Contax 167 MT (1986)

Name: Contax 167
Brand: Contax

At 720 grams, it sits in your palm like a promise—solid, serious, and ready to earn its keep.

Overview

The Contax 167 MT is a quiet-looking camera. It has none of the flashy lines of a Nikon F3 or the minimalist look of a Leica M. It is a 35mm focal-plane shutter, auto/manual exposure SLR, part of the Contax/Yashica (C/Y) manual focus 35mm SLR system manual focus 35mm SLR system), and it arrived in 1986 as the successor to the 137 MA and 159MM models. The body is mechanically sturdy but packed with electronics that were cutting-edge at the time.

It weighs 720 grams without batteries. It's dense, and it feels it. The body is built around a vertical-travel, metal focal-plane shutter with speeds from 16 seconds to 1/4000 sec. across all exposure modes, plus a 'Bulb' option in Manual. That range was competitive with the best of its day. The shutter is electronically controlled, quartz-timed for accuracy, and released electromagnetically. There is no mechanical linkage, just a silent trigger action through a cable switch socket.

The built-in motor drive advances film at approximately 2 frames per second in single-frame mode and up to 3 frames per second in continuous mode. That's not blistering by modern standards, but for a mid-tier manual focus SLR in the late '80s it was respectable. Film loading is automatic, and the leader advances to the first frame on its own. Rewind is fully automatic at the end of the roll, with mid-roll abort available if needed. An external LCD panel shows film speed, frame count, battery status, and more, so the shooter doesn't need to look through the viewfinder to check.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Contax (partnership between Zeiss and Yashica)
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	16 sec. to 1/4000 sec. in all modes. 'Bulb' also available in Manual mode.
Self-timer	Quartz-controlled electronic self-timer with 10-sec. delay. Indicator (blinks last for 2 seconds after the self-timer starts and again for 2 seconds before the shutter is released); exposure counter indicates remaining time.
Shutter Release	Electromagnetic release with cable switch socket.
Exposure Control	Exposure modes are set by pressing the Mode button and using the Operation Control. Exposure Modes: (1) Standard Program auto exposure. (2) High-speed Program auto exposure. (3) Low-speed Program auto exposure. (4) Shutter-priority auto exposure. (5) Aperture-priority auto exposure. (6) Manual exposure. (7) Programmed TTL auto exposure. (8) Aperture-priority TTL auto flash. (9) Manual mode auto flash. (10) Manual flash exposure.
Metering System	TTL full-aperture, center-weighted metering/ TTL full-aperture spot metering (spot metering LED turns on in viewfinder)/ TTL center-weighted direct metering with TCA System flash units. SPD(Silicon Photo Diode)cells.
Metering Range	EV0 to EV20 for TTL full-aperture center-weighted metering. (ISO 100, f/1.4 lens).
Film Speed Range	ISO 25- 5000 in DX auto mode. ISO 6- 6400 in manual mode.
Flash Synchronization	X-synchronization. Shutter speed is automatically set to 1/100 sec. in Program and Aperture-priority modes. In Shutter-priority and Manual modes, any speed from 1 sec. to 1/100 sec. can be selected.
Viewfinder	Fixed eye-level pentaprism.
Viewfinder Information	LED display of shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation, exposure mode, flash ready, spot metering, film transport, self-timer, battery check, manual exposure warning, exposure compensation warning, and flash exposure warning.
Focusing Screen	Interchangeable; standard screen is Acute-Matte type with split-image rangefinder and microprism collar.
External Display Panel	LCD panel displays film speed, frame counter, battery condition, multiple exposure, exposure compensation, and self-timer.
Film Transport	Built-in motor drive for single-frame and continuous shooting.
Film Loading	Automatic loading; film leader is automatically advanced to the first frame.
Film Advance Speeds	Single-frame advance: approx. 2 frames/sec. Continuous advance: approx. 3 frames/sec.
Film Rewind	Automatic rewind at the end of the film; mid-roll rewind is also possible.
Power Source	Four 1.5V batteries (AA/LR6).
Battery Life	Approx. 100 rolls (24 exposures) with alkaline batteries at 20°C (68°F).
Dimensions	154.5mm (W) x 101.5mm (H) x 67.5mm (D)
Weight	720g (25.4 oz.) without batteries.

Key Features

Slide System for Mode Selection

The 167 MT introduced a slide system for switching between exposure modes. It's a linear motion that replaced the rotary dials common on earlier models. It made mode changes quicker and more deliberate, and it reduced the chance of accidental shifts. Owners report it feels precise, though some note wear over time, especially if grit gets into the mechanism. It was a major design change, and Contax kept physical controls while modernizing the interface.

In-Viewfinder LED Display

Inside the fixed eye-level pentaprism, an LED display shows shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation, flash status, warnings, and even self-timer countdown. You don't have to look away during composition. The information is bright and clear, though some users report failures over time - faint or partially visible digits, sometimes cut off by a dark line in the viewfinder. These issues are often tied to aging LCD drivers or poor connections, not user error.

Multiple Exposure Modes with TTL Flash Integration

The exposure system is unusually flexible for its class. Ten distinct modes cover nearly every shooting scenario, including three program curves optimized for different lighting conditions. TTL flash control is integrated, supporting both aperture-priority and manual flash modes. Flash sync is X-type, with the camera automatically setting 1/100 sec. in Program and Aperture-priority modes, while allowing full manual control in other modes down to 1 second. This level of flash integration was rare outside high-end professional bodies.

Automatic Film Handling with Motor Drive

Film transport is fully automated - loading, advancing, and rewinding. The motor drive advances film at approximately 2 to 3 frames per second, depending on mode. It's not the fastest, but it's consistent and reliable when the power supply is stable. The system relies heavily on electronics, so battery choice matters. Some owners report jamming or hesitation, often traced to either weak batteries or overly powerful lithium types that exceed voltage tolerances. Alkaline AA cells are recommended for stable performance.

Historical Context

The Contax 167 MT arrived during a transitional period for SLRs. Autofocus was emerging, but manual focus still dominated the prosumer market. It carried forward the C/Y mount, which gave it compatibility with a wide range of Yashica and Zeiss optics, a major selling point. Unlike the fully professional RTS series, the 167 MT targeted advanced amateurs who wanted automation without giving up manual override.

Collectibility & Value

Market prices for the 167 MT vary widely, which points to inconsistent condition and functionality. Listings show body-only units selling for as little as $46 and as much as $325, with European retailers asking €199. Some sale listings dip to €19.99, likely non-working units. The most common failure reported is a dead or dim in-viewfinder LCD, often due to aging circuitry. Film transport issues - failure to wind or load - are also noted, typically linked to battery problems or misloaded film. Fresh alkaline batteries and proper loading technique often resolve these. No original MSRP is documented, but its position below the RTS line suggests it was priced as a premium mid-range option.