Zeiss Ikon Contaflex Dilemma

montresor · Aug 22, 2005

I knew I'd screw it up good, but could I wait till I had instructions more detailed than, "Sure you just do this, this and this and bang, you're in business"? Of course not.

Okay: Zeiss Ikon Contaflex Super BC (black body), with the dreaded magazine back. Got a desultory lesson from an, er, individual who seemed to know about it, in loading the back ("It's just like a Leica," said individual claimed). So without any further looking into it, I loaded it up and after some fiddling got it to lock on the back.

Went out this morning to try and blow through a roll in the ten seconds per day of personal time my job seems to be granting me these days. Yep -- rushing in without a map! Went through, I assumed, said roll, and when I went to rewind, found it was all jammed up and wouldn't rewind. It would continue to "advance" and cock the shutter till the cows came home, though at this point I'm not convinced the film was even advancing.

All right, so I figured I'd just sacrifice the roll -- my pictures are always terrible anyway so what the heck -- but the back wouldn't come off. Specifically, the release thingie on the take-up side won't turn to release it. Tried it with the dark slide in, nope; dark slide out, double nope. Same with shutter cocked/uncocked.

So by now I'm thinking "big hammer," but I figure I'll just let someone else handle it, but oops! I forgot I live in Cleveland! The only professional repair place in town says their Zeiss specialist DIED LAST FEBRUARY!!!

Does anyone have any experience with this device? Is there anywhere on the web where I might find detailed instructions on the magazine back (assuming of course I havn't wrecked the camera)? Am I a big idiot or what? Any and all help appreciated. Thanks.

terri · Aug 22, 2005

Well, let this be a life lession, Foolish One!

Never fear, help is out there. This guy can fix anything and make you cry with its beauty:

http://www.certo6.com/cameras.html He did the CLA on one of my folders, and I bought my Super BC from him.

You can google the word "Contaflex" and there's a ton of info out there, too, if you want to do some research on your own.

It's going to be ALL RIGHT.

montresor · Aug 22, 2005

Whew! Thanks, will contact Jurgen and see if he can help. You can most likely imagine my horror and heartbreak at having crashed the Contaflex on its maiden voyage. This has been one of those days where I seem to have the "Midas-in-Reverse" touch! I'm just thankful I don't operate heavy machinery for a living.

terri · Aug 22, 2005

You don't work in a nuclear facility either, one would hope.

Good luck with it - if anyone can help ya, it's this guy

montresor · Aug 23, 2005

Oh boy, Jurgen said he might be able to do it! But preferred to send me along to a Zeiss-trained guy in NC named W. W. Umbach. Also found a standard BC back for sale on the west coast -- I'm thinking it might be prudent to get that!

Thankfully, no nuclear industry employment in my future; I'm currently making things go haywire in classical radio. Just yesterday, I hit "print" on the control room news computer and it blew the whole thing right offline! It's getting so I'm afraid to open the mike.

terri · Aug 23, 2005

montresor said:
Oh boy, Jurgen said he might be able to do it! But preferred to send me along to a Zeiss-trained guy in NC named W. W. Umbach. Also found a standard BC back for sale on the west coast -- I'm thinking it might be prudent to get that!

Thankfully, no nuclear industry employment in my future; I'm currently making things go haywire in classical radio. Just yesterday, I hit "print" on the control room news computer and it blew the whole thing right offline! It's getting so I'm afraid to open the mike.

Now that's funny! You sound.....challenged.

I've not heard of this NC guy, but seriously doubt Jurgen would steer you wrong. :thumbup: Good luck with it!

montresor · Aug 23, 2005

Being challenged has much to do with double on-air shifts since June, anchoring the Cleveland Int'l Piano Competition for 10 days running, heavy production schedule that keeps me in a windowless studio for 7 days a week, cruddy nutrition, etc.

I spoke with Mr Umbach and he made it sound like it would be simple to fix, but recommended I get a standard back, that the magazines are just too difficult to work with, and in any event, the light seals tend to deteriorate after time. Works for me!

Now about that Mamiya 23 you use -- I may be able to pick up a halfway decent kit, all-black late model, fairly cheap, with two 220 backs. Should I look into it, IYHO, or should I just save for a Mamiya 7?