Zeiss Contaflex

[elekm]

There are two complex things when servicing the Contaflex I and II:

1) Removing the prism to clean the viewfinder. It's held by wire clips.

2) Replacing the shutter. You must retension the aperture spring that is done by a star screw inside the mirror box. There are some notes on the Web regarding this. It's actually a bit easier than it seems.

I've worked on several of these, and while more complex than your average camera, they aren't impossibly difficult.

[cmo]

This guy is famous for Contax repairs, you might ask whether he can help your shutter:

http://www.zeisscamera.com/services.shtml

[ZorkiKat]

One more thing: the helicoids on Contaflex Tessar lenses are very soft brass. Easy to distort them, and once damaged, even by a bit, will make lens reassembly almost impossible..... Anyone know of a trick to fix a slightly damaged thread?

Mike Elek is right about the Contaflex I/II: may look a bit complicated, but if one stays clear of the complicated stuff, servicing the camera isn't as hard as it looks or sounds.

The Contaflex I (first version) had a soldered flash synch connection. This makes the disassembly a bit more difficult. Do not try to cut the wire. The later versions used pin contacts on the mount.

[IloveTLRs]

Yes the SLR

I was going to say ... the TLR goes for about $2000 over here - if you can find one to begin with.

[Peter De Smidt]

I have a Contaflex I, which my father bought new from Sears in the early 1950s. It's a nice camera, but mine doesn't match the image quality of an FM2, for example.