Zeiss Ikon Contax 1(c) camera louvered curtain enquiry

I have a Zeiss Contax 1© camera (see first attached picture), and recently someone pointed out to me that the back louvered curtain (see second and third attached pictures) doesn't fully close when one advances the film, which exposes the film to light. I've been told that what should normally happen in relation to this curtain is when one advances the film the curtain should close completely. I was later told, when the camera was being examined, that some small part which controls or positions the curtain may be broken and this is causing the curtain mechanism to jam. I hope I have expressed this correctly - am conveying someone else's thoughts here. At any rate, could someone perhaps provide some insight to what might be going on here? and what might need to be done to remedy this issue? Frank

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Contax I wasn't Zeiss's finest camera ever--it went through 6 versions more or less in the 5 years that they made it because of poor reliability. Since it isn't modular in design it is considered to be difficult to work on and few repair techs want to touch one as it is unlikely to work for long even if fixed by a competent person. Even Henry Scherer, the Contax repair guru, advises that if you do get it fixed to shoot a roll of film with it and then put it on the shelf. Yours looks pretty good cosmetically, and if it were mine I might look for a newer Contax or Kiev body to use the early Tessar lens that you have.

I have to agree with AJG, that what you have there is a 'shelf queen'; a camera + lens only fit for display purposes. That Tessar (not a brilliant lens IMO even when perfect) looks clouded and past its best also.

 

I went looking for a useable Contax many years ago - to only find ones with a squeaky roller-blind shutter, or some other fault. Gave up and looked elsewhere for a vintage useable camera. Years on from then, there are many other and better choices for a useable camera, even though they don't have that iconic vintage look.

I have to agree with AJG, that what you have there is a 'shelf queen'; a camera + lens only fit for display purposes. That Tessar (not a brilliant lens IMO even when perfect) looks clouded and past its best also.

 

I went looking for a useable Contax many years ago - to only find ones with a squeaky roller-blind shutter, or some other fault. Gave up and looked elsewhere for a vintage useable camera. Years on from then, there are many other and better choices for a useable camera, even though they don't have that iconic vintage look.

I've actually had pretty good luck with Contax IIa and IIIa bodies, with even an accurate selenium light meter on the IIIa.