to clients on a waiting list