Contax 139
Contax 139, Yashica Lens 1.4/50mm, given by Gilles Collas in june 2018.
From 1975 to 2005, Yashica produced Contax cameras, sold (preferably) with Carl Zeiss optics, but with the same mount (Y/C) as the Yashica bodies.
At the time of the release of the RTS III, I thought about buying one, and told it to the photographer where I intervened at this time. Answer: "do not buy this, it's always down!" And the RTS III was the high end! What to think then of the more "general public" bodies?
Well, for having in hand at the same time this camera and the Yashica FX-3, more or less contemporary, I can already say that the internal architecture is the same, they could well come from the same factory. The finish is a bit neater, but the front and the hood are just the same made of plastic.
This one is built around an electrically controlled Copal shutter, its full name is Contax 139 Quartz, to specify that the electronics was designed around a quartz to ensure the accurate measurement of exposure times. Automatic (aperture priority) disengageable in semi-auto, adjustment of sensitivities and exposure compensation is around the shutter release button, and the shutter speed selector is around the rewind button. It provides flash TTL with dedicated flashes. Electronic self-timer (quartz!), motorisable. Obviously it does not work without batteries...
The standard lens was a Carl Zeiss, 1.7/50mm or even 1.4/50mm. But Gilles had equipped it with this 1.4/50mm from Yashica he said excellent, but which took a very bad shot, I realized while arranging it that the ring that holds the front lens is pressed, it is a stroke of luck that this lens is not broken.
One thing I'm sure it's common to Yashica and Contax of this generation is the coating of the bodies!
I bought the replacement coating together with that of the FX-3, it's the same. And as I could not find more pictures of a 139 with its original coating in good condition than for the FX-3, I do not know if what I found looks like! (but I avoided green lizard ...). While replacing this coating, a broken piece of the facade (plastic) fell off and I had to glue it back in place.