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on Sept 17, 2020 15:40:44 GMT
Posted: Sept 17, 2020 15:40:44 GMT
Here is one of the rarest accessories for the Contax Yashica system: the Sound/Cold-proof Case.
Inside the jacket in the photo is a Yashica FR1 with a ML 50mm f1.7 poking out.
Cold-Silent Jacket
It was made for the Contax RTS but works equally well with a number of Contax and Yashica cameras (plus many other makes too no doubt). It has a very nice outer leather casing which comes in two parts - one for the camera and another to attach via poppers for the lens. Inside is a lot of foam for sound and temperature insulation. The idea is that you place your hands through the two large openings after you've secured the camera and lens inside the jacket; this gives you access to all the essential controls and there are various flaps that give you additional access to critical parts of both camera and lens for ease of operation. It is designed to accommodate a Winder or Pro Motor Drive.
These were marketed to court and wildlife photographers but were produced in very limited numbers. The quality is superb and the sound-deadening really works; and your hands definitely stay warm.
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on Sept 17, 2020 19:28:03 GMT
Posted: Sept 17, 2020 19:28:03 GMT
I can think of two possible uses for this, admittedly, unusual accessory.
First would be to dampen the sound of a motor drive/winder. There are lots of situations where this would be warranted, but a court room would not be one of them. Either they allow cameras & flashes & motor drives or they don't -- most don't. (And if they don't, get a Yashica Atoron) And if you could get close enough to any wildlife with a "short" lens, the noise of the motor drive is not what will drive them away.
Second, keeping your hands warm. This would be very helpful. Trying to use most cameras in very cold conditions with gloves on is impossible. I know.
I assume that there is not a viewfinder opening on the other side, so this can only be used with shorter focal length lenses without critical focusing, and I also assume that it can be used with other cameras besides Contax/Yashica.
Makes me wonder if there are third party producers of similar products. I don't remember seeing anything like this before, but I'd be interested -- once I thaw out my frozen fingers!!!
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on Sept 17, 2020 21:49:30 GMT
Posted: Sept 17, 2020 21:49:30 GMT
Hello xkaes,
You are right about its use with a drive/winder as it's deep enough to accommodate one; it also has flap which covers the area on the Pro Motor Drive that has the frame speed and intervalometer dials. You will be pleased to know that it does have an opening at the back for the use of the viewfinder and either a magnifier or right-angle finder if needed. It also has a small flap to the left of the viewfinder window that allows you to check and change the speed dial settings.
It is beautifully designed and presented but is best suited to use with the Contax RTS/RTSII or the FR series, especially when used with the Winder. I can attest to its value in cold climates as I used this with my RTS Fundus in the forests and lakes of Finland in the winter where the ambient temperature was around -18C but there was an additional wind-chill. In addition to keeping your hands and fingers warm, it also had the benefit of keeping all the batteries warm which was vital for a camera with an electronic shutter and a thirsty motor drive. I also used to haul my camera, drive and a 28mm lens when I used to go mountaineering and the case had the additional benefit of cushioning the camera from damage. This was also when I switched from Contax' plastic lens caps to their metal ones as they screw in and afford a much great degree of protection for that precious front element.
Although camera rain-jackets are available today, I have not seen anything as sophisticated as the Contax Sound/Cold-Proof Case though no doubt you could get one made for you. There's a niche product for some enterprising individual to develop and market!
It was eye-wateringly expensive back in the 1970s but has not been bettered to my knowledge - unless someone here knows better...?
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on Sept 18, 2020 6:37:37 GMT
Last Edit: Sept 18, 2020 6:44:53 GMT by lumiworx
There's been generic and brand/body specific solutions by a couple of companies. Porta-Brace in the US has produced pro-level gear since the 70's, and that's what I've used in the past for TV work. Their stuff certainly isn't cheap, but they are very effective in extreme conditions. For my decades of working long hours outside in winter, I won't hesitate to say they've saved me from frostbite hundreds of times. As long as I can keep my pinkies attached, they won't care about who's better at the job. A generic DSLR cold-weather case: www.portabrace.com/product-page/pol-dslr2 Click the menu for "camera cases", and you'll find lots of them for using lots of gear as rain and snow/cold protection - even a few made for studio TV cameras. The only cameras in the courtroom scenarios I've participated in, were video cameras only - and it was usually a 'pool' camera manned by a court employee. That camera would feed video for TV stations to tap into at the court house. Still shooters weren't allowed inside court chambers during trials or legal proceedings. On the floor in the State House or Senate was different, and was just the same kind of chaos as in Washington. |
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