5 frames in France with a Contax RX

By Alastair Bell

7 October, 2025

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Contax RX Fujifilm film
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I have a problem. I love cameras. Especially older film cameras. It’s that tactile feeling of holding it and finding all the controls under my fingertips.

A couple of years ago I dug out the remnants of an earlier collection I had and started adding to it. Every camera was a joy to handle in its own way. Friends heard that I was collecting and I was given a Yashica 108 Program. It didn’t work but I soon brought it back to life. I bought an adapter for the 35-70 MC lens it came with and tried it on my Fuji X-T4. I was pleasantly surprised. It prompted me to look for Zeiss lenses for it. It wasn’t long before that morphed into a desire to build a full Contax kit.

This led to a purchase of a Contax RX, followed by 28-85 and 80-200 Vario Sonnar lenses and a Sigma 24mm. As soon as I picked up the RX I was in love.

With the 28-85 lens it’s a big heavy beast. Given I gave up on my Nikon D3 because of its weight and size it was interesting this was such an instant favourite. It could only be the feeling of carved from granite solidity and the beautiful tactile feel of those Zeiss lenses. The RX did suffer from the usual slipping mirror issue but this was easily fixed with help from my local camera store who told me what I needed to do. An easy and permanent fix.

I regularly travel to France and of course the RX found space in the bag. In fact it’s been every time I’ve been since I bought it. Every time it reminds me why I love it so much.

Here’s a small selection of images all processed and scanned by the minilab in Northampton, England.

Mont St Michel early morning, Fuji 200 expired 2008, exposed at 100. Vario Sonnar 28-85mm.
La Rochelle Lantern Tower, Fuji 200 expired 2008 exposed at 100. Vario Sonnar 28-85mm
Field of Gold, Charente Maritime, Fuji 200 expired 2008 exposed at 100. Vario Sonnar 28-85mm.
La Rochelle Bicycles, Fuji 200 expired  2008 exposed at 100. Vario Sonnar 28-85mm.

Interestingly the Yashica that started this all off has yet to have a film through it. For some reason that camera just doesn’t gel with me.

 

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About The Author

By Alastair Bell
I've been interested in photography since I was 15 though have taken breaks at various times as life got in the way. The latest break was for 10 years and at the end on if I sold all my Nikon gear and bought into the Fuji X system for its lighter weight and previous good experiences with it. I've done stock photography and wedding photography (never again) but mainly use photography as a way to express myself and show my world as I see it. I have recently started using film again and my photography now is a mix of film and digital.
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Comments

Peter Schu on 5 frames in France with a Contax RX

Comment posted: 07/10/2025

I got myself an RX on ebay, but had to send it back. It had also a mirror issue and a film transport problem, although it had been advertised as in perfect condition. That was only true for its body. So, I didn't trust the seller anymore and didn't take it back after they had fixed the mirror problem. What I noticed and wasn't aware of before, is that the RX is build like the AX, just without the AX autofocus system. I own the AX and therefore I stopped looking for an RX body. Otherwise, I would have certainly looked for one in good shape. It is a very solid tool. Nice photos with the expired film.
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Omar Tibi replied:

Comment posted: 07/10/2025

My understanding is that the AX is the successor of the RX; as you said, there's not much of a difference between the two. In fact, if I remember correctly, there's only 2 years of difference between the two models. How is the AX's autofocus system? Is it fun to use?

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Paul Taylor on 5 frames in France with a Contax RX

Comment posted: 07/10/2025

I have an RX with 4 or 5 of the excellent lenses for the system, and it is probably my favorite of all my 35mm cameras. I bought mine in excellent condition but the first roll through it only captured half the frame - the common mirror slip. I warmed the mirror and pushed it up, secured it with a couple little dots of glue and it has been awesome every sense. Everyone is always praising Contax’s expensive compact cameras - but the RX IMO is superior and worth way more than they sell for.

I recently took my RX and the C-Z 50mm 1.4 to a museum exhibit of Stradivarius instruments, with some Portra 800 it did a great job in some pretty challenging conditions.
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Alastair Bell replied:

Comment posted: 07/10/2025

Your fix is pretty much what my camera shop told me to do. The only difference being he advised using a needle with a drop of super glue and apply the glue to the join between the mirror and it's mounting frame allowing capillary action to spread the glue under the mirror and anchor it in place. So far it's worked perfectly. It's a lovely camera to use. Solid, quiet and feels quality and the Zeiss lenses are superb - both in image quality and the tactile feel of them.

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Gary Smith on 5 frames in France with a Contax RX

Comment posted: 07/10/2025

The bigger brother to the G1. Looks like you have gelled with it nicely!

Love the shot of St. Michel!

Thanks for your article Alastair!
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Alastair Bell replied:

Comment posted: 07/10/2025

Thanks! Yes it's the 35mm camera I use more than any other. It feels right, it's pretty fool proof and the feel of it is wonderful.

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Omar Tibi on 5 frames in France with a Contax RX

Comment posted: 07/10/2025

Great shots! The first one is especially beautiful, and a touch mystical. When I saw the big "CONTAX" on the title image, I felt I had to look. Contax SLRs are my favorite, and between the beautiful design and the Zeiss C/Y glass, I think it can be argued that they were the peak of manual focus consumer SLRs in their time.

I have an RX body, sadly with a shutter capping issue, but my 167MT shoots like a dream. I've got a small bag of Zeiss primes, and I do most of my shooting with the classic 50/1.4 Planar. Love the way the 167MT feels, and I hope to get the RX CLAed when I have time, since it was even nicer in the hand.

Perhaps thankfully, the influencer hype wave that swept up all of the compact Contaxes, the T and G series, skipped over the SLRs for some reason (because of manual focus?), so just as Paul above said, pretty much all Contax SLRs can be had for far less then they should be worth. Some of the glass too is still a bargain, compared to the similar Leica R mount lenses that go for exorbitant prices.

Have fun shooting and enjoy your RX!
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Alastair Bell replied:

Comment posted: 07/10/2025

Thank you Omar. Definitely get the RX fixed. It has to be one of the nicest feeling cameras I've ever held and the Zeiss lenses are sublime. I look forward to enjoying my RX for many years and look forward to seeing your images once yours is fixed!

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Jeffery Luhn on 5 frames in France with a Contax RX

Comment posted: 07/10/2025

Alastair,
I've never shot with a Contax, but they are often praised for their quality, especially when coupled with a Zeiss lens. I did a quick search online and found the body and lenses to be fairly reasonable. I wish I hadn't seen those eBay offerings. So very tempting!
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Ibraar Hussain on 5 frames in France with a Contax RX

Comment posted: 08/10/2025

Lovely photographs. Mont St Michel reminds me of St. Michaels Mount in Cornwall.
I used ti have the ST (and the Aria) and have owned a RTS II for many years (which I've written about here on 35mmc) I've also shot with an RTS III but never the RX or AX.
I prefer the RTS II to any of the others.
Thanks again.
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Walter Reumkens on 5 frames in France with a Contax RX

Comment posted: 08/10/2025

A very interesting article with beautiful photos. I was not familiar with this Contax RX. Therefore I read detailed information on the Dot Com page of Mike Eckman. GAS damaged I have 3 Contax cameras in my collection, a Contax D from 1952/56 with the Biotar 2/58mm from Zeiss Ikon, an APS camera Contax Tix, less well known and as SLR the Contax RTS with a Carl-Zeiss Planar 50mm. I am satisfied with all cameras, but for price reasons I only have the 3 Zeiss lenses, but more Yashica ML lenses, which in my opinion are on a par. Only much cheaper. A lot of people buy by name, especially Leitz. This RX would of course be a nice addition if it wasn't so big. I still take the good and much smaller, more manageable RTS with me on tour, which still does its job perfectly.

Thanks for the article and I hope you continue to enjoy it.
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Geoff Chaplin on 5 frames in France with a Contax RX

Comment posted: 09/10/2025

I second Gary and others comments about the St Michel shot - absolutely lovely!
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mst jannati akter on 5 frames in France with a Contax RX

Comment posted: 09/10/2025

Fantastic article! I really enjoyed reading about your experience with the Contax RX and the Zeiss lenses. Your descriptions make it clear why film photography has such a tactile and rewarding charm. The Mont St Michel shot is especially stunning! For anyone investing in photography gear and also considering protecting their equipment and health, resources like https://insuredirect.com
can be quite useful. Thanks for sharing these insights and inspiring images!
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