Extremely well made, very solid feeling, controls fall naturally in place, 100% coverage in viewfinder, 5fps built in motor drive, vacuum back, and Carl Zeiss Lenses

heavy

One GREAT camera. Often overlooked due to manual focus and not having state of the art matrix metering,etc..., but I have never handled a better built camera. The fit and finish is top notch. For those who don't care for the current plastic bodies SLRs, you could use this thing as a defensive weapon. Another big advantage is you do not need an owners manual the size of a phone book to work this thing, all controls are very easy to use and understand. The Carl Zeiss optics are as good as they get. Contax products on the used marketplace don't hold their value as well as some of the more popular makes, so getting into a used Contax system does not take a huge investment. I would highly recommend you give one a try.

Customer Service

Never had to use. I have ordered an owners manual and camera strap, very prompt service.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F2, FM2, F4, Canon T90, F-1

brilliant view, very high quality lenses, ergonomically delicious, smart and basic program possibilities, can handle any weather circumstances

uuhhmmm? even the heavy weight I like

In the winter of '95 I photographed outdoor, when my camera (my first, a Pentax, that I'd been using since I was 17) couldn't satisfie me anymore. I disliked the small buttons, the image on film didn't match exactly with the one through my viewer, but most of all I wanted sharper imaging. I felt in love with an old RTS II, which I could buy for Hfl.1100,- including a motorwinder and a Planar 50mm/1.7. At that time I was a student, had little money, so I sold my scooter and bought that camera. It's one of the best buying decisions I've ever made. Later on I used it together with a Konica Hexar (a very fine camera as well) and a Yashica T5 (with Tessar). Again in the winter (98-99) I wanted something more exciting/different. I saved some money and bought a new Contax G2 with Planar 45/2.0 for Hfl.2999,- what a beauty it is, but I became quickly dissapointed by the use; I felt I gave away to much control of the image to the high tech of the camera. That's why a year later I changed my G2 for a RTS III. Wow, what a corker! Maximum precision, maximum result on 35mm!

Similar Products Used:

Contax RTS II/ AX/ Aria, Nikon F4/5, Leica
R

Many, many. Fast and reliable. Great looking and comfortable to hold. Truly the best camera I've used.

Some of the lens prices. Not just somewhat more- "you've got to be joking" more! Others are resonable
As for the RTS III no weaknesses for me.

Love this camera. Been mad lots of times about lens availability and some prices but every time I pick up one of my Contaxes all is forgiven. I've come to count on this camera and it's never let me down. Mechanically or in image quality. I'm not big on the 300 mm f4, I just couldn't get sharp images with it. I tried it against other CZ 300 f4's and got the same results. Hmmm. I ended up trading it for a CZ 100-300 VS. Wow, much better. Sharp images no problem. My CZ 28-85, amazing. The 25 mm is incredible, I'd never give it up. Strangely you can't use a filter and the lens shade- it vignettes. No polarizer and the shade. Too bad.

Customer Service

Contax Canada has been excellent to me. Thanks Akira, Andy and Greg.
No problems with this camera but I've had others serviced.

Similar Products Used:

139Q, 137MA, 167MT, RTS II, AX, Yashica FR, FR1, FX-3

One solid camera! I have never handled a better built SLR. Controls are very easy to figure out, no phone book size manual for this baby! Weight helps on those low speed hand held shots. Zeiss optics are as good as they get. For a 10 year old camera design it still has a lot going for it.

The weight, which can be a plus, also has some minor drawbacks if you haul it around all day. Lens selection could be better

The last of the professional level manual focus SLRs (along with the Leica R series) on the market. Straight foward design and great handling.

Customer Service

Never needed service. I have ordered a manual and strap, very nice to deal with and fast service.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F2, FM2, F4, Canon F-1, T90, Pentax screwmounts

build, lens quality, BRIGHT/CONTRASTY viewfinder, simplicity
look, vaccumn film back

none

This is simply the most solid and sturdy 35mm SLR I've handled. Much more so than the Leica R8. Every detail exudes very high quality, even the sound of the shutter!

This is my dream 35mm SLR. Excellent Zeiss optics. The viewfinder is simply the best I've seen. Bright, contrasty, and well-sized. It's very easy to identify whether the subject is in focus. The Contax AE lock can be left on for as long as one intends to, and to me is also better than the competition's. The camera has TTL spot flash metering, which is extrmely handy and the most accurate flash metering system on the market.

Can't say enough good things about this camera. Give it a try. I had to have a Contax after playing with the RTSIII. (I got a G1.) Leica R is not competitive enough to the Contax SLR line in my opinion.

Similar Products Used:

Contax RX
Contax AX
Leica R8
Canon EOS-10s
Canon EOS A2e