Camera ID!

Mogsby · Jul 26, 2016

Please could anyone ID the camera John Mills is holding. I am grateful for any input. the pic is a still from Ice Cold in Alex. My friend in Italy is a huge fan of the film, so If I can ID the camera and find one, its his Birthday present

Theo Sulphate · Jul 26, 2016

Contax III

Scroll down the page a bit:

https://www.cameraquest.com/zconrf2.htm

Mogsby · Jul 26, 2016

Theo Sulphate said:
Contax II

Thank you so much. Now to go google and Ebay . Any idea of a realistic price I should be looking at?.

Theo Sulphate · Jul 26, 2016

It's a III, actually.

They're somewhat expensive and, unfortunately, often not in good working order these days.

GRHazelton · Jul 26, 2016

And from what i understand - while a marvelous camera - repairs are, shall we say, expensive.

Mogsby · Jul 26, 2016

GRHazelton said:
And from what i understand - while a marvelous camera - repairs are, shall we say, expensive.

Theo Sulphate said:
It's a III, actually.

They're somewhat expensive and, unfortunately, often not in good working order these days.

I just had a quick look, heart in my mouth and a change of underwear . But it will be for display purpose for him, not used. I will keep looking. Or choose another present. he is amateur archaeology ww2 historian that is helping me to pinpoint my uncles plane crash site in Lusiana, Italy.

Mogsby · Jul 26, 2016

Mogsby said:
I just had a quick look, heart in my mouth and a change of underwear . But it will be for display purpose for him, not used. I will keep looking. Or choose another present. he is amateur archaeology ww2 historian that is helping me to pinpoint my uncles plane crash site in Lusiana, Italy.

I think Johnny boy was taking the P! Or the director handed him the camera!.
http://www.earlyphotography.co.uk/site/entry_C204.html

Mogsby · Jul 26, 2016

Theo Sulphate said:
It's a III, actually.

They're somewhat expensive and, unfortunately, often not in good working order these days.

I have more luck writing to his dependants and getting the camera for a good price .

Theo Sulphate · Jul 26, 2016

Looking at completed auctions, I've found a few that sold for under $100 that had some operational flaws but otherwise were cosmetically good.

The real issue is the lens. Contax used Zeiss lenses which were and still are outstanding. They are expensive if they're in decent shape.

Your friend is fortunate to have someone like you who would consider this as a gift for him.

GRHazelton · Jul 26, 2016

I was tempted by the Contax IIa, but restrained myself. It is gorgeous! but money is a concern, since I don't want to buy shelf queens. So I scored a Nikon S2, certainly inspired by the Contax, but available in good user condition for far fewer dollars.The Nikons and Contaxes can use the same lenses, below 50mm. Some stupid difference in something or other....

Sadly while the S2 with its wonderful f1.4 is not expensive, the lenses can be! With care I've gotten the Voigtlander 21 and 35mm wide angles, and the Nikon 105 and 135, plus the Varifocal viewfinder. Not a cheap kit, but the sense of "history" when using tangible.

Mogsby · Aug 26, 2016

Theo Sulphate said:
Looking at completed auctions, I've found a few that sold for under $100 that had some operational flaws but otherwise were cosmetically good.

The real issue is the lens. Contax used Zeiss lenses which were and still are outstanding. They are expensive if they're in decent shape.

Your friend is fortunate to have someone like you who would consider this as a gift for him.

The camera, although I am still looking is just way too much money, so I got him a book. EIGHT HOURS FROM ENGLAND by Anthony Quayle. I managed to get a first edition in good shape for £25 and he loved it, also the book Ice cold in Alex by Christopher Landon, the later will be on his doormat in Italy in a few days. My friends girlfriend thinks I am mad, but Mickey located my uncles 1945 plane crash site, so I reward him for that and beyond that we have become good friends over the years it has taken.

Camera ID!

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