Rediscovered The Contax

[Stu W]

I've been so Leica crazy, I forgot all about my Contaxes. I went into my closet today and took them out to exercise them. I forgot how smooth and precision they are. I think I'll start using them again.

 

[Doug]

Let's see the pics, Stu, after you click away on a roll!

 

[JoeFriday]

good for you, Stu.. what models do you have? I've got a IIa with a 50/1.5 Sonnar and my beloved T pocket camera

 

[Stu W]

I have 2-II's, 1-III, 1-IIa Black Dial, 1-IIIa Black Dial, and a IIIa Color Dial. I have 1-1.5 Sonnar, 3-2.0 Sonnars, 2-50mm Jupiters, a 35mm Jupiter, an 85mm Jupiter, and a 135mm Jupiter. I also have the Russian turret finder for the Contax-the reversed one. When I bought all this stuff the total was probably less than what an M3 and a Summicron sell for today. Now if only I can learn to take pictures!

 

[JoeFriday]

I've got a J12 that I've been afraid to mount on my IIa because of the stories I've heard of the rear element hitting the curtain.. am I confused and that's not really an issue?

 

[FrankS]

Hi Brett, from what I've read, the J12 is a prewar Biogon clone. Neither of these 2 lenses will fit on a post war Contax. I plan to use my J12 on a Kiev 4a and a CZO 50mm f1.5 Sonnar on the Contax IIa.

 

[wlewisiii]

With the IIa it is a problem, from my understanding, because the lens extends back to far into the camera due to the shutter mechanism redesign. For the very same reason, the original Zeiss Biogon 35/2.8 won't fit either. This is different from the issue with older Jupiter-12's and more recent Canon bodies where it can run into the light baffles. My LTM J-12 is a 1975 lens that does fit my 7 with about a hair's breadth to spare (it's a bigger thing to be sure to tilt the lens so that the rear element doesn't hit the cam on the way in.) Other bodies, like the R's have a problem with the meter system.

William

 

[JoeFriday]

thanks for the reminder, guys.. I was starting to wonder if I had gotten paranoid over nothing and had a perfectly good 35 to put on the Contax.. apparently not.. but at least I have the Kiev 4a that is becoming a permanent rear lens cap for the J12

 

[enochRoot]

i have a BEAUTIFUL IIIa that i bought a while ago from the original owner with 50/1.5 sonnar, and i love the finish and feel of it. but i have never shot anything through it due to the viewfinder. it is SO dark and squinty, and foggy looking that it's downright torture to try and use. would a cleaning help this out immensely, or only just so? ie: how are the finders on these if in perfect shape after a CLA? is that just something you have to live with?

 

[JoeFriday]

the finder in my particular IIa is probably as good as it gets with the Contax.. not quite up to Leica standards, but good.. I'm just not handy enough with the focusing to get those shots where you have to focus fast.. but then, I'm not much better with my M3

 

[enochRoot]

i do find the focusing a bit hard to get used to as well (but i thought a cleaning might help this). it was also kind of annoying to have to lift the shutter-speed ring to change it. i must say though, the winding didn't bug me as much as i thought (since it feels so nice and solid on the advance, and doesn't take *that* long compared to a rapid winding system).

anyhow, guess a cleaning is in order on that viewfinder then, as mine is dreadful!

 

[Honu-Hugger]

I no longer have a Leica to compare with, but out of curiosity I just looked through every Contax I own and every one of them seems very clear. They have all received cleaning from Henry Scherer; perhaps that has made a difference?

 

[enochRoot]

thanks. this is what i needed to hear, as i had no baseline to compare. this is the first and only contax i have owned, and i didn't know if this was just "normal". guess not. i'm glad, as i would have thought zeiss were up to better than this!

btw...where is henry scherer located, and what is the cost for his service? is he a contax specialist?

 

[Honu-Hugger]

thanks. this is what i needed to hear, as i had no baseline to compare. this is the first and only contax i have owned, and i didn't know if this was just "normal". guess not. i'm glad, as i would have thought zeiss were up to better than this!

btw...where is henry scherer located, and what is the cost for his service? is he a contax specialist?

His website explains the services he offers. You can reserve space in advance and continue using your camera, sending it just before he is ready to do the work.
Henry Scherer's Site

 

[enochRoot]

thanks for the info, and what a great concept!!!

 

[Stu W]

You have to get used to the rangefinder-your right hand blocks the right window if you don't hold it properly. I found the viewfinders to be nice and contrasty if they're cleaned. Right now I am having Mark Fishel do a cla on a II and he's replacing the beamsplitter cause the one in the camera is balsaming. I had an extra Contax one that I provided him, but I was looking at one from a Kiev and it looks like it might be a fit. And the rear element on the 12 absolutely hits the shutter curtains on the "A's". I don't know if Mark does work on the A's but so far he's done good by me with the II's and III's. Stu

 

[JoeFriday]

here's Henry's website

http://www.zeisscamera.com/

he's very responsive to emails and apparently one of the best for Contax repairs.. however, he's not cheap and his waiting list is looooooong

I'm now at #44 on his list.. I reserved my spot about 4 months ago, when I think I was #57

 

[enochRoot]

wow. so we're talking a year and a half or so?!

 

[wlewisiii]

Argh. Brett, could you check my spot again? I'm still having grief from my DSL provider.

enochRoot, I'm well over a year due to having to go to the back of the line once for financial reasons. That may well happen again... 🙁

William

 

[rover]

Initials again William? I was #48 last week, or should I say that my virtual IIA and 1.5 were #48.

You must be in the 20s now.