Sold SOLD: Contax IIA 35mm Rangefinder & Accessories

indy_kid · Oct 8, 2021

Serial number is T-30858, which dates to 1951. However, I've been told this model has had factory modifications. Shutter speeds sound good down to 1/25th, but the curtain hangs up at anything slower. There is documentation and some videos online about IIA repair, if you're adventurous. I was quoted $800 for a full overhaul, and I don't have the money for that.

Lens glass in both lenses (Sonnar 50mm/f2, Sonnar 135mm/f4) is clear, no haze or fungus. Some bits of debris, but if you own lens spanners ($15-20 on Amazon, and every photographer should own a set!), you should be able to clean these yourself.

E. Leitz collapsible flash comes with correct cable for flashbulbs (13 bulbs included). Lens hood included. Film take-up spool included. Moderate vertical offset in rangefinder. You'll need a new 22.5V battery if you want to use the flash (about $25 on Amazon).

$500 + S/H from Indiana (47401).

Dismayed · Oct 8, 2021

Yikes! Who quoted $800 for an overhaul?

chriscrawfordphoto · Oct 9, 2021

Dismayed said:
Yikes! Who quoted $800 for an overhaul?

Probably Henry Scherer. He is said to be the 'best' for Contax repairs but is EXTREMELY expensive. He won't give a price on his site for overhauling a Contax IIa, but another page on his site says he charges $1200 to overhaul a Contarex Bullseye. He has a waiting list so long that I doubt he'll live long enough to get to the end of it.

Dismayed · Oct 9, 2021

chriscrawfordphoto said:
Probably Henry Scherer. He is said to be the 'best' for Contax repairs but is EXTREMELY expensive. He won't give a price on his site for overhauling a Contax IIa, but another page on his site says he charges $1200 to overhaul a Contarex Bullseye. He has a waiting list so long that I doubt he'll live long enough to get to the end of it.

He has about 500 cameras on his wait list (I still have access from a service about 15 years ago), and he has to be over 80 years old . . .

Mark Layne · Oct 9, 2021

Dismayed said:
He has about 500 cameras on his wait list (I still have access from a service about 15 years ago), and he has to be over 80 years old . . .

The slow speed escapementon the Contax is under the top plate, not too difficult a job on a Contax with no light meter. The danger is always torn or rotten shutter tapes.
Henry did kindly release a stuck Contarex mirror for me a few years ago.

Dismayed · Oct 9, 2021

Mark Layne said:
The slow speed escapementon the Contax is under the top plate, not too difficult a job on a Contax with no light meter. The danger is always torn or rotten shutter tapes.
Henry did kindly release a stuck Contarex mirror for me a few years ago.

No question - Henry's work is excellent, but getting on his wait list now seems pointless.

btaylor · Oct 9, 2021

Dismayed said:
No question - Henry's work is excellent, but getting on his wait list now seems pointless.

From research and experience in the past, a qualified repair person is going to charge $400-500 for the CLA. It’s kinda crazy, because in the end financially it’s like buying a nice Leica IIIf but you are stuck with the Contax lens mount and the limitations therein. Yea, I agree- the Scherer thing is truly pointless given the crazy wait times and his advanced age.

binglebugbob · Oct 9, 2021

The risk in sending a camera to a person of his age with such a backlog (granted, that few probably would send one in with this kind of waiting list) is that if he dies, you may never see your camera again. It's also a reason to tape your name and address on a valuable camera sent in for repair, especially to a one man shop. And hope that someone managing the estate will contact you regarding its return.

Dismayed · Oct 9, 2021

btaylor said:
From research and experience in the past, a qualified repair person is going to charge $400-500 for the CLA. It’s kinda crazy, because in the end financially it’s like buying a nice Leica IIIf but you are stuck with the Contax lens mount and the limitations therein. Yea, I agree- the Scherer thing is truly pointless given the crazy wait times and his advanced age.

I dunno. Being 'stuck' with the Contax mount does give you access to some stunning Zeiss lenses. The Contax IIa is also easy to load. So I'd prefer a Contax to a Leica IIIf any day.

Anyway, nice camera and lenses. GLWTS!

btaylor · Oct 9, 2021

Dismayed said:
Being 'stuck' with the Contax mount does give you access to some stunning Zeiss lenses

True this. Unfortunately they are also (with the exception of the 50 f2 and 135mm) very expensive even compared to Leica glass of the same vintage. I have a few for my IIa, and I like them a lot. Additionally many of the Kiev lenses will fit (notable exception the Jupiter 35mm), a clean and adjusted Jupiter 85mm f2 can be stunning and inexpensive.

Pioneer · Oct 9, 2021

Nice cameras. A little watch oil on the low speed shaft (accessible by removing the top plate) may provide some relief for the problems outlined.

indy_kid · Oct 10, 2021

Thanks for the input. Yes, it was Henry. May have a go at it myself if I don't get a bite soon. Need a winter project.

indy_kid · Oct 14, 2021

PRICE DROP!

$450 + S/H

Karl K · Oct 17, 2021

A close friend had his Contax IIa and two lenses CLA'd by Henry.
Extremely costly, and it took about a year, many phone calls and emails, and TWO redos to correct Henry's excuses and mistakes.
I'm not saying this situation is normal, but my close friend said "never again".

indy_kid · Nov 18, 2021

PRICE DROP!

$375 + S/H

swchris · Nov 18, 2021

This price looks nice. I'd take it, but I already have the same camera with the same 50mm lens. And I paid €250 or so IIRC. Here it comes with an additional flash and 135mm lens.

indy_kid · Dec 18, 2021

$325 + S/H.

Pioneer · Dec 18, 2021

This is really quite an amazing deal. These cameras are wonderful fun to work with and you don't have to send it to Henry if you don't want. He is actually very good but Mark Hansen also works on these cameras and though he is a bit backlogged right now he will be able to get it working quite nicely.

indy_kid · Dec 20, 2021

$300 + S/H

Need it gone!

indy_kid · Feb 26, 2022

Bump!

Rollie Dan · Feb 27, 2022

I got on Henry's list back in 2010, when II had some Contax gear. I have to wait another year or more - that's 13 plus years It is what it is. At least the person who signed on after me will be happy to move up the list

GRHazelton · Apr 12, 2022

Mark Layne said:
The slow speed escapementon the Contax is under the top plate, not too difficult a job on a Contax with no light meter. The danger is always torn or rotten shutter tapes.
Henry did kindly release a stuck Contarex mirror for me a few years ago.

I have a Contax IIa. According to Cameraquest the IIa, unlike the II or III doesn't use tapes, the aluminum slats are geared together so no tapes to rot. See Cameraquest for good articles on the Contax rangefinders.

guangong · Apr 13, 2022

Regardin Contax IIa repairs, my original instruction manual, unlike Leitz and other camera makers of the day, doesn’t even mention returning to authorized service representative, but only to competent repairman. As I understand, the internal mechanism of the IIa is less complicated than the earlier Contax II.

GRHazelton · Apr 13, 2022

Advance Camera in Portland Oregon did a CLA on my Contax IIa. Total cost was a little over $200. Turnaround was a month or two; the smoke from forest fires in the area slowed their operations. The Contax looks like new, shutter speeds sound okay. I've got a Canon P with slow speed troubles which I'll probably send to Advance.

indy_kid · May 12, 2022

Still available!

Sold SOLD: Contax IIA 35mm Rangefinder & Accessories

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