28mm f2 Contax hits mirror on Yashica Super 2000

Policar · Apr 13, 2020

I recently bought a 24mm f2 Contax and tried it out with a Yashica Super 2000 camera.

Unfortunately, it hit the mirror, damaging it.

Any ideas why? I'm not sure what to do. This is my fist Contax lens and SLR so I suspect user error, but I'm also wary that any manufacturer would allow this to happen. Maybe I mounted the lens wrong? Thanks.

jimjm · Apr 13, 2020

Not sure about your Yashica, but this is a known issue on some Contax bodies which use the same lens mount, also made in Japan. I have an RTSII which has the same problem, I just haven't gotten around to fixing mine yet.
The issue is that the adhesive holding the mirror to it's frame is slipping, so the the mirror my be sitting 1 or 2 mm lower and hitting the rear of some lenses as it swings up for the exposure.
There seem to be a variety of fixes out there, all involve carefully removing the mirror and reattaching it with new adhesive or double-backed tape.
There should be a few folks here on Photrio who have done this and can pass on their recommendation, but I think there are some other existing threads already.

Horatio · Apr 13, 2020

The lens may sit too deeply in the camera body. Is then lens for a digital camera? I know Canon digital lenses cannot be used on film bodies because of this issue.

jimjm · Apr 13, 2020

OP, is this the 28mm f:2 Zeiss Distagon T lens you're having the problem with? I don't believe that Zeiss made a 24mm lens in the C/Y mount.
The Zeiss 28/2 lens is listed as a compatible lens in the Yashica FX-3 Super 2000 quick guide, so the problem is not likely to be the lens.

My Contax RTSII with the slipping mirror only has problems with the 28/2.8 Zeiss lens, while it's fine with the 50/1.7 lens. Both lenses are OK on my RTS body which has no problem with the mirror.
Most Yashica or Contax lenses in the C/Y mount should fit your camera without any problem, especially a common focal length like 28mm.

ic-racer · Apr 13, 2020

Screw #3 moves the mirror upward and rearward (away from the lens) when it is loosened. This is to adjust focus along with screw #2 which affects the 45 degree position of the mirror. Perhaps these are messed up, causing the mirror to be too far forward. You can push on the mirror and see how screw #3 is keeping it from coming forward too far.

Policar · Apr 14, 2020

Thanks, everyone.

Yes, it is a 28mm f2 Distagon T*. My mistake.

It appears mirror is now damaged unfortunately from hitting the back of the lens. I looked for a screw that stops the mirror's forward motion and didn't see anything, but I'm not very familiar with these cameras. I just bought the camera and am going to ask for a refund, which is sad because it's in mint condition otherwise but the mirror appears to have been damaged now, too, so not sure it's worth repairing.

GarageBoy · May 1, 2020

Contax bodies have a reputation for having the mirror slide forward because of the glue they used which could cause mirror strike - not sure if this extended to the Yashica FX3 - forget the $10 body, be glad the lens didn't get damaged

Huss · May 2, 2020

Policar said:
It appears mirror is now damaged unfortunately from hitting the back of the lens. I looked for a screw that stops the mirror's forward motion and didn't see anything, but I'm not very familiar with these cameras. I just bought the camera and am going to ask for a refund, which is sad because it's in mint condition otherwise but the mirror appears to have been damaged now, too, so not sure it's worth repairing.

The camera was fine, you damaged the mirror (even though accidentally) and you want a refund on the camera?

Policar · Aug 25, 2020

Huss said:
The camera was fine, you damaged the mirror (even though accidentally) and you want a refund on the camera?

The camera wasn't fine, it was defective. It sounds like the mirror slid forward over time while it wasn't in use such that the mirror hit the rear element of the lens when I tried to use it.

Anyway, they didn't give me a refund.

John Koehrer · Aug 26, 2020

OK then. Assuming(!) the mirror slipped why not replace it? Take a look at camera repair parts
on the bay. You may have to search a couple of topics in sub categories but anyway.......
You can also get front surface mirrors and cut one down. How patient are you?

ic-racer · Aug 26, 2020

Repair that worked for me:

1) Gently lift up the mirror and drip acetone between the mirror and the mirror holder.
2) Carefully and very slowly work a blade between the glass and the mirror holder.
3) Re-apply acetone as needed.
4) In my case, when the mirror was free, I was able to re-position it and let it sit until the acetone evaporated.
5) The cameras I was working on were Yashica FX-3 2000 that looked like they had never been used. Perfect condition, except the mirror was 2mm too far forward. After the repair, the edge of the mirror is flush with the mirror holder. Now the camera works with all my lenses, including the 15mm Fisheye, which has the most protruding rear element of all my lenses. In the case of my cameras, clearly manufacturing defect. Probably why, after all these years, they were not used and sold as-is.

Patrick Robert James · Aug 26, 2020

Look up the Contax fix for the mirror. I think one way to do it is to apply heat. I'd avoid the acetone. You get that on plastic and the plastic is a goner. You should be able to heat up the mirror and slide it back in place, then a drop of glue on the end will keep it there. Don't use superglue though. That can fog optics. And if the mirror looks damaged it won't matter much to be honest. The camera will still work fine if you get the mirror back in place.

And I commend you on realizing that lenses are more important than cameras.....

ic-racer · Aug 26, 2020

One would certainly want to avoid heat with a FX-3 as it has a plastic top, a plastic trim ring around the lens mount and plastic focus screen, so those can easily melt with heat. Especially enough heat to melt two-sided-tape.

JensH · Aug 27, 2020

Patrick Robert James said:
Look up the Contax fix for the mirror. I think one way to do it is to apply heat. I'd avoid the acetone....

Hi,

my RTSII has the same problem...

Hmm, how much heat? 50°C, 70°C or more? A hair dryer to do so after removing the screen?

Best wishes
Jens

monopix · Dec 30, 2020

Jens Hallfeldt said:
Hi,

my RTSII has the same problem...

Hmm, how much heat? 50°C, 70°C or more? A hair dryer to do so after removing the screen?

Best wishes
Jens

Here's my procedure http://www.contax139.co.uk/mirror-replacement

JensH · Dec 30, 2020

monopix said:
Here's my procedure http://www.contax139.co.uk/mirror-replacement

Ah, great, thank you very much.

Best wishes
Jens

28mm f2 Contax hits mirror on Yashica Super 2000

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