Gear P0rn - post it if you got it.

g026r · 07-13-2021, 09:42 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by andrewd

Here is my 139 just back from a full strip down and rebuild from Peter Robinson. For those that don’t know, Peter is the ‘Sover Wong’ for Contax, specialising in the 139. Check out his web site here: Contax 139 Resource

Now I need to find some nice Zeiss lenses on ebay. Not cheap, but not as expensive as Leica.

Very nice! Was the leatherette replaced as well, or was it still in that good of condition?

andrewd · 07-13-2021, 10:23 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by g026r

Very nice! Was the leatherette replaced as well, or was it still in that good of condition?

The Contax’s are famous for having awful quality leatherette. It was actually not too bad on this camera, just a bit sticky.
However I bought replacement covering from Aki Asahi and had Peter install it during service. I like the #4008 which is a nearly perfect replica of the vulcanite pattern used on Leica M2/3/4.

g026r · 07-13-2021, 10:39 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by andrewd

The Contax’s are famous for having awful quality leatherette. It was actually not too bad on this camera, just a bit sticky.

Yeah. That was the reason for my question, as I've never seen a used Contax SLR with leatherette that didn't look like someone had taken sandpaper to it.

womble · 07-13-2021, 01:28 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by andrewd

The Contax’s are famous for having awful quality leatherette. It was actually not too bad on this camera, just a bit sticky.
However I bought replacement covering from Aki Asahi and had Peter install it during service. I like the #4008 which is a nearly perfect replica of the vulcanite pattern used on Leica M2/3/4.

Good choice, looks lovely.

LesDMess · 07-13-2021, 09:27 PM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by andrewd

Here is my 139 just back from a full strip down and rebuild from Peter Robinson. For those that don’t know, Peter is the ‘Sover Wong’ for Contax, specialising in the 139. Check out his web site here: Contax 139 Resource

Now I need to find some nice Zeiss lenses on ebay. Not cheap, but not as expensive as Leica.

I picked the poor man's version just so I can try out a Zeiss lens or two but haven't yet . . .

**TwoUptons** · 07-14-2021, 09:49 AM

The 139 doesn't suck like the RTSIII does it?

The RTSIII was the only one with the vacuum film flatness trick, I think...

-Eric

andrewd · 07-14-2021, 11:10 AM

Originally posted by TwoUptons

The 139 doesn't suck like the RTSIII does it?

The RTSIII was the only one with the vacuum film flatness trick, I think...

-Eric

Yes it was only the RTSiii that ‘sucked’. A beast of a pro camera at 1.3kg with batteries. I don’t enjoy cameras that heavy for my style of 35mm film shooting.

The 139 is a completely different animal. It is similar size and weight to Pentax MX and has jewell-like build quality and precision mechanics, eg ball bearing film transport system, flywheel damping for the mirror etc. A really nice camera, especially after a thorough service.

**TwoUptons** · 07-14-2021, 12:34 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by andrewd

Yes it was only the RTSiii that ‘sucked’. A beast of a pro camera at 1.3kg with batteries. I don’t enjoy cameras that heavy for my style of 35mm film shooting.

The 139 is a completely different animal. It is similar size and weight to Pentax MX and has jewell-like build quality and precision mechanics, eg ball bearing film transport system, flywheel damping for the mirror etc. A really nice camera, especially after a thorough service.

The RTSIII was still current when I was selling cameras, and it was a pretty impressive piece, if completely weird...

But then everything Kyocera was making in the mid-90s was weird...

And I halfway expected Mamiya to put out a 120/220 back for the RZ with the vacuum thing... seemed like something they would do...

-Eric

**richard0170** · 07-15-2021, 02:56 AM - **4 Likes**

More Contax themed porn....
My Contax stable - 2 X 137MA, RTS. S2 and Aria. Both the 137s needed new leatherette, but surprisingly the RTS, which goes back to the 70's does not (yet). I tried the 139 out, but much preferred the 137s, so that was sold on a few years ago. The Aria, is also due to be sold on, as I still prefer the 137s. The RTS and S2 are both keepers as well as the 137s. I would like to get my hands on a 159 especially if it had the drive attached but they rarely come up.

**tonyzoc** · 07-15-2021, 01:37 PM - **5 Likes**

I picked up a really clean Exakta V with WL finder this week. I paid $63 plus shipping. The camera was beautiful but had a few issues...shutter was sticky, mirror surface was gone, and winder was jammed. I disassembled, gave it a quick clean and lube and replaced the mirror and it's working well. I jumped on it because of the cosmetic condition. Really beautiful for a 70yo camera. The lens I already had.

stevebrot · 07-15-2021, 02:46 PM

Originally posted by tonyzoc

I picked up a really clean Exakta V with WL finder this week. I paid $63 plus shipping. The camera was beautiful but had a few issues...shutter was sticky, mirror surface was gone, and winder was jammed. I disassembled, gave it a quick clean and lube and replaced the mirror and it's working well. I jumped on it because of the cosmetic condition. Really beautiful for a 70yo camera. The lens I already had.

Nice...I have one of its younger sisters (Exakta VX) in a box upstairs, in working condition except for a "screaming" shutter.

Steve

**tonyzoc** · 07-15-2021, 03:55 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Nice...I have one of its younger sisters (Exakta VX) in a box upstairs, in working condition except for a "screaming" shutter.

Steve

the shutter kinda has a sqweek to it? That's usually caused by the rollers the straps ride in. They should be dry so you can't oil them. All you can do is remove them and clean them and maybe a light coat of graphite powder. They're a bitch to do because you need to remove the curtain rollers, so it turns into a major job and recalibration. It's probably best to live with it until a curtain replacement is needed. It shouldn't effect use though. I've been looking for V/Varex or VX/Varex VX because I find the curtain they used were much better than later models... less likely to dry and crack. Either that or they've already been replaced. Also those models are the best built Exaktas imo.

I'm starting to see Exakta prices rise especially with Zeiss, Meyer, Angeneiux and Steinheil lenses. There was a time when a Meyer Gorlitz Primoplan 58/1.9 would get thrown in on a body to sell it. Now they're going for $200-$300 or more. I've still got 3 but got rid of alot of them over the years... not to mention the 105mm Trioplans... relatively poor lens that sell in the $800 range.

LesDMess · 07-15-2021, 06:10 PM

Originally posted by TwoUptons

The RTSIII was still current when I was selling cameras, and it was a pretty impressive piece, if completely weird...

But then everything Kyocera was making in the mid-90s was weird...

And I halfway expected Mamiya to put out a 120/220 back for the RZ with the vacuum thing... seemed like something they would do...

-Eric

Didn't know that they were made by Kyocera. Learned something new.

---------- Post added 07-15-21 at 08:12 PM ----------

Originally posted by richard0170

More Contax themed porn....
My Contax stable - 2 X 137MA, RTS. S2 and Aria. Both the 137s needed new leatherette, but surprisingly the RTS, which goes back to the 70's does not (yet). I tried the 139 out, but much preferred the 137s, so that was sold on a few years ago. The Aria, is also due to be sold on, as I still prefer the 137s. The RTS and S2 are both keepers as well as the 137s. I would like to get my hands on a 159 especially if it had the drive attached but they rarely come up.

What a beautiful set!

---------- Post added 07-15-21 at 08:13 PM ----------

Originally posted by tonyzoc

I picked up a really clean Exakta V with WL finder this week. I paid $63 plus shipping. The camera was beautiful but had a few issues...shutter was sticky, mirror surface was gone, and winder was jammed. I disassembled, gave it a quick clean and lube and replaced the mirror and it's working well. I jumped on it because of the cosmetic condition. Really beautiful for a 70yo camera. The lens I already had.

I've come close to acquiring one or two of these . . .

g026r · 07-15-2021, 09:00 PM

Originally posted by tonyzoc

I picked up a really clean Exakta V with WL finder this week. I paid $63 plus shipping. The camera was beautiful but had a few issues...shutter was sticky, mirror surface was gone, and winder was jammed. I disassembled, gave it a quick clean and lube and replaced the mirror and it's working well. I jumped on it because of the cosmetic condition. Really beautiful for a 70yo camera. The lens I already had.

Beautiful looking camera.

Does your WLF have the little extra leg to it that locks the shutter button when it's closed?

**tonyzoc** · 07-16-2021, 03:34 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by g026r

Beautiful looking camera.

Does your WLF have the little extra leg to it that locks the shutter button when it's closed?

Yes, it's the correct WL finder for this model. By correct I mean the WL finder the camera was originally sold with. The Exakta V was introduced in 1950 and my uncle purchased one in 1951 for $350 with the Meyer Gorlitz Primoplan 58mm f/1.9 which is the first SLR I used and learned with. I still have that camera also.

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07-13-2021, 09:42 AM - 1 Like	#7921
g026r Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,074	Originally posted by andrewd Here is my 139 just back from a full strip down and rebuild from Peter Robinson. For those that don’t know, Peter is the ‘Sover Wong’ for Contax, specialising in the 139. Check out his web site here: Contax 139 Resource Now I need to find some nice Zeiss lenses on ebay. Not cheap, but not as expensive as Leica. Very nice! Was the leatherette replaced as well, or was it still in that good of condition?

07-13-2021, 10:23 AM - 1 Like	#7922
andrewd Senior Member Join Date: May 2021 Posts: 238	Originally posted by g026r Very nice! Was the leatherette replaced as well, or was it still in that good of condition? The Contax’s are famous for having awful quality leatherette. It was actually not too bad on this camera, just a bit sticky. However I bought replacement covering from Aki Asahi and had Peter install it during service. I like the #4008 which is a nearly perfect replica of the vulcanite pattern used on Leica M2/3/4.

07-13-2021, 10:39 AM - 1 Like	#7923
g026r Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,074	Originally posted by andrewd The Contax’s are famous for having awful quality leatherette. It was actually not too bad on this camera, just a bit sticky. Yeah. That was the reason for my question, as I've never seen a used Contax SLR with leatherette that didn't look like someone had taken sandpaper to it.

07-13-2021, 01:28 PM - 1 Like	#7924
womble Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hertfordshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,324	Originally posted by andrewd The Contax’s are famous for having awful quality leatherette. It was actually not too bad on this camera, just a bit sticky. However I bought replacement covering from Aki Asahi and had Peter install it during service. I like the #4008 which is a nearly perfect replica of the vulcanite pattern used on Leica M2/3/4. Good choice, looks lovely.

07-13-2021, 09:27 PM - 3 Likes	#7925
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Originally posted by andrewd Here is my 139 just back from a full strip down and rebuild from Peter Robinson. For those that don’t know, Peter is the ‘Sover Wong’ for Contax, specialising in the 139. Check out his web site here: Contax 139 Resource Now I need to find some nice Zeiss lenses on ebay. Not cheap, but not as expensive as Leica. I picked the poor man's version just so I can try out a Zeiss lens or two but haven't yet . . .

07-14-2021, 09:49 AM	#7926
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,214	The 139 doesn't suck like the RTSIII does it? The RTSIII was the only one with the vacuum film flatness trick, I think... -Eric

07-14-2021, 11:10 AM	#7927
andrewd Senior Member Join Date: May 2021 Posts: 238	Originally posted by TwoUptons The 139 doesn't suck like the RTSIII does it? The RTSIII was the only one with the vacuum film flatness trick, I think... -Eric Yes it was only the RTSiii that ‘sucked’. A beast of a pro camera at 1.3kg with batteries. I don’t enjoy cameras that heavy for my style of 35mm film shooting. The 139 is a completely different animal. It is similar size and weight to Pentax MX and has jewell-like build quality and precision mechanics, eg ball bearing film transport system, flywheel damping for the mirror etc. A really nice camera, especially after a thorough service.

07-14-2021, 12:34 PM - 1 Like	#7928
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,214	Originally posted by andrewd Yes it was only the RTSiii that ‘sucked’. A beast of a pro camera at 1.3kg with batteries. I don’t enjoy cameras that heavy for my style of 35mm film shooting. The 139 is a completely different animal. It is similar size and weight to Pentax MX and has jewell-like build quality and precision mechanics, eg ball bearing film transport system, flywheel damping for the mirror etc. A really nice camera, especially after a thorough service. The RTSIII was still current when I was selling cameras, and it was a pretty impressive piece, if completely weird... But then everything Kyocera was making in the mid-90s was weird... And I halfway expected Mamiya to put out a 120/220 back for the RZ with the vacuum thing... seemed like something they would do... -Eric

07-15-2021, 02:56 AM - 4 Likes	#7929
richard0170 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2017 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,032	More Contax themed porn.... My Contax stable - 2 X 137MA, RTS. S2 and Aria. Both the 137s needed new leatherette, but surprisingly the RTS, which goes back to the 70's does not (yet). I tried the 139 out, but much preferred the 137s, so that was sold on a few years ago. The Aria, is also due to be sold on, as I still prefer the 137s. The RTS and S2 are both keepers as well as the 137s. I would like to get my hands on a 159 especially if it had the drive attached but they rarely come up.

07-15-2021, 01:37 PM - 5 Likes	#7930
tonyzoc Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 992	I picked up a really clean Exakta V with WL finder this week. I paid $63 plus shipping. The camera was beautiful but had a few issues...shutter was sticky, mirror surface was gone, and winder was jammed. I disassembled, gave it a quick clean and lube and replaced the mirror and it's working well. I jumped on it because of the cosmetic condition. Really beautiful for a 70yo camera. The lens I already had.

07-15-2021, 02:46 PM	#7931
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by tonyzoc I picked up a really clean Exakta V with WL finder this week. I paid $63 plus shipping. The camera was beautiful but had a few issues...shutter was sticky, mirror surface was gone, and winder was jammed. I disassembled, gave it a quick clean and lube and replaced the mirror and it's working well. I jumped on it because of the cosmetic condition. Really beautiful for a 70yo camera. The lens I already had. Nice...I have one of its younger sisters (Exakta VX) in a box upstairs, in working condition except for a "screaming" shutter. Steve

07-15-2021, 03:55 PM	#7932
tonyzoc Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 992	Originally posted by stevebrot Nice...I have one of its younger sisters (Exakta VX) in a box upstairs, in working condition except for a "screaming" shutter. Steve the shutter kinda has a sqweek to it? That's usually caused by the rollers the straps ride in. They should be dry so you can't oil them. All you can do is remove them and clean them and maybe a light coat of graphite powder. They're a bitch to do because you need to remove the curtain rollers, so it turns into a major job and recalibration. It's probably best to live with it until a curtain replacement is needed. It shouldn't effect use though. I've been looking for V/Varex or VX/Varex VX because I find the curtain they used were much better than later models... less likely to dry and crack. Either that or they've already been replaced. Also those models are the best built Exaktas imo. I'm starting to see Exakta prices rise especially with Zeiss, Meyer, Angeneiux and Steinheil lenses. There was a time when a Meyer Gorlitz Primoplan 58/1.9 would get thrown in on a body to sell it. Now they're going for $200-$300 or more. I've still got 3 but got rid of alot of them over the years... not to mention the 105mm Trioplans... relatively poor lens that sell in the $800 range.

07-15-2021, 06:10 PM	#7933
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Originally posted by TwoUptons The RTSIII was still current when I was selling cameras, and it was a pretty impressive piece, if completely weird... But then everything Kyocera was making in the mid-90s was weird... And I halfway expected Mamiya to put out a 120/220 back for the RZ with the vacuum thing... seemed like something they would do... -Eric Didn't know that they were made by Kyocera. Learned something new. ---------- Post added 07-15-21 at 08:12 PM ---------- Originally posted by richard0170 More Contax themed porn.... My Contax stable - 2 X 137MA, RTS. S2 and Aria. Both the 137s needed new leatherette, but surprisingly the RTS, which goes back to the 70's does not (yet). I tried the 139 out, but much preferred the 137s, so that was sold on a few years ago. The Aria, is also due to be sold on, as I still prefer the 137s. The RTS and S2 are both keepers as well as the 137s. I would like to get my hands on a 159 especially if it had the drive attached but they rarely come up. What a beautiful set! ---------- Post added 07-15-21 at 08:13 PM ---------- Originally posted by tonyzoc I picked up a really clean Exakta V with WL finder this week. I paid $63 plus shipping. The camera was beautiful but had a few issues...shutter was sticky, mirror surface was gone, and winder was jammed. I disassembled, gave it a quick clean and lube and replaced the mirror and it's working well. I jumped on it because of the cosmetic condition. Really beautiful for a 70yo camera. The lens I already had. I've come close to acquiring one or two of these . . .

07-15-2021, 09:00 PM	#7934
g026r Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,074	Originally posted by tonyzoc I picked up a really clean Exakta V with WL finder this week. I paid $63 plus shipping. The camera was beautiful but had a few issues...shutter was sticky, mirror surface was gone, and winder was jammed. I disassembled, gave it a quick clean and lube and replaced the mirror and it's working well. I jumped on it because of the cosmetic condition. Really beautiful for a 70yo camera. The lens I already had. Beautiful looking camera. Does your WLF have the little extra leg to it that locks the shutter button when it's closed?

07-16-2021, 03:34 AM - 1 Like	#7935
tonyzoc Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 992	Originally posted by g026r Beautiful looking camera. Does your WLF have the little extra leg to it that locks the shutter button when it's closed? Yes, it's the correct WL finder for this model. By correct I mean the WL finder the camera was originally sold with. The Exakta V was introduced in 1950 and my uncle purchased one in 1951 for $350 with the Meyer Gorlitz Primoplan 58mm f/1.9 which is the first SLR I used and learned with. I still have that camera also.