got my Contax IIa today!

JoeFriday

JoeFriday

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I already have two Kiev 4a's so I felt like I already knew the Contax when I pulled it out of the shipping container.. but as soon as I put it up to my eye I knew it was different.. it's like comparing a Toyota Camry to a BMW.. the Camry is nice.. looks good, gets you where you want to go in relative comfort.. but then you take a vacation and splurge on that nice BMW rental car for the weekend.. it purrs along beautifully, practically begging you to take corners faster than you think is prudent.. the handling is intuitive.. instead of thinking about how to drive, you just do it

that's how the Contax is.. but I suppose that makes sense, given that it came from the same country as the Bimmer.. it's silky smooth.. everything is nice and tight.. the Kiev has a shutter release button that's binds slightly.. I didn't realize it until I tried the Contax.. and the shutter curtain is the same way.. the Kiev has a noticeable clunk.. the Contax has a pleasant mechanical swoosh

and I didn't even mention the gorgeous Sonnar glass.. now I understand why people love their Leicas.. it elevates you beyond the mechanics of picture taking, and the process of taking the photo is as pleasurable as seeing the result
 
Just out of curiosity, where did this Contax come from? Was it a graduate of Henry Scherer University, or was it born that way?
 
the Contax seems to be all original.. got it off the 'bay from a seller who is unfamiliar with cameras.. the glass is exceptionally clean for its age.. the camera itself is nearly mint.. apparently Contax users are often known to be very particular about their cameras

as for the Kiev/Contax comparison.. they're not nearly as different as a Leica and Fed.. my Kievs are pretty nice cameras.. but the overall fit and finish is noticeably better with the Contax.. it works smoothly in every way.. no resistance when advancing the film.. the shutter is quieter (somewhat) and not nearly as jarring.. changing the shutter speed is much easier with the Contax IIa.. (the Kiev is based on the Contax II)

viewfinder is about the same.. the Kiev might have the advantage due to its longer effective baselength.. but it's not significantly different in any way

aesthetically, the Contax has a nicer finish.. it just looks like better care went into making it
 
Congratulations, Brett. The Contax is 1st rate, and the Sonnar is a world-class lens. I love mine.

Frank, I would say yes to that. My Contax IIIa oozes precision, winding it, focussing it, firing it, hearing the shutter go "snip". The Kiev 4 was more, "I hope it takes this shot". The Kiev's advance was not smooth, the release was not bad, but the shutter on the first one I had "walked, Did not Run". The 2nd Kiev 4 lasted under a year after trading it off before the straps went. My Contax has not been rebuilt, and works fine. I've pretty much given up on ther Kiev's. I like the J8 and Helios-103, and use them on a Nikon S2.

Same with my Russian LTM compared with the Leica IIIF. The Russian camera lasted one roll of film before the straps went. The "Elmarsky" was soft compared with the real Elmar. I think the problem is quality control on the Russian gear. You can get lucky with some. The Jupiter-9 that I sold to Oscar is a good performer and was adjusted for the Leica standard. The focus had some rough spots in it, something that you will not find on a Nikkor, Leitz, or Canon lens.

Contax IIIa, uncoated 5cm F2 Sonnar, wide-open.
 
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Brian, I really didn' t need to hear that! The big question now is, "Can I resist?" I have Leica, FED, and Kiev cameras, but no Contax. I almost "need" one to complete the pairs.
 
it's surprising that I didn't use that comparison since I own an Audi (and yes, that's a great comparison.. I just didn't think most people would understand the difference)
 
exactly.. the quality difference is much more subtle between an Audi and a VW.. but drive an Audi for a couple weeks and you probably wouldn't want to give it up for a VW.. it would take you about 5 seconds to see the difference between a Contax and a Kiev.. actually, you'd feel it more than see it (but then, my Kievs are 'minty' so the visual difference isn't as great)
 
Brian, you must have added your photos after I read your comment.. very nice work! (and cute model, of course 🙂 )
 
Well, it doesn't cost anything to ask, right? I've put in an ad on Pnet for a Contax IIa. Does anyone here have one to spare? (I'm incurable.)
 
JoeFriday said:
it elevates you beyond the mechanics of picture taking, and the process of taking the photo is as pleasurable as seeing the result
Click to expand...
Ha! Now you're a gonner! Welcome to the elite, make sure to live up to the quality of the gear, and enjoy with elegance! 😀
 
FrankS said:
Well, it doesn't cost anything to ask, right? I've put in an ad on Pnet for a Contax IIa. Does anyone here have one to spare? (I'm incurable.)
Click to expand...

You are funny Frank, but I am having the same thoughts. Brett is proving to be a good salesman.

I may actually contact Henry for a Contax. You have to send him a deposit, and then wait for him to find a jewel for you. While you wait you save your money. The cost will be higher because when he gets the camera he basicly does the 6 Million Dollar Man routine on it and it comes to you like it would have from the factory in 1958.

These are bad thought, oh so wonderfully bad...
 
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