When Contax RTS was first introduced to
the public, it startled the camera world by suddenly appearing out of nowhere as
easily one of the most advanced SLR camera on the market. More surprisingly was the
very unusual partnership in its equity structure as well as from the designing point
of view. It presents a 'dreamed' combination between some of the best in the business
from the east and west - perhaps may be a little fragile on the Yashica side. The
system looked good on paper.
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But, would it work ? The question didn’t take long to answer. Gradually, as photographers everywhere began to work with the Contax RTS, more to the attraction it presents in the Zeiss optic, of which previously only available in 120 format either through Goteborg based, Hasselblad or in a much later stage, the a series of Rollei medium format bodies. |
Why an automobile designer was chosen to design the camera exterior. Projecting a new image and want everybody forget about the past, may be. That is not too unusual as the popular Nikon also had their flagship model Nikon F3 designed Italian industrial designer, Giorgetto Giugiaro. The Contax RTS's decision can also regarded as trend setting for the Japanese camera munufacturers in the seventies.Somehow, the Canon also followed the trail and had their 'prototype' pre-EOS model, Canon T-90 designed by German industrial designer Luigi Colani.
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The successful formula initiated by Yashica that pioneered a German tradename with a Made in Japan business formula was copied in the later years by others. Well, if you don't buy what I said earlier ? Just take a good look at what the Korean's electronic Giant, Samsung adopted strategy for their cameras. |
It is an exact duplicate of what the Japanese has gone through with the Contax episode. This time around, as with the RTS featured here, their body ergonomically was designed by Porsche, they took over Rollei Fototechnic GmbH of Germany in 1995 and the optic carries an equally respectable Schneider name tag.
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Almost an exact Replica of the success story of the Contax... |
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Schneider + Samsung + Porsche = Samsung |
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The RTS can easily claimed to have the smoothest lines of any SLR body in the '70; the controls were arguebly well positioned by the designer but can be a love or hate at first sight scenario, but generallyother than location of the shutter speed dial and film speed settings, the camera seemed to mould itself perfectly in one's hand. But like the hugely successful Canon AE-1 in 1976, Yashica, their Japanese partner in the consortium, an active player in electronic camera technology, the Contax RTS was designed with a heavy use of electronic within, although it did faced some defensive and questionable on looking critics, but it did carries a fresh concept in camera design and also materialised many innovations never before seen in an SLR camera.
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Obviously, the RTS system putting a lot of emphasize on its smooth releases in many of its operation. Whether it is on the camera, the 9-speed motor drive unit, the motor drive’s power pack ... even on the 5-flash-per-second electronic flash, which can also fully synchronized with the motor drive to provide stroboscopic effect. Wireless off camera Infrared Controller provide wireless self-timer operation as well. The system had discarded the conventional cable release, replacing it with electronic cable switches off-camera, electro-pulse release units capable of interval firing with the motor drive. |
The Contax RTS system was entirely different
with many other cameras available on the market. The traditional maze of mechanical
levers, rods, cams and gears, common to most shutter release systems had given way
to electronics and electro-magnetics.The all timings in the body are governed by
electronic. The second RTS body in the early '80, RTS II has adopted quartz to ensure
precision timing as well as main product highlights in the newer RTS body.
The rest of the Contax RTS story is now history. It’s called “Real Time Photography”.
'Real
Time' is a computer terminology denoting absence of physical time-lag in disposition
of information. The Contax defined that as "Photography optimized to instantly
transform the photographer’s creations into the highest quality photographic images...".
That is an ideal ideology for photographers but the camera is still short from such
standard, although the subsequent Contax models started to bridge in real life camera
operation with such designing concept. However, you still have to respect the core
theme cherished a quarter century ago which laid such a good foundation for the Contax
photographic system as a whole.
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In many ways, it was a trend setting SLR camera model. Other camera manufacturers also realized the significance and potential of the Contax RTS and its system poised. The guess was right, although slow in progress in its early development, but eventually the Contax was a truly formidable contender in the SLR playing field. Personally, the Contax was easily one of the most innovative camera manufacturers in the '90. Brought and revived many camera and optical surprises and has put some of the biggest name in the business to shame. Not just being solely on SLR, it brought along rangefinders and even 645 format cameras! |
As one may notice, over the years the Contax system was carefully planned and grew systematically. It has never rushed to introduce camera models or lenses that may corrupt the prestigious old trade name of 'Contax' and 'Zeiss". Even when 10 years has passed since the first successful body integrated autofocus was introduced, Contax has not been too keen to commit on the development of autofocus technology until the amazing and very considerate AF Contax AX that has restored many users confidence.
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The Zeiss optic, the soul and the main consideration of investing into the Contax system, was also been given a new lease of life under the new partnership. Long forgotten optical formula and legendary optic such as Hologon, Biogon were made possible with the rangefinder Contax cameras. |
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| Previous | Next | 1/4 The application of electronic. Remote release, Viewfinder display and major operation features
Basic Instruction Manuals: 6 Parts
Beyond the User's Manual, addressing other Issues : 4 Parts
Scanned early Contax's system accessories files in PDF format: Motor Drive | Winder | Macro | Databack/Remote | Flash | Early Lenses 1 & 2 | Accessories
| Back | to Index Page of Contax RTS
| Back | to Index Page of Contax RTS II Quartz
| Back | to Index Page of Contax RTS III
| Back | to Main Index Page of
Contax RTS series models
Camera
Models: | Contax RTS |
RTS II | RTS
III
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Shared
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Motor
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PMD
W6| Winder - RTW-W3 | Screens |
Flash | Macro | Remote | Databack | Accessories | Zeiss T* Optic | Instruction Manuals: Contax RTS HTML | PDF | Contax RTS II Quartz
HTML | PDF | Contax RTS III (3
parts PDF
by mike@butkus.org, M. Butkus, NJ. Part A | Part B | Part C |
OFF TOPIC:-
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| Main Reference
Map: RTS - HTML | PDF (206k) RTS II - HTML | PDF(308k) RTS III - HTML | PDF  |
Specification: RTS - HTML | PDF(159k) RTS II - HTML | PDF(66k) RTS III - HTML | PDF |
1975: RTS 1979: 139Q 1980: 137MD 1982: 137MA 1982: RTS II |
1985: 159MM 1987: 167MT 1990: RTS III 1992: S2 1992: S2b |
1992: ST 1994: RX 1996: AX 1998: Aria 2000~ |
| List of Carl Zeiss T* lenses for Contax SLR cameras | ||||
| Message Board | for your favorite Contax RTS Series SLR Models
| Message Board | for your Contax optics
in a shared environment
| Message Board | Specifically for Dispose or Looking for Contax Photographic
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Credit: MClau, joint maintainer of the Contax RTS MB. Some of the content are extracts from: Cees De Groot, who maintains a Contax FAQ site and Tim Roger website on Contax SLR cameras, A few of the images on Zeiss lenses were downloaded from Contax US website. My buddy, Yeak † & Rizal Yahya, for their cool programming with Contax RTS's Message Board, Note:certain contents and images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing leaflets, brochures, sales manuals or publications published by Kyocera over the years and/or contributions from surfers who claimed originality of their own work solely for educational purposes. The creator of the site will not be responsible for any discrepancies that may arise from such possible disputes except rectifying them after verification."Kyocera", "Yashica", "Contax" & "Carl Zeiss T*" are registered trade names of Kyocera Corporation Inc., Japan. A site made with an Apple IMac, dedicated to all fans of Contax cameras and Zeiss Optics.