Cords for single/twin camera Release

Yesterday I spent a good part of the day creating remote cords to fire the Contax/Yashica camera (2d or 3d). The focus was on a cord for twin cameras. I have been through this with two different camera systems in the past, once with my Minolta X-700 cameras and once with my Pentax ZX-M cameras.



I took some time to think about it. With the wireless infrared remote (WIR), I had a cord with a Contax/Yashica plug in one end, and a simple 2.5mm Mono plug in the other. So I decided to base my connections in 2.5mm mono plugs and jack inlines.

The picture above shows the following (from left to right):

1. Original Contax cord from WIR (plus is at right angles)
2. Cord I built using the C/Y plug and a 2.5mm MP.
3. Similar cord but with a Minolta plug for my Horseman.
4. Same but with a plug for my RBT S1
5. At bottom: Connector cord with two inline jacks on one end and a 2.5MP on the other.

I also created 3 switches from the left over material, to fire the cameras: One from the Minolta release, one from the Contax release, and one from a Hama release.



Cords 1 and 2 can be used with the connector cord to fire twin cameras (see picture of the connection). They can also be used to fire single cameras, when attached to one of 3 switches or in the WIR.

Cords 3 and 4 can be used to fire the Horeseman 3D and the RBT S1 cameras, again either alone or when attached to the WIR.

Contax/Yashica Flashes

I rely on electronic flash for many of my 3d photographs, including all close up/macro photographs. So I have devoted this blog to talk about flash units for the Contax/Yashica 2D and 3D equipment.

I currently own 2 Yashica and 3 Contax flash units (see picture). These are:

• Yashica CS-201, GN 20, Manual, Auto f4 (100 ASA)
• Yashica CS-221, GN 22, Manual, TTL
• Contax TLA 20, GN 20, Manual (Lo, Hi), TTL
• Contax TLA 30, GN 30, Manual (F, ¼, 1/16), Auto (f4, f8), TTL
• Contax TLA 360, GN 36, lots of features, including stroboscopic

From these 5 perhaps the best bargain in terms of price vs. features it the TLA 30. It is a rather large unit that offers Manual (3 levels) auto (including desirable f8 at 100 ASA) and TTL modes. With a bit of patience you can get one for about $30 in ebay.

A note about the three exposure modes: In manual there is no measurement of the light that comes from the flash. At full power the flash emits its full flash. The user controls exposure by adjusting the f-stop of the camera, based on the distance of the subject from the camera.

In auto mode, the flash measures the reflected light and stops the light when the exposure has been satisfied. Auto mode works for certain discrete f-stops. It is generally reliable and converts vintage stereo cameras to automatic (in terms of exposure).

In the TTL mode, the camera and not the flash measures the amount of light that reaches the film, via a sensor that measures the amount of light reflected from the film. This is equivalent to auto exposure camera operation mode. TTL mode is useful because it will work under conditions where it is difficult to measure the amount of light reaching the subject. This is the case in macro photography. I used TTL flash quite a bit with my Minolta X-700 cameras and it is nice to see it in the Contax 139 and Yashica 103 cameras. My first test rolls with the macro attachment and TLA flash showed good exposures.

If you look under the flash units you will see 2 contacts (CS-201), 3 contacts (CS-221, TLA 20, TLA 30) or 5 contacts (TLA 360). For simple flash operation, only one contact is needed (the one at the center). The 2nd contact lets the camera know that a dedicated flash unit is used, and the cameras when used in Auto Exposure mode, sets the shutter speed at the top synchronization speed (100 for these cameras). The 3rd contact is used for TTL operation. The 2 extra contacts in the TLA 360 unit convey information used with more advanced camera models (so they are not needed for our cameras of interest here)

In addition to the flash units, I have acquire several cables that allow you to use the flash off camera (while maintain TTL operation). I am working on possibly wiring two flash units to work with TTL for macro stereo photography.

Finally, instead of the Contax/Yashica flash units, I can use any of my advanced Metz flash units, but I need the appropriate Metz adapter in order to get TTL operation. The simplest adapter that will work with these cameras I the SCA 380.

I have more information about using electronic flash with vintage stereo cameras in my Tutorials (http://www.stereotutorials.com/)

A note regarding the Contax/Yashica Cable Releases

Cable releases are especially important if you plan to use two of these cameras for twin camera stereo/hyperstereo.

There are two Yashica/Contax plugs: One is known as the R-plug and it fits the Contax RTS and Yashica FR series of cameras. The other is known as the S-plug and is used (among others) for the cameras of interest here (Contax 139, Yashica FX-D, 103). The S-plug is pictured in the photos here.

The S plug looks similar to the Minolta plug, but the Minolta is larger in size, as you see from the picture here. I tried to fire a Minolta camera with a C/Y cord and it did not work. The reverse works but I do not want to risk damaging the threads.

There is another important difference: The C/Y plug is entirely electrical, while the Minolta is electromechanical (can be triggered with a mechanical release cord). DO NOT plug a mechanical cable release to the Contax/Yashica cameras. It will fit but it will not work and you can damage the plug if you apply excessive pressure.

Contax/Yashica Accessories

Y/C mount accessories include various extension tubes and a nice bellows system with focusing rail and slide copying unit. (I used to own a similar unit for my Minolta X-700 camera). I am now waiting these to arrive from ebay sellers.

In addition to the lens and lens accessories, other camera body accessories include:
- Winders
- Camera Cable Release
- Infrared controller
- Magnifier
- Right Angle Finder

For more information about these and more, see: http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/contax/shared/

Regarding the winders, these are useful in stereo if you want to advance quickly, as in the case of taking hyperstereos from an airplane or other moving platform but even when time is not a problem but you don’t want to remove your eye from the viewfinder and risk misalignment between the shots. Also, in a remote picture-taking situation. I have acquired 3 winders: Yashica FX Winder (came with the Ochotta FX-D camera), Yashica FX 103 Winder ($20 new in ebay) and Contax 139 winder II. All these are very similar and interchangeable. It is interesting that the Ochotta FX-D stereo camera will take a winder (advances in correct 1-3-1-3 sequence, while the Ochotta 103 will not (no opening for the winder connections at the bottom).

I have acquired several cable releases and the Contax Infrared Controller S. This controller allows you to fire the camera wirelessly from a distance. It is useful for remote nature photography. I can use this device to any of the 2d and 3d yashica cameras. It works beautifully. Even though the cameras (2d and 3d) have timers, many times it is better to fire them on will and a wireless system is the least intrusive.

The picture above is the front cover of the Infrared Controller. It shows a Contax RST camera with a winder and the Controller. There are two parts: The receiver and transmitter. The receiver sits at the top of the camera's flash shoe (the Ochotta stereo cameras has two shoes so there is room for both a flash and the wireless receiver. The transmitter is held by the operator. Pressing the transmitter’s button will fire the camera.

Contax/Yashica Lenses

Contax and Yashica have their own line of lenses and accessories in the Y/C mount. These are interchangeable and comparable, but the Contax line demands higher prices than the Yashica line.

Regarding the lenses, Yashica has a line of fine lenses marked ML. I have already acquired pairs of 50mm f2.0 and 135mm f3.5 lenses. These came with camera lots that I bought. A lens on its own might sell for as low as $10.

A totally different picture for the Contax lenses. These were made by Carl Zeiss. The line is known as AE series and displays a red T* for Zeiss' proprietary multi-coating. Some Carl Zeiss lenses were made in Germany and the rest in Japan under Zeiss license. A complete list of lenses are given in this link: http://www.cdegroot.com/photo-contax-lenses/ These lenses are expensive! Expect to pay from $100 minimum (for a 50/1.7 lens) to well over $1000 for some of these lenses.

I currently own pairs of these lenses:

- 25mm f2.8 Distagon ~ $350
- 35mm f2.8 Distagon ~ $250
- 45mm Tessar (very compact lens) ~ $200
- 60mm C (for compact) f2.8 Macro-Planar ~ $400
- 85mm f2.8 Sonnar ~ $200 (pictured above)
- 135mm f2.8 Sonnar ~ $200

The Contax lenses are heavier and definitely better built than the Yashica lenses, but can you tell the difference? I have tested all lenses for matching and I was impressed to find out that all lenses matched perfectly. This applies both to the focal length (same image size) and aperture size (exposure). Not only the Contax lenses but also the Yashica lenses were perfectly matched. Under average shooting conditions, it is very difficult to tell the difference between the Contax and Yashica lenses. So, why pay 2 x $200+ when you can get the same results for 2 x $20?

Further reading:
http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Yashica_/_Contax_lenses
http://photo.net/equipment/contax/shea-lenses

Contax/Yashica Equipment used for Stereo – Camera Bodies

In the short period of about a month between getting my first and second Ochotta stereo cameras, I have accumulated a plethora of Yashica/Contax camera equipment, thanks to ebay (of course!) but also KEH. KEH prices might be a bit higher than average market/ebay prices but they sell quality equipment and they have great customer service. If you are impatient and don’t like to take risk with ebay sales, then I definitely recommend KEH.

Both Yashica and Contax have a long history of producing photographic equipment and neither company is in existence today. In the past I have owned Minolta (X-700 etc) and Pentax equipment and of course everyone knows Nikon, Olympus, and Canon, but Yashica and especially Contax are not as popular as the these other cameras.

Contax was founded in 1932. One of their most important cameras is the Contax S (1949), considered the mother of all SLR cameras. Yashica was founded in 1949 in Japan. Among their successful cameras is the Electron 35 (1965), a popular Rangefinder camera. In addition to their 35mm cameras, Yashica is known for their Medium Format cameras.

In 1975 Contax entered a partnership with Yashica and it became a Japanese company. Yashica continued to produce camera equipment both under the Yashica and Contax brands.

In 1983, Yashica was acquired by ceramics giant Kyocera (Kyoto Ceramic Company). Kyocera, facing fierce competition in the camera market, terminated all camera production in 2005. It continues to offer after-sales service to its customers for a maximum of 10 years for each model.

Of interest to me are three cameras: Yashica FX-D, Yashica FX-103, Contax 139Q. These cameras have a lot in common and were used by Fritz Ochotta to make his stereo cameras:

• They share the same mount (C/Y bayonet mount, first appeared with the Yashica FX-1 and Contax RTX cameras in 1975) which means that they take the same lenses. They also share the same winders.
• They have quartz-controlled electromechanical shutters, use the same electric remote cords (good to know when twinning these cameras for twin camera hyperstereos), and require a pair of button-type batteries (SR44, AG13, etc). The batteries are needed both for the exposure meter and to operate the shutter.
• As a minimum they offer manual speeds B, 1-1/1000 sec. and automatic exposure.
• All three cameras have great reputation for reliability. They also share this feature: Their leather cover disintegrates within a few years. It can be replaced. It is also a good idea to replace the light seals on these 30+ year old cameras.

From the three camera of interest, the Contax 139 (introduced in 1979) is the more deluxe model, offering, in addition to the features above, the following: 1) TTL flash, 2) DOF preview button, 3) Double exposure button, 4) Lens aperture visible through the lens.

The latest of the 3 cameras is the Yashica FX-103 (1985, left on the picture above). It offers TTL flash metering and Program exposure modes.

Average ebay prices today: $50 for Contax 139. Around $20 for a Yashica FX-D or FX-103. You can easily find a deal with camera, lenses and accessories for around $50 or so. It is amazing to me that you can buy these wonderful cameras for $20. You cannot blame me for acquiring a dozen or so camera bodies in one month! It is actually more expensive to buy a Contax/Yashica cable release than to buy the camera itself.

Some links for further research:

http://www.cdegroot.com/cgi-bin/photowiki/A_History_of_Yashica_35mm_SLR_Cameras
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yashica
http://www.cdegroot.com/cgi-bin/photowiki/Yashica_FX-D_Quartz
http://www.cdegroot.com/cgi-bin/photowiki/Yashica_FX-103_Program
http://www.cdegroot.com/cgi-bin/photowiki/Contax_139Q