Rat Contax Ii ?

[dee]

It keeps happening - a cheap , rough , Contax II bought as spares has been sorted and works exquisitely .

I love as new cameras - most of mine are restored - but am tempted to experience an original Q camera - perfect mechanics and well worn cosmetics - as a Contrast to my lovely Contax III and mint Kiev II 1952 .

Has anyone had a rat camera ?

 

[radiocemetery]

I have a rat camera. Over a year ago I bought a Leica IIIb from a member of another forum. He described the cosmetic condition as "not too bad". My description is "basket case".😱 The functions are OK, curtains good and rf/vf not too dim. This poor camera has been the victim of at least one well intentioned but none to competent repair person. The lens flange was glued to the body with weatherstrip cement, there are screws missing, the 4 screws that hold the housing to the shutter crate have been replaced with tiny sheetmetal screws.

So I decided to keep it anyway! Looking at the bright side, the serial number on the top plate and the number graven into the shutter crate match. There are all sorts of interesting initials and numbers marked on the interior parts. All the defects are repairable but some will not be easy. This is going to be my long term project and I intend to keep it original as possible, excepting the sheet metal screws of course.

Long live the rat cameras!

Steve