Contax II repair

[NormanV]

I contacted Eddie Smolov regarding a repair for my Contax. He told me that he is not accepting repairs due to ill health. He suggested Jerry Sorin, does anybody have experience with him?

 

[Joe Grodis]

Try these guys

These people can help:

http://www.zeisscamera.com/first.shtml

 

[NormanV]

Thanks Joe, I have been on Henrys list for about 8 months and his present rate of progress looks like a 5 year wait. I might be dead by then, so I thought that I would try to get it done cheaply and quickly in the meantime. Hopefully without damaging it.

 

[guitstik]

Call Ken Ruth at Bald Mountain Photography. His web address is www.baldmt.com. If you call him be prepared for a good laugh, he has a twisted sense of humor.

 

[Trask]

I'm sorry to hear that Eddy is not well. He repaired my Contax II and a Horizon panoramic camera, and did a good job with both, though the Horizon had to go back after the initial repair because it didn't stay for very long. Eddy took care of it without a problem.

 

[MattKing]

Call Ken Ruth at Bald Mountain Photography. His web address is www.baldmt.com. If you call him be prepared for a good laugh, he has a twisted sense of humor.

You may find it easier to find Ken Ruth at http://www.baldmtn.com/index.html

 

[NormanV]

Originally Posted by guitstik
Call Ken Ruth at Bald Mountain Photography. His web address is www.baldmt.com. If you call him be prepared for a good laugh, he has a twisted sense of humor.
You may find it easier to find Ken Ruth at http://www.baldmtn.com/index.html
Matt
Thanks, both of you. Norman

 

[Xmas]

Hi

Buy a Kiev, us it in place of the II, when the Kiev breaks take it apart and fix it.

Then fix the Contax II.

Noel

 

[NormanV]

A Kiev is no good for me. I had a Contax II 40 years ago and want to relive my past. I have sent it to Jerry Sorin.

 

[aoresteen]

Thanks Joe, I have been on Henrys list for about 8 months and his present rate of progress looks like a 5 year wait. I might be dead by then, so I thought that I would try to get it done cheaply and quickly in the meantime. Hopefully without damaging it.

Yikes!!!

I'm glad I had Henry do my IIa w/50mm f/1.5 in 2006 for me. It was just a 4 month wait back then. Looks like I got in just under the wire.

He also did an 85mm Nikkor lens for me. Fantastic work indeed.

 

[j-dogg]

Originally Posted by guitstik
Call Ken Ruth at Bald Mountain Photography. His web address is www.baldmt.com. If you call him be prepared for a good laugh, he has a twisted sense of humor.
You may find it easier to find Ken Ruth at http://www.baldmtn.com/index.html
Matt
Thanks, both of you. Norman

Just emailed him about my Minolta AL rangefinder.

 

[NormanV]

I have now got my Contax back from Jerry. Six weeks including post 8000 miles each way! I have not had time to try it with film but the view/rangefinder is now fantastic and the shutter sounds good. I cannot be more pleased, and at such a good price. I will post some results soon.
Norman

 

[michaelbsc]

I have now got my Contax back from Jerry. Six weeks including post 8000 miles each way! I have not had time to try it with film but the view/rangefinder is now fantastic and the shutter sounds good. I cannot be more pleased, and at such a good price. I will post some results soon.
Norman

Norman, I know you said it looked and sounded good. Have you had a chance to try it out?

I'm about to pack up a box of things to go to Jerry.

 

[NormanV]

Hi Michael, I have tested it and found the shutter and rangefinder to be accurate. I was disappointed with the lens, it was much lower in contrast than my old Contax so I bought a Helios lens which after much butchery with a Dremel was made to fit. This has much higher contrast but on revisiting the Sonnar negs I found that with a bit of tweaking that they are not so bad.
Here are some examples.
The rear end of the cannon and the airport crash tender were taken with the Heios and the cathedral and the Landrover with the Sonnar

 

[michaelbsc]

Hi Michael, I have tested it and found the shutter and rangefinder to be accurate. I was disappointed with the lens, it was much lower in contrast than my old Contax so I bought a Helios lens which after much butchery with a Dremel was made to fit. This has much higher contrast but on revisiting the Sonnar negs I found that with a bit of tweaking that they are not so bad.
Here are some examples.
The rear end of the cannon and the airport crash tender were taken with the Heios and the cathedral and the Landrover with the Sonnar

So you would say the Jerry's work is up to par?

I don't think he could be responsible for the lens being sub-par.

 

[NormanV]

Absolutely fine, as I have said previously I will send him my next camera for repair. My Sonnar lens is just very low on contrast, not a lot can be done about it. It will be useful for glowing portraits!
Norman

 

[Alex Varas]

Raising this thread up…

Who does repairs on Contax II nowadays?
Preferably UK, EU and States or Canada is an option as well.

Thanks!