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Buying an RTS III in 2003 A Few Concerns

> - Camera repair and parts are legally required to remain available for > a decade after product discontinuation.

Hello, Rico,

I have not heard about this before. Is it some kind of international agreement, or a law in some countries?

Sergei
 
Hi Kim,

> Anyone disagree about the RTS III viewfinder being confusing? Does it > get easier (and faster to use) over time - especially in Manual mode?

I do not find the RTS-III viewfinder confusing at all, and I find it very easy to use.

Regards,

Austin
 
Kim,
In your original post you mention you are still unsure which Y/C Contax body to use. I don't know why the AX went out of production, but it is an amazing camera. I find the AF and the ability to turn it off are amazing. Don't dismiss it entirely, unless you have hold it and don't like it (or you are decided to buy new as opposed to used/refurbished). Owners of both RTSIII and AX may have more information on which make a decision. Good luck!
Juan
 
Kim,

To answer some of your concerns: 1) Repairs / Service. -If you check the new Kyoceraimaging site, you can check which models are still being serviced. The RTSIII is servicable and should be 10 years after it's discontinuation.

2) RTS III Viewfinder Display -The viewfinder should be fine on the newer or latest models. There was some reports of fading and brightness issues with the older models.

3) RTS III Reliability -I haven't really tested for vacuum vs non-vacuum sharpness. But the RTS III hasn't failed in hot to cold weather (about 25^F). It's built tough as nails.

4) Accessories (Macro Flashes, Tripod quick release plates and L-plates) -I'm using the RRS B-20 on my RTSIII. It's originally designed for a Nikon F4 without the MB-21 grip/battery. It just makes alignment on the edge of the plate with the cl&. And yes, they did change ownership with improvements in service and product lines.

The weight is the only thing I am concerned about when outfitting and carrying the RTSIII. I'm not concerned about other things as I know it will do everything it's intended to do everytime it goes out.

Regards, Gary E >
 
I found the RTS III information easy to use too.

But I kept my AX and sold my RTS III. The AX is an amazing bit of Kit, autofocus with virtually any lens that will fit, including Yashicas, Tamrons, Sigmas and converted/adapted mount older lenses. Concerns about zooms and IF lenses not autofocussing well, appear to me to be purely Contax covering themselves for the odd occasion when there might be problem. I've not come across one yet! (There you are, a perfect opening for the "told you so" brigade to chip in with their one-in-a-million experience
happy.gif
).

I didn't need pre-flash metering, mirror lock-up or mechanical back-up (got my trusty Yashica FX3 Super 2000 for those last two!). If you can't do without one or more, then get an RTS III.

Cheers, Bob.
 
Gary,

From looking at a photo of the RRS B-20 plate, it looks like it has a rounded back edge like the base of the RTS III. Does this contoured lip fit the RTS III well when the plate is mounted? If it does, the plate may better suited than the Kirk version.

To those who mentioned the AX: I originally considered that model, but was concerned about the extra moving parts, tight tolerances required for operation, and future repairs. The built in macro ability seems pretty neat though...

Kim.
 
Hi Kim,

> To those who mentioned the AX: I originally considered that model, but > was concerned about the extra moving parts, tight tolerances required > for operation, and future repairs. The built in macro ability seems > pretty neat though...

As a note, the RTS-III is a rather heavy camera, and though the AX is physically larger, they are both pretty much the same weight (I own both, and the RTS-III does feel heavier). For either, if you plan on carrying it around a lot, you'll either have to have arms that don't tire easily, or you'll get arms that don't tire easily ;-)

The AX also has the ability to use an awesome data back (as does the Aria), which is by far the best data back I've ever seen. It records exposure information for every frame, on the first few frames, as well as date information between the frames. The viewfinder is exceptional, as is the metering...and yes, that 10mm extension is very very useful, at least for me it is.

Regards,

Austin
 
Kim,

The contour of the B-20 is indeed rounded like the RTSIII baseplate, but there is a little gap between the plate and the baseplate; negliable. Be careful not to overtighten as the baseplate is covered with rubber; which gives when you tighten the screw. Also, the center of slightly off the lens axis, so when placed on the cl& you have to center the lens axis manually by eye with the cl& and ballhead.

Regards, Gary >
 
My RX also has this data back which records exposure data as well as time/date between each frame. It really great when old butter-fingers here drops a pile of negatives. I think I will be looking for a data back for my G2 but don't know if it records quite as much data. Wilson
 
Well, I just received a call back from KEH - with serial numbers for 3 RTS III bodies. Any bets as to which one is the newest?

026519
009804
021954

Logic would have you presume the higher number would be the newest model - but I think I read somewhere that this may not be the case...

Kim.
 
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