Contax IIa CLA??

GRHazelton · Feb 5, 2020

I've recently scored a Contax IIa in lovely condition. Only a few marks on the base plate near the tripod socket, one "Zeiss" bump, shutter speeds sound good, the self timer is a little iffy.
But the rangefinder shows a little vertical misalignment. This can affect ease of focusing. Any suggestions for a good repair person?? Many thanks!

Hatchetman · Feb 5, 2020

That's a tough request. I've heard conflicting reports on how difficult a job that is. I have one that works fine but I dread the day it may need servicing. I heard reference to these guys tackling some unusual cameras:

https://www.advancecamera.com/

GRHazelton · Feb 5, 2020

Hatchetman said:
That's a tough request. I've heard conflicting reports on how difficult a job that is. I have one that works fine but I dread the day it may need servicing. I heard reference to these guys tackling some unusual cameras:

https://www.advancecamera.com/

Thanks for the post! Advance is on my short list. They did a beautiful job on my AsahiFlex IIa, replaced the mirror and fabricated a few parts. But....the Asahiflex shutter is simple, like a Leica screw mount, and as a SLR it lacks a rangefinder.

Hatchetman · Feb 5, 2020

Well however your search evolves keep us updated. Any info is valuable. I hesitate to buy some additional lenses because I don't want to be stuck with an obsolete camera that can't be fixed.

GRHazelton · Feb 5, 2020

Hatchetman said:
Well however your search evolves keep us updated. Any info is valuable. I hesitate to buy some additional lenses because I don't want to be stuck with an obsolete camera that can't be fixed.

Fortunately wide angle lenses are compatible with both the Contax and Nikon rangefinders. For some inexplicable reason Nikon, when they copied the Contax lens mount didn't copy exactly the pitch on the focus mechanism. DOF will handle lenses under 50mm; longer lenses will focus to infinity, but closer the error is large.
I'll let folks know how things go.

markjwyatt · Feb 5, 2020

My understanding is that it is very difficult to correct vertical mis-alignment in the post war Contax rangefinders (iia/iiia). In fact to do it properly, you need a jig to rebond the prism. Henry Scherer has the jig, but when I checked, he had a 4 year waiting list. I had a Contax CLA'd by Ross Yerkes in LA (fast and reasonable) in late 2018. The camera had a vertical misalignment, he minimized it but it is still there. Focus is still accurate.

GRHazelton · Feb 5, 2020

Thanks,markjwyatt for the info on Ross Yerkes.

John Will · Feb 5, 2020

GRHazelton said:
But the rangefinder shows a little vertical misalignment. This can affect ease of focusing. Any suggestions for a good repair person?? Many thanks!

I have recently had this exact problem on my IIa fixed by Mark Hansen http://www.zeissikonrolleirepair.com

As has been said above it is quite difficult to fix as the rangefinder elements have to be stuck in place and Mark had to have two goes at it, but it is now in correct alignment. A complete strip down, CLA and aligning the rangefinder cost about $350. I now have a perfect Contax IIa.

cramej · Feb 6, 2020

John Will said:
I have recently had this exact problem on my IIa fixed by Mark Hansen http://www.zeissikonrolleirepair.com

As has been said above it is quite difficult to fix as the rangefinder elements have to be stuck in place and Mark had to have two goes at it, but it is now in correct alignment. A complete strip down, CLA and aligning the rangefinder cost about $350. I now have a perfect Contax IIa.

I got a quote from Mark for my IIIa color dial and just about fell out of my chair - $450 because the shutter isn't firing at all. I'm sure it would be great when fixed, but I decided to spend the $60 on a really nice Kiev so I could use the Sonnar until I decide I can afford the repairs.

guangong · Feb 7, 2020

Unlike most camera makers of the day who recommended cameras be returned to distributor or authorized repair, the instruction manual that came with my Contax IIa says any competent repairman. The IIa shutter is quite different from the II. Therefore, if camera only needs a complete CLA and does not need replacement of any parts, repair should be available. Michael Zacks has serviced my Contac IIa camera’s.

Ray Morgenweck · Feb 7, 2020

Some vintage camera problems are better just “lived with”.

btaylor · Feb 7, 2020

Ray Morgenweck said:
Some vintage camera problems are better just “lived with”.

Unfortunately, with a Contax Rangefinder that’s usually an inoperative shutter! I sent my IIa to the guy Ken Rockwell gets excited about, Gus Lazzari. He did a great job, it came back spotless and operating perfectly. Took months to get it back. I think the job was $400-500. Seems to be the going rate for those who are really competent with them.

GRHazelton · Feb 7, 2020

guangong said:
Unlike most camera makers of the day who recommended cameras be returned to distributor or authorized repair, the instruction manual that came with my Contax IIa says any competent repairman. The IIa shutter is quite different from the II. Therefore, if camera only needs a complete CLA and does not need replacement of any parts, repair should be available. Michael Zacks has serviced my Contac IIa camera’s.

Thanks for the response! Mike did a nice job with my Werra.

Contax IIa CLA??

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