Contax S2 / S2b

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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
  • 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

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