Contax rangefinder repair bookcase

Here are some repair shops that ive heard good things about. Kiev 4 film camera from 1968 a russian soviet era rangefinder camera close look. Green berets ultralight bug out bag with gear recommendations duration. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.

Can those lenses be mounted on an mft body without interfering with internal body functions and damaging the camera. Its not an easy task to take this camera apart but the real fun begins here in part 3 where we repair the broken shutter and. Zeiss ikon contax iia type 56324 the contax iia was manufactured from 1950 to 1961, this one is what is known as a colordial model, the latter type made from 1954 to 1961, this one being made in mid 1956. At the outset, it doesnt seem like theres very much that i can add. Here is a photograph of the special lubricating oil i use to service contax cameras that are winterized. It pulls all the assets of the rangefinder sharper lenses, less internal movement, compact size together with the strengths of the slr incredible viewfinder and excellent autofocus to create a kind of supercamera.

You can see a contax 3a in the background, its a bit smaller and the engineering is great for a camera that was designed in the 2nd half of the war. Contax and kiev cameras are more complex and tighter tolerances might be required which goes against ussr mass production processes. Please note the contax iiaiiia were designed by the zeiss factory not to have a vertical rangefinder. Its also one of the best 35mm cameras ive used all year. Oct 18, 2012 nikon rangefinders are at least easier to repair. People find out these old cameras, while being exceedingly beautiful, are practically unreliable due to their age, and look for a source of repairs. Now is a good time to remove the cover on the shutter.

Contax digital rangefinder camera leica talk forum. Many people shop for repairs by price only to find out. All contax rangefinders and other film cameras come in one of these three basic types as related to the cameras mode of focus. The adjustment requires removal of the front lens mount and movenent of the lens mount helical. Flickr is almost certainly the best online photo management and sharing application in the world. Finish was a little crude but this camera worked flawlessly. You cannot post new topics in this forum you cannot reply to topics in this forum you cannot edit your posts in this forum you cannot delete your posts in this forum. It doesnt matter how bad the condition of your contax iia or iiia is. The contax g2 is what a modern rangefinder should be. As stated in the rangefinder chapter in this web site all nikon rangefinder cameras 19481964 consist of just two designs.

The contax company is one such company, and its rangefinder camera is just one example of film cameras still readily available. Jan 19, 2018 the contax g2 is like no other rangefinder on earth. Jun 01, 2018 in his hand was the zeiss contax ii, then the finest 35mm film camera in the world. I am a specialist in repairing nonslr, pre1960 german cameras, like the rolleiflex, or contax iiaiiia, and screw mount leica cameras. Contax ii cameras today range from rusting, unusable pieces of junk to very clean examples. The zeiss sonnar were great designs, leading the fast 35mm lens class for at least 20 years. Among these cameras was the contax t, an unbelievably compact 35mm film rangefinder that somehow marries luxurious excess to simple practicality and impressive performance. By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies. Remove those, but mark them, because they are different lengths. Zeiss ikon contax ii rangefinder camera humberland. So much has been written about the g1 g2 from contax over the past ten years.

The chrometitanium s2 with a 5 mm spot metering system which covers the area within the microprism doughnut, and a blacktitanium s2b with centerweighted averaging metering and a slightly wider sensitivity range in low light levels. Zeiss ikon fixed focal length finder 435 for carl zeiss biogon 21mm f4. In part 2, we took apart the rangefinder and removed the shutter mechanism from the chassis. This tutorial video shows how to remove the top cover and access the shutter assembly of a contax. Have gotten more interested in photography of late just got a fujifilm xt2 which is fantastic and read web commentaries about the high quality contax g model series as an inspiration for the fuji xseries. It is a precision tool that deserves respect and must be treated with care.

Contaxkiev same as nikon scontax rangefinder adapted lens. Repairing nikon i m s rangefinder cameras nico van dijk. The contax i was zeiss answer to leicas offerings in the 35mm market, one leica effectively controlled since it helped to create it in 1925. I was lucky to borrow a used one from a camera store i worked in during my student days, along with the contemporary leica iiic, the contax with the 50mm sonnar, the leica with the 50mm summar. With it, he shot his magnificent eleven, eleven captivating photos of the dday landing. The individual assemblies and parts are interlocked with each other and you cant work on some parts without removing another part thats interlocked with it. No one else, anywhere, overhauls a contax iiaiiia camera to this level of completeness and quality. A solid glass block was used between the two ends of the rangefinder necessitating the viewfinder window being moved to be outside the rangefinder. Please note the contax iiaiiia were designed by the zeiss factory not to have a vertical rangefinder image adjustment.

Many considered the prewar contax the professional 35mm camera, while the leica was for amateurs. Contax iiiii shutter ribbons also applies to kiev 35mm rangefinder models. Some rangefinder cameras, such as contaxs own i ii iii and the nikon s series were focused with a small wheel on the body, operated with the index finger. I can also do work on many obscure and rare cameras with leaf shutters. The contax g2 camera is considered the worlds most advanced rangefinder camera. Do not use furniture cleaner, dust off or other commercial cleaner. Contax is originally the name of the famed 35mm rangefinder camera made from 1932 by zeiss ikon see contax rangefinder, which subsequently became the name of a pioneering singlelens reflex camera made from 1947 by the eastern part of zeiss ikon see contax s. Here you will find all the products from the ho scale department we were ab. Jan 07, 2011 suffice it to say here that former soviet union fsu lenses that use the kiev contax mount are totally compatible with the contax system. I was looking at an old russian 35mm lens jupiter 12 in a contax kiev rangefinder mount. The contax 2 contax 3 were both succeeded by the contax 2a contax 3a in the early 50s. The only way to have it right is to put it together right. Who favors a contax ii, iii, iia, iiia over a leica m. Rangefinder lenses use a proven focusing technology.

Products from lifelike welcome to the ho scale department from lifelike. Overhauling a contax iiiii shutter and rangefinder. The contax ii and iii used the same mount, as well as the postwar contax iia and iiia models this mount was also used by the kiev followers of the contax, from the first models to the kiev 5 nikon copied the mount for their own rangefinder cameras just after the war but, being this a. Contax and kiev cameras are more complex and tighter tolerances might be required which goes against ussr mass. Oct 10, 2007 flickr is almost certainly the best online photo management and sharing application in the world. Contax ii photographs, photographers and photography. All contax rangefinders and other film cameras come in one of these three basic types as.

Before the contax iia i own now, i had a 1957 kiev 2a. The cover over the rangefinder near the shutter controls is deeper leaving a wide groove between it and the cover plate carrying the contax name. The lens mount would turn only partially through the range roughly from 20 meters down to 6 meters. You can get contax kiev adapters to various mounts most seem to have been fabricated using the lens mounts from old rangefinder cameras. Browse top rangefinder brands like bushnell and golf buddy.

Six years later in 1950, zeiss released the contax iia, a major update to this incredible rangefinder, and nearly seventy years later it remains one of the best cameras ever. Maybe it would help if i clarified why i think this particular 35mm film camera is still relevant in 2010 and beyond. If shooting lawn furniture or dead trees against gray skies is your. It certainly is thinner than the t2, and about on par with the t3, but taller than the both of them due to the need to fit a rangefinder mechanism into the camera. The zeiss ikon contax camera repair website overhauling. Contax manual focus rangefinder film cameras for sale ebay. The zeiss contax was arguably the best 35mm rangefinder made before wwii, with a larger range of faster and sharper lenses than leica. Contax stylised as contax in the kyocera era began as a camera model in the zeiss ikon line in 1932, and later became a brand name. Contaxkiev rangefinder on mft micro four thirds talk. Great savings free delivery collection on many items.

We are the largest internet source of cosina voigtlander as well as classic camera information. The contax t my final word in pocket cameras by hern. The contax i was a high end 35 mm rangefinder system camera made by zeiss ikon to compete with leica models. It is a rangefinder manual focus, manualwind camera with an automatic electronic leaf shutter. See more ideas about vintage cameras, classic camera and old cameras. It is a superbly refined electronic, autofocus 35mm camera with the worlds best optics. In fact, its technological ethos employs certain tricks that are outright heresy to diehard fans of the classic rangefinder. To remove the cover fully, you have to depress the post on the film sprocket the flat edge of a small screwdriver works.

Zeiss ikon fixed focal length finder 435 for carl zeiss. The contax ii and iii used the same mount, as well as the postwar contax iia and iiia models. The contax iia and iiia were beautifully made cameras many will. The nikon i, m, ms and s use the same body, and most parts, control buttons and switches are identical. The curtains have previously been changed, maybe even. Zeisss finest rangefinder 35mm film camera, the contax ii, was manufactured in germany between 1936 and 1941. Hello select your address todays deals best sellers customer service find a gift registry new releases best sellers customer service find a gift. If the rangefinder prism has been reattached correctly, the prism should slide back and forth when you turn the wheel. The early cameras were among the finest in the world, typically featuring high quality zeiss interchangeable lenses.

The zeiss contax was arguably the best 35mm rangefinder made. Of course you need the right clubs and the perfect clothes, but what about those accessories so easily overlooked. Apr 01, 2018 canons eos rebel sl3 eos 250d is the latest in the companys line of diminutive dslrs. Youll find ball markers, rangefinders and scopes, training aids as well as putting aids and other gear to sharpen up your game as you shop ebay online.

Every contax camera i have seen has the same problem. With a 38mm lens, i often want to get closer, but other than that, the contax t is a marvelous camera with a great lens and great ergonomics. Cameras developed from the principle of the camera obscura, a simple. Get the best deal for contax manual focus rangefinder film cameras from the largest online selection at. It also offers auto exposure, auto loading, advance and rewind, and ttl metering for both flash and ambient light. Classic camera repairs we offer camera repairs on many classic cameras mostly all mechanical but some older electronic cameras as well ask we specialize in all nikon rangefinders and lenses all nikon f, f2, f3 and their lenses all mechanical leica rangefinders except the m5 zeiss contax iia, iiia rolleiflex tlr most but not all classic. Description classic, outofproduction, german rangefinder.

In recent years, kodaks and polaroids have joined the ranks of the most collectible cameras on the market, as has the bolex h model movie camera. I have 1012 kiev all did work, this stuttgart contax was beautiful and entirely dead, nothing did work, now refurbished by my repair man and camera in fully working order again. Contax iia and iiia cameras have become very popular in recent years. For anything more advanced not covered here or on the camera pages like the detailed gsn repair i walk through youll probably want to get the service manual, likely available at craigcamera or and maybe a general camera repair text like ed romneys popular if amateurishly published revised basic training in camera repair. This step is very timeconsuming and its one of the reasons why i hate working on the contax 2. Amazingly, with the proper adapter you can use nikon rangefinder and contax rangefinder lenses on your leica screw mount or m body and still have full rangefinder coupling two such adapters were made in the 1950s. Show off your favorite photos and videos to the world, securely and privately show content to your friends and family, or blog the photos and videos you take with a cameraphone. In summary classic contax rangefinder camera is not just a tool to take great photos, it is a masterpiece of engineering which is a delight to use, a pleasure just to hold and a pride to own. With the contaxleica screw mount adapter, the nikonleica screw mount adapter, and the standard leica screw mount to m bayonet adapters, you can use most lenses of all the four great classical rangefinder systems contax rf, nikon rf, leica screw mount, leica m on your new leica m. The contax i is a high end 35mm rangefinder camera made by zeiss ikon to compete with leica models.

Contax is a work of art, a product of ingenuity, precision craftsmanship and perfection both mechanically and optically. The first step was to determine what problems exist with the camera. Also contax ii and iii rf cameras are subject to fake, so please be aware. What are the different types of film cameras still available. The zeiss ikon contax camera repair website services i offer.

However, accurate kiev information has not been widely available in the west. Were finally here at the end of our contax 2 article. The contax g2 is the worlds most advanced rangefinder camera. Reliable repairman for contax rangefinder in the us. I guess i should be happy that the rangefinder and focus mechanism are still working. A camera that has been overhauled here will serve you reliably for many years and will be a great picture taking camera. The earlier ones are known as blackdial model, and were made from 1950 to 1954. My iia was made in the spring of 1953, it is going to celebrate 56 years birthday orio, administrator t ne cede malis audentior ito ferrania film is reborn. The contax i had six identifiable variants, but fundamentally identical. Buy and sell used contax rangefinder camera lenses at keh camera. And you can use fsu kiev contax wideangle lenses on nikons without a problem although the long lenses will run into the same contax nikon incompatibility.

Unlike many camera repair shops, i will repair cheap consumer cameras, and keep economics in mind while restoring function to your camera. So difference is not much at all between them and not always contax is. They tend to cost more than the typical selling price of an average jupiter 8 lens. Please post here any pictures taken with the contax t rangefinder. Most zeiss contax iiiii enthusiasts are familiar with the soviet unions contax copy, the kiev. Jan 18, 2016 you can get contax kiev adapters to various mounts most seem to have been fabricated using the lens mounts from old rangefinder cameras. This was an expensive and labor intensive camera to repair. The contax i, or original contax, is a 35 mm rangefinder camera made between 1932 and 1936 by zeiss ikon. I dont know if these adapters are any good search ebay and youll find them.

This mount was also used by the kiev followers of the contax, from the first models to the kiev 5. S2 viewfinder is somewhat nicer than contax, you need a nikon sp for a great viewfinder. Nevertheless, contax iiaiiia shutter jobs are expensive and few repair people work on. Nikon rangefinder rear lens cap or zeiss contax new old stock. I used a damp cloth on the leather portions and they really cleaned up very nicely. Recently, i picked up a contax ii in what i consider poor condition. Discussing contax t counter film repair in contax t. It basically works fine, the shutter fires on all speeds but the slow speeds are sluggish. Contaxkiev same as nikon scontax rangefinder adapted. Contax and nikon rangefinder screw and bayonet lenses. By the end of the week, the contax had claimed seven of those ten rolls of film and solidified its place in my mind as the ultimate traveling camera.

Barnack leica were simpler and very little could prevent the shutter andor the rangefinder to work. Save up to 40% off retail price and get a 180day warranty. Antique and vintage cameras are valued by collectors for countless reasons, from the historical significance of 19thcentury wood cameras to the fine optics of classic vintage leicas. The super nettel was based on the contax i, with the same kind of shutter, but a folding body, a fixed lens and a short based rangefinder. In 1973 the contax name was licensed to the japanese maker yashica by carl zeiss to create a prestigious brand of 35mm cameras. The contax t is about the size of a pack of playing cards, although admittedly it is much more densely built. The zeiss ikon contax camera repair website overhauling a.

Its a much more complicated machine and its engineering is nothing less than what i would expect from. The zeiss ikon contax i introduced a new lens mount in 1932, today known as contax rangefinder mount. Disassembling the contax 2s outer casing is more complicated than it sounds. I do not have those types of skills and must rely on others for repairs. May 21, 2010 a reader sent me this picture it appears to be a contax rangefinder just like this one here but with some additional buttons. Modifica contax g carl zeiss 16mm f8 hologon a leica. Will not fit the internal mount 50mm lenses, or the wide angles nikkors. The zeiss ikon contax camera repair website overhauling a contax i shutter. With an incredibly refined electronic autofocus, the. New original oem nikon nippon kogaku rear lens caps for telephoto lenses longer than 50mm for nikon or contax external mount telephoto lenses.

The contax t is a very highquality compact 35mm camera. Before you reattach the lens mount, youll need to reset the rangefinder to the infinity position. A week away with the contax t a perfect travel and. We sell a wide range of products ranging from adapters for lens mounts long past to the most current line up of lenses for sony, leica and nikon. Choose from a wide range of used rangefinder camera lenses and expand your collection. The additional dial appears to be the same as in recent canon dslrs see this canon dial sticker. Because the rangefinder camera doesnt have to work around a viewing mirror, they are almost always smaller and lighter than slr lenses. The nikon is a classic camera of the late 1950s that uses the nikon s mount, a bayonet mount that is similar to the contax c rangefinder mount used in classic contax rangefinders of the 1930s1960s not the current contax g range.