BlueMan
Newbie
Hi y'all- recently discovered this forum and figured it would be a good source of info for my sixty something year old Contax IIa and accessories. At least I think it's a IIa based on the little research I've done so far. It has the selenium meter, shutter speeds from 1 to 1/1250th plus B and T; I'll look at the serial numbers and see if I can figure out when it was made based on some of the posts I've seen. It was my dad's camera, and he said he got it after WW2 in Germany. I have a 50mm f/1.5, 35 mm f/3.5, and 135 f/3.5 Zeiss lenses, a few accessories, and a cool little viewfinder that attaches to the flash shoe on the camera, that shows the field of view for the different lenses. I haven't used it in decades, and have considered selling it, but hate to part with something my dad gave to me. . . . .
ljsegil
Well-known
Hi right back and welcome,
If your camera has a meter it would be a IIIa, the IIa does not have a light meter. I had to go to auction to get my IIa (very recently) with the beautiful Zeiss 50/1.5 lens. So far I have only had the chance to shoot one roll of film, but got some very nicely rendered pictures of my daughter, thanks to the Zeiss. The lens has a definite Sonnar look which I like very much. In fact, the modern incarnation of that lens, the Zeiss ZM 50/1.5 Sonnar, is the lens that I use and enjoy the most on my modern rangefinder camera, not coincidentally, the Zeiss Ikon (I guess I have a fondness for all things Zeiss, my medium format camera also uses Zeiss lenses exclusively).
Happy shooting,
LJS
If your camera has a meter it would be a IIIa, the IIa does not have a light meter. I had to go to auction to get my IIa (very recently) with the beautiful Zeiss 50/1.5 lens. So far I have only had the chance to shoot one roll of film, but got some very nicely rendered pictures of my daughter, thanks to the Zeiss. The lens has a definite Sonnar look which I like very much. In fact, the modern incarnation of that lens, the Zeiss ZM 50/1.5 Sonnar, is the lens that I use and enjoy the most on my modern rangefinder camera, not coincidentally, the Zeiss Ikon (I guess I have a fondness for all things Zeiss, my medium format camera also uses Zeiss lenses exclusively).
Happy shooting,
LJS
BlueMan
Newbie
My mistake- the 135 is an f/4 Sonnar. The lens cap says "Zeiss Opton", and the back cap says "Zeiss Ikon Stuttgart Germany".
The camera itself says "Zeiss Ikon Stuttgart Germany" on the accessory shoe and a serial number "A59532". I saw a post about serial numbers and date of manufacture- I'll see what I can find out there. I know the selenium meter doesn't work anymore, and some of the low shutter speeds are obviuosly not correct.
Like I said I haven't used the camera for decades, but I keep it because it was my Dad's, and as a connection to another Zeiss product I've had for 25 years- a beautiful set of 8x56 Dialyt binoculars. . . .
The camera itself says "Zeiss Ikon Stuttgart Germany" on the accessory shoe and a serial number "A59532". I saw a post about serial numbers and date of manufacture- I'll see what I can find out there. I know the selenium meter doesn't work anymore, and some of the low shutter speeds are obviuosly not correct.
Like I said I haven't used the camera for decades, but I keep it because it was my Dad's, and as a connection to another Zeiss product I've had for 25 years- a beautiful set of 8x56 Dialyt binoculars. . . .
FrankS
Registered User
Hi and welcome, Blueman! Your Contax IIIa is a wonderful artifact of your father's to keep in remembrance!
johnmh
Newbie
Similar story
Similar story
Dad was on occupation duty in Germany instead of Korea - which is why I'm around. Not sure he would've survived the initial mess there.
Still bewildered. He bought a ContaxIIIa with EVERYTHING - 35, 50, 85 and 135 lenses, filters, case etc. He used it for the time he was in the Army and a couple years at home but then it was put away never to resurface.
Have four boxes of slides - Germany and the Netherlands (astounding at how much of Germany was still in ruins in '51-2) and a year's worth after I was born. Nothing after though we took some amazing vacations - including a cross-country jaunt.
He gave the whole set-up to my then fiancee (now wife for 25+ years) for her photography course in college...... not like him to let his own sons have something like that...lol. The camera is like new, gets occasional use and is lusted after by those that do the periodic service on it.
Most of our photos now are in digital (Nikon SLR). I don't think the Contax should be doing back country hikes in the Tetons. It'll end up being passed on to one of our sons - a family heirloom.
It IS an amazing camera though.... I can't imagine what Dad paid for it - unless post war it was cheap for a US soldier on occupation duty. Still can't figure why he lost interest....... but then given the life he resumed on his return, maybe I understand....
Other sources have said that the "Zeiss Opton" on the lenses signify early post-war production - in line with this camera. Also, the camera itself says "Stuttgart Germany" (NOT "West Germany")...... Serial number is A5432XX "XX" being the last two numbers.
Similar story
Dad was on occupation duty in Germany instead of Korea - which is why I'm around. Not sure he would've survived the initial mess there.
Still bewildered. He bought a ContaxIIIa with EVERYTHING - 35, 50, 85 and 135 lenses, filters, case etc. He used it for the time he was in the Army and a couple years at home but then it was put away never to resurface.
Have four boxes of slides - Germany and the Netherlands (astounding at how much of Germany was still in ruins in '51-2) and a year's worth after I was born. Nothing after though we took some amazing vacations - including a cross-country jaunt.
He gave the whole set-up to my then fiancee (now wife for 25+ years) for her photography course in college...... not like him to let his own sons have something like that...lol. The camera is like new, gets occasional use and is lusted after by those that do the periodic service on it.
Most of our photos now are in digital (Nikon SLR). I don't think the Contax should be doing back country hikes in the Tetons. It'll end up being passed on to one of our sons - a family heirloom.
It IS an amazing camera though.... I can't imagine what Dad paid for it - unless post war it was cheap for a US soldier on occupation duty. Still can't figure why he lost interest....... but then given the life he resumed on his return, maybe I understand....
Other sources have said that the "Zeiss Opton" on the lenses signify early post-war production - in line with this camera. Also, the camera itself says "Stuttgart Germany" (NOT "West Germany")...... Serial number is A5432XX "XX" being the last two numbers.
Rafael
Mandlerian
Welcome to the forum BlueMan. I too got into rf photography when my father passed his rf kit down to me. The history of the camera certainly adds a special dimension to the photography.
FrankS
Registered User
Yes, I got into photography too with my father's (more modest) RF camera.
raid
Dad Photographer
Me too; my late father's Zeiss Contina was my only camera for many years.
aoresteen
Well-known
Well, I too got interested in photography from my Dad. He bought a Contaflex Super in 1961 when we were living in Honduras. I have TONS of Kodachromes that he took with it. We traveled to Pakistan with it. He had the 35mm, 50mm Tessar, the 85mm and the 115mm.
I used the Contaflex in the 70's when I was in college. My Dad gave it to me so he could buy an OM-1. He gave me a copy of the Contaflex Way and tossed in The Contax Way. That's when I started to get interested in RF cameras. I still have both books.
The Contaflex broke and I moved on to a Hasselblad and an Olympus OM-1. About 1977 I decided I need a Contax IIa (Leicas & Nikon SP were too "expensiive" at the time) and I got one and some lenses. Sold it off in 1980 to my regret. Had a Nikon M body but sold it off too. Ugh! Traged som Hasselblad stuff and got a nice Leica M3 and went down the Leica path (still using them!).
A few years ago I decied to get a Contaflex Super just for fun. Before I knew it I had a complete kit and a Contaflex Rapid to boot. Ditto for my Contax IIa. I had Henry do his magic to it and I will keep it until I leave this world.
I'm thinking about getting a back-up body for my IIa. The Nikon SP 2005 would be the ticket. I'm working on my better half so you never know what might join my IIa on our next trip.
I used the Contaflex in the 70's when I was in college. My Dad gave it to me so he could buy an OM-1. He gave me a copy of the Contaflex Way and tossed in The Contax Way. That's when I started to get interested in RF cameras. I still have both books.
The Contaflex broke and I moved on to a Hasselblad and an Olympus OM-1. About 1977 I decided I need a Contax IIa (Leicas & Nikon SP were too "expensiive" at the time) and I got one and some lenses. Sold it off in 1980 to my regret. Had a Nikon M body but sold it off too. Ugh! Traged som Hasselblad stuff and got a nice Leica M3 and went down the Leica path (still using them!).
A few years ago I decied to get a Contaflex Super just for fun. Before I knew it I had a complete kit and a Contaflex Rapid to boot. Ditto for my Contax IIa. I had Henry do his magic to it and I will keep it until I leave this world.
I'm thinking about getting a back-up body for my IIa. The Nikon SP 2005 would be the ticket. I'm working on my better half so you never know what might join my IIa on our next trip.