Zeiss-Ikon
Superb! 1956 Zeiss Ikon Contax IIIa, CLA'd, Freshly Serviced!
Cleaned, Lubricated & Adjusted. Ready for immediate use!
This is the last version of the classic Zeiss-Ikon Contax 35mm camera. This was Zeiss Ikon’s most expensive, top of the line rangefinder camera and it is popular among collectors and photographers alike. Many fine photographers cherish & enjoy these cameras because of their delightful handling characteristics, their quiet shutters and their ability to use the exceptionally fine Carl Zeiss Contax lenses produced before and after the second world war.
This Contax IIIa was produced in circa 1956 in Stuttgart Germany by Zeiss-Ikon. It’s in exceptionally fine condition and fully functional. It’s the so called “color-dial” version which simply means that the camera has a standard flash connector on the rear of the camera. (Contax aficionados prefer this model to the earlier “black-dial” version because the latter needs a special and hard to find adapter in order to use a flash.)
Fine Contax cameras have always been a desirable and this one is even more so because it’s been carefully cleaned, lubricated and adjusted. The coupled rangefinder image is easy to see and works well. The shutter works smoothly and all speeds (B & 1 sec - 1/1250th) are appropriate. The slow speeds buzz along smoothly and the fast speeds are clean and snappy. The shutter speed is easily set to any desired position.
Surprisingly, the uncoupled selenium light meter works smoothly and reacts actively to light. However 60 year old selenium light meters are known to be unreliable so we haven’t even bothered to check its accuracy. However that’s no problem, just use a modern handheld meter or the classic sunny 16 rule. All manual settings are easy to use and adjust.
It comes complete with an original Zeiss film take up spool.
All in all, a very lovely rangefinder camera that will allow you use many of your favorite pre and post war Contax lenses. It’s the perfect companion for your search for that perfect picture…