Contax RTS II User manual

Althoughthe explanatorydata and illustrationsin this instruction
bookletare givenwith referenceto @NTN( RTs ll euartz
cameramountedwith a zElss PlanarT' 111.4s0 mm lens,the
contentsare equallyapplicablewhenthe camerais fittedwith
otherinterchangeablelens.                                     obnohl sich die Erkldrungenund Abbildungenin dieser
                                                              Bedienqngsanleitungauf eine mit einem zElssobiektiv planar T*
                                                        50 mm F1.4 ausgestattete@NTN( RTS ll Quartz beziehen,gilt
                                                                der Inhalt gleichermaBenfur eine mit einem anderen wechse-lob-
                                                                                  iektiv ausgerUsteteKamera.



                                                                                                                                      {

                           www.orphancameras.com                                                                      I

(D FilmRewindStud
@ ShutterDialLock-ReleaseButton
@ ViewfinderEyepiece-BlindLever
@ ViewfinderEyepiece
@ ReleaseSocket
(D FilmCassetteChamber
@ DataBackLED
@ FitmGuideRaits
@ ShutterCurtain
@ Sprocket
(D Take-upSpool

@ ShutterControlDial
                                  8) FilmRewindCrank-Handle
                @ FocusingRing
                                   (p Aperture/DistanceScaleIndex
                                   (p ApertureRing
                @ MainSwitch
                @ ElectromagneticShutterRelease
                @ ExposureCompensationDial
                @ FilmRewindKnob
                @ ShutterSpeedlndex
                        (@ AccessoryShoe
                     O Auto FlashContacts
                              (D DirectX Contact
                @ FilmSpeedRing
                     O  FilmAdvanceLever
                             (D ExposureCompensationIndex
                             (D ExposureCounter





www.orphancameras.com

(p BatteryCompartmentCover
   ReleaseKnob
@ BatteryCompartmentCover
(D FirmRewindReleaseButton/
   MultipleExposureButton
@ FilmDriveCoupting
O TripodSocket
(p MotorDriveCouplingTerminal
(D MotorDriveGuideSluds
(E BackCoverReleaseLug
(D FitmGuideRoiler
@ PressurePlate
(D CameraBack
@ MemoHolder

M c i : r r l l n g l r e  L e n s





  Hernovirigthe Lens
while pressingthe lens releasebutton,turn the lenscounter-
clockwiseand lift it out from the cameramount.when leaving
the lens unmounted,be sure to keep the caps coveredon the
camera-bodymountand on both ends of the lens mountfor
protection'ssake.
o  when changinglens,avoidtouchingcamerainterioror lens
surfacewith your fingers.
o  Avoiddirect sunlightwhen removingor mountingthe lens
with film loadedin the camera.


                            www.orphancameras.com

The camera's electronic shutter and exposure control
  systems are battery powered so the battery must be fresh
  and correctly inserted if the camera is to function property.
  Use a 6.2-Vsilver oxide battery (Eveready544, Ucar 544, Maltory
  P)Q8 or equivalent)or a 6-V alkaline-manganesebattery @LR44
  or equivalent).

  E  Open the batterycompartmentcover on camera base by
   liftingup cover knoband turningit in directionof arrow.



 A   Insertthe battery accordingto polaritydiagramshown in the
  batterycompartment,otherwisethe camera will not function
  properly.Then replacethe cover and turn the knob to firmly
  securethe cover.





t o

l , ' r , : i , '  i - r W t  ' ' l i
  The main switchon top of the camerais used to turn the power
  ON and OFF.Turn the switchas far as it will go in directionof
  arrow(revealinga red dot for ON) to set the electronicshutter,
  meteringcircuit,the viewfinderLEDs,etc in a stateof readiness.
  Withthe mainswitchturnedon, pressingof the exposurecheck
  buttonwill causethe LED indicatorsin the viewfinderto lightup
  and stay on for 16 seconds.When the main switchis turned
  back (reddot in coveredposition),all of the electricalcircuitswill
  be turnedoff, causingcamerafunctionsto cease The LED
   indicatorswill be turnedoff at the same time.

   Whennot usingthe camera,make sure that the main switch
     is turned OFF (red dot in coveredposition)to prevent
    accidentalactivationof the exposurecheck or shutter release
    button.





1B
                             www.orphancameras.com

S a t t e ! y C h e c k
  Turnon main switch,pressthe exposurecheck buttonand note
   lightingpatternof viewfinderLED display.lf the batteryis good,
   the LEDwill lightsteadilyor pulsateregularlyas shownin
   illustration.The RTSll Quartzis designedto give you advance
  warningwhen the camerais aboutto stop functioningdue to a
  weak battery.When the batteryis weak,the normallightingor
   flashingpatternswill changeto thoseshownon the righthand
  side of the followingillustration.Whenthe LED displaybehaves
   this way, havea sparebatteryon hand for replacementin the
  eventthe batteryin the camerashouldfail,or replacethe weak
   battery.
     lf the batteryfallsbelowits ratedoutput,the LEDswill not come
  on evenwhen the exposurecheck buttonis pressed,and the
  camerawill not function.When this happens,replacethe old        o  Evenwhen the batteryfails,you can stilltake
   batterv.                                                     pictureswith your cameraby usingits mechanical
                                                                 shutterwhich operatesat 1/50second (Referto
       LED         Good Eatleries       Weak Batterles       page 40.)    Leucht-dioden     Gute Batterlen      Sctwache Batterlen
       LED           Plles en bon etat         Pllegallalblles
       LED         Pllas en buen estado       Pllas oaetadae
    Steady Light
    Stdndiges
      Aulleuchten    Eclalrement     rtl            fr-       i-l       inlntenmpu
    Luz continua
    Flashing               a a a o a a a a a a a a             o a      o a       o o
    Bllnken    H              I   H                      I    Clignotement
    Intermitente     1 secJl  sll secJl seg.     I s€cJl  sl1 secJl seg.
20

(Battery Precautions)                                (Hinweise zur Batterie)
o  The normalservice life is about a year for a silver       o  Silberoxidbatterienhaben normalerweiseeine
oxide batteryand about six monthsfor an alkaline-         Lebensdauervon etwa einemJahr,Alkalimanganbatterien
manganesebattery.However,this can vary with such       von etwa 6 Monaten.Die tatsdchlicheLebensdauerder
factorsas picturetakingfrequency,batteryconditionat       eingesetztenBatteriekann jedoch von diesenAngaben
time of purchase,and prevailingambienttemperatures.     abweichen.EinfluRfaktorensind Aufnahmehdufigkeit,
o  Generally,when the battery is exposedto sub-zero       Batteriezustandzum Zeitpunktdes Kaufsund
temperatures(centigrade),its performanceis temporarily    vorherrschendeUmgebungstemperaturen.
affected,causingdifficultiesin takingpictures.When                .  Wenn die BatterieTemperaturenunter OoCausgesetzt
shootingin especiallycold regions,protectthe camera       wird, wird ihre Leistungin der RegelvorUbergehend
from the cold or use the optionallyavailablePower Pack      beeintrdchtigt,wodurchProblemebeim Fotografieren
P-3.A battery affectedby extremelycold weatherwill        entstehenkonnen.SchtitzenSie lhre KameragegenKdlte
recoverfully upon being restoredto normaltemperature.    bzw.venvendenSie das als Sonderzubehorerhdltliche
o  Foulingof battery contactswith sweat or greasystains   PowerPack P-3,wenn Sie bei besondersniedrigen          I
will affect the qualityof electricalcontact,so make it a      Temperaturenfotografieren.Batterien,die starkerKdlte
point to wipe the contactswith a cloth before puttingthe     ausgesetztwaren,erreichenwiederihre volle Leistung,
battery into service.                             nachdemSie auf normaleTemperaturenerwdrmtworden
r     lf the camera is not used for an extendedperiodof       sind.
time, removethe battery from the camera.                o  SchweiBund Fettfleckenauf den Batteriekontakteno Whengoingon extendedtrips,be sure to bringalong                                                     beeintrdchtigenden elektrischenKontakt.MachenSie esa spare battery.                                                        sich zur Regel,die Kontaktemit einemTuch abzuwischen,o  Avoid dismantlingold battery or discardingit in a fire                                                  bevorSie eine Batterieeinsetzen.
as this is very dangerous.                            o  NehmenSie die Batterieaus der Kamera,wenn Sie
                                                    dieseUberldngereZeit nicht gebrauchen
                                                                                                    .  VergessenSie nicht,eine Reservebatteriemitzunehmen,
                                           wenn Sie ldngereAufnahmeserienmachenwollen.
                                                  o  Zerlegenbzw.verbrennenSie die alte Batterienicht,
                                               da dies mit Gefahrenverbundenist.

                            www.orphancameras.com

Always use a standard 35 mm film cassette (12, 20, 24 or 36
exposure load). Avoid direct sunlight when loading tilm.
O  Turn the main switchON. Lift the fitm rewindknob and ouil it
up firmlyuntilthe cameraback clicksopen.




A   Insertthe cassetteintothe film chamber,then
pushthe rewindknob down to its normalposition,
twistingback and forthslightlyuntilit seatsinto place.
Then repositionthe rewindcrank handleso that it rests in its
receptacleabovethe "A" (AUTO)settingon the shuttercontrol
dial.
g  Draw the film leaderout of the cassetteand insertthe free
end intoany clip on the take-upspool.
The film may be insertedinto any one of the clips,howeveryou
shouldavoidinsertingthe film end too deeplyor too shallowly.

gt  Gentlyturn the film advanceleverand wind the film on for
   one frame lengthso that both rows of perforationsmesh with the
   appropriatesprockets.Makesure that the film meshessmoothly
   with the sprocketsbeforeclosingthe cameraback.
   o  Use one full strokeof the film advanceleverto advancethe
    film one frame and wind the shutterat the same time.
   The electromagneticshutterreleasewill not functionunlessthe
   leveris givena full stroke.The film advanceleveris easierto
   operateif it is kept in the standoffoosition.




   El  Unfoldthe film rewindcrank and turn it genflyin the
   directionof the arrow to take up any film slack.





26
                              www.orphancameras.com

6   Alternatelywind on the fitm and trip the shutter,takingblank
   shots,untilthe exposurecounteron the camerareads,,1t'.With
   the film in this position,you are readyto start shootingpictures
   with yourcamera.lf the film feed indicator(whiteline)onthe film
   rewindknob rotateswhen the film advanceleveris manioulated.
     it meansthe film is advancingproperly.
  Whenblankshotsare beingmade untilthe exposurecounter
   registers"1", the camerais convenienilydesignedso that the
   shutterautomaticallyoperatesat 1/60secondregardlessof the
   setting(exceptthe "8" setting)on the shuttercontroldial.After
   the exposurecounterreads"1", the shutteroperatesat the
  speedselectedon the dial.





                                                             Film Feed lndicator/ Filmtransportindikator
                                                              Tdmoind'armementllndicadorde avance de ta peticuta
28

(Exposure Counter)
   The exposurecounteradvancesone numbereverytime the fitm
   advanceleveris operated,and returnsto ,,S" (start)when the
    rear cover is opened,regardlessof whetheror not film is loaded
    in the camera.The exposurecounteron top of the camera starts
   with "S", then goes to "1" followedby even numbers,,2"
   through"36". The odd numbersfrom ,,3" onwardare indicated
   by dots etchedbetweenthe even numbers.The numbers,,12",
   "20", "24" and "36" are in orangesince they indicatethe
  numberof exposuresgivenon standard35-mmfilm cassettes.



     . Memo Holder_:,
  Use the memo holderto remindyourselfof what type of film is
   loadedin your cameraby slippingthe end of the film carton into
     it, or even use it to hold the exposuredata for the shots you
  havetaken.





30
                              www.orphancameras.com

The shutter is used to regulate the length of time the
   light exposes the film plane. Ihe RIS  ll Quartz
   teatures an electronic circuit incorporating an ultra,
   high precision quartz oscillator that provides precise
   shutter speeds in both AUTO and manual exposure
  modes.

    SfrutterControlDial Seitings
   'A" (AUTO)... In the "A" mode,the camerawill provide
   correctexposuresby automaticallycontrollingthe shutter
  speedsover a wide range,covering1/2000to 16 seconds,
   for the aperturesetting,imagebrightnessand film speed
   in effectat the time.And when usedwith the Tl-A elec-
   tronicflashsystem,it will provideTTL electronicflash
  coupledto all aperturesettingsof the lens in use.
  "2000"  "4" ...Thefiguresin this rangeindicatethe
   shuttersoeedsavailablein the Manualmode.Shownin        "8" (8ulb) ...Theshutterstaysopenas longas the
   white,"2000" representsa shutterspeedof 1/2000          shutterreleaseis pressed,causingthe lightto be
  second;likewise,the whitefigures"125", "2", and "1"       transmittedto the film.
   representshutterspeedsol 11125,112and 1 second
   respectively.The figures"2" and "4", shownin orange,      "X" (SynchroContact)...Thissettingis usedfor taking
   indicaleshutterspeedsof 2 and 4 secondsin that order.      flashshots.The synchrocontacton the RTSll Quartzis                                                                                          'l160  Whenthe shutterspeednumberis shiftedto the next       an X contactthat operatesat    second.However,
   largernumber,it halvesthe amountof lightfallingon the     when usingthe TLA FlashUnit system,you can use the
   film (for example,when it is movedfrom 125 to 250)          "A" setting,there beingno need to use the "X" setting.
   conversely,the amountof light is doubledwhen the
   shutterspeedis changedto the next lowernumber.
34
                             www.orphancameras.com

(Setting the ShutterControl Dial)
  Set the shutterspeedby turningit in eitherdirectionand aligning
  the desiredshutterspeednumberor letter(allwith click stops)
  with the index.The "A" and "X" settingslock in placeto prevent
  accidentalshiftingof the setting.To unlockthe dial from these
   settings,turn the dial while pressingand holdingdown the shutter
   dial lock-releasebutton.To facilitateresettingof the dial,grip the
  raisedsurfaceslocatedat the "A" and "15" markson opposite
  sidesof the dial.
     .  On manualoperation,the shutterwill not functionat in-
  betweenspeedsettings.





38

(Mechanical Shutter)
  Whenthe batteryis weak,the camerawill not function.In this
  case, it will be necessaryto replacethe batterywith a new one.
  However,in a situationwhereyour batteryruns down whileyou
  are still photographingand you feel that you must havethe
   picture,the mechanicalshuttercomes in very handly.Lowerthe
  mechanicalshutterswitch leveras far as it will go and then
  pressthe depthof field previewbutton/mechanicalshutter
  releasebutton.The shutterwill functionat 1/50second
  regardlessof the shutterspeedset on the shuttercontroldial or
   of the availabilityof batterypower.For the correctexposure,
  consultthe film maker'sguidesheetthat comes packedwith
  your film, or guessthe exposure.
  o Whenshootingwith the mechanicalshutter,do not advance
  the film usingthe RealTime Winderor the ProfessionalMotor
  Drive.Also,the mechanicalshutterwill not functionin concert
  with the self-timer.





40
                             www.orphancameras.com

The aperturering regulatesthe amountof lighttransmittedto the
   film plane.The amountof lighttransmissionis halvedwhen the
   apertureis changedto the next largerf value(for example,when
   f/4 is changedto f/5.6),and doubtedwhen it is changedto the
   nexl smallerf value.The aperturealso controlsthe depthof field,
  a lenspropertygivingyou varyingdepth in the planeof focus at
   differentapertures.(Referto page 100)To set the aperture,turn
   the aperturering untilthe desiredaperturesettingis alignedwith
   the aperture/distancescale index.The aperturering can be used
   at in-betweenpositions.With the exceptionof the Mirotarlenses,
   all Zeisslensesfeatureautomaticdiaphragmsthat stop down to
  the selectedaperturewhen the shutteris openedupon activatron
   of the shutterrelease.Thus,your viewfinderalwaysgivesyou a
   brilliantimageat full apertureof the lens in use.

   A p e r t u r e G u i d e / B l e n d e n . R i c h t w e r t e
   T a b l e a u d e s o u v e r l u r e s d e d i a p h r a g m e / G u r a d e a b e r t u r a s
      LlghtlngCondltlon(ASlrlSO ifit)  / Ltchrveilrlttntase(ASAlmflSO)       Aperture/ Blende
     EclalragB(lfi! ASIIISO), Condtctoneede ilumtnactfi'(t00 ASAflSO)   OuverlurcsI Aberturas
    Outdoorsunder bright sunlight/ lm Freienbei Sonnenschein
     Ext6rieur,soleil brillant/ Exteriorescon luz solar intensa                        8 , 1 1 , 1 6
    Outdoors (overcast)/ lm Freien (bew6lk$
     Ext6rieur,ciel couvert / Exteriores(nublado)                                          4, 5.6
     Indoorsor night photography/ In Innenrdumenbzw. bei Nachtaufnahmen
     Int6rieurou photographienocturne/ Interioreso folografianocturna              1.4,1.7.2.8


42

The Rrs // Quartz comes with a microprism focusing
 screen as standard equipment. Focusing is securedby
 using the microprism focusing spot in the screen center
 and the matte f ield surrounding it.
 Withyour eye on the vieMinder,turn the lensfocusingringuntil
 the imageappearssharplydefinedwithinthe micropriimcenter
 or the mattefield when subjectis not in focus,the microprism
centerwill producea glitteringimage;and the mattefield,a
blurredimage
o  when usinga telephotoor otherslow lens,or in close-up
photography,the microprismfocusingsectionin the screen
centermay becomedark,makingit difficultto focus.In such a
case,use the outermattefieldfor focusing.

Diopterlensesare availabrefor farsightedand nearsightedpeo-
ple.Thereare 8 typesavailable,rangingfrom - 5, --4, - 3, _ Z,
0, + 1, +2, lo + 3Dpt.choosethe leni that suitsyourvision.





                            www.orphancameras.com

The exposure data is given by means of an LED           €)Strutter Speed Display
display sysfem. The display is turned on by pressing    The shutterspeedsfor the AUTO and manualmodes are
the exposure check button, staying on continuously       indicatedby a red LED displaythat comes on, in a
for 16 seconds. The LED display features a two-          continuouslylit or flashinglightingpattern.The display,
sfage brightness control which automatically adjusts     readingfrom top to bottom,showsOVER,2000,1000,
to the prevailing lighting condition, intensifying when     500,250, 125,60, 30, 15, 9, 4, 2, 1S,2S, 45, and B.
bright and dimming when dark.                        "2000" represents112000second;"125", 1/125second:
                                              and "2",1/2 second;while"1S", "2S" "4S" indicate1, 2
0 Aperture Digital Display                          and 4 secondsrespectively.The "8"  is usedto indicate
The selectedapertureis indicatedby a red LEDdigital        "Bulb", an extendedtime-exposure(up to 16 seconds),or
displaythat comes on. The markedand intermediate        underxposure."OVER" indicatesthat it is too brightfor a
aperturevaluesshownby the displayare 1.2, i.4, 1.7,2.0,     correctexposure.
2.4,2.8,3.5,4.0,4.5,5.6,6.5,8.0,9.5,11, 13, 16, 19,22,
27 and 32. However,when the camera is mountedwith a    O Exposure Gompensation Warnlng LED
lensof a maximumapertureof 5.6 or smalleror with such    When the exposurecompensationdial is set any position
accessoriesas the auto bellows,and microscopeadapter     other than "X1", a red LED showinga " + " o( "-"  sign in
whichdo not havethe automaticcouplingfeature,the        accordancewith the directionin which the dial is turned
digitaldisplaywill alwaysindicate"1.4" but the metering        will come on, indicatingthat exposurecompensationis in
systemwill be functioningnormally.                            effect. This LED helps remindyou to reset the compensa-
                                                              tion dial to "X1" wheneveryou havefinishedusingthe ex-
                                                  posurecompensationfeature.

                            @ fm  Flash Ready/After-FlashSignal Mark
                                       When the camera is used with a TLA flash unit,a green
                                             mark in the viewfinderdisplaylightsup to indicatethat
                                                      the flash unit has been fully charged,and pulsatesafter
                                              each flash exposurewheneverthe exposurehas been
                                                          correcl.
                             www.orphancameras.com

When the end of the roll of tilm is reached  it will not be
   possrb/e to advance the tilm any further. lnstead ot
   attempting  to torcibly advance the tilm, check the
   exposure counter lo see whether you have come to the end
   of the roll. lt so, be sure to rewind the f ilm into  its casseffe
   before removing it from the camera.
    tr  Depressthe film rewindreleasebuttonon camerabase for
  an instantand let go




  A  Unfoldthe film rewindcrank handleand turn it in directionof
   the arrow.As soon as the crank handleis rotated,you will hear a
   sound,indicatingthat the film is beingrewoundsmoothly.When
   the film end unhitchesfrom the take-upspoolyou will feel a slight
   resistance;however,continuerewindinguntilthe crank handle
   rotatesfreelyand silently.Thenopen the cameraback and
  removethe cassettefrom the camera.





52
                              www.orphancameras.com