Contax IIa focus issue

flavio81 · Oct 13, 2021

BobD said:
I found a nice Contax IIa at low cost that is working but the focus wheel is stiff. It turns but prolonged use becomes a bit painful to my finger. It also makes a bit of metal-on-metal noise.

An exploded view of this machine shows gearing between the focus wheel and the lens mount. I had the idea that a few drops of solvent placed on the focus wheel with the camera tilted would be directed to that area and might free up the movement some thus obviating the need for disassembly

No. You need to also dissasemble, clean and relube the helical. The focus wheel alone isn't enough. And dropping solvents near pieces where there are glued optical elements, isn't a good idea.

The focusing system isn't very complex to disassemble. The shutter is also not difficult or complex -- only esoteric.

As for this link

http://www.zeisscamera.com/services_overhaul-cIIa-body.shtml

This is a nice read with beautiful pictures but the guy wants to tell everybody that servicing IIa cameras is some kind of rocket science only selected people on the world can do. It is not. Once you understand the workings of the shutter and focusing, it isn't a complex camera. And nobody should wait 10 years to get his/her camera back from service. He has some complaints on another forum, one dedicated to rangefinders. Mostly concerning the ridiculously long wait times.

There is one or two videos on youtube showing how to disassemble the rangefinder mechanism for cleaning, it isn't hard at all. This is one of the easiest cameras to disassemble, if you don't have to fully service the shutter. But if you don't know what you're doing, you'll break it. This is also true for many other cameras, be them rangefinders or not.

flavio81 · Oct 13, 2021

swchris said:
In five years on Henry's waiting list I went from pos. 164 to pos. 115.

You should demand your camera back, as is.

I think it's not OK to keep accepting cameras when you have such a huge backlog.

Donald Qualls · Oct 13, 2021

flavio81 said:
You should demand your camera back, as is.

I'd gotten the impression that most folks waiting in this queue still have their cameras in hand, and are waiting to be notified to ship to him. Otherwise, he'd be storing hundreds of customer cameras with a combined value comparable to that of the building they're in and his insurance rate would be enormous (or his insurance invalid, which is much worse).

That said, a ten year queue is too long, wherever those cameras are. He needs apprentices, or to admit that one man can't service every Contax on Earth.

flavio81 · Oct 13, 2021

Donald Qualls said:
I'd gotten the impression that most folks waiting in this queue still have their cameras in hand, and are waiting to be notified to ship to him. Otherwise, he'd be storing hundreds of customer cameras with a combined value comparable to that of the building they're in and his insurance rate would be enormous (or his insurance invalid, which is much worse).

That said, a ten year queue is too long, wherever those cameras are. He needs apprentices, or to admit that one man can't service every Contax on Earth.

Ah, i stand corrected. Thanks Donald.

shutterfinger · Oct 13, 2021

A heart attack followed by bypass surgery are two factors that slow repair time as is shaking caused by the followup medication. Speaking from recent experience.

BobD · Oct 13, 2021

BTW, I put a drop of Tri-Flow on the rear edge of the helical (with shutter held open) and worked focus back and forth. The squeaking completely stopped and the focus moves much more easily now.

No cameras were harmed in the making of this motion picture.

Thanks.

Donald Qualls · Oct 14, 2021

shutterfinger said:
A heart attack followed by bypass surgery are two factors that slow repair time as is shaking caused by the followup medication. Speaking from recent experience.

I won't argue, although I was back on the job (repairing power tools) six weeks after my own bypass surgery in 2014. I had a restriction on lifting more than ten pounds for another six weeks, but that shouldn't have much if any effect on repairing Contax, and I've never noticed my own hands shaking after the surgery (though I was was also only 54 at the time -- diabetes and high blood pressure is a bad combination).

shutterfinger · Oct 14, 2021

I had the 10 pound limit also and stuck screws tax it. Add in COPD and low blood pressure, leave out the diabetes, 6 weeks before my 70th this summer, lymphoma last summer.

Donald Qualls · Oct 15, 2021

Yep, more a matter of what else you have to deal with, than the bypass itself, at least once your sternum healing is well along. Shaking hands can be a side effect of some medications (or too much coffee), undiagnosed Parkinson's, or a number of other things -- and the older you are, the larger that number gets. Still, whatever the cause, it doesn't make fine work easier...

Bill Burk · Oct 15, 2021

I posted an offer that may sound too good to be true, but I will just say… I do this for fun. You all know that

GRHazelton · Oct 15, 2021

Bill Burk said:
I posted an offer that may sound too good to be true, but I will just say… I do this for fun. You all know that

Where and what is the offer? "Inquiring minds want to know...."

Bill Burk · Oct 15, 2021

GRHazelton said:
Where and what is the offer? "Inquiring minds want to know...."

In a pm I mentioned I would work on it but looks like that’s no longer needed.

I may occasionally offer to work on a Contax II if it doesn’t need anything under the upper deck.

popel75 · Dec 27, 2023

flavio81 said:
No. You need to also dissasemble, clean and relube the helical. The focus wheel alone isn't enough. And dropping solvents near pieces where there are glued optical elements, isn't a good idea.

The focusing system isn't very complex to disassemble. The shutter is also not difficult or complex -- only esoteric.

As for this link

http://www.zeisscamera.com/services_overhaul-cIIa-body.shtml

This is a nice read with beautiful pictures but the guy wants to tell everybody that servicing IIa cameras is some kind of rocket science only selected people on the world can do. It is not. Once you understand the workings of the shutter and focusing, it isn't a complex camera. And nobody should wait 10 years to get his/her camera back from service. He has some complaints on another forum, one dedicated to rangefinders. Mostly concerning the ridiculously long wait times.

There is one or two videos on youtube showing how to disassemble the rangefinder mechanism for cleaning, it isn't hard at all. This is one of the easiest cameras to disassemble, if you don't have to fully service the shutter. But if you don't know what you're doing, you'll break it. This is also true for many other cameras, be them rangefinders or not.

Very well taken, Flavio. Reading this zeisscamera website, OMG he is the center of the universe, now there are other options in the world, good news he can retire

blee1996 · Dec 27, 2023

I recently got a Contax IIIa with extremely dim/cloudy viewfinder and rangefinder. After buying the service manual for $1, I successfully did a thorough cleaning by opened up the top and front cover. It was mostly years of dust, dirt and some fungus that need to be cleaned.

I'm slightly handy in doing simple repairs on my own cameras, as an amateur. When I follow the service manual, it is clear to me that Contax IIIa is well designed for maintenance. There is no small springs flying out, or procedures that requires 3 hands. And typical camera tools will work. So I second @flavio81 opinion about demystifying the Contax IIIa/IIa service legend.

I did not touch the shutter though, which is probably beyond my pay grade. In my sample, the top speed 1/1250 does not work (no light comes through). But I decided not to push my luck, and live with the rest of speeds (all right on spec).

guangong · Dec 27, 2023

The shutters in Contax II and IIa are two different animals.
Interestingly, my original instruction manual for the IIa directs the owner to have camera serviced by a competent camera repair service, rather than most cameras that usually recommend service from an “authorized “ facility.
I agree...focus with lens. The little focus wheel could just be stiff from not being used, or perhaps a little dirt entered the mechanism. Frankly, the wheel feels awkward compared with my habitual way of holding a rangefinder camera.

popel75 · Jan 23, 2024

blee1996 said:
I recently got a Contax IIIa with extremely dim/cloudy viewfinder and rangefinder. After buying the service manual for $1, I successfully did a thorough cleaning by opened up the top and front cover. It was mostly years of dust, dirt and some fungus that need to be cleaned.

I'm slightly handy in doing simple repairs on my own cameras, as an amateur. When I follow the service manual, it is clear to me that Contax IIIa is well designed for maintenance. There is no small springs flying out, or procedures that requires 3 hands. And typical camera tools will work. So I second @flavio81 opinion about demystifying the Contax IIIa/IIa service legend.

I did not touch the shutter though, which is probably beyond my pay grade. In my sample, the top speed 1/1250 does not work (no light comes through). But I decided not to push my luck, and live with the rest of speeds (all right on spec).

Just received my IIA back from Oleg after 2 weeks (not decades...) incl. shipping, like new.... btw any idea how to clean the helicoid on a Biogon 21 4.5 it's kind of stiff as well.

SchwinnParamount · Jan 23, 2024

Looks like I will be using Mark Hansen for my Contax IIIa refresh:

Mark: "Contax was and will always be the best camera ever made. And I know because I have taken all of them apart, and none can compare."
Just the fact that he confirms my feelings about my IIIa make me want to send it to him for CLA when needed

Bill Burk · Jan 23, 2024

popel75 said:
Just received my IIA back from Oleg after 2 weeks (not decades...) incl. shipping, like new.... btw any idea how to clean the helicoid on a Biogon 21 4.5 it's kind of stiff as well.

See if Oleg will do it. If you service a lens without complete disassembly and collimating you make things worse.

popel75 · Jan 24, 2024

SchwinnParamount said:
Looks like I will be using Mark Hansen for my Contax IIIa refresh:

Mark: "Contax was and will always be the best camera ever made. And I know because I have taken all of them apart, and none can compare."
Just the fact that he confirms my feelings about my IIIa make me want to send it to him for CLA when needed

You know the Nike commercial: Just do it cheers - tom

Pioneer · Jan 24, 2024

Reading through this post again makes me happy that, after well over 10 years of regular use, my Contax II is still running fine. I can say that putting these cameras back in good running shape is well worth the effort, time and cost. Mine is a true joy to work with and I have never regretted buying it.

Contax IIa focus issue

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