Zeiss Ikon Contax Camera Repair

A home for your Zeiss Ikon Contax, Contarex or Super Ikonta camera!

Services For The Post-War Model IIA & IIIA Bodies

The IIa and IIIa camera services have been separated. This has been made necessary due to recent developments. The first is that over the past year a number of repair shops have advertised cheap and fast IIIa overhauls with cheap meter servicings. These cameras are beginning to be presented here due to body and meter unreliability. These cameras present special problems not typically present in cameras that have been preserved in factory original condition. The second is that it has become demonstrated and it is evident to me that Zeiss understood that IIIa light meter mechanical friction type cell electrical connections cannot possibly be made to be reliable. Zeiss demonstrated this understanding by switching to a soldered type cell connection in end of production IIIa light meters. In order that all IIIa cameras that leave here have lightmeters which are as reliable as the rest of the camera it is necessary to modify all meters to upgrade them to all of the last stage modificaitons Zeiss implemented.

Replacement Parts Are At Additional Cost

Please note that it is my experience that 99% of all cameras that are sent here do not require replacment parts. In most cases when a camera needs a part or two this is no great expense or surprise to the owner. But black dial cameras that have been butchered to be converted to be color dial type cameras and which must be converted back to complete black dial models in order to work properly will require about $175.00 in replacement parts. Also, FrankenContaxes that have been assembled out of defective and broken parts by dishonest operators will often require a large number of parts to be made right. The worst case I have had with a FrankenContax required $350.00 in parts to correct everything. If you have not yet purchased your camera be sure to get a return guarantee and then have it professionally examined before accepting it. These days it pays to be careful when buying a Contax.

Please note that it is a rare occurrence for a camera to need a replacement screw or two. When this happens the screws are replaced with original Zeiss Contax screws from parts cameras I buy for this purpose. Zeiss manufactured special screws for every part of the camera and none are alike. I have seen cameras that have been serviced where "free screws" have been used. These are universal thread cutting type screws that ruin any screw hole into which they have been forced.

The following services are offered for these particular models:

Contax IIa and IIIa Services
Service Cost
Complete camera body overhaul $245.00
Five Year Touchup Service $104.95
Meter Service without a body service $200.00
Camera Winterization $675.00
Deep Cold Preparation $775.00
Leather Bump Removal $75.00
Critical Camera Alignment $125.00
Rangefinder Image Coincidence Adjustment $50.00
Repair Estimate $45.00

CONTAX IIa Complete Body Overhaul

  1. Complete body disassembly with removal and ultrasonic cleaning of all parts not permanently attached to the body including shutter and film advance mechanisms. Following cleaning all parts are carefully inspected for wear and original factory defects. Necessary corrections are made at no additional cost. When all parts are ready the camera is slowly assembled over a period of days while it is tested to ensure critical adjustments will not fall out of alignment due to residual stresses.
  2. Hand cleaning and relubrication of the focusing helical. Grease is not used. Dry lubricant per the orignal Zeiss design is used.
  3. Hand solvent cleaning of the body shell.
  4. Complete relubrication of all camera mechanisms using the appropriate modern highest possible quality clock and watch oils and greases.
  5. Complete disassembly, ultrasonic cleaning, lubrication and alignment of the rangefinder module.
  6. Detailed cleaning of all optical rangefinder and viewfinder components.
  7. Restoration treatment of exterior leather and permanent removal of Zeiss bumps. We do not cut the leather to remove the bumps. We have developed a proprietary method that removes the leather completely and does not damage it in any way.
  8. Restoration of deteriorated engraving fill paint.
  9. Cleaning and lubrication of the back closure mechanisms.
  10. Detailed cleaning of all control knobs and surfaces.
  11. Precision shutter adjustment and timing to obtain the maximum performance obtainable.
  12. Precision alignment of the focusing helical and rangefinder module to obtain silky smooth yet positive focusing action.
  13. Precision rangefinder alignment.
  14. Precision lens alignment to ensure maximum focusing accuracy.
  15. Flash synchronization mechanical (black dial models) or electrical (color dial models) adjustment and alignment.
  16. Inspection of the shutter tapes and shutter cords. The shutter tapes on the IIa and IIIa cameras, unlike the earlier II and III models, do not often need to be replaced. Perhaps about 1 in 100 IIa or IIIa cameras need new tapes due to age or fraying. Shutter tape replacement in the IIa and IIIa cameras is $125.00 additional cost. If your IIa or IIIa camera requires new tapes you will be advised of this before any tape replacement work is done.

CONTAX IIIa Complete Body Overhaul Plus Meter Servicing Costs

This service includes the following light meter services that are in addition to those performed for the IIa camera and which involve the light meter.

  1. a. The light meter is serviced as necessary to ensure that it is as reliable as the rest of the camera. The meter is carefully examined and calibration checked. If the meter does not have the late production variable adjustment resistor installed, one is installed before the calibration check. If the meter cannot be calibrated with the variable resistor using the photcell which came with the camera a new photocell will be installed. If the meter photocell is connected to the meter using friction type connectors the meter is modified to connect to the cell using soldered type connectors. If the meter can be calibrated using the cell that came with the camera, but the cell is not capable of being connected using soldered connectors the cell will be replaced with one that allows the use of soldered type connections.
  2. The additional costs for the services are as follows:
    1. (1). Calibration check/adjustment $19.99.
    2. (2). Installation of variable resistor and calibration $24.99.
    3. (3). Replacement photocell parts cost $44.99.
    4. (4). Modify to soldered type connectors $24.99.

      These services total to $114.96, if all are required, and it can be anticipated that most cameras will require all of the individual services. Very few IIIa cameras contain a late production meter that has a factory installed variable resistor and soldered type cell connections.

The IIIa body service also includes the following items which are identical to those provided for the IIa body service:

  1. Complete body disassembly with removal and ultrasonic cleaning of all parts not permanently attached to the body including shutter and film advance mechanisms. Following cleaning all parts are carefully inspected for wear and original factory defects. Necessary corrections are made at no additional cost. When all parts are ready the camera is slowly assembled over a period of days while it is tested to ensure critical adjustments will not fall out of alignment due to residual stresses.
  2. Hand cleaning and relubrication of the focusing helical.
  3. Hand solvent cleaning of the body shell.
  4. Complete relubrication of all camera mechanisms using the appropriate modern highest possible quality clock and watch oils and greases.
  5. Complete disassembly, ultrasonic cleaning, lubrication and alignment of the rangefinder module.
  6. Detailed cleaning of all optical rangefinder and viewfinder components.
  7. Restoration treatment of exterior leather and permanent removal of Zeiss bumps.
  8. Restoration of deteriorated engraving fill paint.
  9. Cleaning and lubrication of the back closure mechanisms.
  10. Detailed cleaning of all control knobs and surfaces.
  11. Precision shutter adjustment and timing to obtain the maximum performance obtainable.
  12. Precision alignment of the focusing helical and rangefinder module to obtain silky smooth yet positive focusing action.
  13. Precision rangefinder alignment.
  14. Precision lens alignment to ensure maximum focusing accuracy.
  15. Flash synchronization mechanical (black dial models) or electrical (color dial models) adjustment and alignment.
  16. Inspection of the shutter tapes and shutter cords.

    The shutter tapes on the IIa and IIIa cameras, unlike the earlier II and III models, do not often need to be replaced. Perhaps about 1 in 100 IIa or IIIa cameras need new tapes due to age or fraying. Shutter tape replacement in the IIa and IIIa cameras is $125.00 additional cost. If your IIa or IIIa camera requires new tapes you will be advised of this before any tape replacement work is done.

We have found by testing that there are no shortcuts to a completely reliable camera. We know that to provide you with a camera that has smoothness of action, precision, accuracy and reliablity much work is required. We spend two weeks per camera. This is what it takes to provide you with the Zeiss Contax that it was designed to be.

Very often we are presented with cameras that have been serviced by others and which have failed to satisfy their owners. In many cases we are asked merely to correct those aspects of camera function that the owner finds objectionable. In most cases this is the focusing action. Unfortunately, we are not able to do piece work to correct the work of others. The reason is that our experience is that with time and use other problems with these cameras will arise and require correction. We have learned by experience that the only way to completely correct all of the visible and latent problems with such a camera is to take it completely apart and do the job over agin correctly. We actually do spend an entire week on a single camera. Experience again has taught us that this is what it takes to do the job right so that it is done only once.

Auxilary Services

Periodic Touchup Service - $104.95:

This service is for camera bodies that have been overhauled here previously only. It consists of a camera adjustment check followed by disassembly to the modular level with cleaning, relubrication, readustment and reassembly. It is a very deep and throrough service that extends the life of the camera and keeps it reliable and accurate. It should be performed at least once every five years.

Cameras sent here for a touchup service are not subject to any wait, are not listed on the waiting list, and are processed as quickly as possible.

The reason that only cameras that have been previously overhauled here are elegible for this service is that part of the overhaul procedure is to prepare cameras for this periodic service. During an overhaul each and every screw in the camera body is ultrasonically cleaned and then the screw and its hole are greased. This ensures that when the camera comes back here for a touchup service it is easy to disassemble. It also prevents the phenomenon of "disassembly/reassembly wear and tear". Another reason is that each camera that is overhauled here gets exactly the same treatment and so I know what I am dealing with. These two factors make a touchup service less difficult for me and at less cost and time for you.

Meter Service without a body service - $200.00:

This includes replacement of the cell, installation of the variable resistor, modification to soldered type electrical cell connections, and calibration. This service is only available on a meter which has been removed from the camera and which has been sent here separately. We do not handle bodies that have been serviced by others.

Camera Winterization - $675.00:

Most cameras do not perform well in very cold weather. The grease and oils solidify and restrict the movement of precision parts. In many cases the camera shutter will not release in cold temperatures. This service is a complete and complex camera overhaul and cleaning followed by lubrication with very expensive special low temperature watch lubricants designed to function well at temperatures ranging from normal room temperature to as low as -25 Degree Celsius (-77 Degrees Farenheit).

Deep Cold Preparation - $775.00:

Preparation of a camera for use in temperatures from normal room temprature to temperatures as low as -52 Degrees Celsius (-126 Degrees Farenheit) requires use of a very expensive special Arctic Watch Oil, and special preparation of the camera bearings and sliding surfaces using extremely expensive blocking agents to retain this very fugitive oil in place and to prevent its migration.

Leather Bump Removal - $75.00:

This service is included at no additional charge in the body overhaul service. The formation of the well known "Zeiss Bump" is the result of a chemical reaction between the tanning chemicals used in the leather, and the exposed copper in the exposed brass rivet heads used to hold the back pieces togther. These bumps can be removed, but it is also necessary to cover the brass rivet tops with an insulating material to ensure the bumps will not reappear. This service involves the following steps:

  1. Removal of the leather.
  2. Cleaning of the brass rivet heads.
  3. Three coats of sealant is applied to the rivet heads.
  4. The leather is treated to remove distortions caused by the bumps.
  5. The leather is recemented in place with a conservation quality adhesive which allows later removal without leather damage.
  6. The exterior leather surface is cleaned and polished.

This process does not involve any cutting or slicing of the leather. The leather is removed itact and without any physical, chemical or surface damage.

Rangefinder Image Coincidence Adjustment - $50.00:

This service corrects the vertical misalignment of the rangefinder/viewfinder image. It can only be provided in conjunction with a normal camera body servicing.

Repair Estimate - 45.00:

If you send me your camera for a repair estimate I will disassemble it to the extent required to determine the problem. I will inform you by email of the problems and will provide you with a repair cost estimate. If you do not authorize the repairs the camera will be reassembled and returned to you.

There is one thing that must be carefully considered before you decide against a complete servicing and send the camera for an estimate. The oils and greases in the camera are approximately 60 years old and have been slowly oxidizing inside the camera and are becoming thick and sticky. This rate of oxidation has been limited by the fact the inside of the camera has been sealed from the intrusion of fresh air, and more oxygen. When the camera is opened for the estimate examination the internals are completely exposed to fresh supplies of oxygen and the oxidation of the old oils and greases can rapidly accelerate. It is entirely possible for a camera that was opened for an estimate, and which was not repaired, to be received by you in a lower state of operational reliability than when you sent it to me. It is not unusual for such as camera to have harder focusing, a more sluggish shutter, stickier winding, and a hesitating self timer all due to old oil and grease whose oxidation was refueled and accelerated merely by the camera having been opened. This phenomena doesn't always happen, but it happens often enough that you ought to know about it.

Customer Submitted Parts Bodies

Occasionally a customer will include an additional camera body along with the one to be worked on so that I can use it as a source of "free" parts. There are several problems that can arise with this approach. It is also more work for me.

  1. Zeiss made many internal changes to the Contax as it was made between the years of 1951 to 1964. It is possible that the parts body may not contain parts compatible with the one to be overhauled.
  2. The needed parts in the parts body may be worn out.
  3. The Contax is hand made out of hand made parts which were hand selected by the assembler when the camera was manufactured. There are very wide "as manufactured" tollerances on parts and it is possible that a replacement part from the parts body may be oversized or undersized to the mating parts in the body being overhauled.
  4. The ovehauled body may not, and they usually do not need replacement parts.
  5. I have a full assortment of parts bodies of all variations on hand already. I am always very reasonable about parts prices when they are needed in a body being overhauled.
  6. I have a full organized assortment of all parts of all body variations from previously dissassebled cameras on hand and ready for use.
  7. Nothing is really free. If you insist that I use parts from your parts body first before using my parts on hand there will be a labor charge to extract the parts from your parts body and to clean and inspect them before use. This charge will vary depending upon how deeply the parts body must be disassembled to get the necessary parts out of your parts body.

This charge will be $75.00 per hour even if it is found the parts in your body are not useful, are broken, out of tollerance, or incompatible with the design of the body being overhauled.

We have found by testing that there are no shortcuts to a completely reliable camera. We know that to provide you with a camera that has smoothness of action, precision, accuracy and reliablity much work is required. We spend two weeks per camera. This is what it takes to provide you with the Zeiss Contax that it was designed to be.

Very often we are presented with cameras that have been serviced by others and which have failed to satisfy their owners. In many cases we are asked merely to correct those aspects of camera function that the owner finds objectionable. In most cases this is the focusing action. Unfortunately, we are not able to do piece work to correct the work of others. The reason is that our experience is that in a little time and use other problems with these cameras will arise and require correction. We have learned by experience that the only way to completely correct all of the visible and latent problems with such a camera is to take it completely apart and do the job over agin correctly. We actually do spend an entire week on a single camera. Experience again has taught us that this is what it takes to do the job right so that it is done only once.

If you want to know just how bad a camera servicing performed by others can be please read the camera report I had to send to a customer who sent his Contax IIIa to me after he had paid over $200.00 for a CLA done by a well known shop: Report

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