The Contax S2 is a deliberately pure mechanical SLR from the 1990s, made when most brands were chasing automation. Its personality is simple: a tough body, manual focus, manual exposure and Carl Zeiss lens compatibility.

The S2 is famous for its spot-meter approach. Instead of trying to make every decision for you, it asks you to meter carefully and think about tone, which makes it feel more like a photographer's instrument than a convenience camera.

It is best for someone who wants the Zeiss/Yashica mount world with a stripped-back, tactile body. It rewards slower work, careful light reading and beautiful prime lenses.

It is beginner friendly only if you want to learn. There is no autofocus or program mode safety net, but that is also why it teaches exposure so clearly.

A 45mm, 50mm or 35mm Zeiss prime is the natural match. The camera body is simple enough that the lens character becomes the star.