Author |
Topic  |
Jacques M.
France
2521 Posts |
Posted - Jul 09 2018 : 09:06:20 AM
|
An other Jena-Contax here. The s/n 11829, next to my 11826 already seen above in the thread. Externally, there is only one difference. The winding button has a different shape (screw and "bowl"). Nothing else before dismounting.
The general look first:
 http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/972018_IMG_0108.JPG
|
 |
|
Jacques M.
France
2521 Posts |
|
SteveA
United Kingdom
127 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2018 : 03:04:46 AM
|
Just seen Michels post from Mar 04 2011 - I have Kiev 481100 in my collection, just 4 behind his camera. Mine also has 1100 engraved into the alloy shutter assembly. |
 |
|
Jacques M.
France
2521 Posts |
|
Jacques M.
France
2521 Posts |
|
Jacques M.
France
2521 Posts |
|
Elmar Lang
Italy
29 Posts |
Posted - Aug 31 2021 : 04:57:18 AM
|
Hello,
just to add a little further detail to this interesting thread, I would like to add the data of my "Jena" Contax:
S.N.: 27893, also present on the inner surface of the "heavy" type, sheet-brass back; "square" accessory shoe.
Lens: Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 1:2 5cm. "red T" s.n. 3051152.
All the best,
Enzo (E.L.)
|
 |
|
Jacques M.
France
2521 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2021 : 10:43:00 AM
|
Thanks, Enzo. I will add it in my listing.
For those who would be interested by that listing (around 240 Jena Contaxes), just pm. Unless Vlad thinks it could be interesting in our wiki?
Amitiés. Jacques. |
 |
|
Elmar Lang
Italy
29 Posts |
Posted - Sep 03 2021 : 08:32:44 AM
|
Dear Jacques,
I think that your listing would be most invaluable to those involved in the study and research about the evolution from the Contax to the Kiev lines.
Congratulations for your research effort,
Enzo |
 |
|
Stefan Baumgartner xatnoc
Germany
5 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2023 : 11:16:36 PM
|
Hello everyone, I have a concern that the ivory Contax 27972 shown in this thread above represents an authentic ivory camera. This notion is for the simple reason that the camera looks too good, the paint looks too fresh. I have followed the fate of this camera: first it was sold at a German Auction house, "Cornwall" in Cologne in auction 38, then it appeared on eBay again in 2016 where it was sold to the next owner. In my data, I also find a comment of a previous ivory Contax expert who expressed the same concern as me: looks too good. All true ivory Contax show some wear and the color starts to disintegrate. Using this criteria, any fake has a difficult position, as paint cannot be easily converted to paint that has already experienced >70 years. Similar situation as in paintings....... |
 |
|
Jacques M.
France
2521 Posts |
Posted - Jan 04 2023 : 07:31:59 AM
|
Hello,
When I began collecting these cameras, I was much surprised by their general condition: many of them seem almost new. Visibly, not or only few used: gifts, as it is often said? The paint of the ivory ones is of course more fragile than the chrome of the regular ones. And this 27972 seems to have all the external details of the Jena Contaxes. So, original, repaint, or even fake?
That said, you know these cameras much better than me, Stefan!
Amitiés. Jacques. |
 |
|
Stefan Baumgartner xatnoc
Germany
5 Posts |
Posted - Jan 04 2023 : 10:36:41 AM
|
Dear Jacques,
make some quick tests:
1) remove the back: does it feel heavy (a) or light (b)? 2) look through the finder: is the distance meter silver (a) or golden (b) ? 3) remove one of the 4 screws that fix the film plate (preferably one at the bottom: is the head of the screw cylindric (i.e. massive) (a) or more filigree (b) ?
if all 3 answers are (a), then it is likely a true ivory Contax.....
Good luck and report back, thanks!
best Stefan |
 |
|
Jacques M.
France
2521 Posts |
Posted - Jan 04 2023 : 11:03:56 AM
|
Hi Stefan,
I don't own any ivory: it's out of my possibilities! But I know these tests. My "regular" Jena Contaxes are OK, except for the first ones concerning the weight of the back. Of course...
Amitiés. |
 |
|

Ulrich W. uwittehh
Germany
765 Posts My Collection
|
Posted - Jan 04 2023 : 3:37:42 PM
|
Hi Stefan,
I think you are right. According to the data I have the Ivory 27972 is a fake camera.
Ulrich
http://fotos.cconin.de |
 |
|
Jacques M.
France
2521 Posts |
Posted - Jan 05 2023 : 03:36:54 AM
|
Hem... I have just verified my own listing and there is no doubt. The 27972 is a fake. I should have checked earlier. Thanks, Stefan and Ulrich!
Amitiés. |
 |
|
Jacques M.
France
2521 Posts |
Posted - Jan 05 2023 : 11:30:44 AM
|
Another regular Jena Contax here (s/n 27996), that time with a Topogon 25mm and its correct universal finder (both added after).
 http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/612023_IMG_0868.JPG
The Topogon is said to have inspired the Orion 15.
Jacques.
|
Edited by - Jacques M. on Jan 06 2023 06:11:14 AM |
 |
|
Stefan Baumgartner xatnoc
Germany
5 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2023 : 05:09:13 AM
|
regarding the ivory 27972 Contax in the thread above: the leather case is most likely a true one.......... |
 |
|
Jacques M.
France
2521 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2023 : 05:47:16 AM
|
... and the similarities between the leather case and the leatherette are astonishing. |
 |
|

Robert Vonk Fotohuis
Netherlands
100 Posts My Collection
|
Posted - Jan 06 2023 : 06:56:55 AM
|
Well I am just back from Ukraine last month and I took a complete Kiev-4AM set with a beam splitter, 50mm J-8M, a 35mm J-12 and a 85mm J-9. Do not ask me what I was doing there, it had something to do with a Leopard (1) tank training.
It is a great camera set and I am very happy with it. For the rest I have seen a lot of misery and too many funerals.
I also took my Leica M7 set with me (and back). So I made some photos on Kodak 5222 XX film and on the way back to the Netherlands I have visited a former Ukrainian photo model living in Düsseldorf (Germany) now. It was an emotional visit because just before the war she had a cancer diagnose, whomp removed and bleeding on the way to Germany. Fortunately a little bit recovered but we talked a lot and I made a photo shoot with her. I am sure she could use the extra money for it.
Robert "De enige beperking in je fotografie ben je zelf" http://gallery.fotohuisrovo.nl/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotohuisrovo/ |
 |
|

Robert Vonk Fotohuis
Netherlands
100 Posts My Collection
|
|
Jacques M.
France
2521 Posts |
|
Jacques M.
France
2521 Posts |
|
Jacques M.
France
2521 Posts |
Posted - Mar 21 2023 : 10:04:01 AM
|
Absolutely nothing on (and inside) the body. Just what could be a serial number on the back, half hidden by the film roller: perhaps 11875, at first sight...
 http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/2132023_IMG_1051.JPG
This camera has all the visible features of the Jena Contax, except the finder which shows the remarkable X when you look through the large window: a Dresden Contax feature (impossible to show).
I wonder where and by whom it was made: perhaps mounted for black market... Impossible to trace when there is no number...
Amitiés. Jacques. PS: I bought it without lens. The western Sonnar was added for the photo.
|
 |
|
Jacques M.
France
2521 Posts |
|
Jacques M.
France
2521 Posts |
Posted - Mar 25 2023 : 12:01:16 PM
|
I have opened it to know more. But it is "only" an ordinary Jena Contax. Here is a photo of the prism. With the X, no doubt it is a Dresden part. A good number of early Kievs have this same prism which comes from the "transportation" from Dresden to Kiev.
 http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/2532023_IMG_1096.JPG
Usually, the Jena Contaxes have a prism with only one inside visible line, from the front left to the back right. The later Kievs too, but every FSU collector knows that 
Comments are welcome! Amitiés. Jacques.
|
 |
|
Elmar Lang
Italy
29 Posts |
Posted - Mar 28 2023 : 02:59:16 AM
|
Hello,
just to add some further data, before finding the time to take proper pictures of the piece, I can say that my "Jena" Contax is body nr. 27893 (same number, engraved to the inside of the back, "heavy" sheet-brass type); the lens mounted on it, is a Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 50/2 "red T", nr. 3051152, from a batch of 1500 pieces, whose production was set in the summer of 1947.
All the best,
Enzo |
 |
|
Topic  |
|