Modern Classic SLR Series Contax RTS - Other Issues Part III

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The base plate of Contax RTS has a motor drive and winder coupling with another large battery cover lid. Such direct mounting design enables one attachment of either drives without any modification or removal of any plate or cover as with the Olympus OM motor drive system. It accepts both the slower Power WINDER or the high speed professional motor drive. Credit: Picture courtesy of Mr. "dearaujo" <dearaujo1@mediaone.net>

The original RTW is handgrip-less. The revised second generation Contax RTW-W3 has a handy grip with two separate shutter release buttons (one on the hand grip while another for shooting vertical format, p-laced next to the power pack). See more information on the CONTAX RTW Section for compatibility issue.

The automatic film advance is accomplished by means of the film drive coupling, while the three-pronged motor-drive coupling terminal transmits wind-on signal from the release system to the motor drive after the exposure has been completed.

Pushbutton Lights LED Display

One may wish the RTS incorporate the 1976 Canon AE-1's light touch meter-on type of exposure check system, but RTS has its unusual way of having its LED on display at the front. Exposure checking is via a pushbutton located on the front of the camera directly above the self-timer. A light touch on the button activates the LED display inside the camera viewfinder.

As light reading with the camera's SPD metering is virtually instantaneous, there is no delay in actual shutter speed and shift in the diode display. The display goes off again when you release the button to conserve battery energy. Light reading with the Contax RTS covers a wide range - from a moderately-spec EV-1 to EV 19 (at ASA 100 with the f/1.4 standard lens) The film rewind release lever also doubles as a multiple exposure lever. When depressed, it applies a braking action to the film advance system, to permit “charging” of electromagnetic release without advancing the film.

Exposure Compensation Depending on how the main subject is positioned against the background lighting, there will be situations when exposure increase or decrease will produce better results. The RTS here is one of the early electronic AE SLR camera that has exposure compensation for finer exposure calibration.

Most early AE cameras has only provided with auto push button 1-1/2 or 2 stops compensation. The Contax RTS also features an exposure compensation scale which is located at the base of the film speed dial. Compensation range is from 1/4x to 4x the normal exposure. In-between settings may also be used.

Accepts Special-Purpose Camera Backs The back cover of the Contax RTS quickly slips off for rapid changing of camera backs. Accessory backs include the 250 Film Back, permitting 250 consecutive exposures with per-cut bulk film rolls; and the Contax Data Back - a handy device which prints year, month and day, as well as various coded information, directly onto your film.

System Accessories

Taking full-advantage of the Contax RTS electromagnetic shutter release system is a full line of off-camera electro-control units and accessories, each working in perfect harmony with one and other to make photography with the Contax RTS literally a symphony in images. In addition, a wide assortment of equally innovative non-electronic accessories is available to expand your photographical horizons.

5-Flashes-Per-Second Electronic Flash Real Time Flash 540 The most technologically advanced and versatile electronic flash available. Operating on the Real Time Principle, the highly powerful RTS 540 auto flash unit has guide number range from GN40 to GN5.6. In addition to offering single-frame flash, it also synchronize fully with both the motor drive and winder units to feature “motorized” flash at respective operating intervals.

In addition, it features its own built-in-shutter release button and it features its own built-in shutter release button and is the world's first portable unit to offer true stroboscopic or multiple flash - up to 5 flashes per sec. on a single frame. Other features include a swivel flash head; detachable sensor unit. System accessories include wide-angle panel, color filter panels, a slave unit and a choice of three power sources.

9 - Operating Speeds Professional Motor Drive A full-fledged motor drive designed for heavy-duty motor drive photography. Like other Contax accessories the Professional Motor Drive incorporates a host of innovative essentials. It has its own built-in intervalometer, offering a wide range of shooting possibilities from high-speed sequential flash up to 5 fps. Other innovations include a dual shutter release system: one on the hand grip and another on the PMD Power Pack for vertical shooting and remote control release. Accessories include a special power adapter, a 250 film back and computer controller for extended interval operation.

Remote Control Around the Clock AC Control Box A highly sophisticated computerized controller which operates the PMD unit or Real Time Winder in combination with camera, electronic flash and other accessories. Features 6-digit LED time display and 2- digit frame-count readout. Operates at a wide range of intervals from 1 sec. to 24 hrs. and offers unique shooting combinations such as 5 fps every three hours with motor drive, etc. AC Control Boxes may also be used in tandem for specialized applications.

Photography’s “Night Owl” N-Mirotar Night Telephoto lens A unique 210 mm telephoto lens for night photography. The N-Mirotar has the capacity to transform subjects invisible to the naked eye in near-pitch darkness into bright illuminated daylight-type scenes. Using only general-purpose black and white films, the image amplifier tube of the N-Mirotar intensifies residual light of the scenes 80,000 times and passes it on to the macro lens which delivers illumination to the film plane at 2,500 times the intensity of an f/1.4 lens. The effective lens speed is f/0.03. The N-Mirotar features a special grip for easy handheld shooting and operates up to 40 hrs. on two 1.5V penlight batteries.

Electronic Diaphragm Action, AUTO BELLOWS PC Contax Auto Bellows PC is another accessory taking full advantage of the Contax RTS electromagnetic shutter release system. The bellows unit, working in full concert with the camera's auto exposure system, picks up the diaphragm control signal from the camera via a special connector cord to close down the aperture at the moment of exposure. It thus enables bright focusing at full aperture and correct exposure system.

Special swing actions of the lens board enable perspective adjustments and also reverse mounting. Vertical camera mounting is also possible. Accessories include slide copier, macro stand, focusing rail, and wide range of close-up attachments.

There were two dedicated lenses which was designed as a perfect companion with these auto accessories for closeup. Naturally, the same accessories can be used with all current extensive series of top class Zeiss lenses to explore the macro world.

• S-PLANAR T* f/2.8 60mm (Macro lens)

The world’s first microphoto lens with a double helicoid systems, permitting object reproduction from infinity up to life-size without use of extensions t ubes. A highly useful tool for photographers who change intermittently from overall shots to close - up and detailed photography.

Lens: S-Planar T* 60mm f/2.8
Produced by: Carl Zeiss
Optical Construction: 6 Elements in 4 Groups
Lens Coating: Multicoated T*
Focal Length: 60mm
Flange: 61.7mm
Maximum Aperture: f2.8
Aperture scale: f/2.8 ~ f/22
Angular Field : 39"0'
Minimum F-value: f/22
Closest Focusing Distance: 24cm
Dimension: 76mm(Dia.) x 74mm (Length)
Weight: 570g
Filter Size: 67mm Screw-in
Diaphragm: TTL Auto

• S-PLANAR T* f/4 100 mm (Bellows lens)

Permits focusing from infinity to greater than life-size when used with Auto Extensions Bellows PC. Optimized for moderate reductions, It can also be used for long distances when stopped down slightly. Ideal for quick, Successive scaled reproduction of large and small objects. Extremely useful for nature, industrial and commercial photography.

Lens: S-Planar T* 100mm f/4.0 Focal Length: 100mm Produced by: Carl Zeiss Optical Construction: 6 Elements in 4 Groups Lens Coating: Multicoated T* Flange: 100mm Maximum Aperture: f/4.0 Aperture scale: f/4.0 ~ f/32

Angular Field : 24" 50'
Minimum F-value: f/32
Closest Focusing Distance: - Bellow
Dimension: 63mm(Dia.) x 49mm (Length)
Weight: 285g
Filter Size: 55mm Screw-in
Diaphragm: TTL Auto

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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

Instruction Manuals: Contax PMD W-6 | Contax RTW W-3

| 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 |
Shared Resources:| Motor Drive- 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:- Personal Note

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

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About this photographic site.

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Credit: Mr. Milan from Pacific Rim Camera <staff@pacificrimcamera.com> for his contribution of the Contax 250 Bulk film back;Mr. "dearaujo" <dearaujo1@mediaone.net> for his images of the Contax RTS and RTW; Mr. Pshea <pshea@nyc.rr.com> for this image of the RTW; 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.