Difference between revisions of "Contax S2 / S2b"

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The Contax S2 was originally introduced to commemoratate the 60th anniversary of Contax cameras.  The first model, the S2, was produced by [[Cosina]] to Contax specification.  It is a fully mechanical, manually operated 35mm SLR camera, using batteries only to power the light meter.  The S2 was unusual among modern 35mm cameras in that the light meter was designed as a spot meter, without center-weighted or matrix metering options.  The use of only a spot meter required some knowledge on the part of the photographer for accurate exposures. A simple camera with a mechanical shutter, the S2 featured shutter speeds up to 1/4000 second and a 1/250 second flash synchronization.
 
  
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In response to customer demands for an S2 with a more versatile light meter, Contax introduced the S2b.  The S2b is virtually identical to the S2 with the exception of a light meter that is center-weighted to provide accurate exposure under an average range of lighting conditions.
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The '''Contax S2''' was originally introduced in October 1992 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of [[Contax (Yashica/Kyocera)|Contax]] cameras. It is a fully mechanical, manual-focus, manually-operated [[35mm]] [[SLR|SLR camera]], using batteries only to power the [[light meter]], and features titanium top and bottom plates. Like all modern Contax manual-focus SLR cameras, the S2 used the Contax/Yashica bayonet mount in order to accept [[Carl Zeiss]] T* lenses. The camera was intended as a 'purist' model for use by customers who were experienced photographers.  It is unusual among modern 35mm cameras in that the light meter was designed as a spot meter, without center-weighted or matrix metering options.  The use of only a spot meter required some knowledge and expertise by the owner for accurate exposures. A simple camera with a mechanical shutter, the S2 featured shutter speeds up to 1/4000 second and 1/250 second [[flash sync]]hronization.
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In response to customer demands for an S2 with a more versatile light meter, Contax introduced the '''S2b''' in 1994, which was sold concurrently with the S2.  The S2b is virtually identical to the S2 with the exception of a different external finish, and a light meter that is center-weighted to provide accurate exposure under an average range of lighting conditions. Both the S2 and S2b were discontinued by Contax in 2000.
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==Specifications==
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* Body: Titanium top and bottom covers
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* Type: 35mm focal plane shutter SLR
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* Lens Mount: [[Contax/Yashica lenses|Contax/Yashica MM mount]]
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* Shutter: Mechanical, vertical travel, metal shutter
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* Shutter Speed: Manual: 1 to 1/4000 sec, B, X 1/250 sec. Self-timer: Mechanical; 10 sec delay
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* Shutter release: Mechanical w/cable release socket, release lock
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* Exposure: Manual exposure w/ meter
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/vincentli/3259846207/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image=  http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3524/3259846207_b6884c741d_n.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= S2 60th anniversary version
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|image_by= Vincent Li
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|image_rights= with permission
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}}
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* Metering sensor: SPD cell
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* Metering range: (ISO 100 f/1.4).
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**S2: Spot meter EV 4 to EV 20
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**S2b: Center-weighted average EV 2 to EV 20
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* Film speed: ISO 12 to 6400
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* Viewfinder: Fixed eye-level pentaprism finder w/ diopter adjustment and 8 optional diopter lenses
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* Focusing Screen: Interchangeable, FU4: horizontal split image micro prism; with optional:
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**FU3: 45 deg split image micro prism
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**FU5: Matte
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**FU6: Grid
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* Viewfinder: 0.82x mag and 95% field of view (with 50mm at inf -1 diopter).
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* Viewfinder display: LEDs for flash indicator, over/under exposure warning and shutter speeds
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* Film transport: advance and rewind is manual by lever and winder
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* Power: 2x 1.5V LR44 or 1.55V SR44 silver oxide batteries with battery check
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* Dimensions: 134.5 x 89 x 51 mm
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* Weight: 565g without battery
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==Links==
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* [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/contax/contax_s2/contax_s2.htm Contax S2 manual] at [http://www.orphancameras.com Mike Butkus Orphan Cameras]
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[[Category:Japanese 35mm SLR]]
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[[Category:Contax/Yashica mount]]
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[[Category:Contax|S2]]
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[[Category:Cosina]]
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[[Category:C]]
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[[Category:S|S2 Contax]]

Latest revision as of 05:54, 27 February 2023

The Contax S2 was originally introduced in October 1992 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Contax cameras. It is a fully mechanical, manual-focus, manually-operated 35mm SLR camera, using batteries only to power the light meter, and features titanium top and bottom plates. Like all modern Contax manual-focus SLR cameras, the S2 used the Contax/Yashica bayonet mount in order to accept Carl Zeiss T* lenses. The camera was intended as a 'purist' model for use by customers who were experienced photographers. It is unusual among modern 35mm cameras in that the light meter was designed as a spot meter, without center-weighted or matrix metering options. The use of only a spot meter required some knowledge and expertise by the owner for accurate exposures. A simple camera with a mechanical shutter, the S2 featured shutter speeds up to 1/4000 second and 1/250 second flash synchronization.

In response to customer demands for an S2 with a more versatile light meter, Contax introduced the S2b in 1994, which was sold concurrently with the S2. The S2b is virtually identical to the S2 with the exception of a different external finish, and a light meter that is center-weighted to provide accurate exposure under an average range of lighting conditions. Both the S2 and S2b were discontinued by Contax in 2000.


Specifications

  • Body: Titanium top and bottom covers
  • Type: 35mm focal plane shutter SLR
  • Lens Mount: Contax/Yashica MM mount
  • Shutter: Mechanical, vertical travel, metal shutter
  • Shutter Speed: Manual: 1 to 1/4000 sec, B, X 1/250 sec. Self-timer: Mechanical; 10 sec delay
  • Shutter release: Mechanical w/cable release socket, release lock
  • Exposure: Manual exposure w/ meter
3259846207_b6884c741d_n.jpg
S2 60th anniversary version
image by Vincent Li (Image rights)
  • Metering sensor: SPD cell
  • Metering range: (ISO 100 f/1.4).
    • S2: Spot meter EV 4 to EV 20
    • S2b: Center-weighted average EV 2 to EV 20
  • Film speed: ISO 12 to 6400
  • Viewfinder: Fixed eye-level pentaprism finder w/ diopter adjustment and 8 optional diopter lenses
  • Focusing Screen: Interchangeable, FU4: horizontal split image micro prism; with optional:
    • FU3: 45 deg split image micro prism
    • FU5: Matte
    • FU6: Grid
  • Viewfinder: 0.82x mag and 95% field of view (with 50mm at inf -1 diopter).
  • Viewfinder display: LEDs for flash indicator, over/under exposure warning and shutter speeds
  • Film transport: advance and rewind is manual by lever and winder
  • Power: 2x 1.5V LR44 or 1.55V SR44 silver oxide batteries with battery check
  • Dimensions: 134.5 x 89 x 51 mm
  • Weight: 565g without battery

Links

Retrieved from "http://camera-wiki.org/index.php?title=Contax_S2_/_S2b&oldid=221672"