The Contax RTS II Quartz  Index Publications
History: The Contax RTS II Quartz camera was released in 1982 by Kyocera Corporation, the RTS II was further development on the successful RTS of 1975 which was a joint development between Yashica Japan, Carl Zeiss Germany and the Porsche design group but benefited from the input of the new Contax parent company Kyocera corporation. The Contax RTS II Quartz camera sold well in Japan and had reasonable success in the US and Europe but ceased production after the release of the RTS III in 1990? and is no longer available for purchase new. Outline: The Contax RTS II Quartz was Kyoceras first professional 35mm camera body, it utilises the Contax/Yashica mount which couples with lenses designed by Carl Zeiss specifically for the Contax system or the Yashica series of manual lenses. It is a robust full-frame 35mm single lens reflex design with an excellent finder for precise manual focus. It offers TTL automatic or metered manual exposure, TTL integrated flash and AE exposure lock. Its sensitive metering can accommodate a wide range of film speeds and extremes of illumination. The RTS II retains the styling and ergonomics of the original RTS care of the Porsche design group, beyond that the exposure system, shutter, finder display and finder are improved over the original RTS. The physical construction of the Contax RTS II Quartz is based on a die-cast alloy chassis which provides rigidity, damping and accuracy over time, through heavy use and changing environments. Features list:
Description: Body: The precision-machined alloy chassis of the Contax RTS II Quartz is finished with black enamel whilst grip areas of the body are clad with a soft but robust and well fitted leatherette trim. The bayonet lens mount is a Contax/Yashica type so as to provide compatibility with the Yashica bayonet range of lenses and third party equivalents. To mount a lens the red dot on the lens bayonet is aligned with the red dot at the top of the body mount then lens is pushed into the hole and rotated clockwise until the click of the lens release lock is heard. To release the lens depress the lens release button and reverse the process. Shutter: The Contax RTS II Quartz utilises the Real Time Shutter (RTS) concept originally conceived for the original Contax RTS of 1975. The shutter is electro-mechanically released and is designed to virtually eliminate shutter lag. It is precision timed using an electronic quartz time base but can also be triggered mechanically at 1/50s or "B"ulb in case of battery failure. The shutter is constructed of two extremely thin, flexible, black coloured titanium foils which operate in a horizontal motion. Film transport: Loading the film in the RTS II is semi-automatic in that the film canister must be inserted in its place and the leader pulled out the to the required position and placed into the take-up spool tongue, the back is then closed and the camera wound on and shutter fired until frame "1" appears in the counter window. The shutter is automatically set to 1/60s until the counter reaches position "1" and the counter automatically resets when the back is opened. The rewind crank has a clutch mechanism so that it doesn't rotate as the film is advanced when it is folded down. In the centre of the rewind knob is a film feed indicator which turns as the film is advanced if the film has been loaded correctly and the rewind knob is folded down. Lifting the rewind knob releases the door lock. The advance lever has a stand-off angle of 20 degrees and requires 120 degrees of rotation either in one stroke or several smaller strokes to advance a frame. The film release button can also be used to provide a multiple exposure facility. The RTS II film transport can also be automated by adding a matched motor drive or winder unit. Viewfinder:
All the visible optical surfaces in the viewfinder system have an anti-reflective coating to providing optimum contrast and visibility. The viewfinder provides shutter speed, over exposure and flash information down the right side of the window via red LEDs behind text covering 'B' then 4s through to 1/2000s then at the top it has a green LED behind a broken arrow symbol to indicate TLA flash ready. The flash ready symbol also flashes after a correct flash exposure. At the bottom of the frame a digital LED display shows aperture information in f numbers in the range of f1.2 to f32 in half stop increments. Directly to the right a '+' or '-' sign indicates compensation polarity but not the dialed value. The shutter speed and aperture information remain easy to view in virtually any light conditions and being red in colour are particularly good when shooting in very low light. The finder can be fitted with eyepiece diopters from -5 to +3. Controls: The top of the camera houses many of the controls, from behind the camera there is a rotary dial for the shutter speed setting and exposure mode, below that on the back at the top there is a small button which unlocks the shutter speed dial from the "A" or "X" positions. On the rear left of the prism is a small lever which opens and closes a blind just inside the viewfinder eyepiece. At the top right there is the the film speed and exposure compensation controls and power switch, further to the right and forward is the large shutter release button and next to that the film advance lever. Below the film advance lever on the back of the camera is the electronic shutter release connection, a standard release cable should not to be inserted in this aperture. On the front left of the camera is the "X" sync socket and mirror lock lever, below that is the mechanical shutter release socket. On the right side front of the camera is the lens release button, depth of field preview/mechanical shutter release button and around that the mechanical shutter activation lever, the exposure check button and around that the AE auto exposure lock lever. Below that is the Self timer activation switch, self timer trigger and red self timer indicator lamp which flashes for 10 seconds prior to the shutter release. On the bottom of the camera is the battery compartment cover, film drive coupling for motorised film advance, film release button, tripod socket and drive electronic coupling socket. Neither of the drive coupling ports have covers. Exposure system: The Contax RTS II metering is via silicon photo diode (SPD) light sensors, one provides centre weighted metering through the finder the other is mounted in the mirror box and pointed at the film plane and controls the flash duration real-time by monitoring the reflection off the film during the exposure. The viewfinder meter display is enabled by pressing the exposure check button on the front of the camera and not the the shutter release. The metering will only be active when the power switch is on and will stay active for 16 seconds or for as long the button is held. The metering will also be enabled for the duration that the shutter button is depressed so that the metering display is enabled whilst the exposure is in progress. The AE lock once set causes the shutter indication to flash and will provide a suitable shutter speed for the aperture selected if it lies within the cameras exposure range. The exposure system can be fooled by extraneous light entering the viewfinder from the rear so if the camera is to be used automatically whilst the eyepiece is uncovered the viewfinder blind can be activated, this excludes any light from entering from the rear. When used with the Contax "TLA" flash units or compatible dedicated flash units the Contax RTS II Quartz exposure system allows automated TTL flash exposure operation. Synchronisation is automatically enabled as soon as the flash is fully charged and most Contax flash models provide flash exposure confirmation in the viewfinder. Accessories: Focusing screens:
The Interchangeable Focusing Screens are susceptible to damage, surfaces can be damaged by the slightest finger pressure or any attempt to remove any foreign matter, damage to the screen is usually obvious and distracting so caution should be taken during screen changes. The Focusing Screens are supplied in a neat protective flip-top case which also houses a special spring loaded pincer designed to securely hold the screen (via a small protruding tab on the edge of the screen) plus it has a flat tool at one end shaped to aide in the release and replacement of the screen retainer frame. Motor Drive and Winder: The Contax RealTime Winder W-3 and W-6 for the Contax RTS II Quartz both mount on the base of the camera body via a single thumb-screw in the tripod socket, electrical and mechanical interconnection of the body to the drives is automatic however the manual warns that the mode selector should remain in the off position whilst system components are changed. They also provide a comfortable grip with auxiliary shutter release and another auxiliary vertical shutter release button positioned for ease of use whilst the camera is used in portrait orientation. The RealTime Winder W-3 allows up to three frames per second continuous or single shot, the power source is integrated in the base of the Winder and consists of six standard AA cells or an external power pack, there is a port for remote control systems connection. Both units provide a manual film rewind release lever plus secondary tripod sockets in their bases. Data Back: The Contax RTS II Quartz can be fitted with the Data Back D-4 that imprints information directly on the film during the exposure, the backs can easily be changed since each has a sprung quick release pin on the hinge that does not require special tools to operate. Conclusion: The Contax RTS II Quartz compliments the current range of cameras offering a now rare combination of exposure automation, modular and ergonomic design. Manual advance and rewind is a bonus when photographing in quiet environments plus the finder magnification is higher than most of the current Contax bodies and as such I find it easier to achieve critical focus in low light and other difficult conditions. Disclaimers and other information The text contained in this document represents my opinions only, and as such I will not be held liable for detrimental consequences that arise from the application of any information within or relating to this document. All references to trade marks and or trade names are acknowledged as belonging to their respective owners. This document is continuously being reviewed and refined, please let me know of any errors found in this text. Technical information was obtained from many Contax manuals and marketing publications. This complete document may be copied, re-posted, linked-to or used within other publications providing that permission from the author is sought and granted and that there exists a visible reference to Rob Studdert as author in any referring text. I am not a camera technician nor do I represent Contax or their affiliates. Rob Studdert Design & Copyright © - Digital Image Studio 1998 |