Contax iiia is it harmfull.....

[Frank53]

i have a Contax iiia with Sonnar lens and I wonder whether it is in any way harmfull for the mechanism to use the focussing ring on the lens in stead of the focussing wheel on the camera?

Kind regards,
Frank

 

[veepeedeepee]

Not at all! They were designed to be used either way. The focus wheel was really only designed to aid in one-handed operation.

 

[Frank53]

Ok, thanks a lot.
Frank

 

[Grytpype]

You should only use the focus-wheel with the standard 50mm lenses (inner bayonet). For all other lenses use the focus-ring on the lens. Using the focus-wheel with these puts a heavy load on the mechanism.

 

[Frank53]

You should only use the focus-wheel with the standard 50mm lenses (inner bayonet). For all other lenses use the focus-ring on the lens. Using the focus-wheel with these puts a heavy load on the mechanism.

Well, I’m talking about a 50mm lens and I do not want to use the wheel and as veepeedeepee explained, that’s ok.
Regards,
Frank

 

[E. von Hoegh]

i have a Contax iiia with Sonnar lens and I wonder whether it is in any way harmfull for the mechanism to use the focussing ring on the lens in stead of the focussing wheel on the camera?

Kind regards,
Frank

No, it's fine to use the lens. The only thing to be wary of is if the infinity lock is engaged, forcing the lens against it (infinity lock) can strain the lens release tab. Use the infinity lock (rather than holding the focussing wheel, if you have temporarily disabled the infinity lock by putting a block or wedge under it) when mounting and dismounting the 50mm lens, it's important not to strain the gears leading from the focus wheel to the internal rangefinder mechanism and focussing mount.
I've found that once I became accustomed, the "Contax grip" using the right middle finger to focus is very fast and convenient. Lenses other than the 50 disable the infinity lock, and mount on the outer bayonet so there is no straining the release tab. My 35mm lens has so little drag that using the focussing wheel is OK, but the 85 and 135 must be focussed by their respective barrels.

 

[GRHazelton]

While I don't have a Contax IIIa I have a Kiev IV, and the Voigtlander 21 and 35 mm lenses in Nikon mounts. Can I assume that these little lenses, compared to the Nikkor 1.4 or the f 2 on the Kiev, can be focused safely with the lens mounts, in addition to the focus wheel?

 

[E. von Hoegh]

While I don't have a Contax IIIa I have a Kiev IV, and the Voigtlander 21 and 35 mm lenses in Nikon mounts. Can I assume that these little lenses, compared to the Nikkor 1.4 or the f 2 on the Kiev, can be focused safely with the lens mounts, in addition to the focus wheel?

If the w.a. lenses have very little drag, they can be focussed with the wheel. Otherwise use the barrel. Iirc both the Kiev and the Contax II & III manual say to use the barrel on all lenses except the 50s, my 35 was lubricated with a non-creeping clock oil so I could use the wheel. The 85 has felt rings, and the helicoid in the 135 is just too large, the drag in neither can be reduced enough - and holding onto the larger heavier lenses adds stability.

 

[Patrick Robert James]

I never used the wheel myself. I always just used the lens even on the 50. I kind of always found the wheel and the infinity lock a bit of an annoyance.

 

[guangong]

I never used the wheel myself. I always just used the lens even on the 50. I kind of always found the wheel and the infinity lock a bit of an annoyance.

Ditto!

 

[Sirius Glass]

Handling Contax cameras and lenses can be harmful to ones financial well being.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

The exquisitely engraved markings on the chrome knobs and the use of gear-driven shutter slats is why I bought this IIIa:

 

[Frank53]

Handling Contax cameras and lenses can be harmful to ones financial well being.

Well, I did not really need this one, but in a way Contax always attracted me and now I”ll be 65 in a few months and this beautiful camera was made in 1953 as well, I could not resist. It’s looking good and working nicely, so I do not expect it to cost much in the future.
My Hasselblad on the other hand was just sent for servicing........
Regards,
Frank

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Ditto!

As mentioned above, the infinity lock is there for a reason - exchanging lenses.
Using the "Contax grip" is surprisingly convenient, once one becomes accustomed to it. Particularly on the prewar models it ensures that the RF window is not blocked.

 

[removed account4]

The exquisitely engraved markings on the chrome knobs and the use of gear-driven shutter slats is why I bought this IIIa:

View attachment 191513

i am always amazed at how beautiful cameras can be.
from a simple idea of a box with a viewer to something like this.
makes a wish and they design it. if i was rich / won the powerful ball
i'd start a camera museum or at least visit the george eastman museum

thanks for posting this camera porrn, theo.

 

[blockend]

As mentioned above, the infinity lock is there for a reason - exchanging lenses.

While that is true, in practice using the 50mm runs the risk of locking focus on any subject that isn't in close up. For distant subjects not at infinity, this can mean repeatedly locking and unlocking focus to determine where the focal point is. I find it a pain, and prefer the 35mm that doesn't activate the lock, but does require a separate viewfinder,

 

[E. von Hoegh]

While that is true, in practice using the 50mm runs the risk of locking focus on any subject that isn't in close up. For distant subjects not at infinity, this can mean repeatedly locking and unlocking focus to determine where the focal point is. I find it a pain, and prefer the 35mm that doesn't activate the lock, but does require a separate viewfinder,

That's why I use the wheel with 50mm lenses.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Well, I did not really need this one, but in a way Contax always attracted me and now I”ll be 65 in a few months and this beautiful camera was made in 1953 as well, I could not resist. It’s looking good and working nicely, so I do not expect it to cost much in the future.
My Hasselblad on the other hand was just sent for servicing........
Regards,
Frank

You earned it and you deserve it. Enjoy!

 

[naeroscatu]

i am always amazed at how beautiful cameras can be.
from a simple idea of a box with a viewer to something like this.
makes a wish and they design it. if i was rich / won the powerful ball
i'd start a camera museum or at least visit the george eastman museum

thanks for posting this camera porrn, theo.

+ 1

 

[aoresteen]

I use the gear to focus the 50mm & my 25mm. The teles I focus the ring on the lens.

 

[smith931]

No, it’s not, In my experience, the view through the cantax iiia is clear and accurately aligned. The aperture ring turns smoothly and the focus is also very smooth. And I think focussing wheel design like that to make it more user friendly.