See also the articles Contax rangefinder lenses and Contax
rangefinder
Contax IIIa is a 35mm
film interchangeable lens rangefinder camera manufactured by Zeiss Ikon AG.,
Stuttgart, West Germany and produced between March 1951- August 1962.
Contax IIIa is the same camera with Contax IIa with a light meter. Compared to
the prewar Contax II and Contax III, the Contax IIa and IIIa used
the same lens mount with a completely re-engineered shutter mechanism, new
body, and much improved chrome finish. On earlier versions of the Contax IIa
and IIIa cameras all the numbers on the shutter dial were in black and
therefore is model was called Black Dial, corresponding to the
Barnack Leica cameras like the IIIf. The so-called Color Dials
were in production for a longer period than the Black Dials, 1953-62 (44.025
units) vs. 1951-53 (25.000 units). The earlier black dial Contax IIa and IIIa
have a peculiar flash sync connection, from around November 1953 (CD) they have
standard PC socket. As a consequence the release mechanism had to be
redone. This was about the only major change in design during its
production time. Other than that, from 1951 to 1962 there have been small
changes in materials, exposure meter design and different lubricants. The
Contax IIa and IIIa are professional quality system 35mm Rangefinders with a
large system of lenses and accessories, that some considered the best 35mm
lenses during the 1950's. The Contax IIa and IIIa has a superb mechanical
fit and finish, many believe better than even the legendary Leica M3.
- Lens release: pressing spring catch when the
red dots are aligned on the lens flange and simultaneously turning the
lens clockwise, or turning the focus wheel counter clockwise.
- There is a second outside bayonet mount on the
focusing helicoid of the body for other than 50mm lenses
- Focusing: by a thumb ring on the left-front of
the camera via helical built in the body, the yellow rangefinder images
must be match in the viewfinder, scale and DOF scale on the focusing
helicoid on the body
- Shutter: all metal focal plane shutter with aluminum
shutter curtains, vertical traveling, speeds: 1-1/1250 +T & B
- Setting: ring and dial beneath the
winding/cocking knob, lift and turn to desired setting, for T: the
shutter closes by turning the speed dial to B, when on T, without
lifting.
- Shutter may be set to any speed while either
tensioned or intentioned.
- Shutter release: on top of the cocking knob,
w/ cable release socket
- Cocking knob: also winds the film, on the left
of the top plate
- Frame counter: on the cocking knob, advance
type, manual setting
- Viewfinder: coupled view and rangefinder
- Exposure meter: photo-electric selenium cell
exposure meter, uncoupled, w/ a lid on its light taking window
- Film speed range: 9-30 DIN (6-800 ASA),
- Setting: by inner thumb ring on the meter
settings dial knob
- Exposure setting: matching needle and black
diamond mark in the window on the top plate, adjusts by turning a big,
complex dial knob on the left of the top plate, shows DIN scale, aperture
and speed scales, speed setting possible from 60 sec. to 1/1250 sec.
- Re-adjustment of exposure meter is possible
by a screw on the back side, close the meter lid, turn the meter dial
counter-clockwise as far as go, the meter needle must point the black dot
in the window, if not, adjust it by turning the screw
- Re-wind knob: on the meter setting dial, for
easy handling it can be lifted about 1cm, turns when winding
- Re-wind release: a knob on the bottom plate,
film rewinds by pressing the button and simultaneously turning winding
knob
- Flash PC socket: on the back side of the
camera, synch 1/50 (orange on the speed dial) for electronic flash and
1/100 and over (red) for bulb flashes
- Cold-shoe (accessory shoe for additional
viewfinders, flash guns etc.)
- Engravings in the cold-shoe: Zeiss Ikon,
Stuttgart, Germany and serial no.
- Self-timer: possible three delay times
setting, and may be selected on T,B, or any other speed.
- Back cover: removable with the bottom plate,
open by two folding levers on the bottom plate
- Relief on the back cover leatherette: Zeiss
Ikon logo
- Tripod socket: 3/8
- Strap lugs
- Body: metal; Weight: 800g
- Serial no. On the cold-shoe and inside of the
camera.
( source :
Wikipedia)
Condition exterior :
In fine condition with some minor wear, no
dents.
Condition mechanical : The shutter operates
fine on all speeds, rangefinder is OK .
Number : T36980 ( 1951-1952)
Finder : Some minor dust particles , the rangefinder is
OK
Light meter: Works, don’t
know how accurate
Transport : Good.
Selftimer : OK 10 secs
Lens Zeiss Opton T
50mm F2.
Lens Number : 685355
Focusing : Nice, and smooth
Mount : Clean, no
wear
Filter mount : No dents , filters fits good
Glass : Some
minor dust particles.
Diaphragm: Clean
The camera and lens are cleaned with most care. We don’t sell items with
the dirt of the former owners still on it.