Contax III question

[Jean]

Hi,

Just bought a Contax III for repair project. The camera has a weird back as shown :

I already have seen such camera back but I have no idea of what it is.
Does anybody knows ?
The camera has a military marking 'property of US Navy'. Serial number starts with E, a 1937-38 camera.

Best,
Jean

 

[dexdog]

I have never seen anything like this on a Contax before. Could the thick plate on the bottom be a way to convert the European standard tripod mount to the 1/4 inch standard used in USA? If so, it is certainly heavy duty.

 

[ZeissFan]

Maybe the U.S. Navy wanted a sturdier mounting plate and one that would still allow the user to push the rewind button and change the film without removing the mounting plate.

Looks like a custom job. I doubt it came from the factory fitted with this.

If you unscrew the tripod socket, does the plate come off?

 

[Jean]

Hello,

Thanks 🙂

8 screws hold that plate :

To me it look like something done in the factory.

Also, look at the ribbons, they aren't stitched 😱 Someone stick the ribbons with glue :

Best,
Jean

 

[dexdog]

The lack of the stitching suggests that the ribbons were replaced at some point- not too unlikely given the age of the camera. I agree with ZeissFan that it looks like a custom job, although a high quality one, given that someone thought to paint the additional screws black after the bottom plate was added, and also because of the heavy chrome on the bottom plate.

I suggest that you make inquiries on the Zeiss Ikon Collectors Group on yahoo- one of the members might have a better idea about this camera

 

[gzuiko]

Very interesting! I came so close to bidding on this camera too. The area where the seller lives is very near two major naval bases, so I assumed it was a Navy adapted camera with the over engineered tripod socket. Nice to see the inner workings of this camera. Wasn't sure it was working from the auction listing.

 

[Jean]

Hello gzuiko,

The camera wasn't working : one broken ribbon and a non working lightmeter. I just repaired the lightmeter and still working on the shutter 🙂

Best,
Jean

 

[gzuiko]

Jean,

It's a one of a kind camera, that's for sure! Instead of bidding on that camera I ended up with a semi working Contax III that came with an early 2.8 black and nickel Tessar instead. I am considering sending it off for repair although it could theoretically be used as is.

The Tessar is in fairly nice shape except that the black enameled plate is very dull looking and difficult to read the f stops. The Contax III has a non working meter and although shutter speeds all seem to work the slowest ones require an extra press of the shutter to allow the winding to fully operate. There is a mention of this defect in Isaak Maizenberg's Kiev book so it seems to be repairable.

I'm not sure how I will proceed with this one, but am happy shooting with my Contax II with 2.0 5cm Sonnar anyway...

Jim