Contax 159 MM (1985)

Name: Contax 159 MM
Brand: Contax

At 445 grams, it feels dense and deliberate in the hand.

Overview

The Contax 159 MM came out in March 1985 as the successor to the Contax 139 Quartz. It went into a crowded segment of professional manual focus cameras. It was built under the Contax/Yashica collaboration with Carl Zeiss optics, and later became associated with Kyocera. It was a high-end hybrid, part automation and part manual control, for photographers who wanted program flexibility without giving up full control. "MM" stood for Multi-Mode, which refers to its expanded exposure programming. It was reportedly the first Contax camera with a 1/4000 sec shutter speed. It weighs 445 grams (15.7 oz), neither overly bulky nor lightweight, and it fits the German-engineered SLR lineage of clean, functional design.

Owners report a front-facing layout like other professional SLRs of the era: minimalist, uncluttered, with controls placed for easy access. One user called it "very beautiful from the front." The main power switch is on the camera body. You turn it in the direction of the arrow until it clicks into place, and that activates the electronics. Focus is fully manual, and the camera is part of the Contax/Yashica 35mm SLR system, which relied on Zeiss T* program mode lenses for best integration. In manual exposure mode, photographers can still use the built-in light metering from the automated system, so the workflow mixes modern metering with traditional control.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Contax (Kyocera)
Product Type	35mm SLR camera
Production Year	1985
Weight	445 grams / 15.7 oz
Film Speed Range	ISO 12 to 3200
Shutter Speed Range (Program Modes)	1/8 to 1/1000 sec
Top Shutter Speed	1/4000 sec
X Sync Speed	1/250 sec
Exposure Modes	Three program modes, aperture-priority AE mode, manual exposure mode
Metering Range	EV 0 to 20 (f/1.4 lens, ISO 100)
Lens Mount	Zeiss T* program mode lenses
Power Switch	Main switch turns ON/OFF with directional click stop

Key Features

1/4000 Sec Shutter – A Contax First

The 1/4000 sec top shutter speed was a big step for the Contax line, and it made the model a technical "first" for the brand. It allowed fast-action shooting in bright conditions without neutral density filters, a practical upgrade over the 139 Quartz. The shutter works across three program modes with varying degrees of automation, and it keeps aperture-priority and full manual options. The program modes reportedly range from 1/8 to 1/1000 sec. That suggests a balanced approach to automatic exposure rather than extreme flexibility, likely tuned for typical daylight and indoor conditions.

AE Lock as Exposure Memory

The AE lock works as a memory, storing exposure values from a specific aperture and shutter combination. A photographer could meter a scene, lock the reading, and recompose. That helps in high-contrast situations or with off-center subjects. According to available documentation, the feature was part of the camera's effort to blend automation with professional control, letting users "borrow" the metering even when working manually.

Multi-Mode Exposure System

The 159 MM offers three program modes (specifics not documented), aperture-priority autoexposure, and full manual control. That covers a range of shooting styles, from point-and-shoot convenience to deliberate, hands-on photography. The metering system covers EV 0 to 20 (with f/1.4 lens at ISO 100), so it works in near-darkness and bright daylight. Film sensitivity runs from ISO 12 to 3200, which takes in fine-grain technical films and high-speed stocks. Users must set the ISO manually - no DX coding is mentioned in available specs.

Historical Context

The Contax 159 MM was developed as a direct replacement for the Contax 139 Quartz, with faster shutter mechanics and refined electronics. It arrived as manufacturers were adding more automation while still serving purists who valued manual focus and mechanical reliability. It belongs to the CONTAX/Yashica 35mm SLR system and shares design and compatibility traits with other models in it, including the more advanced Contax RTS III. Sources suggest its release was rushed, allegedly due to marketing department pressure, which led to early reliability concerns. It did not gain the same lasting reputation as some of its siblings, possibly because of those early technical problems.

Collectibility & Value

Market data is sparse. One listing for a "Contax 159 MM Gray 10th Anniversary Edition SLR Film Camera #0089" in "Exc+5" condition sold for $535.92. Shutter problems are commonly reported, and forum posts confirm issues with the exposure electronics, enough to count as a known failure point. A user on the VEGAS Community forum said their unit failed due to "something to do with the exposure electronics." Repair documentation exists, including notes on adapting the Yashica FX-Winder to the 159 MM. Original instruction booklets are available as used items, tested and confirmed working, though no full system diagnostics are documented.