The value of this Contax iia?

[hamish_gill]

I have borrowed and am looking to buy a contax iia off a local photographer. He's a very fair guy, and I like to think I am too, so neither of us want to see the other out of pocket. Ordinarily I would look at eBay completed listings for some clues to value, but values seem to vary so widely I'm finding it hard to come up with a sensible figure.

Using the dating thread I've dated it to the late 50's - the sn is L85797

Anthony thinks the shutter is a little slow at the lower speeds, I'm inclined to disagree, at least to the point that I'm not sure there is any real issue. They might be slightly slow, but they aren't far out if they are.

There are a couple of small bumps under the leather on the back along side a dealers badge which has been permanently glued on. The view finder is ok, the rf patch looks aligned, but the edges of it aren't as well defended as I might have expected.

Condition is otherwise pretty good I think, it's very quiet, and smooth... Apart from the focusing which rattles a gear when it's turned ... Though it doesn't sound abnormal.

The self timer works nicely.

The bottom plate is a little scratched.

It's generally a pretty well kept camera I think. (its not gold, its lit with a yellow lamp)

Contax iia by Hamish_Gill, on Flickr

There is also a sonnar 1.5. But its definitely seen better days.

Duff sonnar by Hamish_Gill, on Flickr

Any thoughts welcomed

 

[Vics]

Has the seller been using the camera? The 1.5 lens is a legend. Henry Scherer overhauled my IIIa eleven years ago, but now he has a Looooong wait time, so if it needs repair I don't know anyone else. If it's all working it'll be a great shooter with the 1.5/50 Sonnar. Worrisome thatit makes a noise when you focus. Can you focus it using the wheel?

 

[Pioneer]

The Sonnar is beginning to delaminate. It can be repaired but that will cost more than the lens is actually worth. From that perspective I wouldn't assign any value to the lens.

The camera itself is probably worth about $200 to $300 USD in my mind, but as you have discovered, prices can vary quite a bit. A newly overhauled camera with new shutter ribbons and a cleaned and adjusted rangefinder is worth much more, but your description doesn't make this one sound as if it has been overhauled.

BTW, none of my Contax's have gear sounds while focusing so I would not consider that normal. To me that sounds like some lubrication is needed.

 

[Highway 61]

The lens is dead. It may be usable but the separation is now severe so it will affect the photos for sure.

As for the body : it's always hard to tell whether a IIa works well, or not, after a few minutes testing. They generally need some service (CLA of the focusing gear, CLA of the slow speeds escapement, cleaning of the optical parts, and careful inspection of how the shutter performs at 1/500 and 1/1250).

$150-$200 USD for the body. The lens comes for free.

 

[hamish_gill]

Thanks for the thoughts.

The focusing "wheel" works fine, smooth as anything. It just rattles a little when I focus closer ... it sounds dry

 

[hamish_gill]

The lens is dead. It may be usable but the separation is now severe so it will affect the photos for sure.

As for the body : it's always hard to tell whether a IIa works well, or not, after a few minutes testing. They generally need some service (CLA of the focusing gear, CLA of the slow speeds escapement, cleaning of the optical parts, and careful inspection of how the shutter performs at 1/500 and 1/1250).

$150-$200 USD for the body. The lens comes for free.

Thanks ... thats around what I was thinking, so that is useful!

I will get it CLA'd at some point, but I'm happy its working to the point it is... the duff lens is a great shame I think. If I like it, I suspect I will buy another.

 

[Highway 61]

... the duff lens is a great shame I think. If I like it, I suspect I will buy another.

If so, be after a "Zeiss Opton" lens, not a "Carl Zeiss" one, to avoid finding one with the same separation problems.

Is this IIa a "black dial" or a "color dial" one ? The "black dial" are less prone to have shutter release problems, but both may present the infamous "shutter blanking" at 1/500 and 1/1250.

 

[hamish_gill]

opton, noted, thanks!
Whats "shutter blanking"?
its a colour dial

 

[coelacanth]

As a reference point, I just got IIa color dial in excellent+ cosmetic condition (no pitting, everything super smooth, clean VF/RF, tiny two ziess bumps in cover), all shutter speeds sounding reasonable, with bunch of original paperworks, case, filters, flash kit and 50/2 Sonnar Opton also in excellent+ shape with no separation or haze for $250 from an RFF member. It sure is a thing of beauty.

 

[Highway 61]

Whats "shutter blanking"?

The shutter always running closed at 1/1250 and closed at 1/500 too if you use the selftimer.

 

[Vics]

The other day, one of the strap lugs on my IIIa fell out. Known problem. Don''t use a wrist strap!

 

[farlymac]

Too bad about that lens. It's just a fancy body cap now. My IIa only rattles if I grab the lens barrel to focus, but not with the wheel, so I think it's a matter of gear lash-up you hear. The Opton-Sonnar is definitely the lens to find, f2 or f1.5, though you'll pay a premium for the f1.5.

Look for Nikkors with the 'C' mark on the barrel of the telephoto, or in 35mm without the mark. And get a decent set of 40.5mm filters and hood. There are some decent FSU Jupiter lenses, but steer clear of the J-12 35mm, as it will not fit the IIa.

Good price on the body is around $150 I'd think. The store sticker might add a little to it, some folks like that kind of thing.

PF

 

[Vics]

Oh, and don't lose the take-up spool.