Description: The first totally manual Contax with a mechanical shutter. A spot meter is standard and allows creative freedom for the deliberate photographer. Titanium is employed in construction of the camera body for durability and rough use under adverse conditions.
Summary: I wanted to get back to basics in my photography, to slow down and think more about what I am doing. The S2 is just the ticket. It is a very solid 20.2 Oz. beauty. Select shutter, select apeture and you are in business. It takes two button cell batteries to run the exposure meter but the camera can run without any batteries at all. Last weekend I went out with the S2 in 9 Degree F. weather and stayed out for a few hours. I froze, the S2 didn't. It just kept on going, including the battery operated light meter, as if it were any other day. I love all my Contax and Yashica cameras and the S2 is no exception.
Strengths: Not dependent on batteries to take photographs. Weather doesn't seem to effect it at all. Well made, sturdy, exhudes quality.
Weaknesses: None that I can think of.
Similar Products Used: Yashica FX 3 and FX 3 Super 2000
Summary: Got back to basics again with this camera and I do not regret I got it. Back in the 70´s, I was running around with a Pentax KM and had a great time.
As I already were into Zeiss lenses, this was the only choice to go mechanical, exept for the S2b, that´s almost impossible to find. Too bad these two models are discontinued, cause I belive there are lots of people around who´s using Contax gear that wants a fully mechnical body.
The thing is that my electronic wonders are mostly collecting dust since I got this one. There´s a special feel to develop a roll of film that you shot witout buzzing and beeping, knowing you did it all by yourself.
In fact, the best rolls of film that I shoot, comes out of this basic camera. Kinda brings out the artist in me. I seem to get just too many `no brain` shots with auto this and that....
Not to talk about the rock solid feel of this beauty.
I will probably have this piece of art for many years to come.
Strengths: Sturdy, reliable, chrystal clear weiwfinder, very good looking and - mechanical. You do not need a backup!
Weaknesses: Maybe a bit expensive.....
Similar Products Used: Contax 167 MT, Aria, Leica C3.
Summary: There are plenty reviews on this camera already, however not much on the S2b which I've just acquired recently. For some reason, the S2/b seems to polarise people dramatically into those who have seen the light, and those who are in the dark about this camera.
I tried an S2 in a commercial shop last year, and as soon as the mirror flapped and slapped, and put it down and walked away, and totally ignored the camera. I happened to come across a mint S2b (anodised charcoal titanium) and gave it a second try. The body is amazingly compact and cute (it weighs less than a Leica M6 at 595grams. The absence of a knurled right hand grip also saves space without sacrificing grip (the high quality leather finish) cloaks the titanium body beautifully. The back has a beautiful leather coat, and locks tightly into the main camera body. It is an amazingly ergonomic yet classic camera.
The top plate is amazingly minimalist; the aesthetics are particularly pleasing, however if you have hang-ups and deem that every camera should have flashing lights, then this one should be avoided; this is simple and beautiful; the switches all handle with quality and ease. I enjoy the shutter release which is not accident-prone, and hooks up easily to a manual cable release. As a fully manual camera, there is no need for an exposure compensation dial either: in fact, the design of the viewfinder enables the photographer to see how much compensation is applied, by a clever system of a constant versus a flashing light; most modern cameras only tell you if you have exposure compensation on or off in the viewfinder.
I have found the film transport system to be totally dependable. The advance lever has a very sturdy ratcheting action (I'd forgotten how enjoyable it is to advance my own film frames!) in one swift movement and retracts to fit parallel with the long axis of the camera body well.
This uses CZ lenses too; this may be another factor for those contemplating this camera, however I would still recommend this for those who have not discovered the shrapnel sharp range of lenses.
The rewind knob is also functional and safe; I have never cared to check for several rolls of film, and on no occasion have I had multiple exposures. Clearly the film sprockets and the film canister and pressure plate simplicity offer enough safe-guard for all but the most accident prone photographers.
The viewfinder is utterly amazing. No flashing porno adverts and belisha beacons through the viewfinder; minimalism at its best; there is only a shutter speed scale in red lights against a black background: this is my preferred viewfinder combination and works perfectly for dim and bright light situations. The viewfinder enables me to concentrate on the image; and taking the batteries out further this experience to the point of renewing my experience of the imaging process.
The metering system of the S2b is centre-weighted, which I prefer over a quasi-spot meter. To be fair to the S2, the spot range is around 5mm, which is probably better than most other 'spot' meters on modern cameras. The centre-weighted metering ism y preference because it operates at 2EV lower than the spot-meter, and because I can use it faster, without demanding time for reflection, in candid shots. It is also more intuitive to work with, and to apply exposure compensation through one's own thinking, rather than calculating complex sums in one's mind when trying to use multi-spotting for exposure control. The focussing screen choice may also hamper a spot-meter user - this is not a problem for the S2b, which accepts a flat matt without a central spot beautifully. Pure minimalism!
I have to say I disagree with the extreme views of some earlier reviewers who have trashed this camera on their ignorance. Although I am a heavy digital user, I still respect the aesthetics and design of classical cameras, not for themselves, but as a photographer's tool. The S2b is an example of such a tool; if the photographer gets in the way of the camera, well, don't shoot the photographer - look elsewhere.
There is a mirror-lock up on this camera, and it is achieved simply by activating the self-timer. As a manual self-timer, I have enjoyed varying the time delay from 3seconds to 10 seconds. As a manual exposure camera, the horrible mistakes of using AE mode, which bungles with a mirrorlock up are avoided. I do not miss the spotmeter, as I use a 1% true spot-meter which is hand-held.
The real selling point for me was the camera mirror in this particular example of the S2b; unlike the earlier model (which may have been a worn out example of a used S2), this model I now work with has a beautiful and precise guillotine slicing sound. It is crisp and sharp, and mechanical. It's invigorating to hear, and pleasurable. This contrasts to the worn-out slap of the last S2 I'd tried - clearly age is a factor.
The 1/4000th of a second has to be a real clincher too - I've never seen
Strengths: 1. Design - beautifully made, gorgeous to
handle, small, light at 595grams.
2. 1/4000th manual shutter speed!
3. Not battery-dependent: tiny LR44
batteries for the meter functions make
it lighter and easier to carry
replacements
4. High quality shutter unit and build
5. Solid titanium top and base plates
6. Minimalist viewfinders with essential
information only, on a red vs black
background.
7. Centre-weighting is very accurate if
used by anyone with basic exposure
skills.
8. Mirror lock up is easy to use
Weaknesses: 1. Does not appeal to the mainstream
market; alas, what a loss for those
who miss out.
2. Tends to be confused for a Nikon D100,
and hence reviewers trash it because
of false expectations.
3. Hard to find the S2b in particular;
older or more used models may have
shutter speed variations.
Similar Products Used: Nikon FM2/3, Olympus OM10/20/Ti, Yashica FX3, Practica MTL50, Pentax LX, virtually all the Contax C/Y bodies from 159 onwards
Rating Reviewed by: Jason (Unregistered User)
(Professional)
Review Date February 27, 2003
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for More than 1 year
Visitors rate this review 4.25 of 5,
4 votes
Review 4 of 14
Price Paid:
$0.00
Summary: An out standing manual camera. Those who criticize it are simply lacking in the knowledge of basic photography know-how. Here is a fine manual camera that uses outstanding Zeiss lenses, how can anyone find fault with it. Those who criticize should read a book on basic photo knowledge or take a course. It is absurd to read some of these reviews by people who blame a particular camera or even worse, an entire camera system, for their own inadequacy. Anyone giving this camera less than 4 stars, shame on you, but keep shopping, you will find the idiot proof system that will fit your level of photo knowledge.
Strengths: Solid build. Excellent ergonomics. Outstanding results in the hands of knowledgeable people.
Weaknesses: Hey, it's a fully manual camera. Not really a weakness, but it is not for everyone. Know who you are as well as your own personal photographic limitations.
Summary: Lovely camera, it is sad that it is discontinued. I used to have spot metering model. would have been better to have 2 different metering systems in one body. I was never bothered, with the fact that you can not see the aperture in the viewfinder. You can not do that with a Leica M6 neither and nobody is complaining there. Look for more infos at: www.contaxinfo.com. This is the ultimate source for every Contax user. For every Contax-system!
Strengths: Size and less weight then a Leica M6!; lovely design, purely manual; very good "retro" feeling. 1/4000 shutter speed; spot metering (in S2)
Weaknesses: no spot metering in S2b, no centre weighted metering in S2
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