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RTS with the "Real Time Winder" installed
The first modern Contax SLR was called Contax RTS for "Real
Time System". It was presented at the Photokina 1974 as
a result of the cooperation of Carl Zeiss (Dr. Erhard Glatzel),
Yashica (Prof. Dr. Katsuiko Sugaya) and F.A. Porsche. Parts of
the German press were infuriated because they thought of that
product being a sacrilege by bearing a traditional German name.
This is the only Contax camera designed by F.A. Porsche, as all
others have been designed independently. It is a handsome camera
to behold and the input and participation of the Porsche Group
is immediately clear when the RTS is used. The RTS is traditional
in construction yet the features were at the time on the cutting
edge of 35mm photography. It is a wholly electronic camera with
aperture preferred and manual exposure modes; bolt on optional
five frame per second motor drive with intervolometer or a two
frame per second winder. A step-less electronic shutter is used
with up to 1/2000 second shutter speed available. The RTS also
incorporates exposure compensation. The RTS was designed from
the beginning to be an electronic camera and therefore featured
some novelties like the LED's displayed in the viewfinder and
the innovative electromagnetic shutter release which was so sensitive
that it was necessary to place the meter activation into a separate
button on the camera's front. (This is one of my favorite features
of many of their cameras. When you press the shutter release,
it fires! No waiting, no sudden opportunity missed.)
SPECIFICATIONS:
TYPE: 35mm SLR featuring electronically controlled Auto/Manual
exposure, focal plane shutter.
IMAGE SIZE: 24mm x 36mm.
LENS MOUNT: Contax/Yashica mount. Does not make use of MM lens
shutter priority.
SHUTTER: Electronic focal-plane, horizontal-travel cloth.
SHUTTER SPEEDS: Auto mode - 1/2000 to 4 sec. Manual mode - 14
settings of 4
sec. to 1/2000th and B.
SYNCH TERMINALS: Direct X and synch terminal.
SELF TIMER: Mechanical self-timer with 10 sec. delay.
SHUTTER RELEASE: Real Time Electromagnetic Release System, aux.
via Release Socket (electronic)
EXPOSURE MODES: Aperture priority automatic exposure and manual
exposure
EXPOSURE CONTROL: TTL center-weighted metering at full aperture
using SPD (silicon photo diode).
EV range -1 to 19 at ASA 100. ASA film range 12 to 3200.
AUTO FLASH CONTROL: None. Synch speed 1/60th sec.
EXPOSURE CHECK BUTTON: Pressing front button activates LED display
for 16 sec.
EXPOSURE COMPENSATION: +2 EV ~ -2 EV via exposure compensation
dial. 1/2 stop clicks using unusual system of x4 to x1/4. X4
means "times 4" or 2 stops.
AE LOCK: None
VIEWFINDER: Eye-level penta-prism - field shows 92% of picture
area. Magnification of .87x
FOCUSING SCREENS: Micro-prism standard - six others available.
VIEWFINDER DISPLAY: 16 LED shutter speed display shows speeds.
Green shutter speed pointer overlaps "A" setting on
Auto and indicates shutter setting on manual. Aperture display
shows max. aperture of the lens in use on extreme right and f-stop
in use in green figure. Exposure compensation tab appears when
the exposure compensation pointer is set at any position except
X1.
FILM ADVANCE: With full stroke of 140 degree setting angle, or
several short strokes. Features film feed indicator and automatic
winding capability with motor drive or winder.
FILM REWIND: Film rewind crank-handle with clutch action, and
film rewind release button.
EXPOSURE COUNTER: Automatic resetting type. Advances to start
when cover opened
MULTIPLE EXPOSURES: Depression of the film rewind button on bottom.
ACCESSORY SHOE: Direct X contact only.
CAMERA BACK: Opens by pulling film rewind knob all the way out.
Provided with memo holder. Removable.
DEPTH-OF-FIELD PREVIEW BUTTON: Button type.
MIRROR LOCK: Lever operated.
POWER SOURCE: 6.2v silver-oxide battery(544 or PX28), or 6v alkaline-manganese
4LR44. Switched.
BATTERY CHECK: Indicated via steady or pulsating pattern of LED
display in the viewfinder.
OTHER FEATURES: Provided with couplings for motor drive and winder,
and with LED for Data Back.
SIZE AND WEIGHT: 142mm x 89.5mm x 50mm. 700 grams without battery.
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