IIa or IIIa

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John K
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Nov 23, 2005
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I found this one listed local to me but I basicly know nothing about contax other then the FSU is a copy:


Contax IIA or IIIA - I am not 100% sure... standard is the colour shutter speed dial, s/n T36748, selinium meter is working !, Tessar 3.5 rigid with hood, self timer, ranger finder all acurate and working, HAS film take up spool. Leather is amazingly good, almost No brassing showing.
Asking 400 or BO, downtown >>>>>>>> or trade for a Nikon flash SB800
located at >>>>>>
 
$400 Canadian?

I would love the lens if someone is in for the body to put a Sonnar on.

With meter is is of course a IIIa.
 
If it has a selenium meter, it's a IIIa. The color speed dial means it's the later model with a standard PC fitting. If everything works and is in good condition (which you can check since it's a local camera) and if that "400" figure is dollars, then I'd think it would be a screamin' deal if it appeals to you and you've got the money. Very, very definitely worth a look! Put down the mouse and go call the guy now!!!

PS -- If you want to be a bit of a devil, print out Henry Scherer's pricing page and take it with you so you can show the guy how expensive these cameras are to service, and then see if he'll take $350...
 
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Sounds good to me. Wish I had a Nikon SB800 flash to trade for it! Is ther any way of knowing if it has had a cla lately?

Contax:
II - prewar, no meter
III - prewar, with meter
IIa - post war, no meter, earlier black dial, later colour dial
IIIa - postwar, with meter, earlier black dial, later colour dial
 
the IIIa Color Dial is a great camera.. the build quality of Contax is up there with Leica (their main competitor of that era).. it's a very solid camera that works very smoothly, and has a certain feel to it

the big differences between the Contax and the Leica are actually things that are missing.. the Contax has no framelines.. the entire viewfinder approximates a 50mm view, the standard lens for that camera.. and it also doesn't have a frame advance lever.. instead, it has a knob on top that you twist.. I personally like the old school aspect of that, but some people find it annoying as it tends to slow you down a bit

the Contax lenses are definitely on par with Leica.. of all my lenses (3 summicrons, an elmarit, a couple FSU jupiters, and a sonnar) I love my sonnar the most
 
John,

Any self-respecting RFF member would do the only logical thing in a case like this. Buy the IIIa and the IIa!!!

Wayne
 
I just made a deal for the camera and I am going tonight to pick it up if it's as good as it looks in the photos. I will post some shot later..
 
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ok I just got back from Toronto with my new old Contax IIIa with a Tessar 3.5. It even came with a Zeiss Ikon Stuttgart marked rigid lens hood (don't know if it's for this lens or not but it fits) Made the seller an offer by email and he accepted so off I went to the big city to inspect and buy. Better condition then I hoped for no damage other then someone's SIN number beside the finder. Here are a couple of shots for tonight
 

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ok the test roll is in the camera. Meter seams to be close. I will post some later today. Now I just have to find something to photograph or then the cat or my car.
 
Another great find.... congratulations on what certainly looks like a nice IIIa. That's also a very hard to find lens, as all the panting shows.

I have a couple, but none as nice as this one, (pant...)

Harry
 
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