Compromised Contax Awaited .

[dee]

I am anticipating an exUSA Contax III CLA and repaired by Arsenal Techs .
The existing shutter has been repaired with Kiev tape and a new old stock Kiev cell fitted .
I have yet to see it other than the e-bay pics which look good - confirmed by Mike Haley in Ukraine .

Total outlay will be £200 [ £125 + £ 75 ] with a tested Collapsible Sonnar .

I am not certain if this makes it a Kontax-stien or is an acceptable compromise to make a useable '' budget '' classic ... kiev parts being minimal ?

The question originally did not arise 'cos I expected it to need a new shutter ... now I may have to consider this camera as a classic , rather than a worthless and dee'sposable hybrid .

What do the purists think ?

Respectfully

dee

 

[raid]

Congrats on the camera. The Contax cameras seem to be quite plenty on ebay. I have the IIIa and the IIa and not your III. Once they have been CLA'd, they function as smooth as butter. Just use the camera and don't worry about "hybird" components. It is the lens that matters. The Sonnar lenses are awesome.

 

[dee]

It was £200 Highway . I had been looking at Contax cameras fr some time , and this one was in excellent condition , most CLA cameras seem to be about £200 - but I know who has worked on this one , which is a reasurance for me .

 

[Peter_Jones]

£200 seems a fair price for a CLA'd Contax. Hope you get good results and plenty of use from it 🙂

 

[ZeissFan]

That's a reasonable price. Kiev shutter straps don't alter the camera. In fact, you can use any suitable material for the straps.

I don't know what you mean by this: "new old stock Kiev cell."

Are you referring to the selenium cell? If so, the same thing applies. It's still a Contax.

In fact, many Kievs can be considered a Contax with some modifications and (apparently) a lower standard of manufacturing. I have an early Kiev, and it's a well made camera. In the dark, it operates just like a Contax II, and you wouldn't know the difference except for the body covering.

Definitely enjoy the camera.

 

[dee]

thanks ZeissFan .
Because of the separation of ASD , I am always anxious about doing the right thing - especially with classic cameras . ex-USSR versions are safer for me 'cos they are still plentiful and reasonably priced [ well they were until recently - £120 or so for an early Kiev 2 seems expensive compared to a Contax needing CLA .
It's like I am copying others without comprehension .
I can hide behind my cameras !
dee

 

[harry01562]

The tapes and meter cell are minor replacement parts, in the large view...
If the work was properly done, and the camera lubricated with modern chemicals, it should be a nice picture taker.

As has been said, the camera is only a light tight box to hold the excellent Sonnar lenses. I just purchased my 6th Contax, because it was in such nice condition, and seems to be mechanically sound. Even meter very active, speeds appear correct, wind smooth and quiet, etc.

Forget about correctness, and just enjoy one of the nicer classic cameras.

Harry