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Post by herron on Aug 2, 2009 9:42:11 GMT -5
Once you're known as a "camera collector," it seems folks go out of their way to bring you all the things they would ordinarily throw away. As if their dusty old boat anchors might elicit an "Omigod!" from you that feels infinitely better to them than the grunt from the trashman. Most of the time, the items I receive are exactly that, dusty old boat anchors. That is, when they're not some piece of cheap old plastic with which no one would humiliate their boat. I politely thank the givers, of course, before I give their "antique" the burial it deserves. However, I just got two, from my wife's cousin, that actually made me go: "Omigod!"One is a lovely Canon Canonet QL rangefinder, and the other a petite, though heavy, Zeiss Ikon rangefinder. Both came with the original camera case and strap, looking as if they just came off the dealer's shelf! They are immaculate! I'm going to look up more about them when I get home. I'll also post pictures then, too. They originally belonged to my wife's uncle, a "family photo" buff, who was meticulous with his cameras. He passed away some time ago, and his son (my wife's cousin) has had them in his closet. He didn't know what to do with them, since he doesn't shoot film anymore. So he thought of me. God bless him. I'm running a 12-exposure roll through each of them right now, to see what develops (pardon the pun).  Stay tuned. As they say (whomever they are), there's more to come! |
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Post by vintageslrs on Aug 2, 2009 9:51:30 GMT -5
Nice Ron.
I know exactly what you mean. Same thing happens to me too.
And every once in a while you get a real gem...last one for me was a very nice Konica T3.
Looking forward to see the photos of and by those 2 cameras, Ron.
all the best
Bob
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PeterW
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Post by PeterW on Aug 2, 2009 10:34:47 GMT -5
Ron, Can't wait to hear what the 'petite Zeiss Ikon rangefinder' is. No-one would describe a Contax as petite, but as you say a "12 exposure film" it must be 35mm. There are only four I can think of, two in the 'very desirable' class and two in the 'omigawdbloodyrare' class. If really pristine, double those descriptions in spades. I haven't got any of them  . Whichever model, congratulations! PeterW |
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Post by nikonbob on Aug 2, 2009 12:40:07 GMT -5
Ron
Ron
It is a thing that your wife's cousin had the sense to give them to you rather than just binning them. That would have been an awful waste. Be sure and post some of the shots you get from them and also post some photos of them.
Bob
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Post by herron on Aug 2, 2009 22:06:59 GMT -5
![]() www.mamiya35collectors.com/zeis ikon RF.jpg[/img] First, the Zeiss Ikon ![]() www.mamiya35collectors.com/canon QL.jpg[/img] Then, the Canon (Canonet) QL Pictures are not the best. I shot them in a hurry on a picnic table. Could hardly wait to get the test rolls shot. They are done, but I have to get them developed. Still have to look them up for complete identity. Both cameras seemed to function perfectly! ;D |
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PeterW
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Post by PeterW on Aug 3, 2009 15:56:05 GMT -5
Ron,
The Zeiss Ikon you have seems from your picture to be a Contina IIa from about 1956-58. If I'm right it should have the model number 527/24 stamped in the leatherette, possibly on the back by the rear door catch.
It isn't one of the four models I was thinking about but it's still a very nice camera to have. What threw me was you said it was a rangefinder, but I think I'm right in saying that the second window under the hinged cover is a built-in uncoupled selenium cell meter with a match-needle in a window under the top cover.
It was designed by Hubert Nerwin, one of Zeiss Ikon's legendary camera designers who in the late 1930s was head of Zeiss Ikon's camera design and masterminded replacing the not very reliable Contax I with the the Contax II, the unique 35mm Contaflex twin-lens reflex, the 6x6 Super Ikonta and the superb Tenax II among others.
After the war with the 'new' Zeiss Ikon company in Western Germany he designed the Contax IIa from scratch as the Russians had taken the designs, jigs and tooling for the Contax II to make the Kiev. Nerwin also designed the first of the Contina range although the IIa variant was produced after he left Zeiss Ikon to work in the US.
The Continas were designed as 'second-line' cameras for people who couldn't afford a Contax or a Super Ikonta but had all the hallmarks of Nerwin's careful precision design coupled with Zeiss Ikon build quality. I have two, earlier than the IIa, and they are delightful little cameras to use. I would put them in the desirable class, probably very desirable even though they are more numerous than some of Nerwin's other designs.
I also have a Canonet QL almost identical to yours. Again a deightful little camera to use with the advantage of a coupled rangefinder as well as built-in CdS exposure meter and a better lens than the Novicar. Even so, and as much as I love Canons, it isn't IMHO in the same class of quality build as the Zeiss Ikon.
Both cameras look superb. You certainly struck lucky with them, Ron.
Like you and, I imagine, many people in our group, I have been given cameras from time to time most of which were very cheap and cheerful Instamatics or their fore-runners, though in the past 30 or so years I have been given three Canons, an early Canonflex, an FX and an FP which were and still are very desirable, plus two others.
One is a 1936 Leica II with an f/3.5 Elmar lens. The other is an SLR but not the sort of camera most people think of when they hear those letters. This one's older than the Leica and a little out of the ordinary. If you all promise to be good I'll tell you about it some other time.
PeterW
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Post by herron on Aug 3, 2009 17:26:17 GMT -5
Thanks for the update, Peter! ;D Both cameras are superb handling, and loads of fun to use. The Zeiss does indeed have an uncoupled selenium meter (working just fine!) under that hinged cover. I need a battery to test if the Canon CdS meter is still functional, and will have to look up what type it needs, unless you know. They appear to be in extraordinarily good condition, and worked fine. I should have the results of the test films in a day or so.  |
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Post by herron on Aug 4, 2009 19:07:00 GMT -5
Ron, The Zeiss Ikon you have seems from your picture to be a Contina IIa from about 1956-58. If I'm right it should have the model number 527/24 stamped in the leatherette, possibly on the back by the rear door catch. Once again, Peter, your amazing eye is correct! It is stamped 527/24 exactly where you said it would be. On the back door leatherette it is also stamped with the Zeiss Ikon logo, and "Made in Germany Stuttgart." |
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Post by vintageslrs on Aug 4, 2009 20:52:17 GMT -5
Ron
Two fine specimens!
Look great!
Enjoy them
Bob
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