Highway 61
Revisited
Nice outfit, Tim. This version of the Sonnar f/2 (immediate postwar Jena production) may be the best.
I have an identical front push-on aluminum lens cap with what looks like a generic Zeiss logo. Could be an early example of aftermarket accessories being close copies of the original ones. No felt lining inside it, so it's prone to scratch the lens nose.
I have an identical front push-on aluminum lens cap with what looks like a generic Zeiss logo. Could be an early example of aftermarket accessories being close copies of the original ones. No felt lining inside it, so it's prone to scratch the lens nose.
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
Contax I (version 5 and v4)
Contax I (version 7)
Contax I (version 7)
Timmyjoe
Mentor
Thanks Highway 61. I've read that Jena went to aluminum post-war with the Sonnar glass for the Contax, but this one is definitely chrome plated brass. And Yeah, that lens cap has scratched up the knurled surface on the blacked brass ring around the front lens element. Luckily the element is recessed enough to be safe.
Best,
-Tim
Timmyjoe
Mentor
Fun camera for interesting light shots, even back lit (which I was expecting to flare much more than it did):
Contax IIIa w/CZJ postwar 5cm f2 T Sonnar
and just goofy stuff:
Contax IIIa w/CZJ postwar 5cm f2 T Sonnar
Best,
-Tim
Contax IIIa w/CZJ postwar 5cm f2 T Sonnar
and just goofy stuff:
Contax IIIa w/CZJ postwar 5cm f2 T Sonnar
Best,
-Tim
markjwyatt
Well-known
My Contax iia outfitted with the Carl Zeiss 35mm f2.8 Biogon and a Carl Zeiss Jena Universal Finder
Zeiss Ikon Contax iia by Mark Wyatt, on Flickr
Zeiss Ikon Contax iia by Mark Wyatt, on Flickr
Swift1
Mentor
I really shouldn't be buying any more cameras, as I can't really even use the ones I have, but I recently ran across this IIIa and CZJ Sonnar 5cm f/1.5 in mostly excellent condition. The rangefinder patch is a bit faint, but the price of the kit was such that I couldn't not buy it 
Very nice, Colton! I have the same combination, except mine has an Opton Sonnar. Bought the body from a RFF forum member and the lens from a guy in India. Camera's focusing helix was stiff and the viewfinder was hazy, so I sent it off to Steve Serota for a CLA. Lovely camera now! Hope you enjoy yours... Say, does yours have "Zeiss bumps" on the back? Mine did, removed during the CLA.
Swift1
Mentor
Thanks Doug.
I think that my lens is a possibly uncommon wartime variant. It has tabs on the aperture ring, and it has the red T.
The camera body has no Zeiss bumps.
largedrink
Down Under
My IIIa and IIa:
p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
My IIIa and IIa:
This is so beautiful!
drmatthes
Zeiss Addict
The Three Graces
trying to share this in higher resolution:
Contax I - pre-WW2 Tessar 2.8/5cm, Contax II - wartime Biogon 2.8/3.5 cm T, Contax III - pre-WW2 Sonnar 1.5/5 cm
trying to share this in higher resolution:
Contax I - pre-WW2 Tessar 2.8/5cm, Contax II - wartime Biogon 2.8/3.5 cm T, Contax III - pre-WW2 Sonnar 1.5/5 cm
Last edited:
stuart_115
Member
Here is mine, its a Contax III from 1936.
De lens is a post war 50 mm Sonnar f/2 from Jena.
De lens is a post war 50 mm Sonnar f/2 from Jena.
Last edited:
Greyscale
Mentor
Greyscale
Mentor
drmatthes
Zeiss Addict
:dance:
Shocking event yesterday: Thunder from my backoffice! The Three Graces fell - well, not from grace but from a shifted display support glass plate, and thus hit the folding Nettars and Ikontas one storey below :bang:. Second glass plate stayed in place, though. The 2/8.5 Sonnar and the Proxar box got stuck somewhere in between and partially blocked the front door which kept things from falling all the way down to the floor except the Contax III. What a mess. Well, nobody was hurt, not even the camera bodies. Checked them, all in working order, even the Contax III light meter says there's light when there's light, shutter fires, too:dance:. The sturdy Nettars and Ikontas didn't mind anyway. Took me an hour to get things tidy and checked. Will try and get a better display. :angel: - One of the worse days in my life came to be a good one after all.
The Three Graces
trying to share this in higher resolution:
Contax I - pre-WW2 Tessar 2.8/5cm, Contax II - wartime Biogon 2.8/3.5 cm T, Contax III - pre-WW2 Sonnar 1.5/5 cm
Shocking event yesterday: Thunder from my backoffice! The Three Graces fell - well, not from grace but from a shifted display support glass plate, and thus hit the folding Nettars and Ikontas one storey below :bang:. Second glass plate stayed in place, though. The 2/8.5 Sonnar and the Proxar box got stuck somewhere in between and partially blocked the front door which kept things from falling all the way down to the floor except the Contax III. What a mess. Well, nobody was hurt, not even the camera bodies. Checked them, all in working order, even the Contax III light meter says there's light when there's light, shutter fires, too:dance:. The sturdy Nettars and Ikontas didn't mind anyway. Took me an hour to get things tidy and checked. Will try and get a better display. :angel: - One of the worse days in my life came to be a good one after all.
Last edited:
markjwyatt
Well-known
Thank goodness you avoided a total Contaxstrophe!
Glad there was no damage. It would have been a real shame.
Shafovaloff1
Well-known
Bought a Contax IIa, black lettering, had need for lubrication..just a small amount, and somehow it had a slight bend where the 2nd curtain joined the first....a delicate repair..I was certain to do without having any coffee! What I can see of the ribbons they are in nice shape. Oh, this camera sounds sweet! A deal on the 'bay site due to the small defects...so happy the 50/2 Sonnar-Opton, 135/3.5 Nikkor and leather case came with it.
Tim V
Member
My first post here on RFF. Here is my new iiia with as close to new condition as can get 35mm biogon and beat-up Leitz finder.
I’m used to using Leica M and this is very lovely and tactile, although I think ergonomics somewhat pragmatic - read boxy - in comparison to the M3 that came after.
I had my camera tech friend give this a complete overhaul and it runs perfect - he has worked as an official Nikon and Olympus service and repair person for many years and said the shutter was very, very tricky to get right, even with specialist calibrating equipment.
This is my everyday camera. I have a 50mm Zeiss-Opton Sonnar f2 on the way to complete my kit.
I’m used to using Leica M and this is very lovely and tactile, although I think ergonomics somewhat pragmatic - read boxy - in comparison to the M3 that came after.
I had my camera tech friend give this a complete overhaul and it runs perfect - he has worked as an official Nikon and Olympus service and repair person for many years and said the shutter was very, very tricky to get right, even with specialist calibrating equipment.
This is my everyday camera. I have a 50mm Zeiss-Opton Sonnar f2 on the way to complete my kit.
Attachments
Tim V
Member
PS: I now dream of the prettier iia without the light meter hump. But hey, at least it works and seems vaguely accurate!
farlymac
PF McFarland
My IIa and Contaflex 2, both after repairs (the 'Flex was a total overhaul).
Zeiss Ikon Cousins by P F McFarland, on Flickr
PF
Zeiss Ikon Cousins by P F McFarland, on Flickr
PF