colyn
ישו משיח
I recently picked up a Contaflex Super (old) in clean condition which I have just completed a shutter overhaul on and now want to clean the prism.
I have not been able to figure out how to remove the advance lever/counter. Any help?
I have not been able to figure out how to remove the advance lever/counter. Any help?
Hi Colyn,
when you say you want to clean the prism, do you mean that literally? Or are you trying to get some dust out of the viewfinder?
If only the latter, looking towards the centre of the camera from adjacent to the rewind fork, you'll see a slotted hatch about the size of a small coin. It caps an access port into the mirror box. By removing it you can gently blow air into the box to dislodge dust or sneak your choice of viewfinder cleaning implement into manually remove contaminants, saving you the task of removing the top cover at all. The designers at Zeiss Ikon were very clever. If blowing dust out, don't be too agressive, as it is all to easy to blow dust behind the focus screen where you certainly will need to remove the top cover, in order to reach it.
If you really do need to clean the prism itself, it's actually deceptively simple to remove the wind lever. Using a non stick material (eg. a small piece of inner tube) you simply unscrew the surround on the top of the release shaft which permits the film counter dial to be removed, exposing the retaining ring. You may want to fabricate a slotted tool to assist removal of the ring which, if it has never been off, is likely to be fairly tight, however the procedure should be straightforward to decipher. From memory I believe it has a left hand thread, watch out for that.
You should probably check the timing of the rear capping plate. Although early models had conservative timing, the relationship between the rear plate closing and the front shutter blades opening on the Super is pretty tight. If it has done a lot of work (or been fiddled with by those who should never touch a Contaflex) it is far from uncommon for the front blades to begin opening before the capping plate has seated. Naturally, this can fog your film. Slowly wind the lever and, keeping a little tension against the mechanism to stop it backing off, when the capping plate has just seated, inspect the shutter blades. They may have moved slightly, but there should be no opening. If you need to know how to adjust this, let me know.
It's also worth checking focus over the film rails with a ground glass. Unless it has been tampered with it is unlikely the lens focus will be off (an 85mm or 115mm Pro Tessar makes this easier to do a critical inspection of, if you have one--I recommend the 85mm). You may however find the viewfinder focus diverges slightly from the true focus at the film plane. Tampering or slight wear in the mirror mechanism can be the cause of this, and, again, is adjustable, if required.
Cheers,
Brett
colyn
ישו משיח
Thanks for the help. I had to remove the prism in order to clean haze. With the top off I also found the reason the meter was flakey. The meter plate was loose so after tightening the screws I now have a working meter and it appears to be reasonably accurate.
The timing between the shutter and rear baffle looks good and I have run film through it with no fogging. I do however need to adjust the mirror since it focuses just past infinity. When I set focus at 4 ft. then infinity I get a sharp image on the ground glass so I am assuming to adjust this I have to remove the small plug screw (see attached image red arrow) on the bottom after removing the back/bottom cover them using the 3 hands needed tool
loosen the collor nut and adjusting the center screw till I get infinity on the mirror..
The timing between the shutter and rear baffle looks good and I have run film through it with no fogging. I do however need to adjust the mirror since it focuses just past infinity. When I set focus at 4 ft. then infinity I get a sharp image on the ground glass so I am assuming to adjust this I have to remove the small plug screw (see attached image red arrow) on the bottom after removing the back/bottom cover them using the 3 hands needed tool
loosen the collor nut and adjusting the center screw till I get infinity on the mirror..
farlymac
PF McFarland
Man, this is great stuff to know, as I just got an Alpha last month to go with my Contina and Pantars. I may go for a Super later on, as a friend of mine is sending me a pro-Tessar, thus enabling my Zeiss Jones.
PF
PF
Yes, spot on Colyn re: the mirror adjustment. I will say the locknut is not likely to be tight. Simply using the appropriate screwdriver should permit you to set the mirror right without relaxing the fastener. Try gently adjusting it. It will probably turn as is. Lacquer can then secure it to guard against subsequently drifting out of calibration. Let me know how you get on.Thanks for the help. I had to remove the prism in order to clean haze. With the top off I also found the reason the meter was flakey. The meter plate was loose so after tightening the screws I now have a working meter and it appears to be reasonably accurate.
The timing between the shutter and rear baffle looks good and I have run film through it with no fogging. I do however need to adjust the mirror since it focuses just past infinity. When I set focus at 4 ft. then infinity I get a sharp image on the ground glass so I am assuming to adjust this I have to remove the small plug screw (see attached image red arrow) on the bottom after removing the back/bottom cover them using the 3 hands needed tool
View attachment 96062
Cheers,
Brett
colyn
ישו משיח
Thanks
I gave it a shot today and it adjusted just fine. A bit of shellac has it locked in place now..
I'll be loading it up tomorrow for a real test run.
You can see a photo of it here http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=133358
I haven't tried any of the Pantar models yet. A few images I've seen suggest it is not up to the Tessar but that's not to say it is a bad lens. Enjoy it for what it is. When I've finished getting all the Tessar models I might think about trying them, but I still need a C III and three or four accessories to complete the Tessar system at this stage.Man, this is great stuff to know, as I just got an Alpha last month to go with my Contina and Pantars. I may go for a Super later on, as a friend of mine is sending me a pro-Tessar, thus enabling my Zeiss Jones.
PF
In summary there are three categories of Contaflex (excluding the Pantar models). The I & II have fixed 45mm f/2.8 Tessars, front cell focus. They perform better than one might expect. They're so compact you can just about fit one in your pocket. I've seen some images with amazing centre sharpness from them. You are stuck with one lens, though. Apart from Proxar close up lenses the only accessory lens available is the Teleskop. Mike Elens (ZeissFan) rates this highly, I have yet to procure my own copy. Can't recall offhand if the Zeiss Monocular also fits the 45mm Tessars or just the later 50mms.
The line went unit focus with the Contaflex III onwards. All the 35mm, 85mm & the 115mm Pro Tessars will fit any of the unit focus models. The M1:1 macro Tessar was made in early and late types though, the mount was very slightly changed coincident with the Super or New Super as I recall.
Although the III & IV are unit focus models they are halfway between the very compact (for an SLR) I & II models and the later types, size wise. They can not accept magazine backs.
Magazine backs can be fitted to the Rapid, old and new Super and Super B, BC & S. One or two of the Pantar models as well I believe, don't recall which.
Rarest of all Contaflice is the Rapid, with 8,000 examples produced. It took me a while to find a tidy example, but they turn up occasionally.
The Tessar fitted to the Contaflex series was "reformulated" with the later models. Much debate has taken place amongst experts about which models had it fitted and which didn't. All the Tessars perform well, in my own experience the best overall performers for sharpness seemed to kick in from the New Super/Super B onwards.
Not that you've asked for it, but in my opinion, if you are considering a Tessar model, and prefer conventional manual photography, the ones that handle the best are the first four, or the New Super. The (original) Super model is good, but the way the EV system limits the combination of shutter and aperture speeds according to the ASA you select can be somewhat frustrating. I like to be able to tell a camera what to do and not vice-versa. The New Super on the other hand, accepts magazine backs if you want to use these, and offers conventional grips on both shutter and aperture rings, with an accurate (if non TTL) selenium meter that is coupled at all times.
The Super B, BC & S are all great cameras with superb versions of the standard Tessar, but are best suited to either shutter priority auto use, or fully manual with a hand held meter. Because those last three models only activate the meter on the "A" setting on the aperture control, conventional manual photography with the built in meter is annoying, as one is constantly shifting the aperture ring back and forwards from "A" (to take the meter reading) to the required f stop to take the photo.
If you need any advice about buying one, feel free to get in touch.
Cheers
Brett
BW400CN
Bessamatic forever!
Contaflex par BW400CN, bei ipernity
Contaflex Super (old) with ProTessar lenses and magazine back
I´ve got the here missing 85mm too.
Zeiss Ikon Contina par BW400CN, bei ipernity
Contina / Contina-matic III
She shares the lenses with the Panthar models - would like to fina a Prima and the 30mm Panthar
farlymac
PF McFarland
Thanks, Brett. I've been studying up on the different models, but wanted to start with the Alpha or Beta just because of the relationship with the Contina. It also completes the quartet in a 1957 advert I have an eye on that shows the Contina III, Contaflex (I or II, not sure which), Contax IIa, and Ikoflex IIa.
My first foray into Zeiss cameras was a Contina III I found with the 30mm lens on it. Felt good and solid, and I liked the fact the meter was uncoupled, since it probably wasn't good anyway after all these years. Then when I got it home, and took off the 30 for a closer inspection, I found out the second element was cracked in two. So I decided to get another one for parts, but it looks better, and only has a sticky shutter as a problem.
Not having gotten into camera repair yet as a sideline of the addiction, I set it aside, but always on the lookout for accessories and such. Finally got a 75mm lens, and the 426 finder. The Alpha came up cheap on an auction, so I went ahead and got it now. Saw a beautiful Super BC outfit with the original fitted case sell on the bay yesterday, but it was way out of my budget (hell, anything over $50 is these days). So I'm just going to bide my time getting the other models, and hope when a bargain comes up, I can act on it. Our local flea market has some interesting finds every so often.
PF
My first foray into Zeiss cameras was a Contina III I found with the 30mm lens on it. Felt good and solid, and I liked the fact the meter was uncoupled, since it probably wasn't good anyway after all these years. Then when I got it home, and took off the 30 for a closer inspection, I found out the second element was cracked in two. So I decided to get another one for parts, but it looks better, and only has a sticky shutter as a problem.
Not having gotten into camera repair yet as a sideline of the addiction, I set it aside, but always on the lookout for accessories and such. Finally got a 75mm lens, and the 426 finder. The Alpha came up cheap on an auction, so I went ahead and got it now. Saw a beautiful Super BC outfit with the original fitted case sell on the bay yesterday, but it was way out of my budget (hell, anything over $50 is these days). So I'm just going to bide my time getting the other models, and hope when a bargain comes up, I can act on it. Our local flea market has some interesting finds every so often.
PF
zeissguy
Member
Information regarding Contaflex variants
Information regarding Contaflex variants
On pages 62-74 of "Contaflex & Contarex" by Hans-Jurgen Kuc, there is a chart for each of the post-war Zeiss Ikon cameras that bore the name Contaflex. Studying these charts, one is able to learn which models had what features. The only Contaflex that came with a Pantar lens and which accepted accessory magazine backs was the Contaflex Prima.
Where did you find the information as to the number of Rapid models produced? The frustrating piece of information that is missing from the Contaflex charts in "Contaflex & Contarex" is the numbers of each camera model that were produced. I would love to find out where information may be had as to the numbers of Contaflex models produced. In other words, how many of the other bodies were produced?
Ok. There is some more information hidden in "Contaflex & Contarex." At the bottom of the chart on page 62, (in German), it looks like a total of 246,820 Contaflex I & II (zusammen=together) were produced. With regard to the remaining bodies, it looks like a total of 952,000 of Contaflex III through the Contaflex Super BC aka the "S" (zusammen=together) were produced. On page 23, I see the number 476,000. Google translates two German sentences to read that after fifteen years of production, Zeiss Ikon had produced 476,000 units. Although I can't find a further breakdown of these numbers.
Thanks for the great information regarding the Contaflex variants. I for one did not know that in order to take a meter reading from the B, the BC & the S, one had to change the aperture ring to the "A" setting.
By the way, I have to mention something regarding your RFF handle, Sarcophilus. I think this is Greek for flesh lover.
Information regarding Contaflex variants
On pages 62-74 of "Contaflex & Contarex" by Hans-Jurgen Kuc, there is a chart for each of the post-war Zeiss Ikon cameras that bore the name Contaflex. Studying these charts, one is able to learn which models had what features. The only Contaflex that came with a Pantar lens and which accepted accessory magazine backs was the Contaflex Prima.
Where did you find the information as to the number of Rapid models produced? The frustrating piece of information that is missing from the Contaflex charts in "Contaflex & Contarex" is the numbers of each camera model that were produced. I would love to find out where information may be had as to the numbers of Contaflex models produced. In other words, how many of the other bodies were produced?
Ok. There is some more information hidden in "Contaflex & Contarex." At the bottom of the chart on page 62, (in German), it looks like a total of 246,820 Contaflex I & II (zusammen=together) were produced. With regard to the remaining bodies, it looks like a total of 952,000 of Contaflex III through the Contaflex Super BC aka the "S" (zusammen=together) were produced. On page 23, I see the number 476,000. Google translates two German sentences to read that after fifteen years of production, Zeiss Ikon had produced 476,000 units. Although I can't find a further breakdown of these numbers.
Thanks for the great information regarding the Contaflex variants. I for one did not know that in order to take a meter reading from the B, the BC & the S, one had to change the aperture ring to the "A" setting.
By the way, I have to mention something regarding your RFF handle, Sarcophilus. I think this is Greek for flesh lover.
farlymac
PF McFarland
Since this got dug up I might as well report that in the ensuing time since my last post, I overhauled a II (https://flic.kr/s/aHsjGwBS2D https://flic.kr/s/aHsjGFzN9G https://flic.kr/s/aHsjGGUAkw https://flic.kr/s/aHsjGJDajj https://flic.kr/s/aHsjGNUCUC https://flic.kr/s/aHsjGNnbpP), and have become the owner of a Prima, and a IV. The Prima works fine, but the IV needs a good going over. Just haven't gotten around to it.
PF
PF
Hi Dave,
I think the data was published in PhotoDeal in 1998 or 1999 supplied from their Zeiss specialist Bernd Otto. According to what I have seen of the article (which is not all of it) the following details about the Rapid are available:
Model: 871/24 (10.1261) Contaflex Rapid.
Shutter: Synchro-Compur CS 1110-545c
Serial # Range: U69001-77000 (8,000 made).
Date Range: 09.58-12.59.
Other less common Contaflex types include the Contaflex III (09.56-03.58, 20,000 made), the Alpha (05.57-08.58, 15,000) and the second or new Contaflex Super (12.64-01.67, 27,035). The most common Contaflex type was the original Super model with 135,000 made from 1959 to 1963. It may possibly be the most numerous of all the lens shutter 35mm SLRs manufactured, actually.
According to Otto's figures the total Contaflex I production was 110,127 and Contaflex II was 111,000. Grand total of Contaflex production all models was 804,137, although I believe that includes the 25,000 Contaflex 126 format models manufactured.
I took me a little while to locate reasonably tidy examples of the III and the Rapid. The Rapid can be bought cheaply from time to time. It has the same script on the front as the more common Pantar equivalent and as a result is sometimes passed over by those who do not examine the photos carefully enough. The III was the last one I procured. I have to clean the shutter but it is really tidy, and I found it cheaply (at Pacific Rim of all places), so that's OK. I also have the I, II, IV, both Supers, Super B, BC & one of the last S models. A friend has one of the last 100 Contaflexes ever made, a very late S from 1972. I haven't got into the Pantar models. Maybe one day. I still need a couple of optics for the Tessars first.
You're right about that. Sarcophilus Harrisii translates roughly as "Harris's Meat Lover". Better known as the Tasmanian Devil. I'm a wildlife rescue volunteer from Tasmania. By the way, you did a better job than the last commentator, who referred to a "sarcophagus". But that was probably wishful thinking on his part, I would suggest...
Cheers,
Brett
Kevcaster
Well-known
Hi Colyn, could you confirm if the collar was a left hand thread? I would like to do the same procedure, many thanks
Kevin