dxq.canada
Established
If the curtain is uneven then there is a problem with the straps ... as the shutter does not move down, it sounds like a problem with the spring in the lower roller, or possibly someone has been in there and not wound up the spring correctly.
You should get someone to service it.
You should get someone to service it.
bbennett
Newbie
I suspect you may be right. I don't have any reason to believe someone has been inside this one, but I do think it's in need of repair, likely just due to old age and sitting around. I've reached out to Oleg, he's been recommended on more than a few occasions which helps me feel at ease. I did not like the "vibe" of the local shop I initially brought it to and wouldn't have wanted them opening it up. Oleg sounds like he's done quite a few of these.
Pioneer
Mentor
I am very biased but if that were my camera I would have it repaired as soon as I could. They were top of the line cameras in their day, even better than the Leica cameras, though I am sure that will cause a bit of consternation among some on this forum. 
I personally own and regularly use a Contax II and in my opinion they are terrific cameras. Mine runs very smoothly and I very much enjoy working with it. In fact in the past couple of years I have sold my Leica M cameras as they did not get as much use as they should to keep them properly exercised. I don't hate Leica, they are fine cameras and I have owned and enjoyed several of them. I just much prefer Contax, maybe it is age.
As for the shutter curtain ribbons, contrary to popular opinion, they actually can withstand quite a bit of use before they finally wear out and break. Though I do not shoot as much as a pro would have back in the day I have been using my Contax II pretty steadily for a bit over 10 years since the last service. By my count have run almost 500 rolls of film through the camera during that period. Not only have the ribbons held up just fine, the shutter speeds are still accurate and so is the rangefinder.
Everybody has their own preferred cameras, and that is how it should be, but modern does not necessarily mean better, just newer. Even Nikon thought the Contax design was pretty good as they copied it at the end of World War II. That decision does not appear to have hurt their business at all. That Contax camera you own is very much worth spending some money on to get it running again.
Just my two cents for whatever that is worth.
I personally own and regularly use a Contax II and in my opinion they are terrific cameras. Mine runs very smoothly and I very much enjoy working with it. In fact in the past couple of years I have sold my Leica M cameras as they did not get as much use as they should to keep them properly exercised. I don't hate Leica, they are fine cameras and I have owned and enjoyed several of them. I just much prefer Contax, maybe it is age.As for the shutter curtain ribbons, contrary to popular opinion, they actually can withstand quite a bit of use before they finally wear out and break. Though I do not shoot as much as a pro would have back in the day I have been using my Contax II pretty steadily for a bit over 10 years since the last service. By my count have run almost 500 rolls of film through the camera during that period. Not only have the ribbons held up just fine, the shutter speeds are still accurate and so is the rangefinder.
Everybody has their own preferred cameras, and that is how it should be, but modern does not necessarily mean better, just newer. Even Nikon thought the Contax design was pretty good as they copied it at the end of World War II. That decision does not appear to have hurt their business at all. That Contax camera you own is very much worth spending some money on to get it running again.
Just my two cents for whatever that is worth.
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I would get the Contax repaired.
The Nikon Rangefinder uses the bayonet mount with internal helical, and looks like a Contax... BUT the rangefinder mechanism is closer to the Leica, with an RF roller that rides the back of the helical of the mount rather than an RF cam on he back of the lens. The helical is not geared to drive the RF mechanism as it is on the Contax. The shutter of the Nikon is similar to the Leica horizontal travel cloth shutter. The lenses for the Nikon are made to the Leica 51.6mm standard, not the Contax 52.4mm standard. Nikon made two prototype cameras with a Leica mount. I suspect Nicca, Canon, and others made the market crowded for Leica copies, Nikon wanted to look different. They also made most of their money selling lenses, in S-Mount, Contax Mount, Leica mount, and even for Exakta.
The Nikon Rangefinder uses the bayonet mount with internal helical, and looks like a Contax... BUT the rangefinder mechanism is closer to the Leica, with an RF roller that rides the back of the helical of the mount rather than an RF cam on he back of the lens. The helical is not geared to drive the RF mechanism as it is on the Contax. The shutter of the Nikon is similar to the Leica horizontal travel cloth shutter. The lenses for the Nikon are made to the Leica 51.6mm standard, not the Contax 52.4mm standard. Nikon made two prototype cameras with a Leica mount. I suspect Nicca, Canon, and others made the market crowded for Leica copies, Nikon wanted to look different. They also made most of their money selling lenses, in S-Mount, Contax Mount, Leica mount, and even for Exakta.
bbennett
Newbie
Thank you for all of this input, and appreciate hearing both of your takes on it. I will be getting it serviced. It should be in the mail by the end of the week! I've done quite a bit of homework on the camera since getting it, so now that I'm aware of the history and build quality that comes with it, it seems like a no brainer. I'll be very excited once it comes back working! I'm really hoping the glass is in as good shape as it seems, but we'll have to see what comes out of it once we get a roll of film in there.
wlewisiii
Just another hotel clerk
Having now had the pleasure of using all of the big contenders, my preference is for the Nikon RF series followed by the Canons as users. The Contax II was far better than the Leica II/III but the M's were better than the Contax. The M & Nikons were arguably neck & neck but Leica stayed with RF while Nikon, well, we all know where the "F" they went ...
bbennett, I am very glad to hear it's going out to the spa this week. My S2, it seems, will need a similar vacation soon as the slow speed train is giving me grief. Fortunately the high speeds are working fine so while I wait for my budget to recover from buying a couple of beautiful lenses for it _and_ 100' of HP5, I can still use it. It'll go to Mr. Hama in Atlanta though, just as soon as it can because, as you say, it's a no brainer.
bbennett, I am very glad to hear it's going out to the spa this week. My S2, it seems, will need a similar vacation soon as the slow speed train is giving me grief. Fortunately the high speeds are working fine so while I wait for my budget to recover from buying a couple of beautiful lenses for it _and_ 100' of HP5, I can still use it
. It'll go to Mr. Hama in Atlanta though, just as soon as it can because, as you say, it's a no brainer.
Be sure to post once it is back from repair.
You are in for a treat using this camera. The shutter sound alone sets it apart from anything else I use.
You can also use the Russian Jupiter lenses on it, these are with a 1955 Jupiter-3 5cm F1.5.
My daughter- some 15 years ago, on the move with her "Heelies".
homebrandcrumpet
Newbie
Thanks for any tech recommendations! I've been trying to track down repair options (ideally in the southern hemisphere), but have been pretty wary since the Brandon Monroe saga. Sounds like he made off with a few people's cameras.
milescl
Well-known
At this point in 2024, Oleg Khalyavin in Slovakia, Radu of 3R in Florida, and Kanto Camera in Tokyo might be the last best options for prewar Contax repair.
bbennett
Newbie
I’ll most definitely follow up post repair. I’ve been working off this list to figure out compatible lenses, Contax rangefinder lenses - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia, but if you have a better list I’d love to see it. I’m not sure how many you’ve used, but do any lenses stand out in particular over the others? I’m planning on getting my camera and lens back first so I can test it out before getting another lens, but since I did get the adapter as well, they’d be able to be used on a few cameras I’ve got, so I may expand my collection.
wlewisiii
Just another hotel clerk
Now you'll get into opinion land fast
Sonnar Brian let you know the very real virtues of the sonnars that Zeiss made for them. TL'DR: they're all good. I'll also say that if you can score one of the uncoated 50/3.5 collapsible Tessars it's well worth the money. Yes, it is slower and it is not sharp all the way to the edges, rather it starts out sharp in the center and then gets smoother and softer towards the edges. It's a look I particularly like.