For Sale Contax IIIa - CLA - Working Meter - Beautiful Camera

[davela]

I am selling a Contax IIIa that just had a recent professional CLA. The mechanical condition is excellent. The meter is working and accurate. The viewfinder is very clean and clear and has a bright and accurately aligned rangefinder patch. The cosmetic condition is also very good, with a hairline scratch on the rear top plate and a few small "Zeiss bumps" on the rear leatherette. Sold as shown with CLA receipt and take-up spool.

To the best of my knowledge this is a late production "black dial" model of the IIIa as indicated by the presences of a very convenient standard PC flash jack.

If you enjoy using 35mm rangefinders you will appreciate this camera!

Price: $315 plus insured shipping

 

🛡️ Classifieds Safety Reminder: Please stay safe when buying and selling. Scams via hacked accounts are on the rise globally.

Best Practices: Always use a verified payment method with buyer protection (avoid "PayPal Friends & Family"). Services like Escrow.com are highly secure. Be suspicious of random unsolicited contact via Private Message. If you see suspicious behavior, please use the Report link on the post immediately.

[ntenny]

Man, where do you keep *finding* these? This is the third IIIa with an accurate meter I've seen, and I own the other two!

Free bump for a serious quality camera (and a good seller).

-NT

 

[pentaxpete]

I had a Contax IIIa with 50mm f1.5 Sonnar and I gave it in part-exchange in 1961 for my first ASAHI PENTAX (an S3) which was £ 87-00 and the dealer gave me £ 35-00 for the Contax IIIa which I had bought off a camera club member for about the same price !

 

[Lee Rust]

Where did you get that Contax serviced, if I may ask?

 

[Chrismat]

Someone please buy this! I'm so tempted! I just bought an Omega Super Chromega D Dichroic II today so I can't purchase it. Must,must resist.

I've bought items from Dave so I also can say he's a very good person to deal with.

 

[ray*j*gun]

CLA Contax

Where did you get that Contax serviced, if I may ask?

I don't know where David got his done, but I understand Vermont Cameras will do Contax work http://vermontcamera.com/ Of course there's Henry Scherer if you can wait 2 years.

 

[ray*j*gun]

Dave is an excellent seller I have a number of his cameras bought through RFF.... no worries with David!

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Agree. Dave 100%!

 

[zesbaugh]

Of course there's Henry Scherer if you can wait 2 years.

Make that more like 5 years...I've been on the list for two, not even close to the top yet...

 

[Lee Rust]

Thanks for the info, Ray.

 

[davela]

Thanks for all the comments. The CLA was done by my local tech in Pasadena (Whilton Camera Service). The turnaround time was about a week, but he was busy with some other stuff of mine at the same time. I've never understood the whole mystique around Henry Scherer - the late model Contax's are no big deal to get CLA'd. Of course if one needs parts that can be an issue (as with any old camera).

 

[ray*j*gun]

Your welcome Lee ....wow 5 years.... I have 2 HS cameras both mint and although I would NOT wait that long my 2 are like using a brand new Contax.

 

[ray*j*gun]

Thanks for all the comments. The CLA was done by my local tech in Pasadena (Whilton Camera Service). The turnaround time was about a week, but he was busy with some other stuff of mine at the same time. I've never understood the whole mystique around Henry Scherer - the late model Contax's are no big deal to get CLA'd. Of course if one needs parts that can be an issue (as with any old camera).

Have you handled one that HS has done? Its more refurbished than CLA'd And to my knowledge he is the only guy who can replace the meter cell which he did on my IIIa. Believe me he's special but again I wouldnt wait for years I'm getting too old.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Have you handled one that HS has done? Its more refurbished than CLA'd And to my knowledge he is the only guy who can replace the meter cell which he did on my IIIa. Believe me he's special but again I wouldnt wait for years I'm getting too old.

My understanding is Harry takes them completely apart, and practically does an entire rebuild. Overkill? Perhaps. But I'm on his list for my IIIa color dial. Looks like I've got about 4+ years to wait though...

That said I'm tempted by Dave's one here. Fully CLA'd and with Dave's fabulous reputation it's a good buy. Unfortunately my attempt to convince my wife that another Contax body is needed (honey, but this one is a black dial!) falls kinda flat....

 

[davela]

OK, just to make this all more interesting I'm cutting the price. Now $285 plus insured shipping.

 

[Chrismat]

D'OH!

Still resisting...hopefully.


Looking for anything trade-wise?

 

[davela]

Just sold on RFF