Autumn in New York with Contax IIa

Some street photos in New York from Autumn 2019. As I didn't do so much filming it is mainly a showcase of the pics taken.
SoundCloud: / padchops
Instagram: @fkasentimental
Zeiss Ikon Contax IIa from around 1956 with Carl Zeiss Jena 1,5/ 5cm Sonnar, 2/85mm Zeiss Opton Sonnar and Carl Zeiss 2.8/35mm Biogon (all Postwar). Shot at the ending with Contameter.
To me, the Contax system is my main rangefinder to-got-to, which I have been using for the past twenty years. I really like the quality of both the camera body and the Zeiss lenses of that period and I believe, these are fast cameras for street photography and very underrated in the market right now. Many people complain a squinty viewfinder, which personally I don't find limiting - though devinitely not as big and bright as a Leica M. The rangefinder itself is very usable and the camera and lenses are quite small compared to the Leica M stuff. Well adjusted, the shutter is very quiet; however, often the outside adjustable spring is over tensioned (instead of the slow gear mechanism being cleaned), which results in a noisier air gun like sound.
The Postwar Contaxes IIa and IIIa were both designed by Hubert Nerwin, who also designed the prewar Contaxes II and III, lenses designed by Ludwig Bertele. As a competitor to the M3/ M2, Nikon and Canon rangefinders they were only initially successful with sales dropping after the introduction of the M3, total production should be around 135.000 cameras (IIa and IIIa, according to H.J.Kuc) between 1949 and 1962.
Films used: Kodak T-Max, Kodak Ektar 100, Fujifilm Superia 200 (expired).
Music by Billie Holiday: "Autumn in New York"

[@nicolakiss]

a great camera.. taste in music & lovely shots!

[@michael9125]

Some really beautiful pictures! Especially in black-and-white. Contratulations. - You are pretty right, the Contax RF is absolutely underrated on the market. I just visited the cities of Leipzig and Dresden with a Contax II, a Contax IIa and the well-known four lens collection. It was a real pleasure.

[@ludwigsamereier8204]

Hello Michael, congratulations! It must be a treat to shoot Dresden´s treasures with a camera that´s a treasure in its own right. Just like LOTHAR GÜNTER BUCHHEIM shot Paris with his ContaxII before, during, and after WW2. His book "Mein Paris" inspired me to buy my ContaxII.

[@alexcarrillo5510]

BRAVO!!!!, I love it, and to have Billie Holiday song makes it so much enjoyable to see your images, and song agrees with the mood. And your way of capturing the images with a 60 year old camera proves that you do not need a Expensive Camera $$$, it is your imagination, and your eye.. I too have my Dad's Contax IIa, but it needed work as I use it when I was in High School, but I too love the camera so I got myself a Contax II, and III, and with Carl Zeiss Jena lenses that I was blessed with the Sharpness, and Contrast. I thank you for your video....📸📸📷📷📸📸

[@sentimental7167]

🙏🙏🙏 thanks! Glad you like it - enjoy shooting your Contaxes, marvelous lenses…

[@roydebruycker7349]

That was the best photography video I. have ever seen! Thanks for making my day i I

[@sentimental7167]

Wow! Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@haymobachmaier]

Really great shots. I love NY in bnw. And Billie Holiday👏🏻🍀🎶 live it. Used in one of my YT Videos. Thank you👏🏻🍀📸

[@jonatascd_]

good video! thanks for the samples you've posted, I just bought one and while I wait for it to be delivered, these shots with Billie Holiday came timely!

[@sentimental7167]

Nice, thanks! Have fun with your Contax; bit quirky but really great lenses.

[@pumpkinmeerkat3692]

did you (have to) service your contax in NYC or send it out?

[@sentimental7167]

No, I bought it twenty years ago from a Swedish seller and it has worked since without service.

[@ghosttownsentinel5288]

The photographs look beautiful in both color and b&w. What lens did you use?

[@sentimental7167]

Thanks! Like mentioned in the comment, for normal most of the time is a 1,5/5cm CZJ Sonnar from 1949, a 2/85 Sonnar and the CZ 2.8/ 35mm Biogon.

[@ghosttownsentinel5288]

@@sentimental7167 three of their most beautiful lenses and you used them well. I have the CZJ 5cm f1,5 also. I love its beautiful rendering style.

[@sentimental7167]

@@ghosttownsentinel5288 it’s a wonderful lens

[@michaelcase8574]

@Senti mental Same outfit I shoot with with the addition of a 135mm Sonar made for the Contax 1 in black. Great video!

[@ludwigsamereier8204]

I like your pics, but I could think of music easier to listen to.

[@sentimental7167]

Thanks, for me this was a clear decision for artistic purposes…