In Love with a Contax I..

[Dralowid]

No info around on serial numbers and I haven't got my info to hand. There is some info on Cameraquest.

A = It's been back to the factory for repair or mods.

V = Year (if I can find my list I'll let you know.

This camera doesn't look quite right.

The camera has no infinity lock button close to the lens mount which implies it is the first version with slow speeds.

The viewfirnder is inside the rangefinder which matches with the above

But it has the arrow pointer for shutter speeds which is found on the last version.

How many screws on the accessory shoe? (Last model four/ previous varies)

Distance scale black background? If yes it ties in with above (ie older)

Not sure about the paint...original paint, what is usually left of it is very flat.

Whatever, like all Contax I it is special!

Michael

 

[Dralowid]

Sorry folks but you asked for it:...

The following has been copied from the ZICG group on Yahoo. The author is Simon Worsley to whom I apologise for not asking his permission first.

He qualifies the information but suggests that it is as good a starting point as any. Simon Worsley and the Group 'collect numbers' of both cameras and lenses. If you are interested I suggest joining the group.

Obviously on a Contax I the number on the camera and the back should match. For some reason the lens numbers tend to pre-date the cameras (in my experience).

There are some very expensive books on the Contax I available but I have never had the opportunity of looking at one.

Zeiss Ikon camera serial number Approximate year of product
(Fabrikationsnummer)
L 1926
M, N 1927
O, P 1928
Q, R 1929
S, T 1930
U 1931
V 1932
X 1933
Y 1934
Y, Z 1935
A, B, C 1936
D, E, F 1937
G, H 1938
J, K 1939
L, M 1940
M 1941
M, N 1942
N, O 1943-45

Beware, this is very addictive stuff!

Michael

 

[Erik van Straten]

Is there a source somewhere that lists the Contax I serial numbers?

A great source for everything about Contaxes is the book "Auf den Spuren der Contax" Band I & II by Hans-Jürgen Kuc. Wittig Fachbuchverlag 1991-1997.

It is in German, but for real camera-lovers that must not be a problem.

Erik.

 

[dexdog]

Also available in English as "On the trail of the Contax". A good translation too, with little of the awkward phrasing that sometimes plague translated documents.

The camera in question appears to be a hydrid of sorts. The arrow pointer is found only on the last model, while the lack of a focus lock button above and to the right of the lens and the lack of a fold-out foot on the bottom is typical of versions 2 and 3. It obviously is capable of taking good photos.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Thanks for the info guys - definitely appreciated.

The distance scale is on a black background. Three screws on the accessory shoe. 135mm mask. Paint looks original to me. Like you, I was also thinking that it's a combination of a B and C model. Did the B model have slow speeds? If not, perhaps it's a 'transitional' model that had elements of the B and C?

 

[dexdog]

The B model did not have slow speeds; these are generally acknowledged to be added in the C model, but odd combinations of features are not uncommon in the Contax I.

 

[Vince Lupo]

The B model did not have slow speeds; these are generally acknowledged to be added in the C model, but odd combinations of features are not uncommon in the Contax I.

Perhaps then, based upon the features (and lack thereof) of this particular example, it's an early C model. And, due to the 'V' in the serial number, it would be somewhere in the neighbourhood of 1932?

I cleaned the inside of the camera out, and gave the pressure plate and rollers a good wipe. I'm going to run another roll of film through to see if the scratches are eliminated.

 

[Vince Lupo]

At f/2 -- love that vintage glow.

 

[Dralowid]

I'd plump for it being a 'C'. Everything points that way except the arrow. It could easily be a later addition (when it went back to the factory and gained the 'A'). Is there any sign of holes that might imply that the foot may have come detached?

Still a bit uncertain about the paint but the fact that the lettering has gained that greenish tinge caused by interaction with the brass at least means it is old.

Michael

 

[Vince Lupo]

I'll try to post a few more shots of it when I have time. No, there aren't any additional holes anywhere that would indicate a modification/addition/removal.

I'm going to try a roll of colour film this weekend to see how it does -- I was going to resell this camera, but I'm liking it so much that I might just keep it. It's a nice companion to my Contaflex TLR!