Dim Contax I (A) Rangefinder....

[Vince Lupo]

Hello -- I have a Contax I model A (the one with the dimple!) whose rangefinder is rather dim. Is there any way to make it 'undim'? The camera works great, believe it or not, and it has the matching Zeiss Tessar lens and case, but it is a bit of a bear to focus and I'd love to use it more, but the focus difficulties make it a somewhat trying experience.

Any suggestions would be most greatly welcomed...thanks!

 

[dexdog]

It could be due to a several causes, usually general grime all over the inside of the rangefinder mechanism, or a loss of the metal on the front-silvered mirror. If the former, a general cleaning; if the latter, mirror replacement is in order. I have had Contax 1s with both problems, and got them professionally overhauled. From the limited information that I have read, the mirror is the more likely culprit