The Contax 137MA

The 137MA was the answer to the one complaint about the 137MD, namely the lack of a manual operation setting. The addition of the manual setting on the already cluttered layout on the left side spoiled the nice design of the 137MD, though. Both are very solid and reliable cameras, and are the only integrated-motor drive Contax cameras with leather coverings! All the newer ones have rubber coatings. The winder was improved from 2 to 3 frames per second, which made it the fastest on the market at the time. No changes were made to the viewfinder from the 137MD model.
SPECIFICATIONS:
TYPE: 35mm direct drive SLR featuring auto and manual exposure; TTL auto flash control.
IMAGE SIZE: 24 x 36mm
LENS MOUNT: Contax/Yashica mount.
SHUTTER: Quartz-timed, electronically controlled horizontal travel, cloth focal plane type.
SHUTTER SPEEDS: Semi-continuously variable from 11 sec. to 1/1000 sec. on Auto, 13 settings of 1 sec. to 1/1000 X (1/60) and B on Manual.
SYNCHRO CONTACT: X contact (160th sec) and Direct X contact.
ELECTRONIC SELF-TIMER: Quartz-timed, electronic self-timer with precise 10 sec. delay. LED flashes to indicate operation, accelerates 2 sec. before shutter is released.
SHUTTER RELEASE: Real Time Electromagnetic Release System featuring quartz-timed operating sequence. Remote release on front.
EXPOSURE CONTROL: TTL center-weighted with SPD sensor. EV 0 to 18. Film speed ASA 12 to 3200. Coupled to main switching circuit to turn metering on.
EXPOSURE COMPENSATION: +-2EV by rotating exposure compensation dial. Click stops at 1/4X (-2), 1/2X (-1), 1X (0), 2X (+1), 4X (+2) with intermediate settings.
AE LOCK: Using main switch, exposure is held in memory.
FLASH EXPOSURE CONTROL: Direct TTL metering with TLA units. SPD sensor detects reflection off of the film plane and regulates light output of flash. Synch, at 1/60 sec.
VIEWFINDER: Eye-level penta-prism; field shows 95% of picture area. Magnification of .86x
FOCUSING SCREENS: Horizontal split prism standard. Not interchangeable
VIEWFINDER DISPLAY: 16 LED shutter speed display shows speeds, over and under exposure indications, mark shows flash charged, flash intensity adjustment indication, aperture scale, exposure counter, exposure compensation warning LED, shutter speed LED's flash to indicate AE lock.
FILM ADVANCE: Fully automatic with Real Time Direct Drive using micro-motor, single exposure or continuous at up to 3FPS.
FILM REWIND: Film rewind crank-handle with clutch action, and film rewind release button (under a cover on top of camera).
EXPOSURE COUNTER: One on the body, and one in viewfinder. Automatic resetting type.
MULTIPLE EXPOSURES: Depression of the film rewind button on top.
ACCESSORY SHOE: Direct X contact and TLA contacts.
CAMERA BACK: Opens by pulling film rewind knob all the way out. Provided with memo holder. Removable.
MAIN LAMP: Indicates when power is turned on with red LED. Lights green for battery check, flashes red for self-timer.
DEPTH-OF-FIELD PREVIEW BUTTON: Button type.
MIRROR LOCK: None provided.
POWER SOURCE: 4 AA penlight batteries. Switched.
BATTERY CHECK: Indicated via green LED on top of camera via main switch.
OTHER FEATURES: LED for Data Back.
SIZE AND WEIGHT: 143mm x 92.5mm x 51mm. 665 grams with batteries.