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

darkkavenger

darkkavenger

Massimiliano Mortillaro
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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 :D

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!
 
darkkavenger said:
Here I go with my questions :D

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!
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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.
 
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 :)
 
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.
 
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.
 
rover said:
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.
Click to expand...

I would be very much in the same configuration :)
 
darkkavenger said:
I thought of this as a possible quirk, I can now say that this Contax III will ship with a J12 ;)
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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.
 
dexdog said:
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.
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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 :)
 
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?
 
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