Contax lla llla shutter ribbon knowledge base

[Kevcaster]

Good morning
Like many others on these forums, I have serviced a couple of lla/llla model Contax cameras and found the information and help in these pages to be excellent and freely given. Almost all the information I needed was found either here or with help from here directed to other sites for further instructions.
I have found very little information across the web about replacing the the shutter ribbons on this model. Highway61 suggested on one post that, with ribbon failure, it might be better to solve the problem by buying a Nikon S2 🙂

A good deal of information is available for models ll and lll from Rik Oleson, the Kiev Survival Site and others providing detailed help.
I thought it would be a good idea to accumulate information here for the later models in particular replacement procedure and sourcing of the ribbons themselves. If this is a bridge too far then we can determine that definitively or we may discover a hoard of info somewhere on the web, either way it would be useful.
Kevin

 

[Highway 61]

The Contax IIa and IIIa got discontinued in 1961 and AFAIK nobody sourced any kind of replacement ribbon material for their shutters so far. I wouldn't be too optimistic about that.

Keep in mind that on these models, the ribbons very seldom break, because they receive very few wear, if any, on every shot.

Contraringly to what happens on the prewar shutter, the postwar shutter ribbons don't play an essential role in how the shutter behaves, so any kind of acetate ribbon will work perfect, provided that you can find some being as narrow as it must be within some craft supplies stocks - not too sure.

 

[Rangefinderfreak]

We were lucky here in Finland to have many Contax II cameras in service by the army, so also a huge spare parts availability was here on hand. The shutter ribbons were getting scarce, as the original ribbons were of durable silk. I was lucky to get me a supply of it, actually the last ones. All of it is, however gone by now. If you search silk ribbon, you might find suitable ones to replace the original ones. It is 3mm wide and very thin.

http://www.zorkikat.com/2010/04/kiev-shutter-straps/
I checked ebay: 3mm is hard to find, 2mm and 4mm is the general widths: http://www.ebay.com/itm/EMBROIDERY-...d=100005&prg=1088&rk=3&rkt=5&sd=370762915454&

 

[KoNickon]

I was not aware of the Finnish Army's use of Contax IIs -- Jukka, I think people here (including me) would love to get ahold of one of those!

I know that the prewar and postwar shutters operate differently with regard to the role of the ribbons. Does anyone know if the ribbons are the same size for the II/III and IIa/IIIa?

 

[Elmar Lang]

I apologize for the OT.

Does the Contax used in the Swedish Army have any distinctive marking?

All the best,
E.L.

 

[Kevcaster]

OK maybe tho is the long and short of it. That these ribbons rarely fail and therefore are not generally needed. If so then this thread will be useful to those who are concerned about the issue with this second range of Contax cameras. Once again I appreciate the collective input from all of you with greater experience, very useful as ever. If further information arises please post it up here
Have a happy day
Kevin

 

[Highway 61]

The 2mm wide silk ribbon pointed out by Rangefinderfreak should do the job perfectly in a postwar Contax shutter. Great link.