Contax I

Sorry, not a soviet camera.
Does anybody know, whats the differences of Contax Ia and Contax Ib?


Martti

There are several different classifications about Contax I, so there are several answers...

We are OT about Contaxes. But if you have a precise question, please email directly. With pleasure!

Amitiйs. Jacques.

There are many differences, I know. C version have long shutter speed. My camera dont. So, it is version A or B. I dont understand, what is "pimple". But the camera serial number has V letter, so likely it is version A?

I suppose you refer to the McKeown's classification.
All the question is the front plate: look at
http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/pp/zeiss/contax/contax1.htm

The first picture on this article shows a Contax I with one pimple (or dimple).

It seems you have an original early Contax I. They are rare, as most of them had to go back to the factory to be repaired. I have the 400th Contax I of the production (U 20400), without dimple but with added slow speeds. And a later AU 76xxx PP (unreadable, as restruck) with dimple but without slow speeds.

Anyway, the problem of classification is always open. There are several pages about that in Kuc's book "On the trail of the Contax". The bible!
It is possible too to join the ZICGgroup who answers such questions.

Amitiйs. Jacques.

Thank you!
Now I have understand, what "pimple" is.
Yes, it is early contax, serial is A.V.10772
And lens is 50/2.8 with number 1336564

Well!
Now, the front plate.

On the first series, it is made of three different pieces made of aluminium. On the following series, there is only one piece, and this front plate is made of brass.

If you have three pieces, your Contax is a Ia by McKeown's classification. Kuc's one is a bit different.
Your lens is interesting too: the Tessar 2,8/5cm is less common than the 3,5/5cm, even if it is not as good.

Thanks, Vlad!

Amitiйs. Jacques.

Thisccamera is a father to Kiev, I'm quite interested in this discussion actually.

I try to make some pictures.

Thank you for information!

Some pictures from mine, thanks to Vlad's permission!
First, my AU 7xxxx PP, which is a non modified 1a version, as it seems to me. Even if it was probably repaired.







Note the aluminium under the black paint, the pimple and the absence of screw on the corner (third picture).

The same pictures of my U 2400.
This one should be one of the first of all Contax 1, but it was strongly modified: the 3 parts of the front plate in aluminium were replaced by a one part front plate in brass. And slow speeds were added.

Perhaps even Zeiss engraved the old serial number on a new body rather than repairing it, like Leica and Fed did.

Note brass under black paint, the screw on the corner (3rd picture) and the absence of pimple.

And now, a detail on my # Z 25727 (the last series): not the same as on the precedent pictures.



What about yours, Martti?

Amitiйs. Jacques.

Here it is! (Dont have a digital camera, so I had to borrow).

No doubt, it's a beautiful 1a version. With a pimple!
And a very early Tessar 3,5/5cm by the serial number.

Congrats, Martti!

I am not very interested of this camera, you know, it is not soviet.
Is the shutter button broken? There is something missing. And I cant change shutter speeds.

And Tessar is 2.8/50!