Group: Moderator
Post: 2,040 (563 liked)
Join date: April 2014
Status: Long, long time Contax and Yashica user; glad to be here and hope to contribute.
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on Jul 30, 2015 2:23:09 GMT
Posted: Jul 30, 2015 2:23:09 GMT
How did we survive without the internet?!
I spotted one of these incredibly rare items on Ebay - they are currently asking 129 Euros - and had forgotten until that moment that this was one of the few accessories for the RTS/FR that I had never owned.
Although the Grip was made in West Germany back in 1977 and came in a Contax branded box, I always assumed it was made by someone like Hama. It was never going to be a big seller as it could only be used with either the RTW (Contax) or Yashica FR Winders - the cut out in the base suggests this and the strangely offset tripod bush confirms it. It carries a cable for connection to the remote sockets on the RTS/FR/FRI and has a micro-switch on the grip to fire the shutter. The idea was to leave the photo-journalist's hand free from having to wind-on using the camera's lever. They were only made in small numbers and don't pop up too often.
I was shocked that they wanted so much for the plastic grip and went on a web search; to my delight, I found one on sale in the US for $25 + $16 for shipping. It's on its way back to Europe - I'll post a piccie when it gets here. If it was not for the internet, I'd never have found it. It still amazes me that I can sit at home and find a tiny camera shop in Vermont that has Contax and Yashica gear for sale....wonderful! |
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Deleted
Group: Member
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Join date: January 1970
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on Aug 3, 2015 6:35:23 GMT
Posted: Aug 3, 2015 6:35:23 GMT
Congrats!
Vermont is my 2nd home ... which shop did you lift :-)?
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Group: Moderator
Post: 2,040 (563 liked)
Join date: April 2014
Status: Long, long time Contax and Yashica user; glad to be here and hope to contribute.
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on Aug 3, 2015 9:51:57 GMT
Posted: Aug 3, 2015 9:51:57 GMT
Hi marc,
It was Vermont Camera Works, Pittsford.
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Group: Moderator
Post: 2,040 (563 liked)
Join date: April 2014
Status: Long, long time Contax and Yashica user; glad to be here and hope to contribute.
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on Aug 8, 2015 21:18:26 GMT
Last Edit: Aug 8, 2015 21:19:01 GMT by biggles3
Here's a piccie of the business side of the Reporter Grip which arrived today:
The grip on the right can be set at varying angles and you can see the remote switch to activate the shutter/winder is positioned for your index finger; the cable connector can be set in the Winder or the camera. The one being sold on Ebay right now is mistaken in suggesting that it can also be used with the RTSII as it uses the later, screw-in socket type. It is being shown here using a Contax RTW (Winder) along with a Yashica FR and 50 1.4 ML.
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Group: Member
Post: 35 (3 liked)
Join date: April 2015
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on Aug 9, 2015 11:17:43 GMT
Posted: Aug 9, 2015 11:17:43 GMT
Worlds first selfie stick  Congrats! |
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Group: Administrator
Post: 1,010 (77 liked)
Join date: January 2014
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on Aug 10, 2015 20:50:52 GMT
Posted: Aug 10, 2015 20:50:52 GMT
Certainly is a handy looking unit. Good for shooting over the heads of everyone crowding in front of you.
PF
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