THE CONTAX 159MM

[@Nanou197373]

hi ! Yes I totally agree with your review. I got a 159MM that I'm still using to this day, and it's been my favourite because the reasons you mentioned. If I want to use it in fully manual mode, I can, but I can also pass it to someone who knows nothing about cameras if I want to be in a shot, and set it on P mode, the photos are perfect. The lenses are great too, I got a 1.7 50 mm standard on this one. the 1.4 would have been slightly better but I'm not complaining because the price range is different. It's good as it is. I took great shots with it and I love its small, light weight size. Thanks for the review, because as you say correctly, this camera deserves more praise.

[@hatuxka]

I got a 159 MMT back then (1984). I exhausted my (student) camera money buying it. Maybe my student food money too, actually. I could not afford the MMT Zeiss Macron lens, so I got normal Zeiss Macro lens. Using it caused the MMT to need a repair.

[@teethtrainsandcameras2668]

I have a 159MM and also the winder, had it since new but not used for many years. A month or so back powered it up but the shutter won't fire. I've got a service manual but don't fancy peeling off the rubber trim. One other thing, even with a MM lens on it never displayed the M in the viewfinder.

[@photonfantastic]

I had never heard of this camera. Looks like a great buy. Thanks for your thoughtful review.

[@TheoDahlemPickups]

In fact the Olympus cameras such as the OM 2 line were the smallest SLR cameras. They are legends for being so small and elegantly designed.

[@Keysersoze30]

Just got a 139Q(with a "good" Serial number 19xxxx), my next purchase is the 159 MM. One of the reasons this one (and the 167 MT) is not as popular might be the early reliability and posible quality issues, was not the same since Kyocera bought the company in 1983 ;)

[@rexblueskyes2450]

Thanks for a good chat this morning at Kanpai cafe Ubud. Great vid. Look forward to a meet up soon.

[@28allday]

Hey Rex thanks great to meet you as well hopefully see you again next time I’m over cheers

[@themanfromoregon6047]

I managed to pick up a clean copy with the mmj 50mm 1.4 for 100 dollars recently. It's quickly become a favorite lens and camera

[@28allday]

You got a total bargain at that price that’s a great combination and an amazing lens

[@themanfromoregon6047]

@@28allday best deal I got recently was on Christmas Eve. Canon a-1 for 200, but it included a late model fD 35mm 1.2 and a 55mm 1.2 Aspherical. I'm tempted to sell the Aspherical but I think I'll hold onto it. Even though I want to put together a Zeiss kit, I can't part with the 55.

[@28allday]

@@themanfromoregon6047 some of those FD,s are amazing things, I feel pretty please with my self I have just picked up a Minolta 9 mint condition with a 28mm for 200 ...I,ll review it when I go thru my minoltas

[@contaxpaulharrison942]

The large connector with the cover on the front, is a PC sync connector, for use with flashes, there is also a hot shoe for flash complete with TTL metering support with dedicated Contax flashes, up to 3 flashes could be controlled using a system of flash cables. The flash system was quite advanced for its time. The cable release is a Contax electronic one, It needs a Contax cable release. The program mode implementation is not very good, they changed it on later ones to have a Program mode and a Tv (shutter speed priority) mode so you could select any shutter speed you wanted. The program modes also do not work properly if you don't set the aperture to the value in green, in which case they can only program a limited range of apertures. Program modes on a manual focus camera are of limited utility anyway.

[@28allday]

I actually find the program mode very use full it operates exactly the same way as an OM2 SP were you can set the aperture to F8 and it gives you a higher shutter speed than set at F16 ....the OM2 SP actually sells this function as a major feature in all the sale brochures but that only goes up to 1/2000 the 159 can be pushed up to 1/4000 ...its really handy

[@contaxpaulharrison942]

@@28allday Hmm that just sounds like aperture priority mode to me. The MM lenses have an extra tab on the back of the lens this used to set the aperture value on the lens from the camera body. It can only open up the aperture, which is why it is the minimum aperture that is set in green, and you need to set the aperture to the value in green so that the whole range of aperture values can be set by the camera body. Contax did not make MM versions of all of their lenses, and the tele convertors don't work in MM mode, so it is a bit of a mess having 2 lens lines to support and if you had an AE lens and wanted to use it in program mode you were looking at a new lens if they made one. I suspect most people just stuck to AE mode.

[@caulacau2318]

Quick question if I may: Does this camera accepts the contact/zeiss lenses used in the RTS line? Or are the lenses specifically designed for this line of cameras? Thanks

[@28allday]

Yes it accepts all the C/Y lenses including the yashica ones so yes anything from the RTS range however it will only function in program mode with the MM lenses these have green marks on the smallest aperture eg F22 will be green on a MM lens …all the other lens will only function in aperture priority or manually

[@caulacau2318]

@@28allday Many thanks!👍

[@giovannibistolfi515]

Hello, i loved your video! I was just considering buying either this camera or the mx/me super. In your opinion which one is easier to focus with? I'm attracted by the possibility of swapping the focusing screen on the mx. Lovely work and format, was really informative! Keep it up!

[@28allday]

the 159mm is in a different league than the ME which is still a great camera, MX is a manual /mechincal camera so if that matters thats the way to go ..I have an ME and an 159MM and with split prism they are pretty much the same to focus

[@giovannibistolfi515]

@@28allday Than you so much!

[@krp8154]

Hi, Great video. I was wondering if you have used an Aria and if you have- what your opinion is between this an the Aria? I would like to buy one of them, but not sure which would be better suited. Thank you

[@28allday]

I haven’t used the aria but it was either this or the aria for me a well …the aria is a bit more pricier and has more features…when I got this I just fell in love with it …and never bought the aria 😂 for me it pretty perfect size and weight and features

[@BrandonPrive1432]

do you have to use the program modes? i am coming from a fx-3 where it pretty basic SLR, i just use the built in light meter, i like that easy system, im not really interested in program modes, i do however want the higher shutter and the ability to do multiple exposures that my fx-3 cant do. i mean i guess its possible i eventually learn and enoy the program modes, might make it easier, i just hate to learn and use new things haaha!!

[@28allday]

No not at all you can shoot manual/aperture priority or one of the three program modes you also have the Contax s2 they are mechanical much like Fx-3 and also go up to the1/4000 but they seem to be very expensive online

[@rajs4719]

Great video

[@28allday]

Thanks!

[@loochan325]

I don't like the numbers for exposure times superimposed over the actual frame in viewfinder, but is better then R4 stupid black peninsula that I realy can't stand.