Biggles
My cup runneth amok.
(looks around) We can write about old Zeiss Ikon Contax stuff in this sub-forum, can't we?
(sound of crickets)
(steps onto soapbox)
Okaaayyy....
Received an old, 1950s Contax IIa in the mail today. Bought it without ever having held one, though I had played a bit with a IIIa.
What a nice old beast.
I immediately rammed the fifty-eff-two Sonnar into its mouth, stuffed a roll of fi'umm into it and scurried off to the riverfront. A few things quickly became apparent:
1) This is going to be a daylight camera. The rangefinder window is bright, but it's quite a bit dimmer than a Leica CL's, for example. However, it's got sufficient eye relief to be pretty easy to use with in slanting light while wearing a pair of sunglasses. This thing'll be a streeter.
2) The finder has no framelines. None AT ALL. This camera was just made to be used with one lens- a fifty. And I came up through the school of the fifty. Good match, there.
3) It's a small, dense sonofabitch. Those crazy Germans- they used actual METAL to make this ingot. (Feels like depleted uranium. What in hell were they thinking?) This is not your father's Olympus Stylus. Not nearly as effortless to carry as a modern point-and-shoot. Makes a far better weapon, though.
4) Winding it takes time. Like rolling a cigarette. So, one does it ruminatively.
5) Bloody depth-of-field scale is in metric. Agh! Thinking! Hurts! Brain!
6) Chicks look at it. This is really odd. Roller girls, bicycle wimmen, sharp older ladies with frou-frou muffdogs; they were all sneaking peeks at the satin nickel-plated Art Deco brick swinging from my right hand. Must have been curator night on the running path. Either that, or the local chickocracy really digs the metric system.
Overall, I like it, even though my fingertip's a bit chafed from the focusing wheel. Pictures later this week, metered with scrap of printed carboard from the film box.
(sound of crickets)
(steps onto soapbox)
Okaaayyy....
Received an old, 1950s Contax IIa in the mail today. Bought it without ever having held one, though I had played a bit with a IIIa.
What a nice old beast.
I immediately rammed the fifty-eff-two Sonnar into its mouth, stuffed a roll of fi'umm into it and scurried off to the riverfront. A few things quickly became apparent:
1) This is going to be a daylight camera. The rangefinder window is bright, but it's quite a bit dimmer than a Leica CL's, for example. However, it's got sufficient eye relief to be pretty easy to use with in slanting light while wearing a pair of sunglasses. This thing'll be a streeter.
2) The finder has no framelines. None AT ALL. This camera was just made to be used with one lens- a fifty. And I came up through the school of the fifty. Good match, there.
3) It's a small, dense sonofabitch. Those crazy Germans- they used actual METAL to make this ingot. (Feels like depleted uranium. What in hell were they thinking?) This is not your father's Olympus Stylus. Not nearly as effortless to carry as a modern point-and-shoot. Makes a far better weapon, though.
4) Winding it takes time. Like rolling a cigarette. So, one does it ruminatively.
5) Bloody depth-of-field scale is in metric. Agh! Thinking! Hurts! Brain!
6) Chicks look at it. This is really odd. Roller girls, bicycle wimmen, sharp older ladies with frou-frou muffdogs; they were all sneaking peeks at the satin nickel-plated Art Deco brick swinging from my right hand. Must have been curator night on the running path. Either that, or the local chickocracy really digs the metric system.
Overall, I like it, even though my fingertip's a bit chafed from the focusing wheel. Pictures later this week, metered with scrap of printed carboard from the film box.
W
wlewisiii
Guest
The Contax is a unique flavor isn't it? Just a couple of thoughts to share.
1) You might be surprised at how well that vf works in lower light. The patch shows up pretty well under some fairly dim circumstances. Get a 50/1.5 and enjoy...
2) Yep. I learned with a 50 as well, so I like that. I've come to appreciate the 35/50/85 of my Kiev 5 (to put it mildly...
) but the reality is that the 50 is the lens this camera was made for.
3) A wrist strap actually works well with this because of it's weight, I think. And you can swing like all get out if need to and still take pictures afterwards...
4) Being slowed down is not necessarily a bad thing. OTOH, I have found that you can twist that sucker faster than you think when you're following a 3 year old around.
5) Think "yards" instead of meters. It's close enough and it's easier to remember.
It's a delightful camera and you'll get years of enjoyment out of it as will any son or daughter you have.
William
1) You might be surprised at how well that vf works in lower light. The patch shows up pretty well under some fairly dim circumstances. Get a 50/1.5 and enjoy...
2) Yep. I learned with a 50 as well, so I like that. I've come to appreciate the 35/50/85 of my Kiev 5 (to put it mildly...
) but the reality is that the 50 is the lens this camera was made for.3) A wrist strap actually works well with this because of it's weight, I think. And you can swing like all get out if need to and still take pictures afterwards...
4) Being slowed down is not necessarily a bad thing. OTOH, I have found that you can twist that sucker faster than you think when you're following a 3 year old around.
5) Think "yards" instead of meters. It's close enough and it's easier to remember.
It's a delightful camera and you'll get years of enjoyment out of it as will any son or daughter you have.
William
furcafe
Veteran
Lucky you. Here in DC, it's only the old-guy-ocracy that peeks @ my old cameras, Contax IIa included, & they usually think every chrome RF, whether a Contax, Nettax, or Foton, is a "Leica." Small correction: the IIa/IIIa ain't Art Deco (wrong time period & style, the pre-war II/III would be closer but still don't look very Deco-ish). For Art Deco you need a Kodak Bantam Special (http://www.cameraquest.com/superban.htm), now that's a slick camera.
Biggles said:
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Mazurka
Well-known
Better yet, try this for Art Deco
Better yet, try this for Art Deco
Ikoflex
Better yet, try this for Art Deco
JoeFriday
Agent Provacateur
now that I've gotten familiar with my Kiev 4a, it probably won't be long until a Contax II shows up in my mailbox.. especially if I find a good on one with a Sonnar f1.5
I really like the film advance wheel.. that's half the fun of taking pictures, IMO.. and that's when people notice I'm not using a P&S digital.. when I have to stop and advance the film with a couple twists
I'm still working on keeping my finger out of the VF window, tho.. I can't get the hang of using the focusing wheel.. I prefer to use the lens barrel.. otherwise I find the camera suits me very well.. hope your Contax does the same for you
I really like the film advance wheel.. that's half the fun of taking pictures, IMO.. and that's when people notice I'm not using a P&S digital.. when I have to stop and advance the film with a couple twists
I'm still working on keeping my finger out of the VF window, tho.. I can't get the hang of using the focusing wheel.. I prefer to use the lens barrel.. otherwise I find the camera suits me very well.. hope your Contax does the same for you
Honu-Hugger
Well-known
Lever wind and rewind cranks seem like modern conveniences to me (I was shooting the July 4th activities today with a IIa, a Super Ikonta, and an Alpa Model 5).
(I was shooting the July 4th activities today with a IIa, a Super Ikonta, and an Alpa Model 5).
aizan
Veteran
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=67376&item=7528329814&rd=1
who's up for a zeiss ikon tshirt? (no relation)
who's up for a zeiss ikon tshirt? (no relation)
akalai
Well-known
Cool, another Contax IIa fan!!!
..."The finder has no framelines. None AT ALL. This camera was just made to be used with one lens- a fifty."
I actually think these camera are MADE for using with wide angles...the 50 is just a bonus. The positioning of the accessory shoe for viewfinders is perfect for wide angles. Sure the original Zeiss lenses are a bit rare on the ground and pricey when you do find them but they are sweet, namely the Biogons, but keep in mind there is also the option of going with Voigtlander lenses made for Contax/Nikon mount.
The Voigtlander SC lenses are currently on closeout sale at one of the RFF's sponsors website, Cameraquest.com. There is a 21mm,25mm,28mm and 35mm which will all work fine on the Contax Range Finders.
...."It's a small, dense sonofabitch. Those crazy Germans- they used actual METAL to make this ingot."
Haha, I love its weight...screams, "NO EXPENSES SPARED QUALITY!" and I think it does actually have a chassis milled from one piece, so I think you are right about it being an ingot! (Please someone who knows more correct me if I am wrong)
..."Bloody depth-of-field scale is in metric. Agh! Thinking! Hurts! Brain!"
I have the reverse problem....feet and yards? I want my metric system!
..."Chicks look at it. This is really odd. Roller girls, bicycle wimmen, sharp older ladies with frou-frou muffdogs; they were all sneaking peeks at the satin nickel-plated Art Deco brick swinging from my right hand."
Haha, and yes I have noticed that too....weird....but not in a bad way!
OK well have fun and see you around! Cheers!
..."The finder has no framelines. None AT ALL. This camera was just made to be used with one lens- a fifty."
I actually think these camera are MADE for using with wide angles...the 50 is just a bonus. The positioning of the accessory shoe for viewfinders is perfect for wide angles. Sure the original Zeiss lenses are a bit rare on the ground and pricey when you do find them but they are sweet, namely the Biogons, but keep in mind there is also the option of going with Voigtlander lenses made for Contax/Nikon mount.
The Voigtlander SC lenses are currently on closeout sale at one of the RFF's sponsors website, Cameraquest.com. There is a 21mm,25mm,28mm and 35mm which will all work fine on the Contax Range Finders.
...."It's a small, dense sonofabitch. Those crazy Germans- they used actual METAL to make this ingot."
Haha, I love its weight...screams, "NO EXPENSES SPARED QUALITY!" and I think it does actually have a chassis milled from one piece, so I think you are right about it being an ingot! (Please someone who knows more correct me if I am wrong)
..."Bloody depth-of-field scale is in metric. Agh! Thinking! Hurts! Brain!"
I have the reverse problem....feet and yards? I want my metric system!
..."Chicks look at it. This is really odd. Roller girls, bicycle wimmen, sharp older ladies with frou-frou muffdogs; they were all sneaking peeks at the satin nickel-plated Art Deco brick swinging from my right hand."
Haha, and yes I have noticed that too....weird....but not in a bad way!
OK well have fun and see you around! Cheers!
Pherdinand
the snow must go on
It's a great camera, isn't it?
As wlewis said, you will be surprised how easy is to use it in very dark places. I mean f/1.5, 1/50 s at iso3200...
Not only chicks, guys look at it too. It is the only camera that provoked the "give it to me let me see it" effect from every friend of mine. I don't know why. It has some kind of inherent attractive look.
As wlewis said, you will be surprised how easy is to use it in very dark places. I mean f/1.5, 1/50 s at iso3200...
Not only chicks, guys look at it too. It is the only camera that provoked the "give it to me let me see it" effect from every friend of mine. I don't know why. It has some kind of inherent attractive look.
Chicks dig it factor? Hmmm, I guess it is easier to care for than a puppy, but man, there is nothing better than a puppy for this.
I am getting over my Leica stage and the IIa is on my mind again.
I am getting over my Leica stage and the IIa is on my mind again.
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
Biggles
I agree with all the previous posts. My Contax II is sick, the shutter curtains thing, but is a beauty of an old style camera. I do not find the viewfinder overly dim and the suggestion to tink in yards instead of meters works well. I find that if I use my index finger (the finger that gives the finger) to operate the focus wheel the remaining digits stay out of the way. Great camera, enjoy it.
Bob
I agree with all the previous posts. My Contax II is sick, the shutter curtains thing, but is a beauty of an old style camera. I do not find the viewfinder overly dim and the suggestion to tink in yards instead of meters works well. I find that if I use my index finger (the finger that gives the finger) to operate the focus wheel the remaining digits stay out of the way. Great camera, enjoy it.
Bob
back alley
IMAGES
I am getting over my Leica stage and the IIa is on my mind again.
__________________
will it never end...?
joe
__________________
will it never end...?
joe
Honu-Hugger
Well-known
"3) It's a small, dense sonofabitch. Those crazy Germans- they used actual METAL to make this ingot. (Feels like depleted uranium. What in hell were they thinking?) This is not your father's Olympus Stylus. Not nearly as effortless to carry as a modern point-and-shoot. Makes a far better weapon, though."
As God intended; cameras made from metal and glass!!! Congratulations on the purchase, Biggles. I was using a couple of different cameras yesterday and enjoying them all, but every time I grabbed the little IIa it just felt so perfect.
As God intended; cameras made from metal and glass!!! Congratulations on the purchase, Biggles. I was using a couple of different cameras yesterday and enjoying them all, but every time I grabbed the little IIa it just felt so perfect.
RObert Budding
D'oh!
I love my Contax IIIa - great camera to use, once you get used to it. and learn the "claw" grip And the lenses are superb. I'm very fond of my 85/2.0 Zeiss Jena Sonnar. Well, actually I'm fond of the 35mm Biogon, the 50/1.5 Sonnar, and the 135/4.0 Sonnar, too!
Enjoy!
Robert
Enjoy!
Robert
Wow, Mazurka, that Ikoflex looks positively architectural!
And thanks Aizan for the link to the t-shirt!
And thanks Aizan for the link to the t-shirt!
Pherdinand
the snow must go on
Doug...you've really bought one?
R
ruben
Guest
Hi Biggles,
"1) This is going to be a daylight camera"
Not necessarily, as the extremely quiet shutter curtain allows you go slower speeds for low-light situations. The shutter curtain mechanics to make this happen is one of the most sophysticated advances introduced with this camera.
1b) "The rangefinder window is bright, but it's quite a bit dimmer than a Leica CL's, for example".
Yes, but if you add a Russian Universal Turret Finder (around u$ 45 plus postage), you may use the rangefinder window just for range finding and the UTF for composing. The UTF is as bright as the brightest AF modern camera.
"2) The finder has no framelines. None AT ALL. This camera was just made to be used with one lens- a fifty".
The UTF gives you the framing for 28, 35, 50, 85, 135mm.
"4) Winding it takes time. Like rolling a cigarette. So, one does it ruminatively."
Agreed, no doubt this is a take-your-time camera.
"6) Chicks look at it."
Yes indeed.
"Overall, I like it, even though my fingertip's a bit chafed from the focusing wheel"
Do you know that the focusing wheel is even today a unique way for pin-point manual focusing ?
Lastly, I cannot avoid to remark that in my opinion, this is the most aesthetic camera ever produced up to day. The chicks are right, pay them more thoughtfull attention.
Congratulations,
Ruben
"1) This is going to be a daylight camera"
Not necessarily, as the extremely quiet shutter curtain allows you go slower speeds for low-light situations. The shutter curtain mechanics to make this happen is one of the most sophysticated advances introduced with this camera.
1b) "The rangefinder window is bright, but it's quite a bit dimmer than a Leica CL's, for example".
Yes, but if you add a Russian Universal Turret Finder (around u$ 45 plus postage), you may use the rangefinder window just for range finding and the UTF for composing. The UTF is as bright as the brightest AF modern camera.
"2) The finder has no framelines. None AT ALL. This camera was just made to be used with one lens- a fifty".
The UTF gives you the framing for 28, 35, 50, 85, 135mm.
"4) Winding it takes time. Like rolling a cigarette. So, one does it ruminatively."
Agreed, no doubt this is a take-your-time camera.
"6) Chicks look at it."
Yes indeed.
"Overall, I like it, even though my fingertip's a bit chafed from the focusing wheel"
Do you know that the focusing wheel is even today a unique way for pin-point manual focusing ?
Lastly, I cannot avoid to remark that in my opinion, this is the most aesthetic camera ever produced up to day. The chicks are right, pay them more thoughtfull attention.
Congratulations,
Ruben
Fedzilla_Bob
man with cat
I have never once purchased a camera for the "Chicks Dig It" factor. I usualy get the "don't point that thing at me." And I'm no toadstool.
I guess in another universe this could make one a god-like choice in large gene pool. Enter dream sequence "ooh, nice camera, nice lens... Why its so..." I leave the rest to the imagination. I don't care to offend members of the opposite sex.
Puppies are very good snares for the ladies. I'll wager one better-- stroll around a fashionable shopping mall with your very adorable 11 month old child (my son with his killer eyelashes, years ago) and no wife to be seen. I was actually "hit on" twice in one afternoon. Which made me wonder what happens when these women find men? Do they worry about what their man will do with their cute little toddler in tow?
Back on topic Bob... I have been watching the Contax II offerings on eb*y. I truly enjoy 30's tech and design. While it isn't really Art Deco, I can see the influences. I have come to associate those 45 degree chamfered sides with the "Zeiss Icon" style.
As for cameras as weapons-- "best to fight then run away, live to fight (photo) another day" (A Bob Marley paraphrase, I think from "Rebel Music")
I guess in another universe this could make one a god-like choice in large gene pool. Enter dream sequence "ooh, nice camera, nice lens... Why its so..." I leave the rest to the imagination. I don't care to offend members of the opposite sex.
Puppies are very good snares for the ladies. I'll wager one better-- stroll around a fashionable shopping mall with your very adorable 11 month old child (my son with his killer eyelashes, years ago) and no wife to be seen. I was actually "hit on" twice in one afternoon. Which made me wonder what happens when these women find men? Do they worry about what their man will do with their cute little toddler in tow?
Back on topic Bob... I have been watching the Contax II offerings on eb*y. I truly enjoy 30's tech and design. While it isn't really Art Deco, I can see the influences. I have come to associate those 45 degree chamfered sides with the "Zeiss Icon" style.
As for cameras as weapons-- "best to fight then run away, live to fight (photo) another day" (A Bob Marley paraphrase, I think from "Rebel Music")
Hi -- If you mean me & the t-shirt, yes! If you meant D2 and a Contax IIa, that's for him to answer.Pherdinand said:Doug...you've really bought one?
Pherdinand
the snow must go on
Yep i mean you and t-shirt