Luddite Frank
Well-known
As spring settles-in (grudgingly, it would seem), I've been hauling-out various cameras and going shooting.
This weekend I exhumed my one & only Contax, a IIIa acquired last year, but I never really worked with it.
When I first got the camera (from Sandy Ritz), I checked it over, noting that the shutter seemed to be functioning and that the meter was active, although when checking it against my Luna-Six, the IIIa's integral meter seemed to be "weak" (with the Luna-Six set for 400 ASA, I had to push the Contax's ASA dial up to around 800 to get the needle to match). It then got put away and forgotten about through the winter.
I was going to an antique car show, and decided to bring the IIIa along and shoot a roll of Kodak Gold 200 ASA, and see how it performed. ( My other 35mm for the trip was my 1932 Leica D)
When I got around to pulling out the Contax, I set-up my first shot, then opened the meter door, and.... nothing. I moved the large knob until the needle centered on the "diamond", then closed the door. The needle stayed-put. I tried moving the big dial some more, but it was at the limit of it's travel.
In short., it seemed like the meter was dead. Okay, so just go "sunny -f 16".
This evening I was meeting up with one of my camera buddies, and I had the Contax along, in case I found some interesting shots in the evening sunlight.
When I handed-over the camera for his scrutiny, I mentioned that the meter appeared to be dead. He popped the lid open, twiddled the big dial, then "flagged" the meter cell a few times with his hand, and gave it back to me saying "the meter seems to work fine..."
On our way back to our cars, I stopped to shoot a "leaning building", and tried the meter. It was dead again... so I twiddled the dial, and opened and closed the lid a few times... sometimes the meter responded, most of the time it did not.
I'm not familiar with how the meter is constructed, but am wondering if there's a place in the system for loose connection or dirty contacts ?
My experience has been that there are three categories of selenium meter:
"working", "active but weak", and "too late, it's dead Jim!".
Is this something that is best left to Henry Scherer ?
Thanks,
Luddite Frank
This weekend I exhumed my one & only Contax, a IIIa acquired last year, but I never really worked with it.
When I first got the camera (from Sandy Ritz), I checked it over, noting that the shutter seemed to be functioning and that the meter was active, although when checking it against my Luna-Six, the IIIa's integral meter seemed to be "weak" (with the Luna-Six set for 400 ASA, I had to push the Contax's ASA dial up to around 800 to get the needle to match). It then got put away and forgotten about through the winter.
I was going to an antique car show, and decided to bring the IIIa along and shoot a roll of Kodak Gold 200 ASA, and see how it performed. ( My other 35mm for the trip was my 1932 Leica D)
When I got around to pulling out the Contax, I set-up my first shot, then opened the meter door, and.... nothing. I moved the large knob until the needle centered on the "diamond", then closed the door. The needle stayed-put. I tried moving the big dial some more, but it was at the limit of it's travel.
In short., it seemed like the meter was dead. Okay, so just go "sunny -f 16".
This evening I was meeting up with one of my camera buddies, and I had the Contax along, in case I found some interesting shots in the evening sunlight.
When I handed-over the camera for his scrutiny, I mentioned that the meter appeared to be dead. He popped the lid open, twiddled the big dial, then "flagged" the meter cell a few times with his hand, and gave it back to me saying "the meter seems to work fine..."
On our way back to our cars, I stopped to shoot a "leaning building", and tried the meter. It was dead again... so I twiddled the dial, and opened and closed the lid a few times... sometimes the meter responded, most of the time it did not.
I'm not familiar with how the meter is constructed, but am wondering if there's a place in the system for loose connection or dirty contacts ?
My experience has been that there are three categories of selenium meter:
"working", "active but weak", and "too late, it's dead Jim!".
Is this something that is best left to Henry Scherer ?
Thanks,
Luddite Frank
Last edited:
ZeissFan
Veteran
You might have a combination of a weak selenium cell and oxidized contacts.
However, it's hard to say with any certainty without actually seeing the camera in person.
I would say that the contacts should first be cleaned. That seems to be a certainty. Then, if the meter is still sluggish, then the selenium cell should be replaced.
However, it's hard to say with any certainty without actually seeing the camera in person.
I would say that the contacts should first be cleaned. That seems to be a certainty. Then, if the meter is still sluggish, then the selenium cell should be replaced.
Luddite Frank
Well-known
Can I access any of that by removing what appears to be the meter cover (secured by two screws on each side), or do I have to remove knobs and the top-plate of the camera ?
What should / should not be used for cleaning contacts ?
Thanks !
LF
What should / should not be used for cleaning contacts ?
Thanks !
LF
ZeissFan
Veteran
It's been a while since I disassembled a IIIa. You definitely have to remove those two screws to remove the meter's top cover. Flip up the meter flap when you remove that piece.
I can't remember if you should remove the top deck. I don't think so.
As I recall, the plastic baffle in front of the cell should slide out. With some Zeiss Ikons, the selenium cell is physically connected to the assembly with a soldered wire, while others are connected via brass contacts.
You can clean the contacts with some extremely fine-grit sandpaper.
Here's my page on the Contessa meter. NOTE: The IIIa meter is different, but out of about 20 to 25 Contessas that I've owned through the years, only one or two had dead selenium cells.
I can't remember if you should remove the top deck. I don't think so.
As I recall, the plastic baffle in front of the cell should slide out. With some Zeiss Ikons, the selenium cell is physically connected to the assembly with a soldered wire, while others are connected via brass contacts.
You can clean the contacts with some extremely fine-grit sandpaper.
Here's my page on the Contessa meter. NOTE: The IIIa meter is different, but out of about 20 to 25 Contessas that I've owned through the years, only one or two had dead selenium cells.
Luddite Frank
Well-known
Okay, I've got the meter cover off, and the front flap... I see the top edge of the baffle, and there appears to be a thin strap (contact/connector ?) wrapping over the top of the baffle/cell sandwich at each end.
The "rewind" side strap appears to run under the accessory shoe, the "wind" side strap appears to run under the gray frame securing the meter window, and its screws are sealed with red paint...
When the meter goes "dead", a few light taps seem to "wake it up" again, and the needle fluctuates as I shade the cell with my hand. It only seems to go dead (sometimes) when the light is completely blocked-off...
Does the baffle/cell sandwich slide in from the top, or do more screws need to be removed ?
If the electrical connections with the cell are simply "friction" with these straps, does one attempt to clean the surface of the cell itself, or only the metal strap ?
Thanks,
LF
(Looked at your page on the Contessa, was helpful on a conceptual level... the IIIa is indeed built a bit differently.)
The "rewind" side strap appears to run under the accessory shoe, the "wind" side strap appears to run under the gray frame securing the meter window, and its screws are sealed with red paint...
When the meter goes "dead", a few light taps seem to "wake it up" again, and the needle fluctuates as I shade the cell with my hand. It only seems to go dead (sometimes) when the light is completely blocked-off...
Does the baffle/cell sandwich slide in from the top, or do more screws need to be removed ?
If the electrical connections with the cell are simply "friction" with these straps, does one attempt to clean the surface of the cell itself, or only the metal strap ?
Thanks,
LF
(Looked at your page on the Contessa, was helpful on a conceptual level... the IIIa is indeed built a bit differently.)
Luddite Frank
Well-known
Zeiss-Fan,
Thanks for your input; I took the meter cell out, cleaned the contact areas of the cell, as well as the ribbon-spring connectors and other contact areas, and put all back together.
Seems to respond better and more reliably; can't wait for it to be daylight , to check against my Luna-Six.
Any tips for setting the "Zero-Adjust" on the Contax IIIa ?
Thanks again for the tips !
Luddite Frank
Thanks for your input; I took the meter cell out, cleaned the contact areas of the cell, as well as the ribbon-spring connectors and other contact areas, and put all back together.
Seems to respond better and more reliably; can't wait for it to be daylight , to check against my Luna-Six.
Any tips for setting the "Zero-Adjust" on the Contax IIIa ?
Thanks again for the tips !
Luddite Frank