Contax IIa
Released in 1950 the Contax IIa. The IIa was the post war follow up to the Contax II.
The Contax IIa is an historic camera and a gimps of what might have been. I say historic because the prewar Contax range finders were coincided by many to be the best available. I say what might have been because it took until 1950 for them to come out with the IIa. Part of the challenge for Contax was that Dresden the site of their main factory was also the sight of heavy bombing and suffer more damage than the Leica factories. Also, the operation of post war Contax were divided between the American sector and the Russian sectors. The E. German factories would eventually be moved to Ukraine and be a key contributor to the USSR camera industry.
Had Contax been on even footing with Leica after the war, would things have been different? I don’t know, but given the option of a Contax IIa or a screw mount Leica IIIg, I’d take the Contax. I like the Contax in almost every way. The styling, performance and usability all just seem better to me. But by 1954 the fight was no longer with the screw mount Leica it was with the Leica M3. And in that contest the Contax IIa just feels old and out matched.
My Take:
The Contax IIa is a gorgeous camera and a pleasure to shoot. I can see why it was so loved. By modern standards (Leica M3 and beyond) it has some quirks. The finger focus is easy to use and feel great. But the focus throw is so long that you are best to zone focus first, then use the finger dial to fine tune. To make the finger wheel easy to turn, the lens is smooth and almost friction-less. Problem with the easy to turn lens is that to adjust the aperture, you tend to move the lens out of focus. All thing you can manage but there is some learning.
If you enjoy old range finders or just appreciate quality camera craftsmanship, you need to shoot a Contax IIa. I know mine could use a CLA but it still preformed well.
Lens: Zeiss-Opton Sonnar T 50mm f2.0
Film: Kodak 400 Tmax
