Contax impressed me again

[shadowfox]

Of all the famous SLR brands, three stood up for me:
Olympus, Nikon, and Contax.

I intend to never sell my OM cameras, but if push come to shove, I'd be heartbroken if I had to give up either Nikon or Contax.

See, both Nikon and Contax SLR's are simply brilliant cameras, tough as nail, and the results are indisputable (Zeiss vs Nikkor lenses).

But Contax wins a little this time, when I rubbed my eyes again for the third time and still saw a Contax ST listed below two-hundred bucks at KEH, complete with the P7 holder/vertical shutter button.

So a week later:

Now, this is the first time I *ever* bought anything from KEH, but people said that BGN is actually quite a bargain. And sure it is, aside from some scuffs on the CONTAX brand and brassing here and there, the camera is clean, fully working.

And man, solid as granite. Now *that's* unRF 😀

 

[MC JC86]

KEH's BGN can, very frequently been just that. I've only handled the camera mentioned in passing, slipping through my fingers buying and selling... You're making me want to get one for myself...:bang:

 

[shadowfox]

Yeah, that camera is called the little brother of the RTS III. Now that's a camera that has features up to its eyeball.

 

[dmc]

Congrats! Great buy.

 

[bwcolor]

Wow, that is a steal. You did great and the ST is one heck of a camera according to all accounts.

I'm new to Contax SLRs but I'm really impressed with them thanks to all the closet Contax people here on RFF. Congrats..

 

[shadowfox]

A lot of people go for the RX, not quite sure why.

I like the ST because it does resemble the RTS III, which is cool but I'd never be able to justify paying that much for.

There are some real Contax SLR fans here on RFF.

 

[gavinlg]

So nice dude! The Contax SLRs are BY FAR the prettiest cameras on the planet IMO. If I could have a modern digital full frame contax DSLR with those controls and ergos, and Zeiss/Contax lenses I'd be in heaven.

 

[shyoon]

You can never go wrong with a Contax - in terms of glass and ergonomics, they have very little competition.

 

[oftheherd]

I have had the Contax 139Q and now have the 167mt. I only have the 50mm f/1.4, but it is enough to know how great Contax glass is. The 167 was a camera I always thought I would never want, internal drive and all. Now I wouldn't give it up for anything. Very ergonomic, and that lens is great. I wish I could afford more Contax glass. Someday!

 

[tlitody]

I have had the Contax 139Q and now have the 167mt. I only have the 50mm f/1.4, but it is enough to know how great Contax glass is. The 167 was a camera I always thought I would never want, internal drive and all. Now I wouldn't give it up for anything. Very ergonomic, and that lens is great. I wish I could afford more Contax glass. Someday!

I've had a 167mt for many years. Its quiet and smooth. A very good camera. Only quibble is the shutter speed setting slider. I would prefer a dial but most of the time I'm in manual or AV mode so it doesn't really matter.

 

[f16sunshine]

Great find on that ST. Over the years I have owned nearly all the Contax 35mm cameras. The ones that I keep are RTSii, Aria, and RX. The ST is a serious pro camera. Basically the RTSiii without the vacuum back aNd slightly lesser vf. I don't remember now. Does the ST have a MLU?

 

[oftheherd]

I've had a 167mt for many years. Its quiet and smooth. A very good camera. Only quibble is the shutter speed setting slider. I would prefer a dial but most of the time I'm in manual or AV mode so it doesn't really matter.

Yes, coming from having had a 139Q, and having a Fujica ST 901, the 167mt has some busy controls until you get used to them. Then there is just too much to like. I love the ergonomics. I guess the Porsche team worked on it too.

Like you, I am usually in AV mode. It's what I cut my teeth on and I just prefer it.

 

[Gary E]

Great find! I've always loved the Contax line of SLRs. Over the years, I've used the 159mm, RTS II & III and only handled the 167mt, RX and NX. Of all of them, I miss the RTS series the most. Simply some of the most solid and robust cameras I've used; besides the Nikon F series. The ST is indeed a little brother to the RTS III and would pick one up in a heartbeat if I found one on this side of the globe.

 

[kdemas]

The ST is an awesome SLR, loved mine. The lit external controls, rock solid build and ceramic pressure plate make it a serious tool.

Enjoy!

 

[DanOnRoute66]

So nice dude! The Contax SLRs are BY FAR the prettiest cameras on the planet IMO. If I could have a modern digital full frame contax DSLR with those controls and ergos, and Zeiss/Contax lenses I'd be in heaven.

Ditto! As much as I like Zuiko lenses, the results from Zeiss lenses are spectacular.

 

[fuwen]

Nice to see many Contax supporters here. I am presently using Aria and RTS III. I have also RTS II and 159MM. I am much prefer the red LEDs of RTS II and 159MM but stick to Aria and RTS III for the spot metering.

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

I had an N1, then an RX, then an Aria, then a 159, then another Aria. All alongside a G2, T2, and/or T3. Never made it 'up' to the 645, though.

I really loved using all of those cameras, except the 159, which was quite small, but not a joy to use. Nothing wrong with it, but it just didn't have that same Contax design aesthetic/sensibility. I agree with the above - Contax cameras were always the most beautiful, and the smoothest in operation. Amazing how their shutters sorta just whssssk while everyone else's clunkkk.

 

[mathomas]

I have a Contax RX and love it, especially with the 28mm Distagon f/2.8.

 

[fuwen]

I had an N1, then an RX, then an Aria, then a 159, then another Aria. All alongside a G2, T2, and/or T3. Never made it 'up' to the 645, though.

I really loved using all of those cameras, except the 159, which was quite small, but not a joy to use. Nothing wrong with it, but it just didn't have that same Contax design aesthetic/sensibility. I agree with the above - Contax cameras were always the most beautiful, and the smoothest in operation. Amazing how their shutters sorta just whssssk while everyone else's clunkkk.

Get a winder for your 159 and you should be quite happy with it then : )

 

[shadowfox]

Good talks about the Contax line up, guys.
Keep it coming.

Meanwhile, I am reading up on the manual which the Contax Info guys had scanned here:
http://www.contaxinfo.com/broshures/ST/FrameSet.htm

Didn't know the shutter goes up to 1/6000 on Av mode. And that ceramic film plate, no wonder it looked a bit odd to me when I saw it.

The viewfinder is super bright, brighter than my F3 and probably as bright as my OM-3 with its 2-13 focusing screen.