Advice on RTS III ?

[spotsk]

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum,
and a Contax user since, uh, end of previous century. I bought my first one in 1989, a 139 quartz with a 1.4/50 .
Now I own a S2 and a few Zeiss glass (4/18, 2.8/28, 2.8/35, 1.7/50, 2.8/60 makro, 1.4/85, 2.8/180)

I have an offer for a 2nd hand RTS III, cheap but not really working: powers on, shutter works but no film advance and no metering.
What do you think ? is it still possible to get those things repaired ?

Thanks,
Fab

 

[pfharrison]

I wouldn't one of mine has just failed, with a smell of burning electronics. The other has no meter display, I think that they are on there way out, There is a known problem with a specific component failing, and there don't appear to be any spares.

 

[spotsk]

Thanks! I won't buy it.
Their average price on *bay seems to be dropping and a lot of them are sold "as-is"... you are right, they are on their end of life...

 

[Storsven]

I bought two in the last few years. Neither one worked. You will never be able to repair it. Mike Eckman has a good review here https://mikeeckman.com/2021/03/contax-rts-iii-1990/

 

[mkuhlma]

There is actually a guy here in Germany who is able to repair an RTS III.
I had my five RTS II (two), my 139 and several Yashicas serviced by him and he did a good job. I recommend him (no I do not get any money from him for saying so ). Last week he told me that he had just managed to repair the RTS III and I thought this might be interesting for some of you.

If you are interested please send me a PM. My pleasure to give his address to you. Just because I think it's a pity when a good camera has not yet been repaired .
You might tell him about the problem of your RTS III and ask him if he can repair it.

Michael