Which one is better IIa or IIIa?

[Dan Chang]

CD vs. BD?

 

[FrankS]

I'll be watching this thread closely, eager to learn about Contax. All I know so far is that CD bodies sell for more, they have a standard PC flash connection, and they are the most recent and last bodies made.

 

[JoeFriday]

I don't know if one could say the CD is better than the BD.. it has a few slight enhancements which could justify the higher price tag.. but most users probably wouldn't take advantage of those features, so it's more of a personal preference

as for IIIa or IIa, the only difference is the meter in the IIIa.. most of the meters in 50 year old cameras aren't working or at least aren't reliable, so it really comes down to aesthetics.. I really like the sleek lines of the IIa, but others might prefer the looks of the IIIa

the bottom line is mostly what appeals to you and what you're willing to pay

 

[back alley]

cd?

bd?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The IIa was originally the "little brother" to the more expensive IIIa which incorporated the "state-of-the-Art" in Metering Technology. These days, most people will pay more for the IIa to get rid of the funny looking bump on top of the camera. Other than the meter, they are the same camera.


MY IIIa has a good Meter!

Contax IIIa, 5cm F2 Sonnar, uncoated version, wide-open:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/data/3204/nikkihat1a.jpg

 

[Honu-Hugger]

cd?

bd?

Color Dial, Black Dial...the question actually was IIa versus IIIa. I can not enter the discussion because do to so might reveal my obvious bias towards the sleek lines of the IIa and I prefer to keep my opinions on this subject to myself. 😉
P. S. The Color Dial series represented Zeiss' change from a mechanical flash synch (1360 or 1361, bulb or electronic) to the standard PC terminal. With a Black Dial camera to use flash you also need the proper synch cable; with the Color Dial it is standard.

 

[back alley]

ah, yes. thanks doug!

joe

 

[JoeFriday]

Color Dial, Black Dial...the question actually was IIa versus IIIa. I can not enter the discussion because do to so might reveal my obvious bias towards the sleek lines of the IIa and I prefer to keep my opinions on this subject to myself. 😉
P. S. The Color Dial series represented Zeiss' change from a mechanical flash synch (1360 or 1361, bulb or electronic) to the standard PC terminal. With a Black Dial camera to use flash you also need the proper synch cable; with the Color Dial it is standard.

yeah, what he said

 

[akalai]

Easy...

IIa CD....nothing superfluous!

...because it's small, sleek, last of the line and the central, low position of the accessory shoe above the lens mount means it is perfect for placing any wide angle finder to transform this camera into the ultimate wide angle shooter.

Now, anyone seen my 21mm Biogon...it's out there somewhere!!!

 

[Honu-Hugger]

Sorry, correction: 1361 is the bulb synch (R), 1366 is the electronic synch (L).

 

[rover]

Sure, meter or no? Ugly lump on the top or no? Silly sync or PC sync? Who uses flash on a Contax?

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

cd?

bd?

dykwtta? ips! jliuwg. 😉

 

[Honu-Hugger]

Sure, meter or no? Ugly lump on the top or no? Silly sync or PC sync? Who uses flash on a Contax?

As long as it's out I may as well go scare the cat (he loves the flash) 😀

 

[Pherdinand]

"black dials are also a bit easier to repair" (a legend that might be true)

 

[JoeFriday]

As long as it's out I may as well go scare the cat (he loves the flash) 😀

that thing would scare me, too!

 

[JoeFriday]

and speaking of Contax repairs.. I'm now #52 on Henry's list.. at this rate, I'll have to hurry up and box my IIa up in a year to send to him

 

[Sonnar Brian]

D2, THAT IS A BIG FLASH!

Makes the Leitz flashes look, well, inadequate.

But I can pop 5 AG-1's in my Canon flash and outlast a Flashcube!

 

[Honu-Hugger]

As for Dan's original question; as is often the case it's not a clear-cut "one is better than the other." First, do you want a metered camera or not? Last I heard Henry Scherer has the parts to refurbish the meters completely, regardless of what is wrong with the existing one. That choice having been made then it really comes down to the question of the flash synch and any importance you might place on collectibility: you will pay a higher price for a CD model than a BD. Internally there is no significant difference in the inner workings aside from what was necessary to facilitate the PC terminal. Unless I plan to use a flash most of the time I give no preference at all to what camera I grab to use; CD or BD makes absolutely no difference, it's what has what film in it, or what lens is on, or whichever one is handy at the time.

 

[rover]

As long as it's out I may as well go scare the cat (he loves the flash) 😀

I can hear the POP!!

 

[rover]

and speaking of Contax repairs.. I'm now #52 on Henry's list.. at this rate, I'll have to hurry up and box my IIa up in a year to send to him

Hey, #55 this morning so if you happened to foget to send him your camera.....

then I am #54!!!

I am thinking 2007.