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Contax 159MM 35mm SLR Camera

The Contax 159MM is a film camera from Contax — known for its Contax/Yashica Lens Mount and 35mm Full-Frame Format. Check GearFocus for current availability, with buyer protection on every purchase.

Contax 159MM 35mm SLR Camera

Contax 159MM 35mm SLR Camera

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Camera Overview — Contax 159MM

The Contax 159MM is a 35mm SLR film camera built around the Contax/Yashica lens mount, making it compatible with a wide range of C/Y mount glass. The body is constructed from plastic with a rubberized coating and weighs 520g, with dimensions of 138 x 89 x 55 mm — a compact and manageable form factor for a full-frame SLR. The sensor crop factor is listed as Full Frame (1.0x), meaning whatever lens you attach renders at its native focal length on the 35mm film plane.

ISO sensitivity runs from 12 to 3200, giving shooters flexibility across a broad range of film stocks, from slow fine-grain emulsions to fast high-speed films. Metering and exposure information is communicated through LED indicators in the viewfinder — there is no external LCD or display panel. The viewfinder itself uses an optical pentaprism design for a bright, direct view of the scene.

Flash integration is handled via a standard ISO hot shoe with Contax TLA series capability, supporting TTL flash metering and X-sync at 1/250s. The camera runs on two SR44 (1.55V silver oxide) or two LR44 (1.5V alkaline) batteries, both of which remain easy to source today. There is no image stabilization, no autofocus system — this is a fully manual focus camera — and no wireless connectivity of any kind.

Key Features — Contax 159MM

Contax/Yashica Lens Mount: Compatible with the full range of C/Y mount glass, including Zeiss lenses designed for the Contax system.

35mm Full-Frame Format: Exposes the full 35mm film frame, so every lens renders at its true native focal length.

ISO 12–3200 Range: Covers a wide selection of film stocks, from slow fine-grain emulsions to fast high-speed films.

Manual Focus Only: No autofocus system — the shooter controls focus directly, suited to deliberate, considered shooting.

Optical Pentaprism Viewfinder: Provides a bright, direct optical view of the scene for accurate manual focusing and composition.

TTL Flash with 1/250s X-Sync: Hot shoe supports TTL flash metering and is compatible with Contax TLA series flashes for through-the-lens exposure control.

Camera Specifications — Contax 159MM

Contax 159MM full specifications
SpecDetail
Use CasesTravel, Documentary
TypeFilm
ISO Range12 – 3200
AF SystemManual Focus Only
Image StabilizationNone
DisplayNone (LED indicators in viewfinder only)
ViewfinderOptical pentaprism
Storage MediaOther
Battery2x SR44 (1.55V silver oxide) or 2x LR44 (1.5V alkaline)
Weather SealingNone
Dimensions138 x 89 x 55 mm
Weight520g

Description — Contax 159MM

The Contax 159MM is a 35mm SLR film camera built on the Contax/Yashica lens mount, pairing with a broad range of C/Y mount lenses for fully manual-focus shooting. The body measures 138 x 89 x 55 mm and weighs 520g, built from plastic with a rubberized coating — a practical, grip-friendly construction for extended handheld use. With a Full Frame (1.0x) crop factor, the camera exposes the full 35mm film frame, so every lens performs at its native focal length.

Film ISO sensitivity is adjustable from 12 to 3200, supporting a wide spectrum of film stocks. In-viewfinder LED indicators provide exposure feedback through the optical pentaprism finder — there is no external display on the camera body. Flash shooters will appreciate the standard ISO hot shoe with Contax TLA series compatibility, offering TTL flash metering and X-sync at 1/250s.

Power comes from two SR44 (1.55V silver oxide) or two LR44 (1.5V alkaline) batteries — a common and easily sourced format. There is no image stabilization, no autofocus, and no wireless connectivity, keeping the shooting experience entirely mechanical and deliberate.

Pros — Contax 159MM

  • ✓Full Frame (1.0x) crop factor means all Contax/Yashica mount lenses render at their true focal length on 35mm film
  • ✓Wide ISO range of 12–3200 accommodates a broad selection of film stocks
  • ✓TTL flash metering with X-sync at 1/250s via the standard ISO hot shoe with Contax TLA compatibility

Cons — Contax 159MM

  • ✗Manual focus only — no autofocus system of any kind
  • ✗No weather sealing, making the camera vulnerable to moisture and dust
  • ✗Plastic body construction may feel less robust than metal-bodied alternatives

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Frequently Asked Questions — Contax 159MM

What lenses are compatible with the Contax 159MM?+
The Contax 159MM uses the Contax/Yashica lens mount, as listed in the specifications. This allows it to accept any C/Y mount lens. The camera does not support autofocus, so all lenses must be focused manually regardless of their design.
What batteries does the Contax 159MM require?+
The camera requires two SR44 (1.55V silver oxide) or two LR44 (1.5V alkaline) batteries. Both types are widely available at electronics and photography retailers, making the camera straightforward to power up.
What ISO film speeds does the Contax 159MM support?+
According to the specifications, the camera supports ISO settings from 12 to 3200. This covers everything from very slow, fine-grain films to fast, high-sensitivity emulsions suited to low-light photography.
Does the Contax 159MM have flash support?+
Yes. The camera features a standard ISO hot shoe with Contax TLA series capability, TTL flash metering, and X-sync at 1/250s. This information comes directly from the flashSystem field in the specifications.
Is the Contax 159MM weather sealed?+
No. The specifications explicitly state weatherSealing as 'None.' The body is made of plastic with a rubberized coating, so caution is advised when shooting in wet or dusty conditions.
How does the viewfinder display exposure information?+
The Contax 159MM uses an optical pentaprism viewfinder with LED indicators to communicate exposure data. There is no external display panel on the body — all in-camera feedback is delivered through those in-viewfinder LEDs.

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