Replacing my Contax with IIA

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I really do miss my old IIIa. So I contacted Henry Scherer and am now on his waiting list for a IIa BD! Now I'll sell the Contax T2 that I bought last summer - the electronic AF thing just isn't as fun.

Now I need to decide between the 50mm f/1.5 or the f/2.0. Any opinions? I used to own the f/1.5 and it's superb. How does it compare to the f/2.0? Of course, the almost extra stop of light is nice!

I don't know my place on Henry's list yet, but I hope to have my camera within 5 years. In the mean time, I'll look for a Scherer-overhauled IIa. There's nothing wrong with owning 2 Contaxes.
 
The 1.5/50 was Bertele's own favorite so I'd say go for it if you have some cash.
 
Me neither. I checked the two verus a Jupiter-8 and the only difference is at f/1.5. True though, that there it is an existential difference:)
 
Hi Robert,

Glad to see that you came full circle ;-)

I do not have much experience with the f2 but I could not see much difference when compared to the f1.5.

Have fun.
Henry quoted me a 10 month wait .....

Ciao


Joerg
 
Another "No difference, other than the extra stop or so" vote.
Which means that I almost never use the 2.0. The 1.5, BTW, is my favourite lens, bar none. I love using it wide open, as in my avatar.
 
In theory @ least, the 50/1.5 should be superior @ f/2 to the 50/2 , but I haven't noticed any difference between my Zeiss-Opton 50/2 & the CZ & Z-O versions of the 50/1.5. Also, there isn't a big size/weight difference between the 2. For some reason, probably due to relative rarity, the W. German 50/2 can be almost as expensive as the 50/1.5. The post-WWII Jena version of the 50/2 (much more common in the U.S.) is supposed to be optically excellent, too, but I only have a scratched-up example that's a flare magnet.

RObert Budding said:
I really do miss my old IIIa. So I contacted Henry Scherer and am now on his waiting list for a IIa BD! Now I'll sell the Contax T2 that I bought last summer - the electronic AF thing just isn't as fun.

Now I need to decide between the 50mm f/1.5 or the f/2.0. Any opinions? I used to own the f/1.5 and it's superb. How does it compare to the f/2.0? Of course, the almost extra stop of light is nice!

I don't know my place on Henry's list yet, but I hope to have my camera within 5 years. In the mean time, I'll look for a Scherer-overhauled IIa. There's nothing wrong with owning 2 Contaxes.
 
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I showed that list to my girlfriend today.. we calculated that you're almost exactly 3 years out, Robert.. sorry

and I'm about to hit the top 10 (after waiting 1.5 years)
 
A while ago I sold my IIIa and Tessar 3.5 to fund a Leica Purchase that fell through. I have regretted the sale and would buy another one if I could find another in the same condition. Oh well I have a deal on a Nikon S so I guess that will have to do.
 
John, if you have a deal on a Nikon S, that CV 50mm finder you just bought will come in handy.
 
Frank I was a thinking it would work nice with my Leica IIIa or the III that's on the way. I think I will need one of those double mounts from cameraquest to mount the finder and VC meter. I never even though of the Nikon when I was looking at the finder.
 
9 Days per Camera???

9 Days per Camera???

JoeFriday said:
I showed that list to my girlfriend today.. we calculated that you're almost exactly 3 years out, Robert.. sorry

and I'm about to hit the top 10 (after waiting 1.5 years)

I'm 3 years out if Henry averages 9 days work per camera and he works 250 days/year. Are you sure he spends that many days on each camera? If so, he should raise his rates! Or better yet, charge more for expedited service.
 
There are some weeks that he gets through two cameras/customers. Not all, but some. #14 here.
 
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