Just got my IIIA back from Henry Scherer

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slight

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Hello everyone.

Usually I use a Leica M5, was always a leica and nikon guy.

But when I stumbled on a Contax IIIA by accident, I just fell for it. It's so compact and light and more importantly, the sonnar 50 1.5 weighs a lot less than my RIGID DR and is just so lovely.

I decided to ask Henry about purchasing a Contax IIIA. Then by chance he's got one with sonnar 50 1.5 for sale at the moment. I took it immediately, along with three other lesnes that I had him found and serviced.

Here's a pic.

96531144.jpg


I'm using it everyday but still haven't got time to develop and print. Let's just wait and see.

Thanks

Jing
 
Enjoy - Henry did my IIa's and IIIa and it was well worth the 2 1/2 year wait which you would appear to have avoided.
 
hugivza said:
Enjoy - Henry did my IIa's and IIIa and it was well worth the 2 1/2 year wait which you would appear to have avoided.
Click to expand...

Hugivza, yes, the camera and the 50 1.5 were already restored. He restores such a set once a year to donate the sale to charity. Henry is a community man.

Since buying from China is so troublesome, I took the 21mm biogon, 35mm planar, and 135mm sonnar along with the camera set. They all get serviced before shipping to me.

The restored IIIA is truely a joy to use. Each shutter release is a fraction of happiness.
 
I just came in to witness someone getting their camera BACK, screws greased and all. Cheers and have fun!
 
Henry sold me 2 Contax Iia's a few years ago and hooked me up with some nice lenses - he stands by his work , he's a solid guy. I'd buy from him again
 
I had Henry do my IIa back around 2003/2004. Wait was only 4 months at the time :) . Well worth the money spent. Henry is such a nice person! I hope he lives to be 150!
 
Not a rangefinder but my Contaflex Super arrived after Henry's ministrations a couple weeks ago and I am totally thrilled. Everything is working perfectly. I suspect this particular camera will outlast me and the Tessar lenses are wonderful.

A big advantage for me with this particular camera is there is a limited number of lenses so my GAS is naturally restricted. :)
 
October marked ten years since Henry overhauled my Dad's old IIIa with Sonnar 50/1.5. That camera works today exactly as it did all those years ago. When he did my camera, there was no waiting list. I sent him an email, he sent me a box, I put the camera (non-op) in the box and sent it off to him. Ten days later it arrived back here looking and working like a new camera. No fuss, no muss. Evidently it's a once-in-a-lifetime deal. Once he's worked his magic, it needs no further service.
 
I've had a chance to dabble with an unserviced but functional IIa with a Jupiter lens. By no means as in the same park as the real deal but I certainly understand the draw. I have to admit a bit of jealousy for those who have a proper, serviced kit. I'm just not comfortable sending a camera in given the waiting list length at this point.
 
Cool.....Does it have the OEM takeup spool??
They are hard to find.. a few copies are out there though.

enjoy it....

The Contax IIIa with a f1.5
sold for more than a Leica did with the f/1.5
In the day..... the only direct competition. before the 1953-54 Nikon RF with a f/1.4

I had a Contax III with a Collapsible f/2 Sonnar I sold.. (My Grand dads), it needed a new shutter overhaul.... maybe I should have had Henry fix that also :bang:

I also have a Contaflex 1 w/ a 45mm f/2.8 Tessar on his waiting list (I am reserved space #341)

He will totally overhaul it with a new purchase over over 200lbs of Contaflex bodies and parts....

It may not be "Worth" $385 when he is done... but, it belonged to my Dad in the early 1950's. And Henry is the only repair guy I would send it to.
 
DNG said:
Cool.....Does it have the OEM takeup spool??
They are hard to find.. a few copies are out there though.

enjoy it....

The Contax IIIa with a f1.5
sold for more than a Leica did with the f/1.5
In the day..... the only direct competition. before the 1953-54 Nikon RF with a f/1.4

I had a Contax III with a Collapsible f/2 Sonnar I sold.. (My Grand dads), it needed a new shutter overhaul.... maybe I should have had Henry fix that also :bang:

I also have a Contaflex 1 w/ a 45mm f/2.8 Tessar on his waiting list (I am reserved space #341)

He will totally overhaul it with a new purchase over over 200lbs of Contaflex bodies and parts....

It may not be "Worth" $385 when he is done... but, it belonged to my Dad in the early 1950's. And Henry is the only repair guy I would send it to.
Click to expand...

"Worth" is such a tricky word. I doubt what I spent would be considered "worth it" by any number of people, but it was definitely "worth it" to me. When you get that camera back it will be as nice as it was the day your Dad bought it.
 
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