Contax I ??

[Ash]

Thanks to dexdog, I now MUST own a Contax I !!!

I have a Kiev 4, with its contax frontplate and everything. Pretty nice cam. So does the Contax I take the same bayonet fitting lenses? unless I got a deal with an original lens, then I'd probs go for another russian lens in that mount.



I dont fancy going on the list (can't remember the guy's name) of the 200 people waiting for a contax that is then serviced etc etc etc, so anyone know how often these things show up at a good price?

Anything I should be watching out for? I hear they're a bit notorious for dodgy shutters. Many people here handled them?

Most importantly, they take 135 right? 😀

 

[dexdog]

All of the classic Contax RFs, including the Contax I, use the same bayonet mount as found on the Kiev.

The service person you are most likely referring to is Henry Scherer; Contax II/III and IIa/IIIa cameras serviced by Henry show up occasionally on eBay, perhaps 4 or 5 a year- sales price will probably run about 400 USD. I have seen only one Scherer-serviced Contax I on eBay in the last several years, offered by RFF member Honu-Hugger, IIRC. The price of a working overhauled specimen would probably be pretty high. As far as anything in particular to watch out for, there is nothing unusual or problematic to the Contax that would not be typical of a 40 to 70 year old camera. Common issues include oily lenses, sluggish shutters and dirty/dim viewfinders. As with any camera in this age category, it is probably safe to assume that most will need an overhaul. As to the shutters, they often need shutter tape replacement after all these years, but in my experience, are very reliable once properly repaired.

Lastly, they take standard 35mm cassettes.


Happy hunting!

 

[Ash]

Thanks 🙂 I'm probably going to be better off adding myself to the end of Scherers list then? *rolls eyes*

 

[colyn]

As far as anything in particular to watch out for, there is nothing unusual or problematic to the Contax that would not be typical of a 40 to 70 year old camera.

The Contax introduced in 1932 had shutter issues from its beginning.
Zeiss considered it a failure and redesigned it into the Contax II and III in 1936.

 

[Ash]

hmm so I read. I still love the look of them, and it looks more compact than the C-II kiev copy I have

 

[Ash]

Come to think of it, once theres been a shutter overhaul, shouldnt the 'failure' be overcome, just like dexdog said?

These cameras wouldnt fetch such a high price if they were that shoddy

 

[dexdog]

If you consider one, the best user is the late model If, built up until 1936, when it was replaced by the Contax II. I use the Contax I occasionally, but the II is a better user.

 

[Ash]

Yea, I wouldnt go for an early model 🙂

1. Focusing/Range finder Cleaning, Lubrication and Adjustment: $95.00. This service includes:

a. Complete disassembly of all parts and hand/ultrasonic cleaning of all parts.

b. Lubrication of all moving parts.

c. Re-filling of engraving on the lens mount bezel.

d. Precision cleaning of all optical elements.

e. Precision adjustment of the distance scale with respect to the range finder.

2. Shutter Tape Replacement: $195.00. This service includes only replacement of the old shutter tape with new, original Zeiss specification silk shutter tape. The only guarantee for this service is tape breakage.

3. Full Camera Overhaul: $595.00. This service includes the Range finder Clean, Lubrication and Adjustment service, Range finder Mirror Resilvering (if necessary), and the Shutter Tape Replacement Service. It includes complete camera disassembly, with all parts being hand/ultrasonically cleaned followed by complete camera lubrication. It includes cleaning and lubrication of the film advance and frame counter mechanism. It also includes cleaning and re-filling of all engraving.

4. Leather Bump Removal: $35.00. The formation of the well known "Zeiss Bump" is the result of a chemical reaction between the tanning chemicals used in the leather, and the exposed copper in the exposed brass rivet heads used to hold the back pieces togther. These bumps can be removed, but it is also necessary to cover the brass rivet tops with an insulating material to ensure the bumps will not reappear. This service removes the bumps and treats the rivet heads so that the bump removal is permanent.

It is not possible to break services down to smaller levels with the Contax I cameras. The reason for this is the extraordinarily complex construction of this camera. The Contax I camera is not modular, meaning that in order to repair one part, many parts must be removed. Contax I repairs are difficult and complicated.

I think I just lost my appetite for this camera!

 

[dexdog]

I had Henry service my Contax Ia, and yes, the sticker shock is substantial, although the camera works very well now, and exposure is accurate enough for slide film. I imagine that the price of the Contax I is due to the relative rarity, and is not a reflection of how well it works, necessarily.

 

[Ash]

That's fair enough, I think I'll leave this camera to the realms of "when I win £££" 😀


if you dont mind me asking, what was the total cost you paid?

 

[dexdog]

I bought the camera on eBay for about 500 USD, and paid Henry 595 USD to overhaul it. Henry claims that it is probably the best-looking Contax Ia that he has worked on, and was actually kinda upset with me when I told him I planned to use it. Can't see shelling out that much cash for a "shelf queen" that would never see a roll of film- inoperative cameras look just as good as those the work well.

 

[colyn]

Come to think of it, once theres been a shutter overhaul, shouldnt the 'failure' be overcome, just like dexdog said?

These cameras wouldnt fetch such a high price if they were that shoddy

The high price is collectable value not usable value.
This camera would never be good for use more than a roll once in a blue moon.

 

[jlw]

Not that I necessarily recommend buying such a notoriously troublesome camera, but there's a Contax I (f) on 3-6ay (aka 'that auction site') right now... body only, no reserve, three days left, current bid $89.50. I suspect the snipers are holding off until the last minute...

Link to that auction site listing

Oops, I look at my search results again and see that there are TWO of them on right now -- the second has a Tessar and a case. There are a couple of black-and-nickel Contax I lenses, too.

This seems an odd conjunction of rare planets indeed. Guess either the spooky economy is finally reaching the upper middle class, or maybe people are starting to sell off their hard-to-use collectibles to raise money for an M8. Maybe I should check the eBay categories for "flying pigs" or "snowballs in hell" and see what's listed THERE...

 

[ZeissFan]

The Contax I, while visually attractive in a boxy sort of way, is not that friendly of a camera.

Servicing the Contax I isn't that difficult -- took me about four hours or so.

Usability of the Contax I is hampered by several things, including its shape.

First off, there are separate windows for focusing and composing. Then, the shutter tends to slam shut on the higher speeds, so you really have to keep a firm grip on the camera.

Next, the rewind knob is really low profile, making laborious knob rewind even more difficult.

Interesting cameras? Definitely. Great user camera -- nope.

 

[Ash]

This must be the first time I'm actually listening to people and changing my mind on a camera purchase!

Thanks for all the help, and Scherer sounds a bit...well...like 'those people' who push the prices of cameras up for collections - I would hope anyone who appreciates cameras as much as he would, would like to see them being used! I guess the Contax-I is an exception.


I'll wait til everyone is digital and antiques are unpopular 😀

 

[dexdog]

Thanks for all the help, and Scherer sounds a bit...well...like 'those people' who push the prices of cameras up for collections - I would hope anyone who appreciates cameras as much as he would, would like to see them being used! I guess the Contax-I is an exception.

I think Henry meant that the camera in question was an exception, and also because he knew that I had several overhauled Contaxes that were better users than the Ia. Typically Henry S. is a big fan of using the Contax cameras.

 

[photovdz]

of course the I is nice... but a II or a IIa is a better user... and since zeiss lenses are so fabulous... from the uncoated prewar versions to the zeiss-opton ones I would say that a bessa R2C is the best user ;-)

But part of the fun is that noise of the contax shutter... mmmm

Stephan

 

[dexdog]

of course the I is nice... but a II or a IIa is a better user... and since zeiss lenses are so fabulous... from the uncoated prewar versions to the zeiss-opton ones I would say that a bessa R2C is the best user ;-)

But part of the fun is that noise of the contax shutter... mmmm

Stephan

Don't know what you mean about the noise, but the Contax shutter is not very loud at all (at least the ones I have). A somewhat muted, medium frequency click. In any case, quite a bit quieter than my Bessa R2C. Yes, the Bessa is more user friendly due to the onboard meter, switchable veiwfinder and lever wind, but I hardly ever use it, much preferring to use the II or IIa. The uncoated lenses are my favorites, especially the black Contax 1 versions because they look really cool on the camera, and perform well provided one uses a lens hood.