Fujitsu
Well-known
What to look for in a used RTS ?
Or put differently: What camera would you recommend to join the Contax / Yashica system?
I was considering the mechanical S2 too but its still quite expensive and I dont like the champagne-ish finish.
Or put differently: What camera would you recommend to join the Contax / Yashica system?
I was considering the mechanical S2 too but its still quite expensive and I dont like the champagne-ish finish.
f16sunshine
Moderator
RTS II is the camera for manual wind on. The best in it's class if you asked me. Beautiful VF and focus screens that just POP the focus in when you have it. If you want a later power advance model I would suggest Aria for lightweight 28mm -85mm shooter. The RX for ruggedness and to balance with longer lenses.
sahe69
Well-known
Another vote for RTS II and RX. And for travelling light, Aria with the 45/2.8 Tessar is the way to go.
I've fondled the S2 a few times but never warmed up to it.
Finally, I think I should warn you Fujitsu - the Contax system with the Zeiss lenses is known to cause addiction.
edit: Didn't notice first that Andy also recommended the Aria. Seems we have pretty similar taste when it comes to Contax SLR's
I've fondled the S2 a few times but never warmed up to it.
Finally, I think I should warn you Fujitsu - the Contax system with the Zeiss lenses is known to cause addiction.
edit: Didn't notice first that Andy also recommended the Aria. Seems we have pretty similar taste when it comes to Contax SLR's
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FrankS
Registered User
I found an RTS for cheap. It lacks an exposure lock in aperture priority mode, but the compensation dial is huge and easy to use. If I ever find cheap Zeiss lenses, I'll give them a try, but for now I only have a $20 Yshica 50f2 lens for it. The camera has a nice feel and heft. It is about as small as an OM1.
Attachments
sahe69
Well-known
The 50/1.4 is worth getting. For less than $200 these should be easily available. Not exactly dirt cheap but certainly worth it.
ravid905
Established
The original RTS and RTS II can usually be found at relatively decent prices. The RX can very widely sometimes. My first RX, I paid USD300 for, my second, USD90. The first one broke, which is why the second. I then sold the second one after a year for USD170.
Currently, I have a 139Q. I bought it from a photog in the UK, it was in pretty shape, with a new foam and a new white snakeskin body covering attached, similar to the RTS a few posts above. I paid about USD90 for that one as well.
What has been said about the RX is true, it is a nice rugged camera; the viewfinder is great, the DFI is a nice touch as well. An issue I had with both of mine occurred when trying to rewind re-loadable film cassettes. Sometimes, when I would manually start the rewind procedure, it sounded like it rewound the film, when in fact, it did nothing. I would open the back to find the film still out of the cassette. Using normal cassettes, no problems at all.
At separate times in the past I owned a 139Q, 159MM (which was badly broken and returned), a 167 (again broken but I knew so), and the 2 RX's. I will say, that if you plan on using lenses like the 85 1.4, 35 1.4, or other bigger and longer lenses, the larger bodies provide sturdier grips. Bodies such as the RTS, RTS II with winders attached, the AX, RX, ST and its battery grip, and RTS III, would all be the cameras I would want with the bigger lenses. One combo that I used quite often, though only for a brief time, was the RX with a 60 S-Planar attached.
The 137, 139, 159, ST, RTS and RTS II without grips, and the Aria would all make excellent smaller bodies for use with the 2.8 lenses, which are freaking awesome. I am on the prowl for the 85 2.8 which, if one is lucky, can sometimes be found around USD250. My only wish, is that there was something similar to the Photoequip FM Grip for my 139, the flat front made it awkward as heck to use the 85 1.4 I used to own.
Currently, I have a 139Q. I bought it from a photog in the UK, it was in pretty shape, with a new foam and a new white snakeskin body covering attached, similar to the RTS a few posts above. I paid about USD90 for that one as well.
What has been said about the RX is true, it is a nice rugged camera; the viewfinder is great, the DFI is a nice touch as well. An issue I had with both of mine occurred when trying to rewind re-loadable film cassettes. Sometimes, when I would manually start the rewind procedure, it sounded like it rewound the film, when in fact, it did nothing. I would open the back to find the film still out of the cassette. Using normal cassettes, no problems at all.
At separate times in the past I owned a 139Q, 159MM (which was badly broken and returned), a 167 (again broken but I knew so), and the 2 RX's. I will say, that if you plan on using lenses like the 85 1.4, 35 1.4, or other bigger and longer lenses, the larger bodies provide sturdier grips. Bodies such as the RTS, RTS II with winders attached, the AX, RX, ST and its battery grip, and RTS III, would all be the cameras I would want with the bigger lenses. One combo that I used quite often, though only for a brief time, was the RX with a 60 S-Planar attached.
The 137, 139, 159, ST, RTS and RTS II without grips, and the Aria would all make excellent smaller bodies for use with the 2.8 lenses, which are freaking awesome. I am on the prowl for the 85 2.8 which, if one is lucky, can sometimes be found around USD250. My only wish, is that there was something similar to the Photoequip FM Grip for my 139, the flat front made it awkward as heck to use the 85 1.4 I used to own.
RX is excellent, solid, with the depth of field indicator. I really like the Aria for me, with the small lenses...85/2.8, 50/1.7, and 28/2.8. Huge bright viewfinder.
kbg32
neo-romanticist
Great cameras.
JeffL
Well-known
I have an RTS II and III. Amazing cameras - love them both. The 100 f2 is really something too.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
If you want the cheapest, look for Yashica FR-I. It's basically an RTS with Yashica branding.
If you want the most balanced, look for 137 MA (not MD). Auto film advance, but manual rewind. Small, but solid.
If you want the top of the line, RTS III of course
I'm a big Aria fan. Well-built but lightweight, huge bright viewfinder, like an OM1 with Zeiss lenses. Also, matrix metering.
FrankS
Registered User
If you want the cheapest, look for Yashica FR-I. It's basically an RTS with Yashica branding.
Somehow I don't think so. Perhaps feature-wise, but they are totally different cameras, no?
Rico
Well-known
No Contax RTS addiction here - I could stop at any time! Currently have a 139Q, 159MM, Aria, and three RTS III bodies. To that, add a dozen Zeiss lenses, four Yashica ML, and numerous accessories. For entry-level fun, I recommend the 139Q (ensure working light seals) and a Yashica 50/2 ML ($20). Slightly more upscale, but just as portable, is the Aria and CZ Planar 50/1.7. You can proceed from that basic kit to a larger system and then, later on, bankruptcy.
sahe69
Well-known
Better to go straight for a Contax body rather than a Yashica. Then you won't have any second toughts and can consume all your energy (and money) on getting the lenses. E.g. 21/2.8, 28/2, 35/1.4, 50/1.4, 85/1.4 and 135/2 to start with
nobbylon
Veteran
I always fancied an RTS ever since my biology teacher in school swapped his Nikon F2 for one in '77 I think. He always let us have a go with it at the photo club meetings which he ran after school. I also knew a photographer, Brian Linney from Manchester who used them professionally. I'd like one now but have been scared off by mention of no parts to fix or electrical woes which to be honest probably don't exist. Glass is also pretty expensive and if I was going to spend large sums on SLR glass I would probably go LEICA R6.2 now.
Neare
Well-known
I've got an RX atm, smooth quiet shutter for an slr (+ the DFI is sort of a like a digital RF, albeit a little slow and not very good in low light)
But its a mighty solid beast, I couldn't justify the extra weight of the RTSIII unless the need for the higher fps and shutter speed.
The only feature I miss in the RX is the mirror lockup, but as I said, its damn smooth, there is very little vibration, if any when held tightly. I feel very comfortable shooting at 1/8 (and don't usually worry so much at 1/4, though I don't think it will be perfectly sharp)
Battery life is good, depending on weather. You're looking at 50-120 rolls of 36. That also depends on how much you use the DFI and metering this and that. Good nonetheless.
+ Custom functions are awesome, namely the rewind method where it leaves the head out for reloading, so effectively you can change films mid roll (daylight-nighttime films etc.), and then put your old one in again, shoot with the cap on up to where you left off and whallah! Good to go again.
But its a mighty solid beast, I couldn't justify the extra weight of the RTSIII unless the need for the higher fps and shutter speed.
The only feature I miss in the RX is the mirror lockup, but as I said, its damn smooth, there is very little vibration, if any when held tightly. I feel very comfortable shooting at 1/8 (and don't usually worry so much at 1/4, though I don't think it will be perfectly sharp)
Battery life is good, depending on weather. You're looking at 50-120 rolls of 36. That also depends on how much you use the DFI and metering this and that. Good nonetheless.
+ Custom functions are awesome, namely the rewind method where it leaves the head out for reloading, so effectively you can change films mid roll (daylight-nighttime films etc.), and then put your old one in again, shoot with the cap on up to where you left off and whallah! Good to go again.
Fujitsu
Well-known
Interesting. This gets mentioned often but I have yet to see a camera body actually fail because of electronics. I have a very old Canon AE-1 for example, used for decades, never serviced, still running like new (except for a broken battery cap).
kdemas
Enjoy Life.
The Aria is really a terrific light SLR, very nice. I enjoyed my ST (little brother to the RTS III), built great with illuminated dials and a ceramic pressure plate.
Quietest shutter in SLR-dom... The RX. All you hear is a little "snick" if that's important to what you shoot.
Enjoy whatever you buy, have fun.
Kent
<---- See my avatar for evidence I liked my Contax SLRs. N Digital pictured
Quietest shutter in SLR-dom... The RX. All you hear is a little "snick" if that's important to what you shoot.
Enjoy whatever you buy, have fun.
Kent
<---- See my avatar for evidence I liked my Contax SLRs. N Digital pictured
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
They are different cameras but based on a single design. They differ in minor things like how to activate the meter, and exterior details. They can both use the same winder.
ZeissFan
Veteran
Given the choice of a Yashica body with a Zeiss lens or a Contax body with a Yashica lens, go for the Zeiss lens every time. That's the reason for buying into the Contax bodies -- so you can use them with the Zeiss lenses.
I have a 139 Quarts and a 137 MD, and I much prefer the 139. It's a smaller and a lighter body. Plus, it has manually selectable speeds, as well as autoexposure.
I'm shooting with the f/1.7 Planar and a 28mm Distagon.
I have a 139 Quarts and a 137 MD, and I much prefer the 139. It's a smaller and a lighter body. Plus, it has manually selectable speeds, as well as autoexposure.
I'm shooting with the f/1.7 Planar and a 28mm Distagon.