Zeiss Contina III stiff focus setting

[solo]

:bang: I've got this Contina III with Pantar 1:2.8. Works fine, except distance setting ring is soooo stiff. Almost unusable. Is there something I can do, lubricating?
Please help.
Thanks!! solo

 

[ERV]

I have a Contina II with an Opton Tessar lens that has a very stiff rangefinder/ distance knob (the dial on top right).
I just guess the distance and set the lens distance ring accordingly and it works fine.
The quality of the lens is incredible- right up there with my contax 11a lenses.
I should use it more...
happy snaps!

 

[solo]

Thanks guys! Mine (III) has detachable front lens. Under the lens, I see 4 little screws. Maybe I should try taking them out and see what's there. I am afraid I can damage shutter spring or something which is intact.

 

[bmattock]

Thanks guys! Mine (III) has detachable front lens. Under the lens, I see 4 little screws. Maybe I should try taking them out and see what's there. I am afraid I can damage shutter spring or something which is intact.

No, I took mine out, no problems there. But my focus was stiff as well, and I never did quite figure out how to fix it. It is in the lens, though. When I put my 75mm or 35mm cells on the Contina III, they turn nicely.

By the way - sad to say, but I'm somewhat disappointed with the overall quality of the Pantar lens compared to the Contina IIa with the Novar Anistigmat. Three-element versus four-element tessar clone, I guess. But I thought it would be a bit nicer.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[solo]

Thanks, Bill. I will try to take the lens apart later today.
I also need to test the camera with a film to see how good it works. Wish me luck!

 

[bmattock]

Best of luck!

 

[solo]

Dear Bill,

You were correct! It was not the camera, but the Pantar lens itself!
I took the screws out but there were no moving parts what so ever. And I took the Pantar lens apart. Boy, a ton of gunk in it! Putting those back took a little while and distance is still a question, so I need to test it. Anyway, what an experience and thanks for your advice!! solo