Contax IIIa needs take up spool

Will any generic spools work with this camera? I have only found one online and it's $32... yikes!

I have a prewar Contax II. They may have modified the new postwar cameras for better 135 cassette compatibility.

Anyway normal film still works in mine so a standard spindle should work on the receiving side. My camera came with one, which I believe was slightly different: from a normal (empty) roll of film you would have to flex off the shorter of the protrusions at one end of the spindle. When using old Contax cassettes (for rolling your own and a better fit inside the camera) the shorter spindles are a must or the whole system will seize up.

And the receiving spindle should have a slit to enter the film. Some film makers tape the end of the film to a solid spindle, others have that slit.

You can get a Kiev take-up spool which will be more or less the same as an original. I suggest getting the metal version. The plastic ones are a PITA to start.

Back when I used Contax rangefinders (I still have one) I just took a dremel and made my own spools. Rip apart a film cassette and you have a spool... The vertical spacing might be a bit different, but at least you can use your camera.

Patrick Robert James said:

Back when I used Contax rangefinders (I still have one) I just took a dremel and made my own spools. Rip apart a film cassette and you have a spool... The vertical spacing might be a bit different, but at least you can use your camera.

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That's what I ended up doing for now. I found this last night. I cant imagine using a hack saw though. The dremel is the way to go. Thanks!