Contaflex TLR 35mm - HOW TO FIX IT

[ajvo]

Hi,
Just trying fo find some help in a puzzle! I have a vintage (early 30´s) Zeiss Ikon Contaflex TLR 35mm camera (twin lens like Rolleiflex). My problem is that both cords that sustain the shutter curtain are brocked so shutter does not fire anymore (curtain is intact and there are no missing parts). I can also hear a click when I turn the round buttom to cock the shutter. I can also hear a click when the shutter "fires" although the curtain does not move anymore (obvious becase both curtain fabric cords are brocked. Just wondering what can I do to access the shutter curtain!! Should I remove the black leather and look for some screw that opens the camera? or the correct is to open in other place?? Is there someone with enough knoledge to help me?? Attached you will find a pic of my camera.
Tks

[titrisol]

Oh boy, that seems like the shutter is stuck and desperately wants some cleaning.
You have to take the camera appart and clean the shutter assembly with ronsonol most probably.

I'd start by running a Contaflex repair search on google/cade and go from there

[titrisol]

I had never seen one of those before, but found this write ups on it:
http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/pp/zeiss/contaflx/contflxt.htm

[ajvo]

titrisol, GRATE!!
Your link to Pacificrimcamera shows how to open and access the rear and front!!!
NoW I can see how to open it by the back to have access to the shutter curtain and by the front pannel to fix (CLA) the shutter assembly!!
Thank you so much and now is just PRAY!!
I´ll keep you posted about my progress
Rgds from Brazil
Antonio

[titrisol]

Muito prazer Antonio.
I believe that camera could be a good collector's item more than anything, seems extremely clumsy to use.

[wlewisiii]

IIRC, the Contaflex TLR used the same shutter as the Contax II/III. Start here http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-92.html and proceed with caution. Henry Scherer wil work on the Contaflex, but is extreamly expensive. He might be able to give you some advice. http://www.zeisscamera.com/Contaflex/Prices.html

Good luck,

William

[ajvo]

O prazer é meu!! (My pleasure!!)
Sure, it is very clumsy to use indeed although I really like to take pictures often. I shoould try this one if very soon I HOPE.... I d´ont feel myself as a collector but I have a real big interest in Contax, Nikon and Canon rangefinder cameras. Glad to hear from you and really appreciate all you help. It is also very difficult to find some good repair person that understands about vintage cameras around here! Now they are more interested in digital cameras.........
Take care!!

[ajvo]

Thank you so much William!!

[titrisol]

no need to translate
O prazer é meu!!
Take care!!

Meu caro amigo eu tb falo portugues ;)

[ajvo]

Olá meu caro!!
Você é brasileiro ou morou aqui por um tempo??. Interessante e meio difícil encontrar alguém que fale português e também goste de câmeras antigas aqui neste forum. De qualquer meneira foi aquele prezer e um forte abraço!
Aqui em SP está um calor infernal (30 graus) 83F.......é brincadeira??
De qualquer meneira foi aquele prezer e um forte abraço!
Haja praia.....!!
Antonio

[ZeissFan]

That's correct regarding the shutter - identical to the Contax I, II, III and Super Nettel and Nettax. Replace the straps. And while you have it open, you might as well thorough flush and lubricate the other parts as well.

[jlw]

That's correct regarding the shutter - identical to the Contax I, II, III and Super Nettel and Nettax. Replace the straps. And while you have it open, you might as well thorough flush and lubricate the other parts as well.

I thought it says on Henry Scherer's website that while the operating principle is the same, details such as the wind gearing and speed-setting mechanism are different.

Anyway, I salute anyone gutsy enough to plunge into the innards of any camera that is so (a) fiendishly complicated and obscure inside and (b) so stupefyingly valuable!
Ajvo, good luck, and please take and post pictures of what you find inside!

[ZeissFan]

Yes, you're correct. The base shutter is very similar -- the linkage and speed controls are different as is the film advance.

For purposes of repair and replacing the shutter straps, that process should be identical.