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on Mar 28, 2020 16:06:14 GMT
Posted: Mar 28, 2020 16:06:14 GMT
Hi Forum,
i do have a Contax RTS into optically mint condition, almost. It looks very good. The thing is - with a new battery, the battery check LED doesn't lit up (red LED). Second, the Film Advance Lever can't being pulled...it's stuck after ca. 2cm...simply doesn't work, and i don't want to apply force.
Does somebody have a Clue, if it could being fixed? I'd really love to shoot with the RTS again.
thanks!
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Status: Failed treatment for L.B.A. and G.A.S,
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on Mar 28, 2020 16:53:40 GMT
Posted: Mar 28, 2020 16:53:40 GMT
In the last few years I've ended up with 2 RTS's - both the I and a II - that had similar issues. After some searches and reading, multiple explanations pointed to the electro-magnetic shutter where the contacts get stuck together and don't release the shutter. After popping off the bottom cover as part of the process to get them prepped to clean the contacts, I tried manipulating the linkage levers at the bottom of the camera, and got them working again. No need to tear into them to find the contacts. It's possible the same thing is happening with yours. I seem to remember that most of the lever and gear mechanicals on the advance-lever side of the camera handles the shutter release, the self timer, and the mirror return.
Once I got the levers/gears unstuck, I cleaned the 'gunk' off them, and applied some watch oil at the friction points.. They are both still working, and neither one took more than 30 minutes to fix. I used something similar to a dental pick or a scratch awl to 'move' the parts around. Bamboo shiskabob skewers are good for the same task when you need to nudge and not bend things.
Also under that bottom cover is the battery holder, and you can check to see if it was ever attacked by corrosion or if the wire just detached from the cannister.
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on Mar 28, 2020 18:40:05 GMT
Last Edit: Mar 28, 2020 18:43:08 GMT by lenslover
Thanks for a possible failure Explanation, but this sounds all not being possible for myself. I don't have 2 left hands, i can do soldering fine, but i don't have experience, and the tools being needed, to get my RTS working again - unfortunately, you're not living into germany, so i can't just drop you my RTS for CLA by myself the fast & easy way....sad, but true.
Especially worse here is the fact, that the RTS Line was being produced by YASHICA, and the FR Series is similar, albeit with less Features, but the electromagnetic Shutter - and these do still work fine, whileas the RTS is being faulty.
Good evening, and stay safe. |
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on Mar 29, 2020 10:28:40 GMT
Posted: Mar 29, 2020 10:28:40 GMT
I know this doesn't help with the OP's RTS, but where it's an RTS II you may not need to open the base as there is a 1/60th mechanical shutter which can be used to free it up - I bought a 'stuck' RTS II last year, exercised it this way and it's still firing almost a year later. As a precaution I now try to make some time to fire the shutters of all my cameras a few times at least monthly.
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on Mar 29, 2020 11:53:45 GMT
Last Edit: Mar 31, 2020 19:08:29 GMT by lenslover
Sorry to say this....but the RTS Series is completely turning bad. My RTS I isn't being working, my RTS II also (sold it 2019) and my RTS III isn't being working anyway, further. No Lifesign, no LCD, LED, nothing really. All looking like new, but it's inside is being damaged, i do think it's Electronics. Sad, but true...
It's great Gear, when it works - but the RTS Series have been proven being pretty un-reliable for myself, unlike Yashica SLR Series...which is the Opposite, in contrast...and pretty well working, just like it was decades ago...that's friggin weird.
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on Apr 10, 2020 6:19:25 GMT
Last Edit: Apr 10, 2020 20:54:22 GMT by lenslover
Hello Guys, i've just received (after quite many years..) a RTS II into great Condition, well optically at least...the Lightseals are into great Shape, as well as the Body. It seems to work, after i wasn't lucky with 2 batteries, but the 3rd and last spare i've had here flying around, was working.  Now i am looking into which box i've stuffed my Distagon 35/2.8, to use this badboy again.  I'd like to mention that the mechanical Shutter at the bottom, near the Lens Mount is 1/50 sec according to the manual.
I do know since decades, that mechanical Shutters should at least being fired all couple months.
Greetings, and i do wish happy Easter into advance. |
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on Apr 23, 2020 14:12:50 GMT
Last Edit: May 12, 2020 15:38:26 GMT by lenslover
Update, my Contax RTS (I) is now being working again. I do own the Contax 137MA, 139Q, 167mt, RTS I, RTS II, RTS III, Contax RX & Contax ST. My RTS III, as well as the RX and 139 Quartz aren't being working at the Moment.
2nd Update, the ST is being working fully again, the 167mt also. Both are recovered from the dead.
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Now i am looking into which box i've stuffed my Distagon 35/2.8, to use this badboy again. 
I'd like to mention that the mechanical Shutter at the bottom, near the Lens Mount is 1/50 sec according to the manual.