On my “Current Top Ten” page, I say something along the lines of, I can’t like a camera if I have only tried a rough copy, even if a lot of other people like it. Unfortunately, this camera will fall into that category. I know lots of people like it, I know it is beautiful, but my experience with this example wasn’t my favourite on this journey.
It was lent to me by a friend, and I am really grateful for the chance. He said it was produced around 1942, that the light meter wasn’t working, and there was haze in the lens. Other than that, it should work.
I have always wanted to try one, I even got myself a Kiev 4 which is a copy of this camera. It is a historically significant camera, but it seems that I had the same kind of experience as Mike Eckman. The only difference between us – the fact the shutter ribbon failed on his Contax. I did not want that to happen to me as I wanted to give the camera back intact. So I tried one roll of film and left it at that.
With the Kiev 4, you could only set the shutter speed after cocking, but with the Contax that wasn’t necessary. To be honest, I left the camera on 1/125th so it was never an issue. I did this as I found it difficult to read any of the dials. From the film speed to the lens aperture, I found it tricky. The aperture was tricky due to the ‘dot’ being removed. I ended up putting a little Tippex or whiteout on it so I could see where the mark should have been. I chose that as I could rub it off after. The film speeds were hard to see due to the sun and shiny chrome. I think by this point, I was just annoyed with it all. The light meter information wasn’t an issue as the needle didn’t move and I set the camera via my phone app reading. Then there was the viewfinder, it was hazy and small. Not a big issue normally, but combined with the Contax claw to see the rangefinder patch, I found it tricky. I was not a happy bunny and I think that was due to my internal disappointment. I should like this camera!!
I loaded it with a roll of Ilford Pan 400 and took it to Chatsworth House, or rather the outside grounds as I parked in the local village and walked in via a kissing gate. If you have a look at this great blog, you will see the kissing gate and some of the walk I did this day. I also encountered lots of deer and I am so glad I had my phone out for the light meter app as it means I can share this video with you.
Honestly, it was the best part of the day. I was so happy to have been this close to the deer that I went home soon after. Oh, and they did all get over the fence eventually, the last little one took some time though.
So how about the camera? Well, halfway through the roll I realised that I had not pulled the lens out all the way so it was not locked in place. I suspected those shots would be out of focus and I was right. The rest of the roll was fine. What a stupid mistake, I remember I did the same thing when I first got a collapsible lens. This time the lens was mostly out, so I got out-of-focus shots rather than a circle. You don’t see through the lens like an SLR so if something is wrong in that respect, you won’t know until development.
Here are my results with some of the pre-extended shots for comparison.
Despite my issues, I really like some of the results. My favourite is the one with the baby donkey, another highlight for the day.
I think most of the issues I had with the camera with down to my own attitude and not the camera. I had spent the previous day inside, going through cameras for the Boston Spa sale next week and I really wanted to be outside. Now here I am, finally outside, enjoying the day and it should be perfect…but I am struggling with this camera. Plus going through my own collection, I wanted to try some of the ones I had stored, the working cameras I haven’t tried for a while. I want it to be Spring/Summer. I am tired of winter and dark evenings and cold days.
Instead of moping any longer, I had booked a couple of camping trips to look forward too. Places where I can get outside in the fresh air and sunshine…finger crossed.
As for the camera, I will give it back at Boston Spa on Sunday 🙂
Another wonderful and inspiring post. Thank you for sharing.
It doesn’t feel inspiring, it felt a bit grumpy to write. Ultimately, it is supposed to say, be happy with what you have and stop yearning for that one camera.
That cake looked delicious 😋 …….The photos were good too😁
Yes, I was thinking, I need more cake.
That’s the biggest herd of deer I have ever seen … and I live in the mountains where deer are plentiful.
I recently bought a Contax IIIa (postwar) body from The Bay, in hopes of having a second body on which to mount Nikon S-mount glass. This IIIa looks almost as if it has never been used … but all the shutter speeds are the same, about 1/100th or so. There is a shop in New England called Vermont Camera Repair (attn: Liz) who will work on these, as well as Nikon M and S cameras, and other 1940s-1950s era gear. Liz says if the shuttter ribbons are ruined, the IIIa is not worth the cost of repair. I’m gambling that, since the shutter fires with ease, the problem lies in the escarpment somewhere. The build quality and finish on these postwar Zeiss cameras is over the top excellent.
That’s what I read about the ribbons, hence I didn’t want to have them snap on my watch
The herd is an ‘estate’ one.we have a few old houses, like Chatsworth where they traditionally keep deer in the grounds. Not tame, but contained.
In the wild we typically only see one or two, if we are luckily enough to see one at all.