Last year I purchased a Contax 139Q and eventually contacted Peter Robinson in the UK who refurbishes them (now part time), but when I sent my copy to him he said he had another 139Q body in better condition that he ended up doing the cla. This is from an email he sent me:
Finally finished the camera we discussed. I've attached some pictures of it. It's been fully serviced with all seals etc. replaced. The screen is clean.It's been film tested as well as testing all the individual functions. The shutter speeds are very close to ideal and the meter has been adjusted (both flash and ambient). It has a few minor signs of use and I've touched up a few small paint losses, mainly around the rear door. I should mention the base plate has been replaced at some point (not by me) and the serial number doesn't match the age of the camera. I think the factory must have used base plates they had left over as spares and so, sometimes, you get a very high serial number on a camera that should have a lower one. Unless you're a serial number geek like me it's pretty irrelevant but thought I should mention it.
When I got it back I replaced the leatherette with a better quality one. The camera looks and feels great. Self timer works. However, one problem that did develop was that the meter which was working properly now doesn't. For example, if I want to use 200 speed film, I have to set the iso dial to approx 1600. This didn't bother me since I primary use Sunny 16 or a separate meter.
Camera body-$100
Contax 38" cable release for the 139Q (not pictured)-$16 (you have to use this cable release, a standard one won't work).
Yashica ML 50mm 1.9-$35
Yashica ML 28mm 2.8-$60
Both lenses are in excellent condition, glass is clean and clear and the aperture blades are clean.
Prices include shipping in the U.S. 10% discount for items purchased together.
Finally finished the camera we discussed. I've attached some pictures of it. It's been fully serviced with all seals etc. replaced. The screen is clean.It's been film tested as well as testing all the individual functions. The shutter speeds are very close to ideal and the meter has been adjusted (both flash and ambient). It has a few minor signs of use and I've touched up a few small paint losses, mainly around the rear door. I should mention the base plate has been replaced at some point (not by me) and the serial number doesn't match the age of the camera. I think the factory must have used base plates they had left over as spares and so, sometimes, you get a very high serial number on a camera that should have a lower one. Unless you're a serial number geek like me it's pretty irrelevant but thought I should mention it.
When I got it back I replaced the leatherette with a better quality one. The camera looks and feels great. Self timer works. However, one problem that did develop was that the meter which was working properly now doesn't. For example, if I want to use 200 speed film, I have to set the iso dial to approx 1600. This didn't bother me since I primary use Sunny 16 or a separate meter.
Camera body-$100
Contax 38" cable release for the 139Q (not pictured)-$16 (you have to use this cable release, a standard one won't work).
Yashica ML 50mm 1.9-$35
Yashica ML 28mm 2.8-$60
Both lenses are in excellent condition, glass is clean and clear and the aperture blades are clean.
Prices include shipping in the U.S. 10% discount for items purchased together.
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