CONTAX 11A (Coloured Dial) production ?

[M2user]

From what I have read it seems that the much sought Contax 11A (Coloured Dial) camera was produced in far less quantity than the Contax 111A (Coloured Dial).
Does anyone know how many Contax 11A (Coloured Dials) were actually produced by Zeiss Ikon?

Regards,

 

[dexdog]

From what I have read it seems that the much sought Contax 11A (Coloured Dial) camera was produced in far less quantity than the Contax 111A (Coloured Dial).
Does anyone know how many Contax 11A (Coloured Dials) were actually produced by Zeiss Ikon?

Regards,

According to On the Trail of the Contax, Volume II by Hans-Jurgen Kuc, 23,000 color dial Contax IIa were produced, compared with 44, 025 Contax IIIa color dial.

 

[ZeissFan]

Keep in mind that the camera is known as the Contax IIa (Roman numerals) and not 11a.

It's like calling a Leica M the MII, MIII or the MIV.

Of course, such mistakes have often led to some nice bargains when they occur on eBay.

 

[M2user]

Many thanks to dexdog and ZeissFan for this information.

Regards,

 

[dll927]

23 + 44 = 67,000 cameras. And they call them rare!! Of course, in their day, they were probably in pretty good demand by people who knew what they were talking about. At times there were claims that the Contaxes were better cameras than the Leicas. At this late date, I think I'd opt for one without the exposure meter, which probably wouldn't work very well anyway.

 

[Cunha]

There still are such claims, no doubt.

 

[hugivza]

Whereas the original selenium cell in a IIIa may have gone West, it is possible to get it replaced. My IIIa has has such life enhancing surgery, but in reality using on on camera meter in my view, is purely for emergency purposes as I understand that this is why god invented spot meters and the like.