Contax

Explore 11 Contax vintage camera models — specs, production history, reviews, and market values in the VTA archive.

Cameras

• 137 — A 35mm film SLR from Yashica under the Contax brand, produced from 1981 to 1984 as an updated version of the 139 QM with added program mode.
• 137 MA (1981-1984) — The Contax 137 MA is a 35mm film single-lens reflex (SLR) camera introduced by Japanese manufacturer Yashica (under the Contax brand) in 1981.
• 137 MD (1980) — Contax 137 MD (1980): Yashica-built 35mm SLR with integrated micromotor drive, quartz timing, C/Y mount. What to check before buying.
• 139 — Contax 139 Quartz (1979–1985): compact 35mm SLR with quartz-locked shutter, C/Y mount, and Zeiss compatibility — a stealthy classic with known electronics quirks.
• 139 Quartz (1979-1985) — Contax 139 Quartz (1979-1985) — compact 35mm SLR with quartz-locked shutter, aperture-priority only, C/Y mount, ~590g. The precision-first Contax cult classic.
• 159 MM — Contax 159 MM (1985) 35mm SLR, 445g, with a 1/4000 sec shutter and multi-mode exposure. An ambitious first that earned a cult following.
• 167 — Contax 167 MT (1986) 35mm SLR with motor drive, 1/4000 sec shutter, and TTL metering. A solid, feature-rich film camera with known LCD and battery quirks.
• 645 AF — A medium format film camera with autofocus, announced in 1998 and designed in Germany. Find detailed specs and production dates here.
• Aria — Contax Aria (1998) — 35mm SLR with 1/4000 sec shutter, 3fps drive, and 95% viewfinder. Compact, capable, but watch for electronic flaws.
• AX (1996-2005) — Unlike conventional SLRs that autofocus by moving lens elements. Full specifications and review.
• G1 (1994-2000) — The Contax G1 wasn’t just a camera—it was a manifesto in magnesium alloy, proving that autofocus and rangefinder elegance could coexist without compromise.
• G2 (1996-2005) — A precision-engineered 35mm autofocus rangefinder that fused Carl Zeiss optics, electronic intelligence, and analog soul—just before the digital tsunami hit.
• I (1932-1936) — Contax I (1932-1936): Zeiss Ikon's first 35mm rangefinder, built to compete with Leica. Screw mount, cloth focal-plane shutter, no flash sync.
• III (1936) — Contax III (1936–1942) — 738g 35mm rangefinder with 1/1250 shutter and built-in selenium meter. The Leica-beating pro camera of its era.
• RTS (1975-1982) — The Contax RTS (Real Time System) was the first modern 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera produced by Contax, marking the brand’s re-entry into the
• RTS II (1982–1990) — Designed for professional and advanced amateur photographers. Full specifications and review.
• RTS III — Contax RTS III (1990) — 35mm SLR with titanium shutter, vacuum ceramic back, and 5 fps drive. A bold final statement from the Real Time System line.
• S2 (1992-1998) — A mechanically operated, aperture-priority electronic SLR with a titanium-clad chassis. Full specifications and review.
• T VS III — A 35mm compact point-and-shoot camera with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* zoom lens and built-in data back. With the complete spec table and when it was made.
• T-VS — Contax T-VS 35mm compact camera with Carl Zeiss 28–56mm lens, titanium body, $1,700 launch price — a rare high-end zoom shooter from the 1990s
• T-VS II — Contax TVS II 35mm compact zoom camera with Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar 28–56mm lens; known for sharp optics but prone to flex cable failures.
• T3 (2002-2005) — The Contax T3 (2001) is a titanium-bodied 35mm compact with a legendary Zeiss 35mm f/2.8 lens—praised for sharpness, feared for its fragile film spool.
• TVS digital — Contax TVS Digital (2002) – 5MP compact with Carl Zeiss T* zoom, manual controls, and the final chapter of the T series.

Slr

• ST — Contax ST (1992-1993): a manual-focus 35mm SLR, second attempt at the quattro concept with full automation plus manual control.

Other Models

• 135mm — A fixed focal length lens designed for Contax SLR cameras, featuring Sonnar optical design and a maximum aperture of f/2.8.
• 180mm — A legendary telephoto prime lens originally developed for the 1936 Berlin Olympics, still in production today. Covers full specifications.
• 28-85mm — A manual focus zoom lens with Vario-Sonnar optics and f/3.3–4 aperture, built for the Contax/Yashica C/Y mount system. Find detailed specs here.
• 50mm — A Carl Zeiss-designed 50mm prime lens for the Contax/Yashica C/Y mount, produced circa 1972–1975. Covers full specifications and production years.
• 645 — Contax 645 (1999) – 6×4.5cm pro film SLR with 1/4000 sec shutter. Heavy, rare, and revered—still a favorite for wedding and studio work.
• 85mm — A fast, full-frame prime lens for the Contax/Yashica SLR system, produced for over two decades. This page has full specifications and production years.
• IIa — A postwar 35mm rangefinder camera made by Zeiss, featuring a vertical metal shutter and combined viewfinder-rangefinder.
• N DIGITAL — Contax N Digital (2002) — the first full-frame DSLR, 6.2MP with a 24x36mm sensor. An ambitious pioneer now valued at $500–$2000.
• S — Contax S (1949) — the world's first 35mm SLR with an eye-level pentaprism viewfinder, made by Zeiss Ikon in Dresden. Rare, collectible, M42 mount.
• SL300R — A compact digital camera with a rotating lens module and Carl Zeiss optics, released as the final model in the Contax line.