Contax RTS
The Contax RTS is a 35mm film SLR introduced in 1975 as the first body in the Contax/Yashica bayonet system, developed in collaboration with Carl Zeiss. It was positioned as a professional manual-focus body designed around the new range of Zeiss T* prime lenses.
UK auction data for the Contax RTS is thin: a single hammer result of £75 was recorded in July 2025 at saleroom level (wholesale, before commission). On that limited evidence, today's typical worth sits around the £75 mark for a working body, though a wider price range cannot be reliably stated and condition has a strong influence on what an example sells for.
Variants
Select a variant to filter the sales history below.
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| black | — | — | 3 | £80 – £133 |
| gold | — | — | 1 | £1,141 – £1,141 |
Sales History
Prices shown are realised prices — auction results and completed eBay sales, never asking prices. Most saleroom figures are hammer prices, before commission; some houses publish a premium-inclusive figure, and we do not adjust for condition. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher. How this figure is calculated.
Prices updated: August 2026
| Date | Price | Value GBP | Source | Variant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2026 | £133 | £133 | 🇬🇧 eBay | black | |
Title: [READ] [Near MINT] Contax RTS 35mm SLR Film Camera Body w/Winder W-3 JAPAN
Description:
Above condition is based on my own opinion. No problem in the view. There is no scratches. Weekends are not available because office is closed. There is no large dusts. There is no balsam separation. Location: Saitama Shi Nishi Ku, SAITAMA, Japan |
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| Aug 2026 | £80 | £80 | 🇬🇧 eBay | black | |
Title: Contax RTS 35mm SLR Film Camera Body, Battery Fitted, New Light Seals, Working
Description:
New light seals have been fitted and it has a battery inside. Location: Lewes, United Kingdom |
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| Aug 2026 | £38 | £30 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 62) Title: A Contax RTS 35mm SLR Camera & Motor Drive
Description:
black, serial no. 116417, body F-G, shutter & meter working when battery is inserted, together with a Contax Data Back, Contax Professional Motor (Qty: 1) |
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| Aug 2026 | £162 | £130 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 101) Title: A Demonstration Model Contax RTS 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black with gold base plate, serial no. 080039, body VG, shutter working when battery is inserted, together with a Yashica ML 50mm f/1.4 lens, body (Qty: 1) |
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| Aug 2026 | £56 | £45 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 139) Title: A Contax RTS 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, body VG, shutter works, with a Yashica DSB f/1.9 50mm lens, barrel VG, optics G-VG, with battery grip. |
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| Jul 2026 | £100 | £100 | 🇬🇧 eBay | black | |
Title: Contax RTS 35mm Film Camera Body #041016 & Real Time Winder #019136
Description:
I've used the winder once and it does work as expected. I've bought it used and shot a few films with the 35mm 2.8. I didn't experience any light leakage. Location: London, United Kingdom |
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| Jul 2026 | £94 | £75 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 168) Title: A Contax RTS 35mm SLR Camera & Motor Drive
Description:
black, serial no. 027805, body F-G, shutter & meter working when battery is inserted, with Contax Data Back, red check LED illuminates when battery (Qty: 1) |
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| Jul 2026 | £75 | £60 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 167) Title: An Unusual Contax RTS 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, serial no. 095647, body F-G, with taller shutter button shroud & shutter speed dial lock, similar to Sci/Med Contax RTS, but with all other (Qty: 1) |
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| Jul 2026 | £62 | £50 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 166) Title: A Contax RTS 35mm SLR Camera & Motor Drive
Description:
black, body F, shutter & meter working when batteries are inserted, together with a Contax Professional Motor Drive, Contax PMD Power Pack, & Contax (Qty: 1) |
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| Jul 2026 | £81 | £65 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 170) Title: A Contax RTS Specialist Scientific/Medical 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, serial no. 089775, with raised shutter button collar, shutter speed locking button to front plate, & quick release battery terminal cover, (Qty: 1) |
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| Jul 2026 | £62 | £50 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 169) Title: A Contax RTS 35mm SLR Camera & Motor Drive
Description:
black, serial no. 098991, body F-G, shutter & meter working when battery is inserted, together with a Contax Real Time Winder, working when batteries (Qty: 1) |
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| Jul 2026 | £100 | £80 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 165) Title: A Contax RTS 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, serial no. 007592, body G, shutter & meter working when battery is inserted, together with a Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f/1.7 lens, optics G, (Qty: 1) |
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| Jul 2026 | £56 | £45 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 171) Title: A Contax RTS 35mm SLR Camera & Motor Drive
Description:
black, serial no. 011506, body G, shutter & meter working when batteries are inserted, with Contax Real Time Winder W-3, working when batteries are (Qty: 1) |
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| Jul 2026 | £62 | £50 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 164) Title: A Contax RTS Specialist Scientific/Medical 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, serial no. 094351, with raised shutter button collar, shutter speed locking button to front plate, & quick release battery terminal cover, no (Qty: 1) |
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| Jul 2026 | £69 | £55 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 198) Title: A Contax RTS 35mm SLR Camera & Winder - BMW Interest
Description:
black, serial no. 006682, body G-VG, shutter & meter working when batteries are inserted, no engravings to the camera to designate model type, with (Qty: 1) |
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| Jul 2026 | £106 | £85 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 163) Title: A Contax RTS 35mm SLR Camera
Description:
black, serial no. 034705, body G-VG, shutter & meter working when battery is inserted, with Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm f/2.8 lens, optics F, some (Qty: 1) |
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| Apr 2026 | £438 | £350 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 202) Title: A Contax RTS SLR Camera Outfit
Description:
1974-75, black, serial no. 002972, with Carl Zeiss Tessar T* f/2.8 45mm lens, black, serial no. 6713091, body, G, shutter working, with Carl Zeiss |
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| Jul 2025 | £75 | £60 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 78) Title: A Contax RTS 35mm SLR CAmera Body
Description:
black, serial number 005362, body VG, shutter works, with cap. |
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| Jul 2025 | £80 | £80 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services | — | |
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Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 107) Title: A Contax RTS SLR Camera
Description:
A Contax RTS SLR Camera, shutter working, meter responsive, self timer working, body G, ding to top of finder, missing leatherette top of winder, |
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| Aug 2024 | £189 | £150 | 🇬🇧 Chiswick Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Photographica Timed Online (Lot 1037) Title: RARE Contax RTS I/II 250 Film Back & Pro Motor Drive Outfit.
Description:
RARE Contax RTS I/II 250 Film Back & Pro Motor Drive Outfit. Comprising 250 film back, 2x 250 film magazines, bulk film loader, W-6 Pro Motor Drive, ... read more |
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| Jan 2021 | £81 | £65 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Cameras, Scientific & Collectables (Lot 380) Title: A Contax RTS SLR Body
Description:
black, body, F-G, shutter working |
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| Nov 2018 | EUR 1,300 | £1,146 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 33 (Lot AI_33_36741) Title: Contax RTS Gold '50th Anniversary'
Description:
like new and very rare Contax RTS gold (no.15 of only 100 cameras) produced for the 50th Anniversary of Contax with matching Planar 1.4/50mm no.6453815, golden cap, strap, eyecup, papers, in wooden presentation box Estimate: EUR 2,000 - EUR 2,400 |
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| Nov 2015 | £85 | £85 | 🇬🇧 Special Auction Services (archive) | — | |
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Auction: Express Camera & Music Auction Thursday 19th November 2015 at 10:00 Lots 1-343 Cameras Lots 344-487 Music (Lot 66) Title: A Contax RTS SLR Camera
Description:
A Contax RTS SLR Camera, with Carl Zeiss Planar T* f/1.4 50mm lens, together with various accessories (a lot) Estimate: £70 - £100 |
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| Nov 2014 | EUR 1,000 | £791 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 26 (Lot AI_26_30841) Title: Contax RTS Gold
Description:
mint and very rare Contax RTS gold with matching Planar 1.4/50mm no.5839909, golden cap, wooden presentation box, maker's box Estimate: EUR 1,200 - EUR 1,500 |
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| Nov 2013 | EUR 1,500 | £1,257 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 24 (Lot AI_24_29355) Title: Contax RTS Gold
Description:
like new and very rare Contax RTS gold (no.25 of only 100 cameras) with matching Planar 1.4/50mm no.6059285, golden cap, certificate, wooden presentation box Estimate: EUR 1,500 - EUR 1,800 |
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| Nov 2013 | HKD 9,000 | £721 | 🇭🇰 Bonhams | — | |
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Auction: The Leica and Classic Camera Sale (Lot 1652) Title: Contax RTS Gold Finish,
Description:
with 50mm f/1.4 Planar lens no. 6059251, special no. E91 Estimate: HKD 10,000 - HKD 15,000 |
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| May 2013 | EUR 1,600 | £1,359 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 23 (Lot AI_23_10386) Title: Contax RTS Gold
Description:
like new and very rare Contax RTS gold (no.10 of only 100 cameras) with matching Planar 1.4/50mm no.6453828, golden cap, strap, eyecup, papers, in wooden presentation box Estimate: EUR 1,500 - EUR 1,800 |
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| Nov 2011 | £240 | £240 | 🇬🇧 Bonhams | — | |
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Auction: Mechanical Music & Cameras (Lot 143) Title: Contax RTS outfit
Description:
Comprising a Contax RTS camera, black, No. 086351 fitted with a Carl Zeiss Planar f1.4/50mm lens No. 6873378, a Sonnar f2.8/135mm lens, No. 6868941 with a Vivitar 1A filter and cap, ever ready case, (worn), infrared controller set, date back, real time winder, split image focussing screen, case extension for 135mm lens, case for camera and real time winder, all except the lenses in original boxes. Estimate: £200 - £300 |
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| May 2011 | EUR 2,200 | £1,931 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 19 (Lot AI_19_12702) Title: Contax RTS Gold
Description:
never used gold plated RTS Edition with gold plated Planar 1.4/50mm T* no.6059292, golden cap, special display stand Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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| May 2009 | EUR 800 | £708 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 15 (Lot AI_15_18630) Title: Contax RTS Gold
Description:
mint and very rare Contax RTS gold (no.26 of 100) with matching Planar 1.4/50mm no.6453797, golden cap, strap, eyecup, papers, in wooden presentation box Estimate: EUR 1,600 - EUR 1,800 |
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| May 2009 | EUR 400 | £354 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 15 (Lot AI_15_18629) Title: Contax RTS Gold
Description:
from the first edition of only 100 gold-plated cameras with lizard skin, in like new condition Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 800 |
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| May 2009 | EUR 1,800 | £1,592 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 15 (Lot AI_15_18628) Title: Contax RTS Gold
Description:
the very first golden RTS from the first edition of only 100 cameras with lizard skin, new with all papers in maker's box Estimate: EUR 1,100 - EUR 1,300 |
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| May 2007 | EUR 550 | £375 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 11 (Lot AI_11_15977) Title: Contax RTS Gold
Description:
3rd camera from the first edition of only 100 gold-plated cameras with lizard skin, new in maker's box with all papers Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 1,000 |
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| Nov 2006 | EUR 420 | £283 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 10 (Lot AI_10_15548) Title: Contax RTS Gold
Description:
from the second edition of only 100 gold-plated cameras with lizard skin, like new condition Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 1,000 |
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| Nov 2006 | EUR 900 | £607 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 10 (Lot AI_10_15546) Title: Contax RTS Gold
Description:
from the first edition of only 100 gold-plated cameras with lizard skin, new in maker's box with all papers Estimate: EUR 1,800 - EUR 2,200 |
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| Nov 2006 | EUR 600 | £404 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 10 (Lot AI_10_15545) Title: Contax RTS Gold Demo
Description:
one of only 10 gold-plated cameras with lizard skin engraved: "FOR DEMONSTRATI0N ONLY CONTAX DIVISION YASHICA JAPAN", Planar 1.4/50mm no.5818278, cap, leather soft case Estimate: EUR 1,200 - EUR 1,500 |
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| Nov 2006 | EUR 500 | £337 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 10 (Lot AI_10_15547) Title: Contax RTS Gold
Description:
from the first edition of only 100 gold-plated cameras with lizard skin, like new condition Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 1,000 |
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| May 2005 | EUR 1,000 | £684 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 7 (Lot AI_7_24653) Title: Contax RTS Gold
Description:
gold plated RTS Edition with Planar 1.4/50mm no.6053205, cap Estimate: EUR 1,200 - EUR 1,500 |
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| May 2004 | £358 | £300 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS, MAGIC LANTERNS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 199) Title: Contax RTS no. 98/100D
Description:
Contax RTS no. 98/100D Estimate: £300 - £500 |
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| May 2003 | EUR 1,600 | £1,141 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | gold | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 2-3 (Lot AI_2_21536) Title: Yashica Contax RTS Gold Edition
Description:
gold finish with matching gold plated Carl Zeiss Planar f/1.4 50mm lens no.6453694, new in wooden box, number 97 of 100 cameras produced Estimate: EUR 1,981 - EUR 97 |
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| Jun 1999 | £747 | £650 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Leica Cameras (Lot 42) Title: Contax RTS (Gold) no. E-91
Description:
Contax RTS (Gold) no. E-91 Estimate: £25 - £200 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Contax RTS worth today?
On the limited UK auction evidence available, a Contax RTS body has sold for around £75 at hammer, though values vary with cosmetic and electronic condition.
How much does a Contax RTS sell for at auction?
The most recent UK saleroom result on file is £75 in 2025; with only one data point, this is indicative rather than a firm market price.
Is the Contax RTS a good buy?
It gives access to Zeiss T* lenses at a low body price, but because the camera is electronically dependent and unserviceable through the factory, buyers should prioritise a tested, fully functional example.