Okay, you've got to believe me that I wasn't planning this - actually, apart from a few replacements and spares, I wasn't intending any major acquistion for the time being. And in a way, this isn't one - because I got this for way less money than it's worth, even if the set is missing some (minor) parts:
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This is a Contax S2 Titan "60 Years" anniversary edition including the T* coated Carl Zeiss Tessar; I have the original box and even the strap (minus some plastic loops), though strangely (or maybe unavoidably), the lens cap is missing.
The S2 was Kyocera's answer to the Nikon FM2 - 1/4000s, fully mechanical, bright, uncluttered viewfinder (in this case, even with a magnifier thrown in!), sophisticated minimalism at its most refined. Now, don't get me wrong, this is no semi-pro body like the FM2 (no winder, no aperture display in the viewfinder), but simply a very usable, very well made camera *in near mint condition* (the only usage marks are slight aberrations on the bottom).
Now, some of you may already know that I'm a total Tessar nut - I'm inclined to pay too much (and keep spending until it's fully satisfactory) if Tessars are involved. Well, I didn't have to in this case: I got the whole set for a price that makes the fantastic camera appear like a slightly expensive rear cap for the lens - less than $300 according to today's exchange rate! And as for the lens, this is the last true Tessar produced; it's the original formula in a suitably modern incarnation, not some re-branding of some generic lens (like Sony's current "Tessars" that are anything but ...). It's the real deal. This is the lens that Nikon's famous 45mm f/2.8 Ai-P pancake was modeled after!
I'll let you guys see the results once they're in; this camera will be used, not locked away (it's probable that it has been displayed - that explains the condition as well as the fact that the original cap is missing - it's usually removed to show off the lens). The only precaution I'll take is that I'll actually put a nice strap (not the original) on this gem - no careless handling allowed in this case.
M.