Contax IIa Black Dial with Zeiss Sonnar 50mm F2, Film Tested

Description: Zeiss Contax IIa black dial RF camera with Zeiss 50mm f/2 – I’ve enjoyed this camera and shot at least 20 rolls through it with no issues and overall, the camera is in great shape and a true pleasure to use – Manufactured early 1954 (yes, that’s 71 years old…) and still looks wonderful and everything works. Shutter speeds I can measure with my Arduino DIY tester (1 sec to 1/500) are good and more important consistent. However, it’s likely 1/1250, the top speed on the camera is capping. I can’t measure that fast but looking through the camera with the back off looks like the metal curtains obscure part of the frame at 1/1250th. I only shoot ASA 25 and 50 film so rarely get above a shutter speed of 1/100 so it does not bother me. Rangefinder works properly, patch is bright and horizontal is perfect and vertical nearly so. No haze or fungus in the rangefinder, the self-timer works, frame spacing is good and comes with the proper take-up spool. The Zeiss 50mm f/2 is a true classic and I like at better than the faster f1.4 because of its wider contrast range and sharpness. Overall, in very good condition, no fungus, haze or bubbles and hardly any dust. The coating is clean, and the blades have slight wear but no oil. Includes original Zeiss instruction manual (not a reprint), a 3D printed body cap made with Carbon Fiber-PLA which works well, and the 35mm film take-up spool. Only have a 40.5mm protection filer for the 50mm lens, and a 3D printed TPU (like rubber) front cap. Update: shot a few additional photos of the lens to show overall condition. Just for education, Shutter capping occurs when the two curtains of a focal plane shutter are moving too quickly or too slowly in relation to each other. It results in a dark, underexposed (or sometimes completely unexposed) area of the frame. If you decide to buy one of these, be sure to ask about the shutter. I’ve seen people advertising ‘all shutter speeds 1-1/500 work perfectly’ but don’t mention there even is a 1/1250th. Sometimes shutter speeds not even mentioned. This is unfortunately very COMMON and not limited to Contax. Will ship same day as payment via USPS Priority. Check my feedback and ask any questions and I’ll do my best to answer. Bob

Price: 330 USD

Location: Trenton, New Jersey

End Time: 2025-02-08T23:03:05.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD