Brothers from different mothers – Contax RTS and Fujifilm X-T2

Chris and Carol

Brothers from different mothers – the classic Contax-Yashica RTS (original model) and the Fujifilm X-T2. I find the weight and feel to be the same, and many of the manual controls I use are right on top of the T2. That could be why I was attracted to the Fuji in the first place.
In the world of modern mirrorless digital cameras, the T2 just feels and acts like an old-school SLR.

The Fuji features a sharp Fujinon zoom lens, and the RTS has a fast and sharp f1.7 Yashica lens. I enjoy the aesthetics of both cameras, and I often shoot with the half-cases attached.
Fujifilm got it right when they designed their T2 (and similar models), drawing on the successful designs and functionality from the past.
A better view of the lenses. I chose the Yashica lens over the much more costly Planer lens because, let’s face it, Yashica made both (maybe from a Tomioka design in collaboration with Zeiss). The famous T* coatings may be missing on the Yashica, but I doubt it. The T* mainly was a marketing exercise. Full disclosure – I’d take the Zeiss Planer in a heartbeat if money were no object.

I enjoy using my Fuji; it is my go-to camera whenever I shoot with my classic lens collection or when I need to test a lens before listing it in my Etsy shop or on eBay. It’s fast and easy, and the APS-C sensor has a 1.5 crop factor that “boosts” the focal length of every lens I use. See yesterday’s gorgeous 450mm shot below from my 300mm Nikkor-H lens.

Boeing 777 (likely) at over 30,000 feet over northeast Florida (not cropped).

Thanks for stopping by, Chris. Which is your favorite mirrorless camera? Are you a Canon or Nikon photographer? Has anyone tried the new Nikon Z cameras?

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Comments are always welcomed, as I’ve learned quite a bit from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by, and while you’re at it, feel free to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios hosted by Etsy). – Chris Whelan

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One thought on “Brothers from different mothers – Contax RTS and Fujifilm X-T2”

  1. A bit of an unfair comparison. Contax is … simply uncomparable 🙂
    Never hat an RTS, but most of their other miracles.

    One favorite Mirrorless Camera would not be enough.
    There is for sure the Olympus OM-D, a wonderful and reliable workhorse, where sadly no one knows where the brands journey will go to.
    Then there is the Olympus Pen-F, a beautiful machine and a classical reminescence.
    And then there is the Ricoh GR series, which is the one and only when travelling light, especially when hiking and on bike trips.

    That‘s only my 50 Cent 🙂

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