Review Contax RTS II

[Guest]

Hello to everybody!

May be somebody can help me with advise? I bought used, but in excellent like new condition Real Time Winder W3 for my RTS II. But: always after 5-10 shots with the winder (S or/and C), after normal shutter release, the winder not make the next transport. I thing, that something blocks the transport already at the end of the last transport before the last (successful) shutter release and the next transport is not more possible. Manual transport in this moment also, because the motor coupling hold strong the camera coupling in the blocked position.


If I disconnect the winder from the camera, after a light “click” from the coupling, the manual and winder transports are again possible, with winder again only 5-10 shots.

May be somebody has experience with similar problem?

Many thanks

Valentin

 

[scaramouche2001]

This is a copy of a post I put up at photonet:I have had my two RTS IIs CLA and one repaired by this gentleman.

Good work. Good prices.


An overhaul job as I stated on Ebay. 6 months warranty. The fee for this job including part is $100.00 (no taxes)[ Old Price] . Please, email me before mailing your camera. This is my mailing address: Ying Phung 51-31 Ireland Street Elmhurst, NY 11373


Any question, please, call me at : (212)767-6125 My email: Phung16019@aol.com

-- Robert Reis , December 09, 2001; 10:30 A.M. Eastern

 

[rnck]

Well, firstly I must admit that Dirk's user report is a great one! tks.

I have been using RTSII for 18 years. It is my first Contax after giving up my Nikon F3 system. I would like to share some of my experience here.

RTSII is a solid good camera that you definitely can rely on.

The handle of camera is improved by attachment of winder or motor. For me, I have a winder.

The problem with this camera is the film spool that rotates to the right side rather than the usual left hand. The friction is sometimes not strong enough to hold the film-end especially you are those who want to try to shoot the most from a roll of film. I had experience that the spool did not catch the film probably and I was actually shooting without the film advanced correctly. You can hardly recognise whether the film advance is good or not since the rewind lever is locked in position at the shutter speed dial. The white line does indicate the turning but not obvious. However, the hidden rewind lever is a good point too because it will never catch clothes or things when you are using winder/motor in continuous shooting.

Winder torque is a bit too strong and my winder sometimes break film sprockets at the end of the roll. I now use only "not-too-new" batteries to reduce the electrical power of the cells. I heard this also from other users and may be confirmed too.

Contax's mirror was a big problem to many users. My RTSII had problem too on dropped mirror. The phenomenum is that after you shot, the viewfinder is still dark because the mirror is slightly dropped to touch the rim of lens so it cannot be bounced back itself. I have luck the rear glass element was not touched by the mirror and is now pending for repair (Re-glue of mirror to exact position). Some users told me they had bad experience that the mirror dropped during exposure and hit the rear element of lens... both of them damaged!

The shock absorbant and light-blocking foam(black) inside the mirror box ages quite fast. It will become sticky and loose foam attached to your mirror and camera inside.

The battery 4xLR44 is not easy to buy around relatively. Another problem is as this battery is actually put together 4 LR44 button cells and connected in series together, the internal resistance of cells will cause easily leakage. I had experience of battery leakage on my spare pack.... a bad experience when my battery inside the body is out and your spare battery had leaked to empty too......

The eye-cup (came with brand-new camera) is a circular eye-cup. Every time you need to open your camera back (change film), you need either to remove the eye-cup or to slide it upwards to give way to the camera back. The result.... to me.... I lost this eye-cup very soon and you found it is a problem when rushing to change film.

Like to share with other RTSII users.

Regards.
Raymond

 

[matthias]

Hi Raymond, are you really sure you like the RTS2? ;-)

According to your review the RTS2 seems not to be a reliable camera, even if you say so, because all of the mentioned problems are severe for a camera which is used as a professional equipment! These problems may lead to loss of material, which is not acceptable for a Pro!

My experience is, that it is indeed reliable, because I never had one of the problems you talk about. Never had any problem! Even the batteries: Use the PX28 and there is no problem at all. They are still available, but not cheap.

And I have to disagree in another point: In my opinion the handling is not improved when using the winder, because the AE-lock cannot be reached then.

Good luck with a godd camera ! matthias

(someone need one? My RTS2 + equipment is for sale at the moment; just bought the ST)

 

[mike_nunan]

I used an original RTS I extensively from around 1980 to 1990, when I foolishly lent it to a relative. Of course it came back with a catalogue of faults and is now beyond economic repair, sadly. Wanting to resume using my MF lenses after a few years of AF (using Canon EOS), I tracked down a decent, keenly priced RTS II at www.mifsuds.com.

I can echo the sentiments of those who have said that this is an all-round improvement on its predecessor, and being a newer model it presents less risk of faults when buying used. The power switch alone is worth the upgrade cost. Unlike some others, I have never had problems with unintentional firing of the shutter on the RTS I/II while holding the camera in use. However, I had a fair share of wasted frames with the RTS I when leaving it cocked at the end of a session. It seems that no matter how you pack it in a camera bag, SOMETHING will find that sensitive shutter release button! With the RTS II, this problem is a thing of the past, as long as you actually remember to use the power switch.

However, there are two minor aspects where I feel the RTS I is superior:

1) The "lollipop" exposure compensation indicator on the RTS I is unmissable in 99% of circumstances, while the small "+-" LED indicator that the RTS II displays in the edge of the frame is less definite, and can be missed in the heat of the moment.

2) When you lock up the mirror on the RTS I, you can press the DoF preview button and that then locks the diaphragm. On the II, the diaphragm cannot be locked in this way, presumably because the DoF button is now used for the manual shutter release.

Aside from those points, the only other things I wish for on this body are a spot meter and the ability to shift the exposure using compensation AFTER locking the AE reading, as I can on the Canons.

However, the handling, viewfinder, build quality, compact size and balance of the camera are all sublime, and I would not care to be without this body. Having investigated the whole range of options for replacment of my beloved RTS I, the Mk II seemed like the best choice and many months on I am happy that it was indeed the right one.

 

[rnck]

Matthiast, how are you!

Tks for your response!

I have said that this is my experience of using my RTSII and the problem listed did happen to me although not to you.

There are many strong points of RTSII, otherwise I will not keep it for so many years. There have been so so many discussion on its good design and as a user, we should also share its weak points, if any.

Handling by winder to me is good, probably I use mostly M mode. For the battery, yes it is still available but not common and that's why RELATIVELY not easy to buy. I used to buy a 4LR44 cell and opened it to give 4 individual cells for my other cameras at that time.

Mirror-drop happened to my RTSII some what after many years of usage. It's not a big deal (machine is machine) but there are many reports of mirror-drop among our Contax users and this is really true. This is not only for RTSII but to all other cameras of Contax. Call to the service centre and they will let you know.......

It's nice that you have no problem (not even one) with your RTSII.

Happy to share with you and others.

Raymond

 

[christa]

>After 20 years or so of using my RTS 2 I experienced the problem wit hthe mirror. i sent to Kyocera and they wil lfix it for $ 175. The 50mm/ 1.4 Plannar had to be repaires too. Aniother $ 150. I have enjoyed the RTS 2 and think it is worth to have it fixed and hope my N1 will provide as many years of reliable service. I enjoy the information I obtain here. Ricardo Gonzalez>

 

[matthias]

Additional information about using LR44 or PX28:

there is an adapter available at PENTACON in Dresden (pls search via google for an e-mail-adress of them) for using 4 LR44 instead of a PX28. The adapter costs only very low money; it is intended for the use with the PRAKTICA-cameras, but it should also work with the RTS 2. I have the adapter, but never used it up to now.

I do not know, if they will ship outside Germany.

Matthias