Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2013/08/09
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Since I've been using a postwar Contax extensively for the past several months, and since I've used a lot of Leica equipment as well (still have my M3 and iiib), here's my assessment: 1. Love the metal shutter, since there's no chance of roasting the curtains if the camera winds up in direct sunlight for extended periods. Once had that happen with an M2. 2. Bayonet mount is a PIA. Leica really got it right with the M3--for the Contax, it's just as fiddly as an LTM lens. The internal mount (50mm) lenses are somewhat easier to mount than all the others with their external mount (where you must get both the mount and the lens set to infinity before you can line up the red dots--and even then it takes a little finesse to get everything to click. I've found this to be especially true on lenses longer the 50mm. 3. Shutter makes a nice snap, but it is louder than the "snnnnk" of an LTM. 4. Shutter speeds do not rotate, so there's no chance of catching a finder on the rotating shutter speed dial. However, I've never had that problem with an LTM Leica. 5. Knob wind is about the same. 6. Combined RF/VF window was way ahead of its time (even for the Contax IIa/IIIa cameras, which made their debut before the 1954 M3). 7. Loading an LTM is kind of a pain, between film trimming, aligning the film perfectly, and checking to see that it's loading properly. Kind of a draw here, because the Contax's fully opening back which slides off the camera (and unsecured takeup spool, which invariably winds up on the floor) means that you have to get everything just right (tight enough start on the spool, no film slack across the rear of the shutter) before reattaching the back. Since I have figured out how to tear leader for a LTM Leica, the Leica's actually a little faster to load. 8. Infinity locks on both cause some less than pretty language. Comes down to this: Contax feels more like beautifully made lab equipment; Leica feels more lithe and elegant. I find that, comparing optics of the same era to their counterparts, Contax glass is a good bit more contrasty and "snappy". That said, I could pick up my iiib tomorrow and be just as happy--especially since my Contax to LTM Amadeo adaptor lets me use my favorite Contax glass! Jim -----Original Message----- From: lug-bounces+jshulman=judgecrater.com at leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+jshulman=judgecrater.com at leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Herbert Kanner Sent: Friday, August 9, 2013 1:42 AM To: Leica Users Group Subject: Re: [Leica] Leica NY Times article I have the impression that the metal "roller blind" shutter was the Achilles Heel of the Contax. Is that true? When I was a kid, I thought the Contax was better than the Leica for the reasons already cited. Herbert Kanner kanner at acm.org 650-326-8204 Question authority and the authorities will question you. On Aug 8, 2013, at 1:25 PM, lrzeitlin at aol.com wrote: > Sonny writes: > "Howard, I think the inference was that the M was a rangefinder camera > system. Before there were thread mounts which, while interchangeable > are not easily." > - - - - > Sonny, ask Jim Schulman about the provenance of bayonet mounts. I had a 1932 Contax 1 35mm camera with a bayonet mount when I was in college. It was made and widely distributed 22 years before the Leica M series debuted. Basically the Leica M simply copied the best features of the 1936 era Contax II including combined rangefinder/viewfinder, one dial shutter speeds, and fast bayonet mounted lenses. Leica never got around to adding an opening back on the M series film cameras. Prior to WW2 Contax was regarded as the most advanced 35 mm camera and the Zeiss lenses were considered sharper than the Leica lenses. Even Leica used some Zeiss lens designs. That's not to say that the Contax was a better camera after WW2 or even that it took better pictures. But I can tell you this, in the era in which I worked on the old Boston Globe (1948 to 1952) staff photographers far preferred Contaxes to Leicas. Of course we all used 4x5 Speed Graphics for serious work. > Larry Z > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information