Contax IIa rangefinder alignment

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Orio

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My Contax IIA's rangefinder is well aligned horizontally but vertical aligment is wrong (it never matches).
I have read somewhere that vertical alignment is impossible to fix, is that true?

Thanks in advance.
 
As I understand it, the prism has to be re-cemented to correct the problem. There is no simple adjustment like on a Nikon RF. With that said, I had a Zorki 3M (adjustment was Epoxied on this one) and Kodak Signet 80 that were like this. Inexpensive cameras. I put a foam pad over the prism to apply some pressure on it when the top was closed. This brought things back into alignment without major disassembly and recementing.
 
I am not a camera tech, nor do I play 1 on television, but my understanding is that it is not impossible, just difficult (@ least more difficult than adjusting a Leica-type mirror-based RF) because, as Brian wrote, it involves re-cementing the prisms into proper position after removing the old cement. What I've been told is that the weakness of the IIa/IIIa design was that not only were the prisms held in position by cement rather than structural elements as in pre-war models (II & III), it was a weak cement (more like pitch) that softens easily in hot conditions.

I know some Contax techs charge a lot for re-aligning the prisms, but if you're in the U.S. or nearby, you might want to check w/somebody more reasonably-priced like Eddie Smolov (123camerarepair(at)gmail.com).
 
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I had this problem with my IIa and it was sorted out here in the UK by a superb camera technician, Ed Trzoska. Highly recommended to UK readers.

Ted.
 
"I had this problem with my IIa and it was sorted out here in the UK by a superb camera technician, Ed Trzoska. Highly recommended to UK readers".

Likewise. The rangefinder on mine was misaligned both horizontally and vertically and it came back in perfect condition.

"If I may ask, how much does Mr. Trzoska charge for such services?"

My Contax had led a rough life and needed a lot more work than just re-aligning the rangefinder. The whole lot came to £160 last year (=c.$235 US at current rates).

Regards,
D.
 
To Orio. Refer to vertical aligment. There is no any special easy mechanical aligment of this problem, but it's possible to be fixed in two ways - 1. easy2. and very hardboth needs the person to get in the camera to be (i) very accurate and (ii) understand what should be done.1. You may be lucky and the problem may be fixed in an easy way ( in one hour). The problem may be as follows - in contax rangefinder system there are two lens elements ( small rangefinder window). One internal is moving, second front is fixed. If the second image (block small window image) is a bit highter it may mean that front fixed lens is out of position (a bit down or turned down). You should open the camera -top and front cover elements. Check the front lens element position (that it fixed in place) before you will dissassemble focusing weel and protection cover of the rangefinder lens. Check that other optical elements of view/rangefinder is in position and OK. In my case - second font fixed lens element was in place, but had only small movement ( due to damage (cracks) of fixing material (black special lacquer ( be carefull it's an alcohol dissolving material)). It had movements along horizontal axis and a bit down. I have put the camera on back, checked carefully the movements of front lens (use the reflection of lamp on your table). Than it have been fixed with sculpture modeling material ( or similar ) in upper position (from down side in two points and in upper side (one point) ( material better to use in form of small balls), so that it wiil be possible to move this lens precisely down to find correct position. Check aligments at infinity and close up. Lucky for me the right position have been found with the lens fixed in upper position. Than I recomend to fix it in four points ( in the conners ) with very small drops of glue (cement) ( I use aceton dissolving glue). Use very small drops of glue in order to avoid displacement of the lens due to possible glue strenth. If the lens is in correct position after the glue dry, better to repeat this procedure several times, so you will be sure, that lens is fixed firmly in place. If the crack of old fixing material (black lacquer) is is not big it's possible to fix the lens with it. It may also work in some cases. Put the camera verticaly and with very small drops of alcohol (I use metil alhogol used for cleaning of optical connectors) dissolve material around the cracks. Check with lupe that it works. If you are not sure do not use this way because cleaning of the both lenses inside will be not an easy job.If you are in position to start to do it yourself PLEASE be able to land in the situation when the lens may drop down and you will need to find correct position of the front lens element in three dimentions (will not recomend to do without special skils).I have had experience with an other camera where the front lens element droped out of place, It have been fixed correctly in place but it takes much more time and experience. I will not recomend to do it yourself.
 
Thank you everyone for the precious information.
I will have my camera serviced by an expert German person that was recommended to me by one of you guys.
This, however, will happen after I pay my yearly taxes 😡
 
furcafe said:
If I may ask, how much does Mr. Trzoska charge for such services? Just curious as to how the rates compare w/those here in the States.
Click to expand...

Sorry for such a late reply. Ed's bill was, if I remember correctly, in the region of £80. For that he also included a shutter service, and the whole camera is now as smooth as silk, a real pleasure to use.

Ted.
 
Tedley said:
Sorry for such a late reply. Ed's bill was, if I remember correctly, in the region of £80. For that he also included a shutter service, and the whole camera is now as smooth as silk, a real pleasure to use.

Ted.
Click to expand...

money well spent.
 
xayraa33 said:
money well spent.
Click to expand...

Indeed so. The camera is a joy to use and I reach for it these days in preference to any other RF camera. It is surprisingly compact and, even though the viewfinder is smaller than that on my Leica M2 and lacks the various conveniences of that vf, nevertheless the camera and its 50mm f1.5 Opton Sonnar deliver everything I want these days.

I use digital cameras too, both SLR and compact, for their benefits of immediacy of results etc.; and yet, when I feel the need for "proper" photography, I pick up my Contax and set off. Perhaps it's time for me to get a Contax II also!

Ted.
 
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Tedley said:
Indeed so. The camera is a joy to use and I reach for it these days in preference to any other RF camera. It is surprisingly compact and, even though the viewfinder is smaller than that on my Leica M2 and lacks the various conveniences of that vf, nevertheless the camera and it's 50mm f1.5 Opton Sonnar deliver everything I want there days.

I use digital cameras too, both SLR and compact, for their benefits of immediacy of results etc.; and yet, when I feel the need for "proper" photography, I pick up my Contax and set off. Perhaps it's time for me to get a Contax II also!

Ted.
Click to expand...

my sentiments exactly
specifically the Contax II a with Sonnar f1.5
I don't have any Leicas
but my Contax II is in transit
 
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