Month: May 2022

The RTS II was Contax’s flagship professional SLR from 1982 until the introduction of the RTS III in 1990. With pretty much everything you would want in a manual-focus SLR and with a professionally-bright viewfinder, it is an excellent native platform for C/Y-mount lenses.

Sometimes, what separated a 1970s or 1980s professional 35mm SLR from an advanced amateur model was not much. However, professional cameras from this era usually have three significant upgrades over the mid-range: a brighter viewfinder with greater scene coverage and magnification, interchangeable focusing screens, and a higher top shutter speed. Other attributes could include more advanced metering modes, a manual shutter speed backup for electronic shutters, and higher-powered motor drives. With the RTS II, it was not so much that it was more materially capable than the existing prosumer 139Q or 137 MA, but it had a truly professional viewfinder, a slightly higher top shutter speed at 1/2000, interchangeable focusing screens, a manual backup shutter speed, and more robust construction all around. Some of the technology found on the RTS II had already been implemented on the 139, including the capability for TTL flash and a front-mounted exposure lock switch.

The RTS II is certainly the best of what could be considered the “second generation” of Contax-Yashica SLRs, which also included the 139, 137, and Yashica FX-D. The 1986 167MT would be a giant leap forward for Contax, introducing a 1/4000 top shutter speed, multiple program modes, multiple metering modes, integrated film advance and rewind, TTL daylight fill flash, and a number of other truly modern features. Given the fact that so many advanced post-RTS II Contax models exist, some of them remaining very affordable, perhaps there is no compelling reason for most to go “back” to a 1/2000 top speed, only center-weighted metering, and manual everything else?

Marketed as an “upgrade” to the original 1975 RTS, the RTS II retained the ability to use most of the original accessories for the former. Compared to its contemporaries, the 1980 Nikon F3 and the Canon New F-1, it was fairly competitive but not entirely. For instance, the RTS II did not have interchangeable specialized prisms, super high-speed motor drives, and its line up of lenses was not as extensive as either Nikon or Canon. Even by the early 1980s, it appears that Contax had pegged its fortunes not to pros who did niche work like sports or wildlife, but more towards a system that focused on providing capable platforms for high-quality normal focal length (18-200mm) SLR lenses, whereas it can be argued that Nikon and Canon focused on the reverse, high-tech reliable bodies with a ton of accessories and a wider range of above-average lenses.

More than forty years after its introduction, the RTS II remains a highly worthwhile platform, delivering the Contax “experience” without any unnecessary bells and whistles. Let’s take a look.

Specifications

For reference, here are the specifications for three contemporary products: the Leica R4, Contax RTS II, and the Nikon F3.

		Leica R4	Contax RTS II	Nikon F3
Year		1980	1982	1980
1983 Price (Body Only)		@ $1,000	@ $500	@ $400
Viewfinder Coverage		92% / .90x	97% / .87x	100% / .82x
Viewfinder Info		Shutter Speed / Aperture / Exposure Mode	Shutter Speed / Aperture	Shutter Speed / Aperture
Focusing Screens		Interchangeable (5)	Interchangeable (8)	Interchangeable (21)
Shutter Speeds		1 sec – 1/1000	16 sec – 1/2000	8 sec – 1/2000
Shutter Type		Vertical Metal	Horizontal Titanium Foil	Horizontal Titanium Foil
ASA Range		12-3200	12-3200	12-6400
Exposure Modes		P / A / S / M	A / M	A / M
Exposure Lock?		Yes	Yes	Yes
Metering		Center Weighted / Spot	Center Weighted	Center Weighted
X-Sync		1/100	1/60	1/80
TTL Flash?		No	Yes	Yes
DOF Preview?		Yes	Yes	Yes
Backup Speed		1/100	1/50	1/60
Winder		External	External	External
Winder Model		Motor-Winder or Motor-Drive	W-6 or W-3	MD-4
Exposure Comp.		Yes	Yes	Yes
Prisms		Fixed	Fixed	At Least 6
Batteries		2 x SR44	1 x S28PX	2 x SR44
Weight		635g	735g	715g

Operation

Viewfinder: The RTS II uses a different viewfinder than those employed in the contemporary 139 and 137 MA (95% / 0.86x) and is also different than those used in the later 159 and 167MT. 97% viewfinder coverage with a .87x magnification is a professional specification. Curiously, the RTS II stock focusing screen is a microprism type that lacks a split screen focusing aid. The viewfinder displays both the shutter speed and aperture but lacks the frame count that was included on the 137 MA. The viewfinder is noticeably brighter that the 139 and 137 (which are both fairly bright themselves). Unlike, the 139 / 137, which displays the selected aperture at the bottom of the viewfinder via some kind of magnified reflected dial, the RTS II uses LEDs to display the aperture, even in half-stops, even with Yashica ML lenses.

Exposure Modes: The RTS II is aperture-priority, which means that the camera selects the appropriate shutter speed given the selected aperture. It also has the capability for metered manual, which means that an LED will blink at the correct shutter speed given the selected aperture. Metering and taking a shot is a little unusual and works the same way as the 139, 137, and FX-D. With the shutter not cocked, metering of the scene is performed by either pressing the shutter button or the button of the front lever. However, if the shutter is cocked, pressing the release will take a photo without any preview opportunity. If the shutter is cocked, you must use the front button to take a pre-exposure reading.

Manual Back-Up Speed: Obviously, a concession to professionals who still probably lacked confidence in batteries and electronic shutters, the 1/50 backup manual shutter speed is activated by turning a lever and then pressing the DOF preview lever.

Battery: The RTS II uses a single 6V battery The silver oxide versions include the S28PX and the 4SR44. The alkaline version is the A544.

Exposure Lock Lever: Introduced on the 139, and also used on the 137 and the Yashica FX-D but disappearing on the 159, the RTS II has a front-mounted exposure check and lock lever. Pressing in the button checks the exposure. Turning the lever will “lock” the current exposure reading indefinitely until the lever is switched back. With some practice, this system is almost as convenient as the more conventional “half-press” of the shutter speed button found on other manufacturers’ products.

Internal Improvements: Over the original RTS, other than some better technology, Contax implemented a better film pressure plate and improved the film transport system.

Film Loading: The RTS II employs a little sleeve in the spool to take up the film leader, ala the Leica M3 or Leica CL. When loading the film, the camera will automatically set itself to 1/60 for shooting the blank frames to arrive at frame 1. I have found that loading film in an RTS II can be a little finicky because the sleeves sometimes do not hold the film leader well, perhaps because over time they have lost their snugness or maybe modern film stocks are a bit thinner.

Other Functions: The RTS II has the standard series of other features which do not require any detailed explanation: a 1/2000 top shutter speed, a shutter lock switch, DOF preview, exposure compensation dial, conventional manual film loading and rewind, capability for double exposures, and self-timer.

Accessories

Flashes: The RTS II has a relatively slow flash sync speed of 1/60. Its hot shoe contains two pins and can fully utilize the entire range of Contax TTL-capable flashes. In my opinion, the RTS II pairs the best with the affordable TLA 30. While not a small unit, the TLA 30 has native bounce abilities and can use TTL flash exposure with any aperture set on the AE lens, allowing a sort of primitive daylight fill operation.

Focusing Screens: Contax produced a total of eight (8) focusing screens for the RTS II. Unfortunately, these screens are not compatible with any subsequent Contax model. The split image focusing screens are extremely hard to find these days.

Winder: Contax produced two professional winders compatible with the RTS II: the W-6 and the W-3. The hefty W-6 plus its 12-AA battery powerback was carryover from the original RTS and can shoot up to five frames per second and features some interval shooting settings. Also offered was the more compact W-3 with a three frames per second capability that took only 6 AA batteries.

D-4 Databack: Designed for some specific practical use that seems to be unknown today, the RTS II had an optional databack that could imprint the time, date, and frame number on the negative.

Eyepiece: For some reason, the OEM Contax rubber eyepieces are a little hard to come by. Fortunately, as with nearly every single Contax and Yashica SLR, the cheap replacements for various digital Canon SLRs fit just fine.

Conclusions

If looking at pre-1985 Contax SLR models, I would recommend the RTS II over any alternative (coming in second would be the 137 MA). If looking at models like the Leica R3-R5, the problem with Leica R for film use is that the lenses have skyrocketed in price, almost absurdly so. When comparing the RTS II to the Nikon F3 or Canon New F-1, it may come down to your preference between great bodies and great lenses. When comparing the RTS II to any other pre-1985 non-professional, manual-advance camera, the RTS II will pretty much always be the better choice.

During 1982, the Zeiss-Yashica partnership announced two new cameras: the Contax RTS II, its new professional flagship and the 137 MA, an upgraded version of the 137 MD. The 137 MA went on sale in North America during the spring of 1983. While retaining most of the same specifications as the MD, the MA included the following upgrades: (1) optional manual shutter speed control; (2) a faster integrated motor drive to 3 frames per second from 2; and (3) an improved the film transport system. At launch, camera shops often bundled the 137 MA with either the Contax 45mm f/2.8 AE Tessar (meh) or the 50mm f/1.7 AE Planar (excellent). According to advertised retail prices at the time, the 137 MA cost about $100-150 more than the Contax 139Q. The 137 MA was produced until about 1986, replaced that year by the Contax 167MT.

At bottom, the 137 MD/MA, the 139, and and Yashica FX-D have similar capabilities: (1) the same viewfinder coverage and magnification; (2) the same top shutter speed of 1/1000; (3) aperture-priority autoexposure; (4) either an internal or optional external motor drive; (5) the same or similar metering system; (6) provisions for exposure compensation; and (7) an exposure lock function. Over the FX-D, the 139 and 137 have brighter viewfinders, longer max auto shutter speeds (11 seconds versus 1 second), TTL flash capability, and display the selected aperture in the viewfinder. The 1985 Kyocera-produced Contax 159MM (the successor to the 139) and Yashica FX-103 (the successor to the FX-D) contained significant further improvements. The 159MM would add, inter alia, a top shutter speed of 1/4000; and both it and FX-103 would add program-mode autoexposure. However, the launch of the 159MM and FX-103 clearly signaled Kyocera’s intentions to push Contax upmarket and Yashica downmarket.

These days, the 139 and 137 MA remain generally inexpensive on the used market, while many sellers cannot give FX-Ds away. Although the 137 MA is quirky, its controls are all in the wrong places, and it is bulkier and heavier than many of its contemporaries, I think it is a fantastic and reasonably-priced vintage SLR. Let’s take a look.

Specifications

Year Announced	1982
Lens Mount	Contax/Yashica Bayonet
Viewfinder Coverage	95% / 0.86x
Focusing Screen	90-Degree Split Screen; Microprism Collar
Viewfinder Info	Shutter Speed, Aperture & Exposure Count
ASA Range	12-3200
Shutter	Electronic Horizontal Cloth Focal Plane
Shutter Speeds	11 sec. – 1/1000
Flash Sync	1/60
TTL Flash?	With Dedicated Contax Units
Exposure Compensation	+ / – 2 Stops
Exposure Lock	Yes; Switch on Top
Automatic Film Advance	Single; Continuous Up to 3 FPS
Batteries	4 x AA
Weight	665g (without batteries)

Operation

Viewfinder: The 137 MA’s bright viewfinder is one of its primary strengths. The 95% coverage and 0.86x magnification, the same as the 139 and FX-D, is pretty good, but not professionally-good. The non-interchangeable focusing screen is a standard 90-degree split screen with a microprism collar. The viewfinder displays the shutter speed (via LEDs) on the right of the frame, the selected aperture at the top of the frame, and the current frame count on the left of the frame. The 139 does not display the film count. The FX-D does not display either the aperture or the film count.

Autoexposure: The 137 MA utilizes aperture-priority autoexposure, via the “A” position on the shutter speed dial. The top shutter speed of 1/1000 was standard for this class of camera. While it is nice that the 137 MA has the capability to manually select the shutter speeds, it is a little awkward to use in real life given the left-hand side controls and the fact that the shutter speeds are displayed on the side of the dial and not on top. To use the 137 MA in a manual metering mode, the LED in the viewfinder will blink at the selected aperture, but will remain on at the appropriate shutter speed given the aperture. The horizontal cloth focal plane shutter on the 137 MA is an unusual attribute for a 1980s Contax camera, not used since the 1975 RTS or on any camera after, but it probably has something to do with keeping the shutter noise down and/or better syncing with the motor drive.

Film Loading / Advance: The automatic film loading on the 137 MA is still quite primitive compared with the next generation of SLRs. The film must be pulled across into the slot like a normal manual camera. Once it is in the slot, you press the shutter button which in theory should automatically spool the film onto the sprockets. The continuous mode allows shooting up to 3 frames per second, which was extraordinary for 1982. The integrated film advance is actually fairly muffled, making at kind of shew shew sound, much quieter than any external motor drive of the era. Rewinding of the film is through a regular rewind crank (auto rewind technology was still in the near future). My example seems to have a “hair trigger,” which means if you are not super careful, it is really easy to shoot two consecutive frames in “Single” mode.

Exposure Lock: It would be fair to say that Contax never took a conventional approach to exposure lock. Instead of a switch on the front of the camera like the 139 and FX-D, the 137 MA uses a switch at the top right side of the camera. The procedure is to meter the scene, switch the setting to “AE Lock,” and the camera will lock the prior shutter speed as long as the switch is on that setting. To disengage, you must switch off the AE Lock setting.

Batteries: The 137 MA is powered by four AA batteries loaded in the bottom of the camera. Easy, cheap, and convenient.

Flashes: The 137 MA can use the world of Contax-branded TTL flashes. The flash sync speed is slightly slower at 1/60 than the 1/100 for the other products. When using a Contax TTL flash, the camera will automatically set the shutter speed to 1/60 when in “A” mode. For all other flashes, the shutter speed dial must be turned to “X.”

Other Features: The 137 MA also has the slew of other common features, like a self-timer, a battery check, exposure compensation, and a depth-of-field preview.

Accessories: The 137 MA had a few accessories, like a nifty hand grip and a primitive, useless databack. As OEM eyecups are hard to find, like nearly every Contax and Yashica product, the cheap replacements that work for many Canon digital cameras fit perfectly on the 137 MA.

Conclusion

The 137 MA represents a pinnacle of the pre-Kyocera-takeover Contax-Yashica advanced amateur line. It is a high-quality (yet somewhat hefty) camera with a bright focusing view and a relatively muted automatic advance. As a platform for C/Y lenses, it will not disappoint. If considering acquiring a pre-1985 Contax SLR, I would still recommend the RTS II overall as it has a higher top shutter speed and a professionally-bright viewfinder, but the 137 MA is certainly not far behind. While the 137 MA cannot really compete with the 167MT and later Contax cameras in terms of overall functionality, it does provide pretty much everything you would need in a non-professional manual-focus SLR.