Leicanthrope
Member
I have recently purchased a Contax II body from a dealer via eBay. I was outbid on the 50mm f1.5 lens which was sold in a separate action, and on every other one that I've bid on, so have so far not been able to use the camera. I have, however, just won a 135mm Zeiss lens - from the same seller, coincidentally - but this does not include a finder. The seller tells me that he uses a Leitz brightline finder on both Leica and Contax bodies, and that these work very well. Unfortunately, he does not have one for sale, and, as I know very little about them, I am rather lost when it comes to knowing what to look for. I also have a Leica II, and the facility to use the same finder for both cameras certainly appeals to me, but I would welcome any advice from members with experience of using them.
The dealer has, incidentally, suggested a Russian finder as a low cost alternative to a Leitz one, but I would prefer something that matches the quality of the camera and lens.
Lastly, I'm in the UK, but so far every item I've seen on eBay has been in the US or Canada, with shipping rates I can only describe as prohibitive ($50+).
The dealer has, incidentally, suggested a Russian finder as a low cost alternative to a Leitz one, but I would prefer something that matches the quality of the camera and lens.
Lastly, I'm in the UK, but so far every item I've seen on eBay has been in the US or Canada, with shipping rates I can only describe as prohibitive ($50+).
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
The russian finder is of a high quality.
a 50mm Helios 103 lens is a great lens for your Contax II and Leon Jazz was selling them new for 24 USD with shipping inc.
a 50mm Helios 103 lens is a great lens for your Contax II and Leon Jazz was selling them new for 24 USD with shipping inc.
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
I agree with xayraa33 -- don't sneer at the Soviet turret finder; it's of excellent quality and very nice to use, though a bit bulky as any multi-finder is. And the Helios-103 is a quite fine lens.
If you want a 50mm F1.5 lens, also look at the earlier J-3's.
1955 KMZ J-3 on the Contax II, wide-open with focus on the blade running across the front.
I've also adapted J-3's for the Nikon RF, and I use a Helios-103/Menopta with my Nikon RF.
1955 KMZ J-3 on the Contax II, wide-open with focus on the blade running across the front.
I've also adapted J-3's for the Nikon RF, and I use a Helios-103/Menopta with my Nikon RF.
furcafe
Veteran
The turret finders are nice, whether German or Ukrainian, but I think they're a bit ungainly unless you're actually going to be using all the different focal lengths on a regular basis.
The more elegant solution is the post-WWII 85/135 "torpedo" finder (Zeiss Ikon model #438). It provides the 85mm field of view, but has framelines for the 135mm. 1 happens to be on eBay right now ( http://cgi.ebay.com/Contax-TORPEDO-Zeiss-SUCHER-f-85-135mm-Objektive-RARE_W0QQitemZ290303983452 ), though I cannot vouch for the seller, etc. Curiously, the 438 was made in both W. & E. Germany.
For a good visual guide to the various finders for the Contax, you might want to look @ this page: http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photograph...sources/RF-Nikkor/Contax_RF/Zeiss-Finders.htm
Another alternative, though harder to find & squintier, is the silver Nikon 13.5cm finder for the Contax version of their 13.5cm/3.5 Nikkor-Q. They look just like the ones for the Nikon RF version of that lens, but have a "C" inscribed on the underside of the shoe mount. There's probably a later black brightline finder for the later, black Contax mount version of that lens, but they would be even rarer.
The more elegant solution is the post-WWII 85/135 "torpedo" finder (Zeiss Ikon model #438). It provides the 85mm field of view, but has framelines for the 135mm. 1 happens to be on eBay right now ( http://cgi.ebay.com/Contax-TORPEDO-Zeiss-SUCHER-f-85-135mm-Objektive-RARE_W0QQitemZ290303983452 ), though I cannot vouch for the seller, etc. Curiously, the 438 was made in both W. & E. Germany.
For a good visual guide to the various finders for the Contax, you might want to look @ this page: http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photograph...sources/RF-Nikkor/Contax_RF/Zeiss-Finders.htm
Another alternative, though harder to find & squintier, is the silver Nikon 13.5cm finder for the Contax version of their 13.5cm/3.5 Nikkor-Q. They look just like the ones for the Nikon RF version of that lens, but have a "C" inscribed on the underside of the shoe mount. There's probably a later black brightline finder for the later, black Contax mount version of that lens, but they would be even rarer.
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bolas
Established
I am using russian universal turret viewfinder with my Contax II. Model from Zorki fits as good as one from Kiev. It is very useful and matches tthe quality of Contax, in fact it is amost the same as an original pre-war Zeiss 
Leicanthrope
Member
Thanks for the responses, everyone. I'll investigate your recommendations.
ErnestoJL
Well-known
If you cannot get a turret VF, you can use the Yellow RF patch as a guide for framing with the 135 mm. This is valid for the Contax II and III as well as the Kiev 1 thru 4AM.
Another cheap approach is to get a toy camera and take the full VF out of it. Most cameras of this type use a 32 - 35mm lens and the VF can be used reversed to cover a field very close to the 135mm field of coverage. You must check if it can be reversed before buying the camera. For more info, check Jay Javier´s Zorki Survival Site. He has done remarkable job in regard of some extinct or ultra rare accesories for old cameras.
Cheers
Ernesto
Another cheap approach is to get a toy camera and take the full VF out of it. Most cameras of this type use a 32 - 35mm lens and the VF can be used reversed to cover a field very close to the 135mm field of coverage. You must check if it can be reversed before buying the camera. For more info, check Jay Javier´s Zorki Survival Site. He has done remarkable job in regard of some extinct or ultra rare accesories for old cameras.
Cheers
Ernesto
Dralowid
Michael
If you are in the UK and want a 50mm 1.8 (I think) ex Kiev lens, I have one spare
Send me a pm if interested
Michael
Send me a pm if interested
Michael