Willing to trade a Contax III for a Bessa R2C / Should I?

[darkkavenger]

Hello all,

I haven't been here for a very long while! I have two Contax RFs, a III and a IIIA. I've seldom used my III, although it was fully overhauled including meter by Henry Scherer. Mine just sits on the shelf jealously looking at his younger brother (with whom I have such a tight relationship that I can't even remember how/where I bought it!) and at his phat cousin the Pentacon Six.

Having no ties or special love for this Contax III (purchased about 3-4 yr ago from FrankS if I remember?), I am willing to exchange it for a Bessa R2C or some recent, practical RF camera. I just like looking at it, but I don't feel any kind of bond or excitement at using it (unlike what I have with my IIIA or with my former Kiev-2A).

Here I go with my questions 😀

1. do you think that the Bessa R2C is worth giving a try, for someone who's deeply used to Contax and Kiev cameras?

2. are there any quirks on R2C cameras?

3. do you think that would a fair exchange?

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

 

[dexdog]

Here I go with my questions 😀

1. do you think that the Bessa R2C is worth giving a try, for someone who's deeply used to Contax and Kiev cameras?

2. are there any quirks on R2C cameras?

3. do you think that would a fair exchange?

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

1. The R2C is a pretty nice camera, and the onboard meter is convenient and useful. The 1/2000 shutter speed is a bonus, makes it easier to shoot the 50/1.5 and 50/2 Sonnars wide open. The 85/2 lens is less easy to focus than on the Contax III, but still possible.

2. No quirks, IMO. Shutter is mechanical, not battery dependent. Shutter is a bit loud, but about the same or quieter than an SLR.

3. I think that you would owe the Bessa owner some cash- seems that the R2Cs sell for $400-$500 on US eBay; Contax IIIs usually don't sell for this kind of money, even with a Scherer overhaul. Not sure if these prices are reflective of Europe, though.

Just my two cents.

 

[darkkavenger]

Hi dexdog,

thanks for your insights on the matter, it's very much appreciated! I will think about it and eventually the Contax III will end up on WTT section 🙂

 

[dexdog]

Oh, I guess that I should have mentioned one quirk- the large rear element of the pre-WW2 CZJ Biogon will hit contact shutter of the R2C, and cannot be used for this reason. Same goes for the J12, too.

 

[darkkavenger]

I thought of this as a possible quirk, I can now say that this Contax III will ship with a J12 😉

 

[rover]

I would be very tempted to do the same, trade an "extra" Contax for a Bessa R2C. I personally would only use a 50mm lens, so having that bright finder and meter would be a great bonus for my Sonnar.

 

[darkkavenger]

I would be very tempted to do the same, trade an "extra" Contax for a Bessa R2C. I personally would only use a 50mm lens, so having that bright finder and meter would be a great bonus for my Sonnar.

I would be very much in the same configuration 🙂

 

[dexdog]

I thought of this as a possible quirk, I can now say that this Contax III will ship with a J12 😉

darkavenger, you have a CZJ Biometar, if I remember correctly. It is my favorite 35mm lens for the Contax- I even prefer it to my post WW2 Zeiss-Opton Biogon. The Biometar fits on the R2C no problem.

 

[gdmcclintock]

I have a Contax II, IIa, and Bessa R2C. I use them all and am delighted to have them.

 

[darkkavenger]

darkavenger, you have a CZJ Biometar, if I remember correctly. It is my favorite 35mm lens for the Contax- I even prefer it to my post WW2 Zeiss-Opton Biogon. The Biometar fits on the R2C no problem.

Unfortunately, I don't own one, I nearly hit one in ebay for 62$ a few years ago but due to slow internet I got overbidded 🙁 It was a very nice looking lens. I had to sell my RF lens outfit about 3 years ago due to unemployment, and I never really re-fitted my line-up. I am still around with a Zeiss-Opton Sonnar 50/2, a J8M, a J12 (bought in Ukraine by myself at a portrait photographer's shop!) and a Menopta (Helios 103) kindly donated years ago by a fellow RFF member 🙂

 

[darkkavenger]

I have a Contax II, IIa, and Bessa R2C. I use them all and am delighted to have them.

You're a lucky man ;-)

 

[darkkavenger]

Additionally (I know it's out of topic) I'm unable to submit a Want To Trade ad, step 2 shows an empty box, is this a known issue?

 

[darkkavenger]

I finally got it, and the item is up for trade on WTT section!