CLA on a Contax IIa -- what cost?

I'm considering sending my camera to Mr. Scherer for what I'd call a CLA but which his website makes clear would be much more -- it looks like he does high-quality work, and others seem to have had good experience with his services. My only concern is cost -- not that I expect it to be cheap, but that his website does not indicate an approximate cost. I'd hate to get into a situation where I have a mental idea of paying $200 and then get a bill for much more, when a little foreknowledge might have helped me avoid that situation. So does anyone have a ballpark idea of what Mr. Scherer might charge for a complete service on a IIa BD -- given that a complete service is what I want and it appears that he's dedicated to doing complete service across the board?

I suspect 200 will not do it, but my experience is only with Contarex
Mark

Why not ask him?

Contaxes are expensive to repair so it wouldn't shock me if it cost more than $200, but I honestly don't know what he charges.

You will find that he is very forthcoming on what things will cost you. You may also find out that it will be quite awhile before he can do your job.

Hmm, he used to post his CLA pricing

...in any case, it isn't $200

From what I gather, you get a newly rebuilt IIA.

Maybe prepare for something closer to $1000

...Vick

I had Henry do two of my Contaxes- a IIa BD and a IIIa CD. The IIa just need the standard CLA/overhaul and was the price that was on his site- $200-$225. Something like that- it was at least a year ago. The IIIa needed shutter parts and some lightmeter stuff and was more money. I sent the IIIa with a completely inoperative shutter. I got the quote, OK'd it and the cameras came back like new. His work was excellent IMO. The only issue is the wait time. I think I was on the list for nearly two years. I had the IIa serviced at another shop before hand and it came back unchanged with the shutter speeds way off. I had quality service from Ken Ruth at Photography on Bald Mountain when he service my Super Ikonta on and restored the meter. He specializes in older and unique cameras and comes with a great rep. You might talk to Stephen Gandy at Camera Quest as his site says he specializes in service of older rangefinders. I have not used his service but am happy with everything I've bought there.

As long as there isn't physical damage to the camera, restoration of a Contax IIa/IIIa isn't difficult. It's the amount of time to do the work, and as always, time is money.

The Contax IIa is very simple to disassemble and to reassemble.

However, the capitalist marketplace bears what people are willing to pay. So if the cost or wait isn't to your liking, you simply take your dollars elsewhere.

I believe there are some others who repair the Contax. I thought Essex did this work and Midwest Camera, but that was some time ago.

This is right from his website:

' To put this into perspective let,s look at my fee for a complete body overhaul on a Contax IIa camera body. Currently this is $235.00. '

Hope that helps as an approximation at least.

Best,
Jon

Trask said:

I'm considering sending my camera to Mr. Scherer ... but that his website does not indicate an approximate cost.

Click to expand...

Well, I don't know how I missed seeing that price figure on his website. Thanks for pointing it out, and thanks everyone for their suggestions.