Bought a couple of these in the early 2000s for $50 each (you could hardly give away film cameras back then). Spent $200 on a cla for them, and shot a lot of film with them. Good camera.
Such as sexy camera. I have a IIIa, built in 1954; had CLA’d a few years ago and works perfectly, but I wish it was a IIa. Thanks for the nice review. The original Zeiss 135mm that came along with it, is an outstanding optic. Also, mine came with the Jena f2 50mm; initially, I looked for an Opton f1.5 to upgrade, but after CLA and seeing images shot on HP5+, I see no need to upgrade: The Jena is fabulous.
@@eyeamstrongest Post WW2, a new aluminium shutter was introduced - stronger and lighter, but thicker than the original. You can make a VERY expensive mistake here.
It's always best to wind the film and the shutter in one smooth motion. You can do it by inverting the camera, holding the nob, and straightening up the camera thus winding it in one motion. I think when rewinding the film you need to continue passing in the release button the whole way through.
Nice video. You forgot to mention the most significant improvement in handling the camera: the speed can be dialled in after as well as before (!) winding the film. The setting mechanism has completely changed. In my exemplar the speeds are perfectly accurate across the whole range, and the camera has never seen a complete service -- amazing quality!
Thanks for this discussion. I really want to get a solid rangefinder soon. However, I always wonder how well suited these vintage cameras are for people who wear glasses. Also, I'm hearing some interference on your audio, like a radio station. Are you using a wireless mic?
I also wear glasses and have tried both the Contax and Nikon rangefinders. As for the rangefinder patch, Contax’s are more contrasty than Nikon’s. In terms of the viewfinder’s brightness, Nikon’s are much brighter and bigger, therefore I find it much easier to use Nikon rangefinders while wearing glasses.
Bought a couple of these in the early 2000s for $50 each (you could hardly give away film cameras back then). Spent $200 on a cla for them, and shot a lot of film with them. Good camera.
Such as sexy camera. I have a IIIa, built in 1954; had CLA’d a few years ago and works perfectly, but I wish it was a IIa. Thanks for the nice review. The original Zeiss 135mm that came along with it, is an outstanding optic. Also, mine came with the Jena f2 50mm; initially, I looked for an Opton f1.5 to upgrade, but after CLA and seeing images shot on HP5+, I see no need to upgrade: The Jena is fabulous.
Merry Christmas Bellamy.
Merry Christmas to you!
Feel better soon. 😊 great video ❤
NB; Remember that the pre-war wideangles (and the Soviet 35mm f2.8 Jupiter 12) will foul the shutter on this camera, and therefore can't be used.
whys that?
@@eyeamstrongest Post WW2, a new aluminium shutter was introduced - stronger and lighter, but thicker than the original. You can make a VERY expensive mistake here.
It's always best to wind the film and the shutter in one smooth motion. You can do it by inverting the camera, holding the nob, and straightening up the camera thus winding it in one motion.
I think when rewinding the film you need to continue passing in the release button the whole way through.
Nice video. You forgot to mention the most significant improvement in handling the camera: the speed can be dialled in after as well as before (!) winding the film. The setting mechanism has completely changed. In my exemplar the speeds are perfectly accurate across the whole range, and the camera has never seen a complete service -- amazing quality!
I hope you feel better soon Jeff, seasons greetings to you Sir.
Laurie
Thanks for this discussion. I really want to get a solid rangefinder soon. However, I always wonder how well suited these vintage cameras are for people who wear glasses. Also, I'm hearing some interference on your audio, like a radio station. Are you using a wireless mic?
I also wear glasses and have tried both the Contax and Nikon rangefinders. As for the rangefinder patch, Contax’s are more contrasty than Nikon’s. In terms of the viewfinder’s brightness, Nikon’s are much brighter and bigger, therefore I find it much easier to use Nikon rangefinders while wearing glasses.
Tremendous
I think the Contax ii is better for focusing