Place your bets!

[Dralowid]

My finger must have slipped on the mouse and another Contax I came through the letterbox, last version and 2.8 Tessar. Serial number starts with a Z.

Guess what? The damn thing actually works! And the wind on is smooth and the lightest I have experienced. Doesn't look great mind. These cameras do not grow old gracefully like a Leica, oxidisation of the alloy body beneath black lacquer is not a pretty sight.

I'm not even going to try and clean it, film loaded already, so PLACE THOSE BETS, how many exposures before the tapes break????

Michael
PS, I now have two black faced 2.8 Tessars. Anyone up for some sort of black lens swap?

 

[ErnestoJL]

Seems that are no bets yet...
Well, mine is for not less than 20 exposures.
But in fact, I hope tapes are better than you expect.
Cheers
Ernesto

 

[wlewisiii]

If it runs as well as you say, it's probably been in use relatively frequently over the years. One of the things I saw frequently when I used Contax/Kiev was that cameras that looked worn from use were always the best user cameras. My Contax II.5 (a III with a II top grafted on) and Kiev 5 were good example of that. Here's hoping that your camera is one of those and runs well and long.

William

William

 

[Dralowid]

18 exposures so far, got a stash of Neopan 400 to use up...who knows if we will make to the end of the film...

 

[Dralowid]

First film completed and processed.

Only issues so far identified are inconsistent frame spacing (but at least they do not overlap) and ripping sprocket holes at the end of the film and one double exposure at last frame, presumably because I couldn't 'feel' the end had come.

I don't think I have the necessary abilities to fiddle with or even understand adjustment of frame spacing so will leave well alone...unless someone knows better.

Michael