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on Apr 3, 2020 14:13:55 GMT
Posted: Apr 3, 2020 14:13:55 GMT
I know that at least a couple of the Yashica SLR cameras with the C/Y mount were sold under other brand names, but it makes me ask "Were there any Contax SLR cameras with the C/Y mount sold under other names?"
My guess is "NO", but I thought I'd ask.
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on Apr 3, 2020 14:50:40 GMT
Posted: Apr 3, 2020 14:50:40 GMT
Not exactly but there were some cameras, all based on the Contax 137MD that were produced by Contax but did not carry their name.
I'm referring here to the CGCM series of cameras used in a a variety of laboratories and the M35W Microscope cameras. There was also a M35W based on the Yashica FR; it too carried no maker's name. Also, at least one of the Swedish Military versions of the Contax 137MD had no Contax logo.
On the old East German border, we sometimes used a Contax RTS in the special sound-deadening leather case made for it (visualise an all-encompassing, padded soft leather camera case with two short sleeves into which you put your hands to activate the controls and focus the lens) and the Contax logo was simply painted black so that it was no longer visible when used out of the case. That was something I did to every Aria I owned as I hate its italicised logo.
Incidentally, there's one of the sound-deadening Contax RTS cases on Ebay right now from a Japanese seller - at a very prohibitive price.
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on Apr 4, 2020 15:08:33 GMT
Posted: Apr 4, 2020 15:08:33 GMT
Though not exactly the direction you were headed in, xkaes, the question of branding and the mention of the CGCM and M35 bodies by biggles3 got me searching again to see if the opposite might be true. I was hoping to find some mention of any of the Contax microscope/medical bodies in a Zeiss brochure or catalog... to at least put a Zeiss name as the brand (as the official seller), since neither the CGCM or M35/M35W bodies have any logos or other inscriptions on them. Trying to find a Zeiss microscope catalog with accessories has proven to be illusive so far - but - I found a 3rd version of the M35 bodies, and this version does in fact have a Carl Zeiss factory logo. It's marked as M35F, and is a Yashica FR body w/winder, marked as "Winder M" - which up until now I've only seen as a combination that's marked as M35W, and without company branding. A composite of 2 images posted by the seller... www.ebay.com/c/2181021492As to the original question on rebranded Contax gear... I think it's highly unlikely that you'll find any Zeiss owned property getting produced unchanged, with any other branding other than their own. Companies like Yashica have been licensed to make something owned and/or spec'd by them, but it has always prominently carried their brand, and only when there was an underlying deal that was akin to a limited partnership. The Contax name and product line might even be a little strictor. I doubt they'd let any other brand put their name on any Contax camera - alone, or together with Zeiss - or reuse a Contax designed lens in it's original housing, where it clearly shows the Contax heritage. Zeiss has always struck me as being extremely protective of their reputation for both "Ikon" and "Contax" to the point of being over the top. Sony's Alpha lines of cameras (E and A Mount) have Zeiss lenses that are (barely) co-branded, but none of them could ever be visually confused with Zeiss (or Contax) branded lenses, although there might be some similarity or outright duplication of the optics. It's another partnership type arrangement like Yashica's, and I assume it's pretty rigid on what Sony can do for future licensing. There could well be a reason why these rebranding projects might not be possible for C/Y Contax gear. Zeiss paid for, and licensed, the designs for the Contax cameras and lenses from the F. Alexander Porsche Group. They may not have had an agreement that extended to anyone other than Zeiss and Yashica to manufature the designs, and it's unlikely that would ever change or could ever be renegotiated to include anyone else. I'm still hoping I can find a Zeiss Microscope catalog with M35 details included...
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on Apr 4, 2020 20:22:58 GMT
Last Edit: Apr 4, 2020 20:41:46 GMT by biggles3
There's a nice example of a (Yashica) M35 (FR + Winder) and Zeiss microscope in its basic format; check Ebay item: 113152836942 As usual, it's missing the power block. At the moment, there are quite a few M35 (Yashica) cameras for sale on the auction site. There is only one M35W I can see and that is based on the Contax 137.
ALL Contax-based M35 cameras are M35W - I suspect the W refers to the in-built winder; my apologies, ignore what I said earlier: I've not seen a M35W that is based on the FR but only M35 models.
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on Apr 4, 2020 20:58:51 GMT
Posted: Apr 4, 2020 20:58:51 GMT
I'm still hoping I can find a Zeiss Microscope catalog with M35 details included...
Hi lumiworx
Please check out: Ebay item 271609851918 It's a Zeiss catalogue from 1980 and if you look at the top of the illustrated front page, you can see a M35 camera represented. Being a 1980 catalogue, it might have just missed the M35W... I see the owner of the item offers a digital download too.
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on Apr 5, 2020 1:27:27 GMT
Posted: Apr 5, 2020 1:27:27 GMT
Thanks for the assist biggles3 ... After diving down a few obscure rabbit holes, I found a couple of them online and one includes pricing. Now that I've found these two, I have a better idea on how to find more, so it may take a bit to unravel the details, and some time to match numbers. Zeiss doesn't always use actual photos, but drawings for most items to illustrate what something looked like. I think there might be a surprise in the details too. :)
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on Apr 6, 2020 2:50:17 GMT
Last Edit: Apr 6, 2020 3:18:06 GMT by lumiworx
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