Day April 7, 2024

Happy SUNday! – Contax Bliss

Chris and Carol 4 Comments

The Contax 50th Anniversary Edition 137 MD Quartz 35mm SLR film camera.

The ’50 Years’ model had a unique leatherette and a gold Contax ‘button’ on the flash sync terminal.
I don’t usually chase anniversary models, but this one struck me as pure in the early 1980s.

Contax celebrated fifty years, 1932-1982.

One of two standard lenses is shown here.
Contax numbered their cameras, consequently. As far as I am aware, no date code is hidden in the serial numbers.
It’s a simple manual focus aperture priority camera first released in 1980. Notice the location of the tripod socket. The entire baseplate is removable to be able to install the four AA batteries needed to power the meter and motor drive.
Advertisement from early 1980.
I believe the red sticker indicates that the color of the body is ‘fin’ or ‘wine.’ The Google Translate app isn’t apparent.
There aren’t many of these models still available, but they are well worth being chased.

This particular camera was sold in Japan, and unfortunately, I don’t have the original paperwork or Japanese instruction booklet. I’d love to find the correct strap, too. The proper case is a bit of a mystery, but I believe it should have been C-004, according to my friend Graham in the UK. By the way, the period correct flash units made for the 137 MD is the Contax TLA20 and TLA30 Auto Flash units for true TTL flash metering. There is also a 137 Data Back and a 137 Grip Adapter. Thanks for stopping by and be sure to visit my camera shop (hosted by Etsy) at http://www.ccstudio2380.com – Chris

Follow me on Instagram at @ccphotographyai

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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