Interesting winding attachment on Contax I

[Corran]

So is this some sort of factory job or a custom winding "key?"

https://www.ebay.com/itm/372281726593

Looks like a good idea, but I've never seen anything like it.

I see set screws aligned near where mine has screws in the knob wind. I suppose with long enough screws you could retrofit something like this over the stock winder, or maybe the top piece of the winder is replaced.

Kind of interesting. Might interfere with some lenses or the removal of the lens if it's too thick?

 

[Steve M.]

Here you go

https://www.cameraquest.com/zconrf1.htm

 

[Corran]

Did you even look at the winding knob on the auction??

A picture for those interested, linked from the auction:

I can find no reference to any kind of winding "key" similar to that.

 

[RJ-]

Hi Corran,

I think you're right. I tend to refer to Mike Elek's pages - he was getting into Contax at the same time I used to frequent the photo.net classic camera pre-1970s pages - e makes no reference to this attachment either.

With the Contax I iterations, the factory recall for the ZweiGruppenVerschluB and DreiGruppenVerschluB potentially added modifications which were esoteric or less common. Yet since this is not a 'dimpled' version, I'd venture that it is a post-factory modification, probably done as a part of a repair for a prior broken advance winding system at some point in the camera's lifespan.

Whatever the history of this attachment, it fails to address the weakness of the Contax I design: the rewind cranking wheel. This modification appears like a Kiev baseplate film lock, welded into a lever turn, possibly enabling the photographer to photograph without removing the rangefinder from his eye.

It is sad to see that the interest in these Contax I's are mostly down to collectors, instead of photographers. Perhaps the latter found them too unreliable to use regularly.

Kind regards,

RJ

 

[Corran]

Yes a better rewind instead would be nice! I like my Contax I camera, and the shutter actually works well, but it's certainly a bit eccentric to use. My camera doesn't like long rolls of film - winding on becomes really hard after ~24 shots and sometimes the sprockets rip. It also has the perennial problem of the film canister falling due to the difference in size from modern canisters, which I have not been able to fix with some rubber material for shiming, and is very annoying. I need to take it out again though just because it's such a cool camera.

 

[RJ-]

The Contax I looks stunning Corran.

You're fortunate to have one in working condition. Are you finding any other issues apart from the roll length?

i roll my own, although recently discovering Kodak HIE in the freezer, I felt inclined to milk as many as 39 exposures from a 36 roll of HIE. Konica infrared is even harder: as 24 exposures, I've only ever succeeded in attaining 27 exposures from the roll by loading in complete darkness from the leader trail. Then to discover spacing issues with a Contax II, it's a little upsetting to think about how many potential frames are lost ...although that in part, is driven by desperation using the last of the emulsion.

How is that lovely little Tessar lens on the I? There is a Ross Definex 3 1/2 inch (91mm) listed recently for sale. The historical reviews of the lens criticised the maker of the lens for an inaccurate bayonet mount. I wonder whether this can be corrected mechanically too.


Kind regards,

RJ

 

[Dwig]

Did you even look at the winding knob on the auction??
...
A picture for those interested, linked from the auction:
I can find no reference to any kind of winding "key" similar to that.

It looks like an aftermarket accessory. It would seem that it would help wind and to change shutter speeds while wearing heavy gloves. I suspect that it was not a Zeiss product.

 

[Elmar Lang]

Hello,

that accessory on the winding/shutter-setting knob, shouldn't be a Zeiss-made accessory, but was professionally made for sure. In my opinion, the hinged handle is not from a Kiev, but the whole accessory was made as new, with a nickel (not chrome!) finish, consistent with the other parts of the Contax-I.

The idea of the inventor, was to make easier the task of cocking the shutter and setting the exposure time. My grandfather, who was a Zeiss-addicted, had one of the first Contax-I in the early 30s and later, told me that the advance knob was a real pain, especially in his second C-I, with the "Viergruppenzeiteneinstellung". Once the Contax-II appeared, in 1937 he immediately decided for the new camera.

Best wishes,

Enzo

 

[Corran]

The Contax I looks stunning Corran.

You're fortunate to have one in working condition. Are you finding any other issues apart from the roll length?

Hi RJ,

Just to be clear, the Contax in the auction/photo is not mine. I just happened to see it and found that attachment quite curious.

I have a few lenses, including that Tessar though. It makes nice images, with some interesting swirl at wider apertures. Same as the 80mm f/2.8 Tessars found on some Rolleiflex and Ikonta 6x6 cameras. I also have the 50mm f/1.5 (period-correct black and nickel) and of course that lens is fantastic, so I tend to default to it.

The 1/1000 speed on mine can be erratic so I don't use it. Otherwise it works great. Contax I cameras are such collectors items, for display, that I kind of doubt the working condition matters much, but maybe I'm wrong.

It's definitely a fun walkabout camera:

 

[RJ-]

Hi Corran,

Yes understood - perhaps you wish it was 😉

Incredible that yours is working - more so that you carry it around to use in everyday life - lovely having a 1930s' camera like this for everyday use.

I'm still on the Contax II - the closest I've come to your I. The IIa is great too, although I seem to need a family of II, IIa, III, IIIa just to keep one shooting without issue.

The 50mm f1.5 black is a lens I've never seen - I'm guessing that it's a collector' piece which is stratospherically out of reach, pretty much like the Biometar, Herars, Orthometars and other lesser found Contax lenses.

Thanks for sharing your image. I'm going to have to start taking mine out more regularly.

RJ