Yet another Contax RTS Fundus....
Nov 8, 2023 20:11:33 GMT
on Nov 8, 2023 20:11:33 GMT
Last Edit: Nov 12, 2023 15:40:45 GMT by biggles3
OK folks, I know I shouldn't but I couldn't resist this eBay offering: a Contax RTS Fundus.
RTS Fundus
Thankfully, it was listed simply as a Contax RTS, so it cost less than it might otherwise. It is in perfect working order and feels almost unused; it's also had its light seals and mirror damper recently replaced - or has been stored under exceptional conditions.
We explored the difference between this model and the standard RTS quite some while ago but for the benefit of some of our more recent members, the RTS Fundus was designed for use in laboratory or medical conditions for which gloves would have to be worn. In the photo, you can see a lock-button on the front of the top-plate, below the shutter speed dial; this does not exist on the RTS and is there are to help prevent accidental movement of the dial between Auto and individual speed settings. If you look closely at the shutter switch, next to the lever-wind, you'll see that the collar around the electronic switch is raised by about 2mm; on the RTS there is no discernible collar and again, this is to prevent accidental mis-handling when wearing thick gloves as it's all too easy to brush the switch which is famously very sensitive. There is also enhanced mirror-damping.
If you check the base-plates of most RTS Fundus cameras they will have either Scientific or Scientific/Medical stencilled in white. This is one of the rarer models which is unmarked.
The camera remains an enigma; no information to date has been found on just how many were produced or indeed how they were sold as the model was never made available to the general photographic public. One has to assume that there was a dedicated sales force which used professional publications to promote it - possibly in a similar way to the later Contax CGCM cameras.
It remains a superb SLR.
RTS Fundus
Thankfully, it was listed simply as a Contax RTS, so it cost less than it might otherwise. It is in perfect working order and feels almost unused; it's also had its light seals and mirror damper recently replaced - or has been stored under exceptional conditions.
We explored the difference between this model and the standard RTS quite some while ago but for the benefit of some of our more recent members, the RTS Fundus was designed for use in laboratory or medical conditions for which gloves would have to be worn. In the photo, you can see a lock-button on the front of the top-plate, below the shutter speed dial; this does not exist on the RTS and is there are to help prevent accidental movement of the dial between Auto and individual speed settings. If you look closely at the shutter switch, next to the lever-wind, you'll see that the collar around the electronic switch is raised by about 2mm; on the RTS there is no discernible collar and again, this is to prevent accidental mis-handling when wearing thick gloves as it's all too easy to brush the switch which is famously very sensitive. There is also enhanced mirror-damping.
If you check the base-plates of most RTS Fundus cameras they will have either Scientific or Scientific/Medical stencilled in white. This is one of the rarer models which is unmarked.
The camera remains an enigma; no information to date has been found on just how many were produced or indeed how they were sold as the model was never made available to the general photographic public. One has to assume that there was a dedicated sales force which used professional publications to promote it - possibly in a similar way to the later Contax CGCM cameras.
It remains a superb SLR.