Which one is better IIa or IIIa?

Henry put a new meter cell in my IIIa when he overhauled it last year. It's very accurate - I've even used it when shooting slide film. Not very good in low light, though.

I'm moving to larger formats and will probably sell my IIIa. I just want to wait a bit longer to be certain. But I am selling off a few lenses. hard to part with the 50/1.5 Sonnar, though!

Robert
 
I have acquired over the years about 10 Contax cameras. I have II's, III's, IIa BD, IIa CD, IIIa BD, and a IIIa CD. I never managed to find a reasonable Contax I. The II and the IIa were the less expensive models when new-the opposite of today's market. When they were in production Contax would convert a II to a III, and a IIa to a IIIa. The metering units are modular, and all that was required was to remove the top plates and screw in the metering unit. I don't know if the factory ever converted black dials to color dials-but it would be interesting to know. My personal preference is the IIa black dial, as the shutter release mechanism on the color dial is much more complex, and prone to hanging up. Easily fixed with a cla however. I never understood why the Contax never achieved the collectors status of the Leica. I've bought complete Contax setups for 1/3 of what I've paid for a Leica lens.
 
RObert Budding said:
Henry put a new meter cell in my IIIa when he overhauled it last year. It's very accurate - I've even used it when shooting slide film. Not very good in low light, though.

I'm moving to larger formats and will probably sell my IIIa. I just want to wait a bit longer to be certain. But I am selling off a few lenses. hard to part with the 50/1.5 Sonnar, though!

Robert
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Hi Robert, I might be interested in the IIIa if you sell it. I'm around the school from now until the end of the term so maybe we can meet up.

Rob
 
We should get together and chat, Rob. I'm at NESOP on Thurday evenings - I'm enrolled in Steve's lighting class. And once in a while I make it in on Tuesdays to work in the darkroom.

Robert
 
By the way, given the choice, I would opt for the IIa -- simply because of the weight savings of losing the meter. Doesn't sounc like much, but hang it from your neck all day, and you'll see what I mean.

Of course, it doesn't weigh as much as a Kodak Medalist.
 
when you mount a sonnar or jupiter 85/2 on it, even the meterless contax or kiev becomes a big heavy beast...
 
I've always much preferred the look of the Contax IIA personally and held-out quite a while until very recently to find a nice one (pictured). Add the turret to it and it becomes quite tall too!

I've never been a fan of selenium meters - too insensitive in low light and its hard to know where exactly they are pointing.
 
I got notification from Henry also, he has my Contax IIa Black Dial with 50mm f1.5 Opton ready. He said he will be done testing on Thursday. He went through the camera last week and CLA and overhauled it lasty week. I got this camera through his buying program.

I'm looking forward to getting and using the camera.

Leo
 
The list moved up two places last week. Leo, a report back when you get your camera would be great. I am sure it will be all postive comments, I would love to hear your thoughts when you get your new baby though.
 
i predict a glut of canon equipment on the rff market soon as rover will be selling off his canon gear and buying contax :)
 
Hey Rover, I'll trade a really nice Jupiter 9 CRF mount for the Canon 50/1.8... :D

More seriously, that should be a really nice camera.

William
 
I will give and update when I receive my Henry Scherer overhauled Contax IIa. The list at his site does move very slowly. I sent him a deposit the End of Janurary and he found the camera fairly quickly, but it took until last week to move up the list so he could work on it.
February until next week, mid November, about 9 months. From what others have said it will be well worth the wait.

Leo
 
back alley said:
i predict a glut of canon equipment on the rff market soon as rover will be selling off his canon gear and buying contax :)
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Um, no.....

Ok, everyone go home, nothing here to see. There is no sale today and there will not be one in the future.

I just want the Contax 1) because I think it is the coolest looking camera ever and 2) for the 50mm lens/lenses.
 
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