Contax IIa mod and service...

splitimageview said:
Thanks everyone for your replies, this is very helpful.

I think I will dive into the camera and try to loosen up the rangefinder. Maybe it also is just gunk and grime messing up the works.

I'm not sure I want to do anything with the shutter, I'm ok with only 1-1/250, assuming those are relatively accurate after a film test.

If I can't get the RF moving, no loss, I then will decide to send to Oleg. Postage is about $20, insurance about $2 for $200 coverage, considering the camera cost nothing, this is reasonable.

@milescl what kind of leather conditioning did you use? Anything special?
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Just some generic Kiwi leather conditioner I had on hand. Doing multiple applications made it so tearing the leather was very unlikely.
 
1936ContaxII said:
Same here at the moment, with my 1936 Contax II. It needs a CLA. I'm looking forward to see the results.
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Mine needs a shutter. And I left the lens on it so that is an additional CLA. It can't hurt. My feeling is that I will feel better having a CLA for the lens than if I had not sent it and later wished I had. I will wind up with a very old "shelf queen" which works, takes photos, if I can remember the "Rule of 16's", and sounds like what cameras are supposed to sound like, dammit! LOL I'll run some mono through it and lug it about occasionally for further fun in the field. I really look forward to getting it back. I do not favor film but this baby is special and deserves special attention and care.

And every time I use it will be a thank you to the good person who so kindly sent the darling on to me.
 
boojum said:
I will wind up with a very old "shelf queen" which works, takes photos, if I can remember the "Rule of 16's", and sounds like what cameras are supposed to sound like, dammit!
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If yours sounds like my III at 1/5th, it sounds like a very small cow mooing!
 
milescl said:
Just some generic Kiwi leather conditioner I had on hand. Doing multiple applications made it so tearing the leather was very unlikely.
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Thank you Miles.

I'm going to tackle the bumps today.

I opened up the IIa yesterday, and like magic the rangefinder started working. Must have been some debris in there or something, took off the top plate, and presto! I didn't actually see what caused it to hang, it was very clean in there, no greasy sludge.

So the camera seems fully operational now, pending a film test, from 1s to 1/250s.
 
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Here’s mine I recently purchased after buying the lens first. I bought the lens not sure what I’d do with it but eventually decided to find a clean working IIa. My first Contax RF. I really like the overall design of the camera from focusing to the film advance knob. It’s in great condition and most shutter speeds sound right to my ears. Now that we have some decent weather I’ll put a roll of Trix 400 through it.

I also have an Amedeo adapter for Contax to Leica LTM but these collapsible lenses don’t work well with it.
 
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