russraman Loc: New York City

I suggest you consider contacting The Camera Doctor in New York City. He's helped repair two vintage Nikkor lenses for me, but I am sure he can help with your camera: https://www.cameradoctornyc.com/

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Light seals have been mentioned a few times ... another case of parrot-like repetition of “advice” rather than speaking from experience.

The real dope:

Foam lined light seals are a cheap shot manufacturing short cut. Old school designs use enough depth to the light traps that light ... obeying its own straight line rule of behavior ... will not sneak past the light traps.

IOW no “light seals” in vintage cameras nor in the finest of later cameras.

Marturo Loc: Western North Carolina

Just found a great link resource to many thing Photographic.

https://www.filmrescue.com/related-links/

GeorgeH Loc: Jonesboro, GA

Another approach is using yarn or velvet strips. Neither will deteriorate into sticky goo...

GeneG

This discussion brought back fond memories of my late wife, who brought a Zeiss Contessa home with her after teaching in the early 1950's at the American schools in Germany. Whether or not you succeed in getting it fixed, the camera should serve you well as a memento from your dad.

Ekeeton

See Henry Scherer at http://www.zeisscamera.com

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Thaz for your FE2, AE1, etc etc. I use heavy three ply twisted yarn but I untwist it and just use one strand. Well spaced drops of white glue will hold, no need to go full length with glue.

BUT !!!!!!!

There are no light seals to restore in the Contessa, nor any vintage or quality built later camera either.

Paul J. Svetlik Loc: Colorado

To all Praktina owners:
I would like to remind you, that Praktina and Praktina IIa were top professional cameras, one of the first single lens reflex cameras a way ahead of other camera manufacturers - with Exakta Varex and Contax/Pentacon. All three cameras were made in Dresden, that time East Germany - factories like KW (Kamera Werke), Pentacon and Ihagee Exakta.

Compare with today's DSLR's: 5 Interchangeable viewfinders, 4 user interchangeable focusing screens, interchangeable back for 17m bulk film, tubes for scientific (medical or astro) photography, extension rings, focusing rails, bellows, mechanical (spring) motor, electric motor and stereo viewfinder with lens adapter.
And that is with the most reliable bayonet mount for easy lens changing.
BTW: All pieces in my little "museum" work fine.
Imagine this equipment was available in 1954!
Consider for comparison (or fun), what today's camera electronics will do in 66 years?

shelty Loc: Medford, OR

I used to repair Zeiss cameras. But I couldn't do it today because of my tremors. Yes, the photocell would gradually die after so many years. If there is no grease on the shutter or diaphragm blades, just set the shutter speed and the diaphragm, and cock the shutter, aim the camera, adjust the distance, and press the shutter release. That is if you can find a roll of film. The 1/500 speed is set by a separate spring, and they may break. Actually the 1/500 is actually about 1/300th. So forget it. I've had customers come in and yell at me because of the 1/500 issue. Oh, don't forget to wind the film.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Excellent point! I have prewar Leicas and a pre-war Super Ikonta that are still ticking, with clean glass and rangefinders and shutter speeds that are quite close to accurate. There isn't a single light leak on any of my pre-1960 cameras.

Built to last, they were.

Andy

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Uh huh.

They don’t develop light leaks cuz they don’t use light seals. All seals are more or less temporary ... cars, plumbing, cameras, any seal.

Good cameras use light traps engineered to work without seals.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Of course. Am I missing something or is that exactly what I said?

Light seals generally came in during the SLR era of the 60s and later.

Andy

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

All us polar bears do like a good tight seal ....

Marturo Loc: Western North Carolina

Ok so the Classic Cameras are built better than most run of the mill cameras today.
Well that's like saying my 1972 Impala, 1970 Nova & my 1969 Chevy C/10 PU are
built better than many of today's automobiles. Geepers that interesting, however
as a lifelong master Mechanic I have watched cars go plastic & cheap in their design
& Manufacture. Almost everything we use today has been made as a disposable
after thought.

IE: I have a 1986 Troy built Horse tiller. I need a new Carb nothing special for
homeowners to find parts for a still great I/C engine.
I have been searching for over a week & found out that Tecumseh has gone
away & I mean left the building & spare parts have gone with them.

One person I talked with said well just buy another engine & you will get a new Carb.
As people get to thinking more about replacing than repairing then we get a throw away
mentality. Why make things the best they can be, if you do not plan to maintain them
when they need service. In Fact. Why take care of something, if you are just going
to buy a new cheaper one when it breaks?






They were all because of the throw away mentality we have in products we produce
in today's world. I bought a double stitched Belt made for me @ $80.00 leather from
the USA. I could buy a poorly made wide leather belt at Wal-Mart from China for $25.00 however
you would be buying Poor quality leather product.

Now I started this thread to find out if there were Craftsman who still did work on a Contessa.
I already know where this camera was all the years of Tropical countries & wet conditions.


So there is no doubt in my mind that this and many fine examples of Cameras form all around the world
do not use cheap light seals. OK lets move on & discuss the history of why Zeiss sold this Camera to Americans on a Fort in Kobe Japan. That would be interesting for sure.

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Well, no. And ?