The RTS III was a much awaited solution for professional photographers. It incorporated, for the first time a Real Time Vacuum Back and ceramic pressure plate for the ultimate in film flatness. For the first time the full capability of Carl Zeiss lenses could be seen on film. Another first on the RTS III is the Pre-Flash Spot Meter. It provides TTL flash meter readings with any flash equipment. A five frame per second motor drive is built-in, as is diopter control, Automatic Bracketing Control and multiple exposure capability. Shutter speeds reach 1/8000 second with X sync at up to 1/250 second.

SPECIFICATIONS:

TYPE: 35mm focal-plane shutter auto/manual exposure SLR PICTURE SIZE: 24 x 36mm.
LENS MOUNT: Contax/Yashica mount.
SHUTTER: Electronic quartz-controlled, vertical-travel, metal focal-plane shutter.
SHUTTER SPEEDS: 32 seconds to 1/8000 sec. in auto mode; 4 seconds to 1/8000 sec., B (bulb), X (1/125, 1/250sec.) in manual mode.
FLASH SYNCHRONIZATION: X-synch at 1/250 sec. (or slower) via direct hot-shoe or X-synch terminal.
SHUTTER RELEASE: Electromagnetic w/exposure check function by half depressing top release; additional side release (w/lock) for vertical camera positioning, cable release socket, and dedicated B (bulb) cable release socket.
SELF-TIMER: Quartz-controlled, electronic self-timer with either 10 or 2 sec. delay (selectable);
Cancelable during operation; Blinking LED together with film counter indicates remaining(countdown)time.
EXPOSURE MODES: Aperture priority auto-exposure; Shutter speed priority auto-exposure; Manual exposure; TTL auto flash; Pre-flash TTL auto flash; Pre-flash TTL metering manual flash
METERING SYSTEM: TTL full-aperture, center-weighted average metering / TTL full-aperture spot metering (switch-able); Two SPD's (Silicon Photo Diode) provided, one on the upper portion of the penta-prism (center-weighted), and the other at the bottom of the mirror box (spot)
METERING RANGE: EV0 to 21 for full-aperture, center-weighted average metering, EV3 to 21 for spot metering (ISO 100, f/1.4 lens)
FILM SPEED RANGE: ISO 25 to 5000 in DX auto mode; ISO 6 to 6400 in manual mode
Exposure Check: Indication either by pushing the dedicated exposure check button or depressing the release button half way (indication remains visible for 16 seconds)
AE LOCK: Image plane exposure value is stored by operating the main switch; Available in either center-weighted or spot metering
EXPOSURE COMPENSATION: +/-2EV (pre-settable in 1/3EV increments)
ABC Mechanism: 3-frame continuous compensation in the order of standard, over-and under-exposure range switch-able, +0.5EV or +1.0EV); (Automatic Bracketing Control) Usable in aperture priority AE, shutter speed priority AE or manual exposure control
FLASH MODES: TLA direct shoe, and via synch terminal connection; TTL direct flash control possible with TLA flash system; Pre-flash TTL spot metering function built-in; Second shutter curtain synch possible with Contax TLA 280 flash unit
VIEWFINDER: Fixed penta-prism, eye-level with long eye-point; approx.100% field-of-view, 0.74x magnification with 50mm lens focused at infinity; built-in eyepiece shutter
Dioptric Adjustment: Internally adjustable from +1D to -3D
FOCUSING SCREEN: Standard split image/micro-prism collar (interchangeable)
VIEWFINDER DISPLAY: Shutter speed, under-/over-exposure, film counter, ABC display, pre-flash display, flash status indicator, aperture, exposure mode, exposure compensation warning, light metering mode
EXTERNAL LCD DISPLAY: Film counter, film transport indicator, battery warning
FILM LOADING: Automatic motor advances film to frame "01" once release button is pressed.
FILM ADVANCE: Automatic motor; When continuous shooting High selected, approx. max 5 frames per second, Low mode, approx. max. 3 fps
DRIVE MODE: Mode selector dial; Single, continuous Low or High, 2 or 10 sec. self timer, multiple exposure
Film Rewind: Automatic rewind/stop by operating lock release button and rewind lever (film leader remains outside cassette)
MULTIPLE EXPOSURE: Possible by presetting the drive mode selector (automatic reset, presetting required for each frame)
EXPOSURE COUNTER: Automatic resetting (additive type); Countdown in rewinding; Exposure time displayed in "B" shooting; Compensation status indicated when using ABC function
DEPTH-OF-FIELD PREVIEW: By pushbutton (effective in aperture priority AE, manual exposure)
MIRROR-UP MECHANISM: Dedicated lever
CAMERA BODY CONSTRUCTION: Die-cast aluminum alloy for main body, die-cast magnesium alloy for top cover, and titanium for bottom cover
FILM PRESSURE PLATE: Ceramic; Vacuum mechanism combined
DATE IMPRINTING DEVICE: Data back provided as standard (imprinting made in between frames); Imprinting of year/month/day, day/hour/mint, no imprint, month/day/year, day/month/year (selectable); 3V lithium battery used for date imprinting (CR2025)
POWER SOURCE: 1.5V AA-size batteries x 6 or one lithium battery (2CR5).
BATTERY CHECK: Automatic voltage check (confirmed on the display panel by turning on the main switch)
Dimensions & Weight: 156(W) x 121(H) x 66(D)mm (6-3/16 x 4-13/16 x 2/58 in.) 1,150g (2.53 lbs.) without batteries