Show Off Your Contax

[Gregm61]

Just picked up this beauty from Henry at Zeiss repairs. Both the camera and lens look immaculate and the thing sounds like a well timed Swiss watch> couldn't be happier, especially now that I have the 21mm f4.5 Biogon too 🙂

http://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Other/Zeiss-Contax-IIA/i-m69wxzN/0/L/P1020016-L.jpg

http://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Other/Zeiss-Contax-IIA/i-8hSfDGK/0/X2/P1020011-X2.jpg

Guess I need to work out how to post an actual image...

 

[Dirk]

Just picked up this beauty from Henry at Zeiss repairs. Both the camera and lens look immaculate and the thing sounds like a well timed Swiss watch> couldn't be happier, especially now that I have the 21mm f4.5 Biogon too 🙂

Lucky you! The 21/4.5 Biogon is one of my dream lenses. I never had one, but the images I've seen made with it are mind-blowing. Better than the new Cosina Zeiss version, for my taste.

 

[Gregm61]

Lets see if this works...

 

[nhchen]

contax I

contax I

My two Contax I (f)s.
One was made in 1934 and has the nickel Tessar f2.8.
The other was made in 1935 has the black/nickel Sonnar f2.
Strangely I find these are easier to wind on than the Contax IIs which I have. 🙄

regards,
nathan

 

[amoebahydra]

Contax IIIa with Tessar 1:3.5 f=5cm ......................

 

[RSilva]

My G1 🙂

 

[VisualDarkness]

Can I join you guys now with this color-dial IIa?
Just need a lens.

Contax IIa front by A.Sundell, on Flickr
Contax IIa back by A.Sundell, on Flickr
Contax IIa top by A.Sundell, on Flickr

 

[Gregm61]

Interesting.....if you check the serial number on your shoe to the serial number list on the sticky post of Contax IIA bodies that lists the serial number ranges, that body should be from the original batch of mechanical flash sync black dial bodies from 1949-50, so if you believe those lists, someone has converted this one to Colored Dial spec.

 

[VisualDarkness]

Interesting.....if you check the serial number on your shoe to the serial number list on the sticky post of Contax IIA bodies that lists the serial number ranges, that body should be from the original batch of mechanical flash sync black dial bodies from 1949-50, so if you believe those lists, someone has converted this one to Colored Dial spec.

So I'm not crazy finding it weird? Though I've read that Zeiss Contax did some weird numbering in the days.

My camera fits l the color requisites in this article, it's just the serial number. Also the number on the shoe matches the one on the inside. Seems unlikely to do such a huge transplant on it.
http://www.ebay.com/gds/Is-A-Contax...ial-Or-A-Color-Dial-/10000000015409695/g.html

 

[bobby_novatron]

Love this thread. So many interesting variations on Contax lenses and bodies.

Wonderful cameras! Mine is a Contax IIa color dial, post-war Zeiss Opton 50mm F1.5 lens. It works like the finely-tuned machine that it is -- except for the self-timer. No film-based 'selfies' with this baby, unfortunately.

 

[Sid836]

Here she comes. A pre-war Contax II with a Sonar 5cm f2 lens. The hood and the cap are kind donations from a Zorki-4 with a Jupiter 8 lens. They will be returned as soon as I get the original ones for my Contax.

 

[Blind_spark]

I posted this in the LTM forum as well...

I posted this in the LTM forum as well...

With the Post-War Competition...

1951 Leica IIIf and Summitar - 1956/7 Contax IIa and Sonnar

Very similar size-wise, the Contax beats the Leica with the combined VF/RF, bigger dials, and (dare I say?) is a little quieter. The shutter release on the Leica is much smoother, however, and it just feels right in the hand where the Contax is a little unwieldy.

 

[VisualDarkness]

With the Post-War Competition...

1951 Leica IIIf and Summitar - 1956/7 Contax IIa and Sonnar

Very similar size-wise, the Contax beats the Leica with the combined VF/RF, bigger dials, and (dare I say?) is a little quieter. The shutter release on the Leica is much smoother, however, and it just feels right in the hand where the Contax is a little unwieldy.

The Leica looks a lot slimmer!

 

[underlord]

Contax IIa with Nikkor-S 5cmF1.4 by Philip McAllister, on Flickr

 

[oftheherd]

Contax IIa with Nikkor-S 5cmF1.4 by Philip McAllister, on Flickr

Nice camera.

 

[Jean]

 

[underlord]

Nice camera.

Thanks. No sign of the often reported focus issues with this combo.

 

[VisualDarkness]

A Contax IIa with a Helios 103 and a Voigtländer VC meter in a burned down forest.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Contax IIa with Nikkor-S 5cmF1.4 by Philip McAllister, on Flickr

Thanks. No sign of the often reported focus issues with this combo.

I haven't shot any test charts, but no sign of any focus issues with my combo either. The slow max. aperture of f/2.8 and resulting DOF no doubts helps cover any errors though. Have you tried shooting at MFD @ f/1.4? With the f/1.4 max. aperture, I suspect you'd see a bit of front focus.

 

[underlord]

I haven't shot any test charts, but no sign of any focus issues with my combo either. The slow max. aperture of f/2.8 and resulting DOF no doubts helps cover any errors though. Have you tried shooting at MFD @ f/1.4? With the f/1.4 max. aperture, I suspect you'd see a bit of front focus.

I did run some test shots and paid particular attention to mid/close range. Unfortunately the light only allowed me to use f4. When I can be bothered I will carry out a more thorough test. Meanwhile a very kindly RFF & flickr buddy has said I can have a spare Zeiss lens!