Is a Zeiss Ikon Contessa worth $49?

Ariston · Nov 11, 2019

I saw one at an antique shop that looked pretty nice. I could see no flaw in the lens. However, the four lowest shutter speeds were either super slow or stayed open. Do you think the shutter would recover with some exercise?

I need another 35mm camera like I need a third leg, but this one was beautiful and felt like a premium camera to me. What do you think?

Marco Gilardetti · Nov 12, 2019

Ariston said:
Do you think the shutter would recover with some exercise?

Definitely NO. But you won't use those longer shutter times often, especially if you're planning to use it handheld.

$ 49 sounds like a fair price if it's in good conditions.

AgX · Nov 12, 2019

-) there are various Contessa models

-) a camera is worth as much as you pay for it, or what you get for as you re-sell it.

Ariston · Nov 12, 2019

Thanks, both. I guess I'll pass. I don't know the model. It was a rangefinder with a 2.8 lens. It seemed quite nice. Most folders I handle seem flimsy, and I'm always afraid they no longer fold into the right position for good focus.

Ko.Fe. · Nov 12, 2019

It took me few seconds to google https://camerapedia.fandom.com/wiki/Contessa_35mm looks like few models were made and it is easy to find which one is which by shutter model.
All of shutters like this I deal with started working after cleaning.

alentine · Nov 12, 2019

Depends on the purpose.
If for daily/weekly use, look for a serious camera that can deliver correct exposure as it is.
If to complement a shelf with a piece of beauty, it's really beautiful.

Kodachromeguy · Nov 12, 2019

Ariston said:
I saw one at an antique shop that looked pretty nice. I could see no flaw in the lens. However, the four lowest shutter speeds were either super slow or stayed open. Do you think the shutter would recover with some exercise?

I need another 35mm camera like I need a third leg, but this one was beautiful and felt like a premium camera to me. What do you think?

Are you referring to a folding Contessa or one of the rigid models?

Oops, update. It sounds like Mr Ariston was looking at a folding model. In that case, it most certainly IS worth $49. The Tessar lens has a reputation of excellent results. This was an expensive camera when new.

BobD · Nov 12, 2019

Folding Contessas are nice but, as I recall, they are a bit awkward to use. As a compact shooter I would pick a Retina (such as the IIa) over the Contessa..

guangong · Nov 12, 2019

Having both Contessa and various folding Retinas, both have their virtues and drawbacks. Advancing film is done with advance lever on Retina, but actually not much faster than winding nob on Contessa, since the weak point of Retinas is failure of advance mechanism, so it must be treated gingerly. The rangefinder of the Contessa is modeled after that found on Super Ikontas, which means it’s robust. The Contessa must be cocked separately.
When sold new, the Contessa was very expensive. The Retinas were called the poor man’s Leica. I enjoy using both, but feel the Contessa is tougher.

pbromaghin · Nov 12, 2019

If you're planning to use it, think $49 plus a CLA. Personally, I love shooting old cameras, exploring their competencies and shortcomings, learning what it was like to photograph with that technology. It isn't really a question of how much the camera is worth, as what would I pay for that much fun.

Ariston · Nov 12, 2019

guangong said:
Having both Contessa and various folding Retinas, both have their virtues and drawbacks. Advancing film is done with advance lever on Retina, but actually not much faster than winding nob on Contessa, since the weak point of Retinas is failure of advance mechanism, so it must be treated gingerly. The rangefinder of the Contessa is modeled after that found on Super Ikontas, which means it’s robust. The Contessa must be cocked separately.
When sold new, the Contessa was very expensive. The Retinas were called the poor man’s Leica. I enjoy using both, but feel the Contessa is tougher.

This one had film still in it, and it advanced smoothly. I was unable to fire the shutter without first advancing the film, which I assumed was a feature. I don't know anything about them...

pbromaghin said:
If you're planning to use it, think $49 plus a CLA. Personally, I love shooting old cameras, exploring their competencies and shortcomings, learning what it was like to photograph with that technology. It isn't really a question of how much the camera is worth, as what would I pay for that much fun.

Do you know anyone who CLAs these old folders?

Ko.Fe. said:
It took me few seconds to google https://camerapedia.fandom.com/wiki/Contessa_35mm looks like few models were made and it is easy to find which one is which by shutter model.
All of shutters like this I deal with started working after cleaning.

Ko.Fe - I am not very good with servicing these smallish clockwork items myself. Is the shutter easy to get to, and would I simply need to add some solvent, or is it a case of complete disassembly?

By the way, it is the folding Contessa at the top of Ko.Fe's link.

pbromaghin · Nov 12, 2019

Ariston said:
This one had film still in it, and it advanced smoothly. I was unable to fire the shutter without first advancing the film, which I assumed was a feature. I don't know anything about them...

Do you know anyone who CLAs these old folders?

The double exposure prevention is a feature of their medium format folders of the era, so they likely put it into the 35mm, too. For my service I use Dave Feeley at Key Camera in Longmont, CO. Right now he has 2 Ikonta 523/16s of mine to combine into one good one. He's a cranky old buzzard who doesn't suffer fools, but has done really good work for me, including colimating a Mamiya C33 and completely overhauling another. Kind of far for you, though.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/key-camera-service-longmont

Edit: He won't spend time looking for parts for old cameras, but will work with a parts camera if you find one.

GRHazelton · Nov 12, 2019

I have the folding Contessa. Mine works perfectly, except the meter. I've seen instructions on how to revive the meter, maybe I'll give it a try. The Contessa is a good camera for "contemplative" shooting; it is not a fast operating machine. I'd imagine that any competent repair person could fix the shutter. The Tessar is excellent. BTW the filter thread is on the OUTSIDE of the lens, Tim at filterfind found a Series adapter for it, once that is in hand filters are plentiful. The folding Contessa is a real gem. Even the inside of the lens door is leather covered. Its fit and finish make the majority of modern cameras look like toys. BTW the tripod screw on the lens door has or probably had a little screw to fill it with of course a leather insert! Mike Butkus' Orphan Cameras has the manual for the folding Contessa; shoot him a few bucks to keep up the good work. Ever ready cases are out there, they are as nicely executed as is the camera. Of course, condition may vary.
Worth $49.00? Good Lord, yes! If the only problem is the slow speeds and the camera is in otherwise good condition, have the shutter fixed and enjoy.

AndyH · Nov 12, 2019

The slow gear trains are actually quite easy to work on, and usually require no more than a thorough cleaning, and perhaps bending a spring back into place. If they need parts, you might have a harder time, but the Prontor shutters were pretty ubiquitous back in the day. Every time I see one of that vintage in an antique or thrift shop, I pick it up for the spare parts. And, as someone pointed out, slow speeds on a 35mm rangefinder aren't used too often. Some of us might be able to give you a better idea of pricing if we knew which model it was.

Good luck!
Andy

Hatchetman · Nov 12, 2019

I have a beautiful one but the speeds are way off. Anyone know a reputable repair person?

Ko.Fe. · Nov 12, 2019

I never disasmbled those shutters. But I always removed them, then lens, top plate and washed all gunk out with camp fuel.

ntenny · Nov 14, 2019

I have one of these as well and find it to be a charming little camera. The filters aren’t a huge problem to find on eBay; I think they’re standard 27mm filters, just mounted backwards.

Needing to advance the film before firing the shutter is definitely a feature; the Ikonta 522/24 is the same way.

It’s definitely worth $49 if the fast speeds work, IMHO.

-NT

Ariston · Jan 9, 2020

AndyH said:
The slow gear trains are actually quite easy to work on, and usually require no more than a thorough cleaning, and perhaps bending a spring back into place. If they need parts, you might have a harder time, but the Prontor shutters were pretty ubiquitous back in the day. Every time I see one of that vintage in an antique or thrift shop, I pick it up for the spare parts. And, as someone pointed out, slow speeds on a 35mm rangefinder aren't used too often. Some of us might be able to give you a better idea of pricing if we knew which model it was.

Good luck!
Andy

Andy (or anyone else), my amazing wife ended up picking up this camera for me for Christmas. It is the 533/24 with the synchro compur shutter. Can you tell me, is it easy to get to this shutter? Should I just wet it with some lighter fluid and actuate it a few times to clean it, or do I have to disassemble the shutter? I am not mechanically inclined. Also, will doing this throw off the rangefinder alignment?

Thank you for any insight you can give!

mrosenlof · Jan 9, 2020

If you're not mechanically inclined (I am not), probably best not to try and work on the shutter. Finding someone to repair a synchro compur should not be difficult. Getting it repaired quickly might be.

Ariston · Jan 9, 2020

I have someone local who can do it, but it would cost $210. I can work with the camera as it is, I suppose.

GRHazelton · Jan 9, 2020

Since you're in Atlanta, check with Mike at Wings Camera. Mike is the genial master of Wings, which dates back more than a century, family owned since 1912! Here's the website: http://www.wingscamera.com/ I don't know whether Mike does any repair work himself (he did free a really stuck filter on my Zuiko 28mm without damage to the lens) but he can certainly suggest capable people in the Atlanta area. $210 sounds high, unless it includes a complete CLA. If you check Ebay you may find an ever-ready case, if you find one consider replacing the neck strap. I've had good luck with dealing with repair shops by mail, I am now looking into a CLA on a Contax IIa.
While I am somewhat mechanically inclined - auto repairs, etc - I wouldn't tackle the Contessa's shutter. Mark Hama (markhama.com) in our area is a YashicaMat specialist; he worked in the Yashica factory building them. The 'Mat's use a leaf shutter like our Contessas do, I imagine that the Mat's shutter is more difficult to get at. I've never used him but I've heard good things about him.

Ariston · Jan 9, 2020

GRHazelton said:
Since you're in Atlanta, check with Mike at Wings Camera. Mike is the genial master of Wings, which dates back more than a century, family owned since 1912! Here's the website: http://www.wingscamera.com/ I don't know whether Mike does any repair work himself (he did free a really stuck filter on my Zuiko 28mm without damage to the lens) but he can certainly suggest capable people in the Atlanta area. $210 sounds high, unless it includes a complete CLA. If you check Ebay you may find an ever-ready case, if you find one consider replacing the neck strap. I've had good luck with dealing with repair shops by mail, I am now looking into a CLA on a Contax IIa.
While I am somewhat mechanically inclined - auto repairs, etc - I wouldn't tackle the Contessa's shutter. Mark Hama (markhama.com) in our area is a YashicaMat specialist; he worked in the Yashica factory building them. The 'Mat's use a leaf shutter like our Contessas do, I imagine that the Mat's shutter is more difficult to get at. I've never used him but I've heard good things about him.

Yes - thanks. I've been to wings more than once, and they are who put me onto the guy I use here in Atlanta, who quoted me $210. It is not too exorbitant, since it is a full service (the only way they would do it), but it is too much for what I want for a $40 camera.

AndyH · Jan 9, 2020

Ariston said:
Andy (or anyone else), my amazing wife ended up picking up this camera for me for Christmas. It is the 533/24 with the synchro compur shutter. Can you tell me, is it easy to get to this shutter? Should I just wet it with some lighter fluid and actuate it a few times to clean it, or do I have to disassemble the shutter? I am not mechanically inclined. Also, will doing this throw off the rangefinder alignment?

Thank you for any insight you can give!

if you haven’t worked on shutters before, I’d probably look for a professional. If you can unscrew the front and rear lens assemblies to get them away from the mechanism, it’d be hard to argue with injecting a little naphtha into the gear train, but not with the glass mounted.

Andy

Ariston · Jan 9, 2020

AndyH said:
if you haven’t worked on shutters before, I’d probably look for a professional. If you can unscrew the front and rear lens assemblies to get them away from the mechanism, it’d be hard to argue with injecting a little naphtha into the gear train, but not with the glass mounted.

Andy

I read that you just loosen a screw on the front element, then it will screw right off. I don't know about the rear one...

The shop is mailing it back to me now. I'll have to look at it. The focus is on the front, so I was also concerned about messing up the rangefinder alignment.

pbromaghin · Jan 10, 2020

Ariston said:
Yes - thanks. I've been to wings more than once, and they are who put me onto the guy I use here in Atlanta, who quoted me $210. It is not too exorbitant, since it is a full service (the only way they would do it), but it is too much for what I want for a $40 camera.

But then you will have a $250 camera.

Is a Zeiss Ikon Contessa worth $49?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency