puzzled by the price difference - Contax IIIa

[meste]

Hi,

I guess you guys are more experienced than me so grateful for some help on this.

I intend to purchase a Contax IIIa from the web and I found this seller which has a number of them.

one is with 50/2 lens at $417 http://cgi.ebay.com/Contax-IIIa-2-5...goryZ297QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

and another with 50/1.5 and $813 http://cgi.ebay.com/Contax-IIIa-1-5...goryZ297QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

why so much difference?

they also have others in between...

I don't have the money to pay more than $400 or so, but even so I would like to know what I get and if it deserves the price...

thanks,
meste

 

[Pherdinand]

because he's the photo arsenal, a greedy ******* with way overpriced stuff.
Do yourself a favour and look somewhere else for that beautiful contax

 

[arbib]

Without a picture of one of them, it would be hard to tell the difference. I am assuming BOTH are POST WAR..(Shorter RF length)...
I have a Pre-War IIIa (Longer RF length, with an converted flash connector done by the factory in or around 1935-1937. With a Collapsible 50mm f/2 Sonnar...Meter does not work and a the shutter needs a repair...But if I spent the $200.00 to fix it. It may be worth from $325.00 to $425.00 TOPS...

The one listed for over $800.00 is over-priced IMO...the 50mm f/1.5 is not a
$400.00 lens by itself...$220.00 in VG condition .....Link to a price guide http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/zc.htm

Hope this helps, some....

 

[David Murphy]

All "a" suffixed Contax are postwar. If you are patient you should be able to find a working IIIa with a 50/2 sonnar for $250-$350 or so. I suggest not planning to use the meter even if they say it's working - they have limitations compared to good modern handheld meters.

 

[raid]

I was patient, and I picked up a Contax IIIa that I got repaired. Now the camera works beautifully. The prices mentioned above should be good guidelines for you.

 

[burninfilm]

If a person were truly patient, and truly had a fairly strict budget, they might be able to pick up one of the various Kiev models in working condition at a fraction of the price ($75-$125). They appear occasionally in the RFF classifieds from sellers who can verify their functionality. If you picked up an earlier Kiev 4a, you'd have a well-made Russian Contax clone (of the pre-war Contax II and III) with flash sync and a longer RF baselength (in other words, a theoretically more accurate RF) than a Contax IIa or IIIa. Basically, the best of every aspect within the Contax/Kiev lineage. You could then use the money you save to buy Russian 35mm and 85mm lenses/finders, some film, and still possibly have money left over from your $400 budget. I've used several Kievs, and all have been the functional equivalent of the Zeiss offerings, though quality is lacking somewhat in the Russian cameras. If you are dead set on a Contax IIa or IIIa, then go for it. They are beautiful little cameras that are a delight to use. However, in my experience, the Contax II, III, and Kiev 4a are similar in this respect. Note that I don't have much experience with the later Kiev offerings, like the 4AM and the rather different Kiev 5.

Do whatever you'd like, it's your life, but I just thought I'd mention another option. Good luck in your search, and if I find anything you might be interested in, I'll be sure to give you a heads up.

 

[meste]

WOW, thanks for the welth or replies

though some are contradictory in terms of price I should spend on

I will not want to get a Kiev, I want the Contax, anyway the message is that I have to be patient...

thanks,
Serban