Difference between revisions of "Contax RTS"
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− | |image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/zuiko21/ | + | |image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/zuiko21/5756615714/in/pool-camerawiki/ |
− | |image=http:// | + | |image= http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5148/5756615714_2cd0df7f9d.jpg |
− | |image_align= | + | |image_align= right |
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+ | |image_by= Carlos Santisteban | ||
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In the early 1970s, production of [[Zeiss Ikon]] cameras had ceased but the desire to build a high-quality system using [[Carl Zeiss|Zeiss]] lenses remained. | In the early 1970s, production of [[Zeiss Ikon]] cameras had ceased but the desire to build a high-quality system using [[Carl Zeiss|Zeiss]] lenses remained. | ||
− | In 1973 the Contax name was licensed to the Japanese maker [[Yashica]] to create a prestigious brand of [[35mm]] cameras and interchangeable lenses in cooperation with the German company. By that time, Yashica was a production giant with considerable electronic camera experience, and was seeking ways to expand sales and improve brand name recognition in the highly competitive 35mm [[SLR]] market. Thus began ‘Top Secret Project 130’, a collaboration with Carl Zeiss to produce a new, professional 35mm SLR with an electronically-controlled shutter, bearing the Contax brand name, along with a new line of premium quality lenses. The F. Alexander Porsche Group was hired to complete an ergonomic and styling study of the new camera. The result was the all-new '''Contax RTS''', which appeared at Photokina in 1974, and proved an immediate hit. | + | In 1973 the Contax name was licensed to the Japanese maker [[Yashica]] to create a prestigious brand of [[35mm]] cameras and interchangeable lenses in cooperation with the German company. By that time, Yashica was a production giant with considerable electronic camera experience, and was seeking ways to expand sales and improve brand name recognition in the highly competitive 35mm [[SLR]] market. Thus began ‘Top Secret Project 130’, a collaboration with Carl Zeiss to produce a new, professional 35mm SLR with an electronically-controlled shutter, bearing the Contax brand name, along with a new line of premium quality lenses. The F. Alexander Porsche Group was hired to complete an ergonomic and styling study of the new camera. The result was the all-new '''Contax RTS''', which appeared at [[Photokina]] in 1974, and proved an immediate hit. |
The RTS featured an electronically-controlled, horizontal cloth [[focal plane shutter]] with speeds of 1 - 1/2000 sec. plus B, interchangeable focus screens, and the ability to accept a number of professional accessories including power winders, professional motor drives, and both infrared and radio-controlled remote releases. | The RTS featured an electronically-controlled, horizontal cloth [[focal plane shutter]] with speeds of 1 - 1/2000 sec. plus B, interchangeable focus screens, and the ability to accept a number of professional accessories including power winders, professional motor drives, and both infrared and radio-controlled remote releases. | ||
− | + | Before being replaced by the RTSII, an interesting variant of the RTS was produced in small quantities: the Contax RTS Fundus (also called Scientific/Medical; presumably for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundus_%28eye%29 ophthalmic photography]). This was essentially an RTS with two additional features. Firstly, below the shutter speed dial on the front of the top-plate, a locking button was added that prevented the dial from being accidentally knocked from its X-sync (1/60) and Auto settings. The second change was even more useful: the electronic shutter release of the RTS was very sensitive with a depression of less than 1mm to activate the shutter; but in a laboratory, for example, where the operator may be wearing gloves, accidental firing of a standard RTS was a problem. Contax solved this by modifying the top plate further and adding a 2mm guard ring around the shutter release button. Most - but not all - of the RTS Fundus cameras had 'Scientific/Medical' stencilled in white on the base plate. A very small number of these bodies also featured additional mirror-damping. | |
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− | Before being replaced by the RTSII, an interesting variant of the RTS was produced in small quantities: the Contax RTS Fundus (also called Scientific/Medical). | ||
Since the advent of the RTS, [[Contax (Yashica/Kyocera)|Contax]] cameras were made by Yashica in Japan, with some lenses made by Carl Zeiss in Germany, some in Japan by Yashica (later [[Kyocera]]). The cameras were noteworthy for their advanced electronics. The Contax Zeiss T* lenses, in particular, soon gained a reputation for superb optical quality. Since manual-focus Contax and Yashica manual-focus 35mm SLR cameras share the same bayonet lens mount, their lenses may be used interchangeably. | Since the advent of the RTS, [[Contax (Yashica/Kyocera)|Contax]] cameras were made by Yashica in Japan, with some lenses made by Carl Zeiss in Germany, some in Japan by Yashica (later [[Kyocera]]). The cameras were noteworthy for their advanced electronics. The Contax Zeiss T* lenses, in particular, soon gained a reputation for superb optical quality. Since manual-focus Contax and Yashica manual-focus 35mm SLR cameras share the same bayonet lens mount, their lenses may be used interchangeably. | ||
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In 1991 the RTS II was replaced by the '''Contax RTS III'''. | In 1991 the RTS II was replaced by the '''Contax RTS III'''. | ||
+ | |||
+ | == Specifications == | ||
+ | {| border="1" cellpadding="2" style="margin: 0.5em 2em; text-align: center; border-collapse: collapse;" | ||
+ | ! scope="col" width="100" | | ||
+ | ! scope="col" width="100" | RTS | ||
+ | ! scope="col" width="100" | [[Contax RTS II|RTS II]] | ||
+ | ! scope="col" width="100" | [[Contax RTS III|RTS III]] | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | Introduction || 1975 || 1982 || 1991 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | rowspan="2" |Shutter speed || rowspan="2" |4 to 1/2000|| 4 to 1/2000 || 4 to 1/8000 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 16 to 1/2000||32 to 1/8000 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | Flash sync || colspan="2" |1/60 of a sec||1/250 of a sec | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | rowspan="2" |Metering modes|| colspan="3" |Center-weighted | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | colspan="2" | || Spot | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | Metering range||colspan="2" |-1 to 19 EV||0 to 21 EV<br>3 to 21 EV spot | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | rowspan="2" |ISO ||rowspan="2" colspan="2" |12 to 3200||6 to 6400 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | DX 25 to 5000 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | Finder||92% 0.87x||97% 0.87x||100% 0.74x | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | Film Advance ||colspan="2" |crank||motor | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | Battery || colspan="2" | [[PX28A battery|4LR44/PX28]]|| 6x AAA or 2CR5 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | Dimensions || 142x90x50mm||142x90x50mm ||156x121x66mm | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | Weight|| 700g|| 735g ||1150g | ||
+ | |} | ||
== Links == | == Links == | ||
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* Documents at [http://www.orphancameras.com/ www.orphancameras.com]: | * Documents at [http://www.orphancameras.com/ www.orphancameras.com]: | ||
** [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/contax/contax_rts/contax_rts.htm Contax RTS English instruction manual] | ** [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/contax/contax_rts/contax_rts.htm Contax RTS English instruction manual] | ||
− | ** [ | + | * [https://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/52743973079/in/pool-camerawiki/ Launch advertising] in the September, 1975, ''Popular Photography'' (Vol. 77, No. 3; pages 6–7) |
+ | * [https://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/52776422048/in/pool-camerawiki/ Complete lens and system chart] advertised in the October, 1977, ''Popular Photography'' (Vol. 81, No. 4; pages 54–55) | ||
In Spanish: | In Spanish: | ||
− | * [http://www.hugorodriguez.com/articulos/contaxrts.htm Contax RTS | + | * [http://www.hugorodriguez.com/articulos/contaxrts.htm Contax RTS] in the [http://www.hugorodriguez.com/ website of Hugo Rodriguez] |
In French: | In French: | ||
− | * [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/ | + | * [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=12556 Contax RTS] on [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php www.collection-appareils.fr] by Sylvain Halgand |
[[Category: Japanese 35mm SLR]] | [[Category: Japanese 35mm SLR]] | ||
[[Category: Contax/Yashica mount]] | [[Category: Contax/Yashica mount]] | ||
− | [[Category: Contax]] | + | [[Category: Contax|RTS]] |
[[Category: C]] | [[Category: C]] | ||
− | [[Category: R|Rts]] | + | [[Category: R|Rts Contax]] |
Latest revision as of 13:11, 28 March 2023
image by Carlos Santisteban (Image rights) |
In the early 1970s, production of Zeiss Ikon cameras had ceased but the desire to build a high-quality system using Zeiss lenses remained.
In 1973 the Contax name was licensed to the Japanese maker Yashica to create a prestigious brand of 35mm cameras and interchangeable lenses in cooperation with the German company. By that time, Yashica was a production giant with considerable electronic camera experience, and was seeking ways to expand sales and improve brand name recognition in the highly competitive 35mm SLR market. Thus began ‘Top Secret Project 130’, a collaboration with Carl Zeiss to produce a new, professional 35mm SLR with an electronically-controlled shutter, bearing the Contax brand name, along with a new line of premium quality lenses. The F. Alexander Porsche Group was hired to complete an ergonomic and styling study of the new camera. The result was the all-new Contax RTS, which appeared at Photokina in 1974, and proved an immediate hit.
The RTS featured an electronically-controlled, horizontal cloth focal plane shutter with speeds of 1 - 1/2000 sec. plus B, interchangeable focus screens, and the ability to accept a number of professional accessories including power winders, professional motor drives, and both infrared and radio-controlled remote releases.
Before being replaced by the RTSII, an interesting variant of the RTS was produced in small quantities: the Contax RTS Fundus (also called Scientific/Medical; presumably for ophthalmic photography). This was essentially an RTS with two additional features. Firstly, below the shutter speed dial on the front of the top-plate, a locking button was added that prevented the dial from being accidentally knocked from its X-sync (1/60) and Auto settings. The second change was even more useful: the electronic shutter release of the RTS was very sensitive with a depression of less than 1mm to activate the shutter; but in a laboratory, for example, where the operator may be wearing gloves, accidental firing of a standard RTS was a problem. Contax solved this by modifying the top plate further and adding a 2mm guard ring around the shutter release button. Most - but not all - of the RTS Fundus cameras had 'Scientific/Medical' stencilled in white on the base plate. A very small number of these bodies also featured additional mirror-damping.
Since the advent of the RTS, Contax cameras were made by Yashica in Japan, with some lenses made by Carl Zeiss in Germany, some in Japan by Yashica (later Kyocera). The cameras were noteworthy for their advanced electronics. The Contax Zeiss T* lenses, in particular, soon gained a reputation for superb optical quality. Since manual-focus Contax and Yashica manual-focus 35mm SLR cameras share the same bayonet lens mount, their lenses may be used interchangeably.
The success of the RTS led to other Contax cameras (see Contax (Yashica/Kyocera)). In the Contax model range, the most professional and most expensive body would always have a name beginning with RTS.
In 1982 the original RTS was replaced by the Contax RTS II.
In 1991 the RTS II was replaced by the Contax RTS III.
Specifications
RTS | RTS II | RTS III | |
---|---|---|---|
Introduction | 1975 | 1982 | 1991 |
Shutter speed | 4 to 1/2000 | 4 to 1/2000 | 4 to 1/8000 |
16 to 1/2000 | 32 to 1/8000 | ||
Flash sync | 1/60 of a sec | 1/250 of a sec | |
Metering modes | Center-weighted | ||
Spot | |||
Metering range | -1 to 19 EV | 0 to 21 EV 3 to 21 EV spot | |
ISO | 12 to 3200 | 6 to 6400 | |
DX 25 to 5000 | |||
Finder | 92% 0.87x | 97% 0.87x | 100% 0.74x |
Film Advance | crank | motor | |
Battery | 4LR44/PX28 | 6x AAA or 2CR5 | |
Dimensions | 142x90x50mm | 142x90x50mm | 156x121x66mm |
Weight | 700g | 735g | 1150g |
Links
In English:
- Contax SLR website by Cees de Groot
- Documents at www.orphancameras.com:
- Launch advertising in the September, 1975, Popular Photography (Vol. 77, No. 3; pages 6–7)
- Complete lens and system chart advertised in the October, 1977, Popular Photography (Vol. 81, No. 4; pages 54–55)
In Spanish:
In French:
- Contax RTS on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand