New to the Contax IIa

[roboflick]

As an update, I received yesterday a copy of 'The Contax Way', 1956 Second Edition by H. Freytag, translated into English, printed by Focal Press. It came all the way from the UK via Royal Air Mail, and I highly recommend that you get a copy if you can find one. I have many photography books, but this is the best camera book I have ever gotten. It covers all the models from the Contax 1, through the IIIa, and all the lenses and accessories too. Very concise, clear, and informative, and small enough to carry in a camera bag, even though it is hard bound. But I think I will keep mine in the library at home, so it doesn't get ruined. Read about a quarter of it last night when I went to bed, and hope to finish it by the end of the week.

PF

I just ordered "The Contax Way" and the focal point guide. I also found the original manual from Adorama. I am expecting the camera back soon from overhaul. Enjoy your camera, you are taking some beautiful shots with it
Nik

 

[farlymac]

I was going to buy an original manual, and couldn't figure out why it was sitting around for so long, then I looked at the picture in enlarged view. The seller neglected to mention it is VERY original, as in German language.

PF

Thanks for the comments Nik.

 

[ZeissFan]

I find the Contax IIa to be the ideal size for me. I have largish hands -- not bear paws. The body feels just about perfect. I really enjoy using this camera, although changing film takes time, because you have to stick the back into a pocket or tuck it under your arm, while you carefully remove the spool.

If you're up for it, you can always get some Zeiss Ikon film spools. I use those in a lot of my Zeiss Ikon cameras as takeup spools, if for no other reason that if I carelessly remove the back, I only lose one shot.

I hope you enjoy the Contax IIa. I think you're off to an excellent start.

 

[jarski]

about J-12. this seems only FSU Jupiter that nobody likes, unlike J-3 and 8. or 9, when being lucky enough to have good copy. tele J-11 usually get good comments being sharp. but nobody ever praises J-12, quite contrary. bad corners and not sharp at all etc. 😕

was original 35 Biogon a dog as well, or did Ruskies screw up something when trying to copy it ?

 

[David Murphy]

about J-12. this seems only FSU Jupiter that nobody likes, unlike J-3 and 8. or 9, when being lucky enough to have good copy. tele J-11 usually get good comments being sharp. but nobody ever praises J-12, quite contrary. bad corners and not sharp at all etc. 😕

was original 35 Biogon a dog as well, or did Ruskies screw up something when trying to copy it ?

The original Biogon is an outstanding lens, despite not being coated. The post war models are even better.

 

[jarski]

The original Biogon is an outstanding lens, despite not being coated. The post war models are even better.

hmm interesting 😕 I was just echoing personal impressions of what had been discussed here. wonder is J-12 that bad then, if getting a good copy... 🙄

 

[sevo]

hmm interesting 😕 I was just echoing personal impressions of what had been discussed here. wonder is J-12 that bad then, if getting a good copy... 🙄

At least earlier copies of the J-12 are as good as/no worse than the Biogon, except maybe for a higher rate of production flaws. But I've never seen or even heard of a good late (post sixties or black) one.

In the context of this IIa specific thread you should however bear in mind that the J-12 as well as the Jena Biogon are limited to Dresden Contaxes and Kievs. They do not fit the IIa/IIIa, as the deep large diameter rear element does not clear its curtain box. If you need a 35mm for the IIa, you can only choose between the Oberkochen Biogon, the elusive 35mm Planar and Biometar (neither up to the former, but both are more expensive due to rarity and collector's appeal) and the CV and Nikon 35mm's.

 

[wetmonkey]

A test photo from Contax IIa, the lens is a post war Zeiss Opton 50/1.5. I like IIa very much because of it size. Smaller than a Leica, easy to handle. The only disadvantage is its small window of view finder.

 

[ray*j*gun]

about J-12. this seems only FSU Jupiter that nobody likes, unlike J-3 and 8. or 9, when being lucky enough to have good copy. tele J-11 usually get good comments being sharp. but nobody ever praises J-12, quite contrary. bad corners and not sharp at all etc. 😕

was original 35 Biogon a dog as well, or did Ruskies screw up something when trying to copy it ?

Then let me be in the minority. I recently got a J-12 from Brian Sweeney that was shimmed for LTM and thought I would give it a try and it BLEW ME AWAY. I am so impressed with its performance that I am now using it as my go to 35. AND its tiny and light. I know how FSU gear can be so maybe I'm just lucky but I love my J-12.

 

[farlymac]

A properly worked up J-12 should be a good lens. I don't think you can use one on other manufacturers cameras without it being adapted for the mount, as that is probably where most of the complaints come from, as far as clarity is concerned. And unfortunately, like the pre-war Biogon, it will not fit the Contax IIa or IIIa.

Just to show what the 2/50 Sonnar can do in color (BTW, nice shot Wetmonkey), here are some shots from the first roll I ran through the camera. Film was Vision 2000 (rebadged Ferannia 100), and unfortunately the meter I was using (BEWI Automat C) is no longer anywhere near accurate. Neat concept though. You just push a button, let go, and the dial gives an instant readout, no having to align another dial to match things up. There is no needle, and it sits in the accessory shoe. That was another problem with it, is that it was loose in the shoe, and I dropped it on the floor. Oh well, it wasn't right in the first place. It will look neat sitting on one of my shelf riders.

So, I had to really work these up in PSE8 to be able to salvage something of value from the roll. About half the shots were too dark to do anything with.


00340006_1 by br1078phot, on Flickr


00340007_3 by br1078phot, on Flickr


00340015_2 by br1078phot, on Flickr

And a link to the set on Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7699588@N07/sets/72157626416313840/

PF

 

[Highway 61]

In the context of this IIa specific thread you should however bear in mind that the J-12 as well as the Jena Biogon are limited to Jena Contaxes and Kievs.(...)

I suppose you are speaking of the Dresden Contaxes (1932-1943) 😉

The so-called Jena Contaxes (actually Saalfeld Contaxes, 1946-1947) are quite rare and use to fetch $$$$ 😱

There are two other alternatives for the Stuttgart Contaxes : the Tanaka Kogaku 35/2.5 and the Soligor 35/2.8, both designed for the Nikon rangefinders in the 1950's but working well on the postwar Contaxes.

 

[sevo]

I suppose you are speaking of the Dresden Contaxes (1932-1943) 😉

Right, my error.

 

[roboflick]

A test photo from Contax IIa, the lens is a post war Zeiss Opton 50/1.5. I like IIa very much because of it size. Smaller than a Leica, easy to handle. The only disadvantage is its small window of view finder.

What aperture did you use for this?

Nice shot btw,

Nik

 

[wetmonkey]

What aperture did you use for this?

Nice shot btw,

Nik[/quote]

I forget the exact aperture, it is about 4 or 5.6. I am sure it is not wide open.
How beautiful the bokeh is!