Strange Contax

Shostka

Shostka

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Hello from Tokyo!
I found strange marking engraved ContaxII on the internet. Does anyone know the meaning of this marking "⊕" ? I have no idea, evidence or record for this character...... It's similar to the emblem shape of Shimazu, who ruled Kagoshima, Japan...
I hope Contax experts in this forum have some information...

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GeorgeRazmadze said:
Hello. Is there any service manual for Contax IIA Shutter Capping? Thank you for your time.
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Hello George: Not a manual, but I have notes on both the shutter capping and slow speeds hanging up, as well as a few other Contax IIa quirks. You can download all of my repair notes for free at Dropbox
- Look in the Zeiss Ikon folder to find the Contax IIa notes.
 
Thank you for your time. yoi so much
rick oleson said:
Hello George: Not a manual, but I have notes on both the shutter capping and slow speeds hanging up, as well as a few other Contax IIa quirks. You can download all of my repair notes for free at Dropbox
- Look in the Zeiss Ikon folder to find the Contax IIa notes.
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Thank you for your time. yoi so much mr. Rick
 
Leicaflex SL MOT and similar would have markings under the pressure plate or in that vicinity to denote what 'sub' version they were or if they had been back to the factory for modification. By 'sub version' I mean variations in technical specification/manufacture not noticeable to the user.

Zeiss used a prefix letter added to the serial number on the Contax I. Maybe this mark was adopted later on.
 
Alpsman said:
@ Shostka:
I browsed through the two books "On the Trail of the Contax" by Hans-Jürgen Kuc, but couldn't find a single picture showing such a marking.
Greetings to Tokyo from Austria 🙂
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Dralowid said:
Leicaflex SL MOT and similar would have markings under the pressure plate or in that vicinity to denote what 'sub' version they were or if they had been back to the factory for modification. By 'sub version' I mean variations in technical specification/manufacture not noticeable to the user.

Zeiss used a prefix letter added to the serial number on the Contax I. Maybe this mark was adopted later on.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply! I suspect that the marking was engraved by an Japanese science equipment factory "Shimadzu Corporation", when the camera was imported to Japan before WW2. 1/4 inch screw for tripod, which is commonly seen on the cameras for asian region, also support the story... I will ask the company and visit its museum in Kyoto on August to consult the record they might keep. They also own microscope made by Leitz, that might have the same marking.

1753118468313.png

And about the tripod screw; do you know how the screw size was selected on Contax and its familes? My Super Nettel "for China", Contax "for Manchoukuo" and "Shimadzu" have all 1/4 inch screw and the other Super Nettel or Contax have the 3/8 inch. I'm wondering the screw was selected by customer or the distributor when ordering, or the Zeiss Ikon selected the screw depending on where to be exported... I'm also planning to visit specialist of large format camera and wooden tripod at Osaka.
 
rick oleson said:
Hello George: Not a manual, but I have notes on both the shutter capping and slow speeds hanging up, as well as a few other Contax IIa quirks. You can download all of my repair notes for free at Dropbox
- Look in the Zeiss Ikon folder to find the Contax IIa notes.
Click to expand...
Rick, I used your notes many years ago when first opening up a IIa and found them very helpful...Thanks!!
I'm curious if you agree with my couple thoughts on the IIa/IIIa shutter: In my experience, lubrication to the #1 opening curtain shaft is a key step in solving high speed capping. Also, if the camera has been sitting for many years cocked, as they often are due to a stuck shutter, it could take 2+ spring tensioner clicks to make up for the relaxed spring, but never add more than needed to have everything run smoothly and quietly once lubricated.
For the slow speed escapement...once any old lubrication is removed with a good degreaser like lighter fluid or automotive brake cleaner, I've found very fine dry graphite to work well in it's place. This seems to be very reliable, especially if the camera may be used in cold conditions.
 
Shostka said:
Thanks for your reply! I suspect that the marking was engraved by an Japanese science equipment factory "Shimadzu Corporation", when the camera was imported to Japan before WW2. 1/4 inch screw for tripod, which is commonly seen on the cameras for asian region, also support the story... I will ask the company and visit its museum in Kyoto on August to consult the record they might keep. They also own microscope made by Leitz, that might have the same marking.

View attachment 4872425

And about the tripod screw; do you know how the screw size was selected on Contax and its familes? My Super Nettel "for China", Contax "for Manchoukuo" and "Shimadzu" have all 1/4 inch screw and the other Super Nettel or Contax have the 3/8 inch. I'm wondering the screw was selected by customer or the distributor when ordering, or the Zeiss Ikon selected the screw depending on where to be exported... I'm also planning to visit specialist of large format camera and wooden tripod at Osaka.
Click to expand...
I don't know anything about the 1/4 vs. 3/8 other than that any Contax I have had with the focusing marked in feet has had a 1/4" tripod socket and the ones marked in meters have had 3/8" tripod sockets. That may tell you the intended export market-the US and Britain prior to going metric.
 
Cascadilla said:
I don't know anything about the 1/4 vs. 3/8 other than that any Contax I have had with the focusing marked in feet has had a 1/4" tripod socket and the ones marked in meters have had 3/8" tripod sockets. That may tell you the intended export market-the US and Britain prior to going metric.
Click to expand...
Sounds interesting...!
 
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