Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Medium Format / Film / Digital Backs – and Large Sensor Photography => Topic started by: Henry Goh on October 24, 2006, 01:43:13 am
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Hi everyone,
I never paid any attention to Contax in the past as I have always used V system Hasselblads and never even considered AF. Contax no longer exist as a company. However, I've come to know that there are still stockists in Asia that have brand new units of Contax 645AF with lenses and accessories. How long ago did they stop production?
My question is were the Contaxes reliable and robust in the first place? Are they still a viable system to use with the current Leaf and Phase backs? Would people still go for Contax as a platform even though there is no longer a company to support it? Can the camera outlast the back anyway?
Thanks for your insights.
Henry
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You need to talk to James Russell on this one, as he is staunch proponent of the Contax 645 system. I'm sure I'll be corrected, but I think the 645 stopped production around 18 months ago. Advantages include AF and DB compatibility (no external cables, unlike the Hassy V system), and of course the Zeiss lenses. Seems to be a very robust system at a price point that is extremely reasonable.
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It's a much loved system, and I don't remember reading about any bugs. Only drawbacks are the fact that production has stopped, and the slow flash sync speed. The fact that production has stopped doesn't prevent the cameras from working well for many years to come, however!
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You need to talk to James Russell on this one, as he is staunch proponent of the Contax 645 system. I'm sure I'll be corrected, but I think the 645 stopped production around 18 months ago. Advantages include AF and DB compatibility (no external cables, unlike the Hassy V system), and of course the Zeiss lenses. Seems to be a very robust system at a price point that is extremely reasonable.
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a] (http://index.php?act=findpost&pid=81938\")
There are no real issues with the Contax, other than prices seem to be rising. All of the main lenses are available and the autofocus is accurate.
With the Hasselblad adapter and a zork adapter, I have 10 leness from Zeiss, Hasselblad, Pentax and the Hareblei titl shift. [a href=\"http://ishotit.com/superrotator/]http://ishotit.com/superrotator/[/url]
Never had a camera or lens go down and their reputation with rental houses and in the field is good and has been for years.
It has a digital interface so it requires no cords or connectors and the only downside is for some back manufactuerers you have to wait a little longer to get your chosen back for the system.
The upside is there is no new firware or lens screws that have to be checked.
It is very stable tethered and untethered with the Aptus 22 and 65. Unlike the H series hasselblad you rarely have to restart the camera.
The lenses are sharp the right angle grip is absolutely perfect.
Like any system there are a couple of quirks. It goes to sleep and must be awaken by touching the shutter (which becomes second nature) and the battery usage is a little high.
I go through 1 1/2 cr5's in a very heavy day of shooting.
JR
http://www.jamesrussellphotography.com (http://www.jamesrussellphotography.com)
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A colleague of mine just purchased 2 bodies and a 34-45-80-120Makro-150 and 210 lens kit!
All for around $12.000 US and in either new or mint condition.
He's using it with a P25.
Make sure you get the battery grip as well as this camera loves batteries!
Otherwise a great system,apart from the low sync speed.
For myself I'll be going the Hy6 direction!
Cheers,
Willem.
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I just started shooting with a P30 and a Contax 65 system. I got the Contax system (body, prism, and 80mm, 35mm, and 140mm lenses) for less than $3500. It's a great system; I owned one many years ago and loved it and am finding it still quite good now that I'm shoting with it again. I'll be doing a complete write-up of this system in the near future, but for now, I'll just say I'm quite pleased with it. I may or may not go for a Hy6 when it's available, but for now, I'm diggn' the Contax.
A colleague of mine just purchased 2 bodies and a 34-45-80-120Makro-150 and 210 lens kit!
All for around $12.000 US and in either new or mint condition.
He's using it with a P25.
Make sure you get the battery grip as well as this camera loves batteries!
Otherwise a great system,apart from the low sync speed.
For myself I'll be going the Hy6 direction!
Cheers,
Willem.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=81963\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
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Thank you everyone. This has been a most useful thread for me.
Looks like the 2 points I need to accept are slow flash sync and its eating up of batteries, but not too big issues compared with an unstable platform.
Really grateful for all your help.
Henry
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I just started shooting with a P30 and a Contax 65 system. I got the Contax system (body, prism, and 80mm, 35mm, and 140mm lenses) for less than $3500. It's a great system; I owned one many years ago and loved it and am finding it still quite good now that I'm shoting with it again. I'll be doing a complete write-up of this system in the near future, but for now, I'll just say I'm quite pleased with it. I may or may not go for a Hy6 when it's available, but for now, I'm diggn' the Contax.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=81980\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
William, where did you buy that stuff for $3500?
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I got the Contax body + 80mm lens on eBay. I got the other two lenses from Samy's Camera. Keh.com also has some good deals on Contax equipment.
William, where did you buy that stuff for $3500?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=81987\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
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If you look around you really can get great deals on contax stuff..usually getting it from photographers as opposed to overpriced 'stores' on or off line.
I have managed to put together a body, back, prism, wlf, polaroid back, grip, and 35, 45, 45 shift, and 80mm lenses all for under $5k.
It really is a great system with top notch glass that works wonderfully well in all conditions wether shooting quick (in mf terms) or slow.
The only drawbacks I see is the slower flash synch speed (if that is a problem to you) and the lesser availability of digital backs to hire.
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biggest problem is that the prices are going beserk:
$700 for a waist level finder,
and take a look at this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...65736&rd=1&rd=1 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=016&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=260044665736&rd=1&rd=1)
The lenses are pretty good, though the 80mm is not any good till f4
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Well, I am surprised that prices are getting so high. Likely due more to people not selling, and renewed intered because of the new crop of backs. People should make sure they go to 'advanced' to get worldwide ebay options as well.
Also, spread the word to Boris at Arsenal, Kurland (NY) and KEH etc the people who cover the used market.
That said, I have two systems, with prism and waist level, also film and kodak, P25 and P45 backs, and in four years I have had not one issue. Seems prertty reliable stuff.
That includes the flaskes, and synch for stobes and wireles that work quite well.
Biggest advantage is that Hassey lenses seem to work almosrt better on the Contax (if you get in the right exposure range) Of course, even the F lenses work.
Now, about those hassey LENS prices. They are going up too!
Victor
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so how do I use hasselblad lenses on my contax?
obviously we are talking V series lenses here, but - all/any V series lens?
which adapter works well?
I presume its manual aperture too?
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I love the Contax 645 and use it with a tethered Sinarback 54H. The build quality, balance, controls and lenses are excellent. It feels like a "real" camera to me. I am a pretty recent convert to this system, having come from the Hasselblad V system. I do miss the square format and hate the proportion of a 35mm frame but 645 has been easy to adapt to.
It's not easy or cheap changing systems and I put a lot of thought into it but i figured I can get at least 5 years out of the Contax and have a reliable digital platform. In five years who knows where things will evolve and what companies will still be in business.
Slow sync speed is probably the biggest downside as everyone has noted. Only you can decide how much it will interfere with your work.
The 35mm lens is incredible with a 645 sensor but I've noticed that these are getting harder to find and more expensive now.
Good luck with your decision. I know how hard it is. It has never been so confusing.
Am I the only one here using a Sinarback??
Frank Poole
www.frankpoole.com
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I love the Contax 645 and use it with a tethered Sinarback 54H. The build quality, balance, controls and lenses are excellent. It feels like a "real" camera to me. I am a pretty recent convert to this system, having come from the Hasselblad V system. I do miss the square format and hate the proportion of a 35mm frame but 645 has been easy to adapt to.
It's not easy or cheap changing systems and I put a lot of thought into it but i figured I can get at least 5 years out of the Contax and have a reliable digital platform. In five years who knows where things will evolve and what companies will still be in business.
Slow sync speed is probably the biggest downside as everyone has noted. Only you can decide how much it will interfere with your work.
The 35mm lens is incredible with a 645 sensor but I've noticed that these are getting harder to find and more expensive now.
Good luck with your decision. I know how hard it is. It has never been so confusing.
Am I the only one here using a Sinarback??
Frank Poole
www.frankpoole.com
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a] (http://index.php?act=findpost&pid=82133\")
If you were careful and bought a good shape Contax system today and in 9 months decided to go with the HY6 or an H2, I would imagine you could sell the contax for what you paid today.
I also would imagine leaf and Sinar will be agressive and fair about moving your Contax mount to thier HY6 mount. (I am just guessing on this).
Consequently if you buy a new 1ds2 today and sell it in 9 months to a year, you'll lose about 1/2 of the value.
JR
[a href=\"http://www.jamesrussellphotography.com]http://www.jamesrussellphotography.com[/url]
P.S. The only downside to this is after a year of using the Contax you probably won't change systems.
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Henry, I bought into Contax about six months before they announced its demise. My plan was to shoot film until I could afford a digital back. Since then I've accumulated most of the system's lenses and a slew of accessories, plus a spare body. I have not regretted the decision one bit; the system is ergonomic, rugged, and reliable, and I've been blown away by the images this system will make for the photographer with some regard for craft. Battery life hasn't been a factor for me: I use the MP-1 anyway with NiMH rechargeables, and recently started using the Li+ rechargeable 2CR5's internally. (They are especially handy in being little affected by the cold.) I've not yet found the "slow" flash sync speed limiting, but I can see the point.
I track prices closely on that auction site; certain accessories command irrationally high prices (waist level finders for >$600 are not uncommon.) The 35mm and 120mm lenses are scarcer and more expensive, while it seems you can barely give away the 80mm (the "kit" lens for this system) and 210 (it has an undeserved reputation as a real dog.) If you can find a 350mm it'll cost you; they've appreciated about 10 or 15% in the 5 months since I bought mine. Ballpark, lone backs go for $800-1000 or so; kits for $1500-1700 range. Otherwise, price fluctuations seem to be cyclical; haven't figured out the rhyme or reason for this. There was a peak just before photokina, apparently due to rumors swirling of a Contax renaissance that failed to materialize.
The system's termination threw the digiback picture into confusion--for how long would digital back makers continue to support a "dead" system? I know Phase has thru the P45; others can speak to its availability in contax mount. (What about the other makers, folks?) It's certainly rational, as a number of photographers have done--not just Michael R--to balk at plunking down P45-level dough on a "dead" system's mount, and to switch to the Hassy. You do hear those guys mourning their Contaxes, though, and Hassy has p***ed a lot of them off with its latest moves.
I began shopping for a used Kodak ProBack in the spring. At the time it was the only one available in my price range. Prices in the Contax mount have been significantly higher than in hassy or mamiya mount, and the backs have been very hard to come by--I've seen none at all there for the last five months or so.
I've been quite satisfied with the image quality of the back, if not with some of its operational quirks. (Try shooting skateboarding photos with this rig! ) Lately I've seen Aptus 17 refurb backs going for around $7500. In retrospect this would have been a smarter purchase than the kodak back. What can you do except do the best you can when it's time to act?
Sorry to ramble on so. To summarize: it's a great system; it's still available, though prices will fluctuate. Should be able to find a few refurb or new digital backs for the camera. I figure that I'll use mine for the next 3 to 5 years or so or until something irreplaceable breaks. (I'm not a full-time pro, and can afford this lower level of certainty.) By then there'll be a Hy6 or something better with my name on it.
Best of luck,
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Thanks again guys!
Really great to hear such positive feedback from users.
How the hell did the company go bust? If they were still producing, I'm sure they will be the first choice platform for MFDB, No?
Henry
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Thanks again guys!
How the hell did the company go bust? If they were still producing, I'm sure they will be the first choice platform for MFDB, No?
Henry
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=82206\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
The same way Hasselblad would if they followed the business model being advocated here. Sell cameras and lenses at low margins to photographers who buy other companies digital backs with high margins.
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I sold all my contax stuff to buy a Hassy H2 system. I had the 35mm, 55mm, 80mm, 120mm makro, 140mm and 210mm. I am concerned that within a few years, it will be almost impossible to get replacement parts or repairs. I was also concerned that when investing so much for a digital back, I would have be putting myself in a corner getting a contax designed back. Of course a similar situation may be coming up with Hassy if they stop the H2 line.
In addition, the hard to find contax items were skyrocketing. The best examples were the waist level finders that were selling new for 250 about 6 or 7 months ago are now well over 500-700 dollars. The 120mm makro and 35mm lenses as mentioned are also becoming harder to find. I had purchased a contax bellows for 1400 dollars and then decided i did not like it. So i put it on ebay a few weeks later and it sold for about 3400 dollars. This is nuts.
I was and still am extremely impressed with their optics but have real concerns about buying this system at the present time. I know that many folks may feel differently. Mark
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I have been using Contax 645 since its introdction until today and never had any problem. With all the lenses from 645 as well as some from Hasselblad CF or FE mount all still useful on Contax. I stopping using film and switch to P25 and then now P45, still a perfect camera and very robust, flawless system.
If you were careful and bought a good shape Contax system today and in 9 months decided to go with the HY6 or an H2, I would imagine you could sell the contax for what you paid today.
I also would imagine leaf and Sinar will be agressive and fair about moving your Contax mount to thier HY6 mount. (I am just guessing on this).
Consequently if you buy a new 1ds2 today and sell it in 9 months to a year, you'll lose about 1/2 of the value.
JR
http://www.jamesrussellphotography.com (http://www.jamesrussellphotography.com)
P.S. The only downside to this is after a year of using the Contax you probably won't change systems.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=82137\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
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which hassy>contax adapter do you use Khun?
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which hassy>contax adapter do you use Khun?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=82802\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
I use MAM-1, I got some lense from my old 205TCC and 503CXi - I sold my Hasselblad body but keeps all the lenses. My Contax+P45 works just fine with the 30mm fissheye, 50/2.8 FE, 100/2 FE, 150/2.8FE, 140-280 Schnieider, and the 300/2.8 FE TPP, they all work very nicely with 645 with either auto exposure or manual exposure. The 300/2.8FE TPP is one of the biggest reason I stay with Contax because no other medium digital platform can use this lens. And I ahve been a Contax guy from the RTSIII all the way to N+N Digital, Contax 645 is the only Contax I still keep.
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with the 30mm fissheye, 50/2.8 FE, 100/2 FE, 150/2.8FE, 140-280 Schnieider, and the 300/2.8 FE TPP, they all work very nicely with 645 with either auto exposure or manual exposure.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=82806\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
to be clear, do the Hasselblad FE lenses work on the Contax 645 only in stop-down mode? i guess if you were shooting wide open, there'd be no comproise, but otherwise, you'd have to stop down to meter? if you shot wide open with the 110 FE at f2, do you trust the MAM to be focus-perfect? is the tolerance of manufacture that good? thanks.
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to be clear, do the Hasselblad FE lenses work on the Contax 645 only in stop-down mode? i guess if you were shooting wide open, there'd be no comproise, but otherwise, you'd have to stop down to meter? if you shot wide open with the 110 FE at f2, do you trust the MAM to be focus-perfect? is the tolerance of manufacture that good? thanks.
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a] (http://index.php?act=findpost&pid=82845\")
Dear Mr., Mrs., Miss, Ms., Dr., Name, or may I call you Phaque?
For the Contax I use the MAM 1 for the blad 100 F2, a zoerk for three pentax, a 165 2.8 a 105 2.4 a 135 macro and a Russian Tilt Shift 45mm
Even the 165 2.8 is in focus to the point you pick the eye you want and it's sharp.
Same with the 100 F2.
Maybe I'm lucky but they all come up sharp and I have used the 100 f2 at 4 to 5.6 and focus was not difficult or seemed that dark.
Then again you need to step back a moment and think about what you would use the converted lenses for. Most of my manual lenses I will use close to wide open anyway, except maybe the 135 for a closeup beauty lens.
I doubt if I would put the blad 100 f2 on to stop down to F11 and if I really want to focus easily I stick with the Contax/Zeiss lenses which I have the range of 35= 3.5, 45 2.8, 80-2, 140-2.8, 210-4.
Like any camera the Contax takes some getting use to, and the viewfinder is not the size of an H-1 maybe in real world viewing not that much larger than a 1ds2, UNTIL you are shooting vertical for U.S. page size.
Then you have a much larger image to focus to as you don't have to pull back across the room to fit the page crop.
The Contax is a real cross over camera. With autofocus and sharp standard lenses it works for commerce quite well. For more esoteric work the ability to add different make lenses is really an advantage.
JR
[a href=\"http://www.jamesrussellphotography.com]http://www.jamesrussellphotography.com[/url]
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to be clear, do the Hasselblad FE lenses work on the Contax 645 only in stop-down mode? i guess if you were shooting wide open, there'd be no comproise, but otherwise, you'd have to stop down to meter? if you shot wide open with the 110 FE at f2, do you trust the MAM to be focus-perfect? is the tolerance of manufacture that good? thanks.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=82845\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Phaquer,
Have we met somewhere?
LA, SOBE, NYC, Nashville?
Dancin
Hoka Hay
Aho
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Phaquer,
Have we met somewhere?
LA, SOBE, NYC, Nashville?
Dancin
Hoka Hay
Aho
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=82863\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
I have heard of those magical places but for one. Where is the NYC?
Will I find El Señor Phaque in that place?
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I have heard of those magical places but for one. Where is the NYC?
Will I find El Señor Phaque in that place?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=82872\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
I don't see the point in these type of posts, or these aliases that have cropped up lately.
Personally I think it is like painting graffiti on someone's home.
Why does on line discussion have to always bring up agendas and antics that serve no purpose?
I see some people selling equipment or pushing for trades, dealers giving competing offers, links to competing forums, articles that favor manufacturers, unsubstantuated rumors about established companies, personal attacks and the use of aliases that do nothing but lower the level of discussion.
I may not agree with the rule structure of this site, or even with all of the opinions of the site owner, but this is the only popular public site that offers any real information. What is the purpose of tearing it up?
This is the reason so many talented and experienced photographers stay away from all of the forums, public and private.
James Russell
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I don't see the point in these type of posts, or these aliases that have cropped up lately.
Personally I think it is like painting graffiti on someone's home.
Why does on line discussion have to always bring up agendas and antics that serve no purpose?
I see some people selling equipment or pushing for trades, dealers giving competing offers, links to competing forums, articles that favor manufacturers, unsubstantuated rumors about established companies, personal attacks and the use of aliases that do nothing but lower the level of discussion.
I may not agree with the rule structure of this site, or even with all of the opinions of the site owner, but this is the only popular public site that offers any real information. What is the purpose of tearing it up?
This is the reason so many talented and experienced photographers stay away from all of the forums, public and private.
James Russell
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=82874\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Agree 100% with you, James.
Those posts have nothing to do here. I personnaly do not have anything against anonym postings, as long as they stay neutral and technically informative.
That's what this forum was thought for, isn't it?
I have only joined recently, but like James am asking myself what's the point of these postings.
Aon
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Like many in this particular forum, I moved from RG MF forum to this place when all the nice and talented people left. I sincerely hope that does not happen again over here. If a thread has no real interest to someone, it would best serve all if they just read quietly and let others who are seeking help/knowledge benefit a little. Thank you.
Henry
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For the Contax I use the MAM 1 for the blad 100 F2,
I'm not aware of a Hasselblad 100/ 2.0 can you illuminate me?
merci
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I'm not aware of a Hasselblad 100/ 2.0 can you illuminate me?
merci
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a] (http://index.php?act=findpost&pid=82914\")
I meant the 110 F2
[a href=\"http://www.keh.com/ProductImages/thumbs/HH06999020466.jpg]http://www.keh.com/ProductImages/thumbs/HH06999020466.jpg[/url]
JR
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I don't see the point in these type of posts, or these aliases that have cropped up lately.
Personally I think it is like painting graffiti on someone's home.
Why does on line discussion have to always bring up agendas and antics that serve no purpose?
James Russell
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=82874\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
James,
Once again you hit the nail on the head.
I find all of this stuff childish and unecessary.
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Why does on line discussion have to always bring up agendas and antics that serve no purpose?
ROFL...pretty funny coming from a Fight Clubber where this is the norm.
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Henry, I am also using a Contax 645 for the past several years. I am on my second Leaf back now with it. The platform has been rock solid from the start. In fact, it and the Hassy V system are probably the two most stable platforms out there today. Ironic, I know, but the truth is the truth. Build quality is excellent, and as the others have already said, the lenses are very good indeed. For the money, even at the currently inflated prices on the used market, I don't know how you could possibly do any better than buy a Contax system. If I had to choose a platform today, I would buy another Contax.
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Henry, I am also using a Contax 645 for the past several years. I am on my second Leaf back now with it. The platform has been rock solid from the start. In fact, it and the Hassy V system are probably the two most stable platforms out there today. Ironic, I know, but the truth is the truth. Build quality is excellent, and as the others have already said, the lenses are very good indeed. For the money, even at the currently inflated prices on the used market, I don't know how you could possibly do any better than buy a Contax system. If I had to choose a platform today, I would buy another Contax.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=83176\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Many thanks Chuck.
Seems everyone is happy with Contax as a platform for MFDB. I wonder why investors are not going into whatever is left at Contax and rebuilding that company just for its 645 line. I'm sure it will be a cheaper and surer bet than say Mamiya designing their ZD from scratch.
Henry
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Henry, you might want to do a little research into this story. Kyocera holds the rights to manufacture Contax bodies and they chose to cease production. The company wasn't in trouble, but someone at the top decided to kill off this division. Incredibly, they won't relinquish or sell the rights to allow the brand to continue. You could try sending a few angry letters. I did
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Henry, you might want to do a little research into this story. Kyocera holds the rights to manufacture Contax bodies and they chose to cease production. The company wasn't in trouble, but someone at the top decided to kill off this division. Incredibly, they won't relinquish or sell the rights to allow the brand to continue. You could try sending a few angry letters. I did
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=83190\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Perhaps they will decide to come back when they see they actually have a good asset in Contax. I for one hope they do.
Henry
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Perhaps they will decide to come back when they see they actually have a good asset in Contax. I for one hope they do.
Henry
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=83198\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
As time marches on I think that Kyocera licence is up in a few years.
Still don't understand why Zeiss cant get back franchise from a 'non performance' point of view. Their lawyers were asleep?
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As time marches on I think that Kyocera licence is up in a few years.
Still don't understand why Zeiss cant get back franchise from a 'non performance' point of view. Their lawyers were asleep?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=83825\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
They may be able to get the trademark back for non-performance, but the tools and dies and the patented and unpatented technology may not be available to Zeiss or anyone else unless they buy those assets from Kyocera. My guess is that there is a game of chicken at play. Potential buyers assume that Kyocera should be willing to take a relatively small amount of money for assets that are no longer producing revenue for Kyocera, and Kyocera has to demonstrate a willingness to just sit there until someone meets or at least comes close to its price. What "should" happen is that Phase and Leaf will combine, buy the Contax camera business and become a formidable competitor to Hasselblad's integrated solution. (Kodak was a major player in the MFDB business and made a strategic business decision to get out of it, so owning Leaf must still be viewed internally as non-strategic for Kodak.)
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Hi all,
Haven't been around much lately. Have gone all 4 x 5 all the time and am now selling 52" x 38" prints in a local gallery and through an art consultant. Sales are brisk.
I'm about to list my entire Contax 645 Autofucus system on ebay. Listing starts tomorrow. If anybody is interested I can delay it and we can dicker.
I have the kit with 80mm. Three years old (Like New). 35mm lens (2yr old bought full retail from B&H - Like New), 120 makro (9++), 210 mm (9), battery grip ( Like New never used), flash (Like New never used ), metal hoods: 101, 72, 73 and 74 (Like New). An extra film back with cap and 120/220 insert. (9) Three Duracell batteries I'll throw in and a cabel switch.
Hope I'm not violating forum rules.
Scott Fleming
s_fleming@hughes.net
PS: Give me a break here Michael. You got me into this system and I'll never be able to afford a digi back.
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Scott,
You have mail!
Hi all,
Haven't been around much lately. Have gone all 4 x 5 all the time and am now selling 52" x 38" prints in a local gallery and through an art consultant. Sales are brisk.
I'm about to list my entire Contax 645 Autofucus system on ebay. Listing starts tomorrow. If anybody is interested I can delay it and we can dicker.
I have the kit with 80mm. Three years old (Like New). 35mm lens (2yr old bought full retail from B&H - Like New), 120 makro (9++), 210 mm (9), battery grip ( Like New never used), flash (Like New never used ), metal hoods: 101, 72, 73 and 74 (Like New). An extra film back with cap and 120/220 insert. (9) Three Duracell batteries I'll throw in and a cabel switch.
Hope I'm not violating forum rules.
Scott Fleming
s_fleming@hughes.net
PS: Give me a break here Michael. You got me into this system and I'll never be able to afford a digi back.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=85530\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
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I can't believe I sold the whole thing. :^0
Entire kit. Obviously I did not do adequate price research and I've left some money on the table here but ... c'est la vie. It's going to a good home and has come to the end of it's abondonment by me ;^}
How I loved that curvacious glass and ample body in my hands. But I had to have the film real estate of the 4 x 5. If somebody dies and leaves me enough money to go out and buy a P45 any time soon I'm gonna regret this sale but then that would be old territory for me. I'v been broken hearted before and I'll be broken hearted again I'm sure.
Off to the post office I go.
PS: Thanks Michael
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well Michael wioll you indulge one more contax 645 seller I have the kit plus flash tla 360 the 45 and the 145 lenses and an extra back thanks David
I can't believe I sold the whole thing. :^0
Entire kit. Obviously I did not do adequate price research and I've left some money on the table here but ... c'est la vie. It's going to a good home and has come to the end of it's abondonment by me ;^}
How I loved that curvacious glass and ample body in my hands. But I had to have the film real estate of the 4 x 5. If somebody dies and leaves me enough money to go out and buy a P45 any time soon I'm gonna regret this sale but then that would be old territory for me. I'v been broken hearted before and I'll be broken hearted again I'm sure.
Off to the post office I go.
PS: Thanks Michael
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=85606\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
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Experience is the finest teacher that I have learned from and theory guides me to the best probability where I can start my application. However, without resources the first two elements cannot be carried out and from this point I see the advantage of every medium format systems serving the finest resources for us to learn and to get final results from our images. A personal customized and integrated system yields the flexibility; it relects the freedom for the photographers to choose the most fitting tool for their applications. Up to date there is no system by itself can give us the flexibility of tools and thus I choose to adapt many different systems to a personal integrated system.
From a personal experience, I find the Contax 645 system to be the most attractive system for me. It provides some of the optics that I love most in term of characteristics from the lens. In addition, the camera system also provides me to adapt other medium format resources and the biggest resource comes from Hasselblad V system, which has a long and reliable history.
I am like everyone else love to see new and better products in the market. However, I believe we are still sitting in a transitional time of film and digital sensor and not one single system will serve our best interest. At this point in time, I see there are plenty of resources for us to use. Perhaps it should not be pure anticipation but we should look back in history and start to integrate our own system. One last point, fear is the anti experience.
-Son
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I defer to Son on broader understanding, but my experience with Contax 645 has also been quite positive. It beats H2 and H555 in my mind since both H 500 and 200 as welland Contax 645 lenses are usable.
Also, with proper mounting exposure works, as well as focus confirmation. I find the focus confirmation actually MORE useful for critical work than fullAF.Others are finding this wit Leica lenses as well.
regards
Victor
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I defer to Son on broader understanding, but my experience with Contax 645 has also been quite positive. It beats H2 and H555 in my mind since both H 500 and 200 as welland Contax 645 lenses are usable.
Also, with proper mounting exposure works, as well as focus confirmation. I find the focus confirmation actually MORE useful for critical work than fullAF.Others are finding this wit Leica lenses as well.
regards
Victor
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=86389\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
I think it's interesting that the Contax is gone, but I have never heard the "official" reason why they stoppped production.
Like everyone I've heard rumors, conjecture, though no one has ever said "they lost X numbers of dollars a quarter so they ceased production.
Or Zeiss and Kyocera just didn't get along.
I can't help but think that if the Contax was still in production there would not be a sustainable market for it.
JR
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QUOTE(PhaqueName @ Oct 29 2006, 07:32 PM)
to be clear, do the Hasselblad FE lenses work on the Contax 645 only in stop-down mode? i guess if you were shooting wide open, there'd be no comproise, but otherwise, you'd have to stop down to meter? if you shot wide open with the 110 FE at f2, do you trust the MAM to be focus-perfect? is the tolerance of manufacture that good? thanks."
I sold my Hasselblad 205FCC bodies and purchased the Contax system. I also purchased the adapter to allow the usage of F/FE lenses with Contax.
No auto focusing (don't use anyway) and no auto exposure. You do have to stop down to have the lenses work well.
I ended up selling the Hassy lenses in favor of getting Contax (Zeis glass) lenses that were made to work with the Contax.
This camera has been a stellar performer. I purchased another camera system as back up (for around $1,500 like new) and now can't believe the prices that this stuff is being sold on Ebay.
The only question in my mind is long term (especially the digital back support) is Phase One or any other back going to continue to support digital backs for this system.
The images from the Contax/Phase One P25 are great. I enlarge my images for gallery display up to 24 x30 or panoramics 24x60 with exceptional results.
If I was starting fresh I would probably now purchase the H3 system and the lenses??? (Only because Hasselblad is still in business)
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QUOTE(PhaqueName @ Oct 29 2006, 07:32 PM)
If I was starting fresh I would probably now purchase the H3 system and the lenses??? (Only because Hasselblad is still in business)
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a] (http://index.php?act=findpost&pid=86408\")
I hear this all the time that Hasselblad wins by default.
As far as we know, Mamiya still makes cameras but the 645 is pretty much off the list of most people because it feels cheap, the lenses are lego construction (sharp or not) and If I had a nickle for everytime someone told me their cameras got an error message I could buy a house next to Cher in Malibu.
The blad is ok, but I don't understand that mirror distortion in the viewfinder. Stick a person's head in the corner and it looks like a fun house mirror. The file is ok but man, what a brain breaker to look at a stretched forehead and the mirror slap is really unforgiveable. Once again a nickle for every complaint and I could buy Cher's house and evict her.
What a sad state and tells you a lot about our industry and one of the reasons the Contax is still selling, that and the fact that the Contax feels good, has a focal plane shutter and won't jerk everytime you fire a frame.
Knowing this I wouldn't worry too much about buying a back with a contax mount. After all there is no moving firware upgrades so whatever Phase or Leaf figured out two years ago is still good today.
Also from what I'm told mfdb sales for Contax have taken a big jump up and you can buy a Phase back with a contax mount and have it delivered tomorrow. For some reason leaf takes longer.
You can also buy three contax systems in good shape for the price of one hasselblad system and last time I looked everybody still rented Contax gear.
There really is a lesson here that few of the camera manufacturers are looking at.
JR
[a href=\"http://russellrutherfordgroup.com/]http://russellrutherfordgroup.com/[/url]
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Knowing this I wouldn't worry too much about buying a back with a contax mount. After all there is no moving firware upgrades so whatever Phase or Leaf figured out two years ago is still good today.
Jeez James, no firmware upgrades that result in brand new error messages??? What do you do with your time?
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I think it's interesting that the Contax is gone, but I have never heard the "official" reason why they stoppped production.
Actually the Kyocera website says that they just couldn't keep up with rapid strategic developments in the digital camera business, and if you read this forum its not hard to see why! (H3D row).
I have some second hand information from the one time UK dealer for Contax, Robert White. He claimed that the owner of Kyocera, which is principally a high tech ceramics company- they make some pretty amazing stuff- was a very wealthy enthusiast rather than a dedicated camera maker. I believe Leica is also partly owned by such an individual. In other words from a strategic point of view Mr Kyocera (I forget his real name) was buying Contax history, not the futire.
Robert White also did everything he could (successfully) to stop me getting a Contax, citing horror repair stories and lack of support. This is in the UK where the uptake of Contax is much less than in the US. I don't know who repairs them over here or ever did.
It's easy to believe that the Contax is beautifully made when you look at the ceramics products that Kyocera make in their original business (kitchen knives, highly durable parts for textile machinery etc.)
If only there were some real statistics on camera reliability- because otherwise all we have is anecdotes like the above.
Andrew Parker
Blue Window Ltd
Surrey UK
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...Robert White also did everything he could (successfully) to stop me getting a Contax, citing horror repair stories and lack of support. This is in the UK where the uptake of Contax is much less than in the US. I don't know who repairs them over here or ever did.
If only there were some real statistics on camera reliability- because otherwise all we have is anecdotes like the above.
Andrew Parker
Blue Window Ltd
Surrey UK
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=86528\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
That's interesting, Andrew. Contax is my favourite camera brand and I'd love to get the 645 with a good back but I had a bad experience with an RTS2. The back overheated, got too hot to touch, and so I took it in for repair to the official UK place. (Sorry, can't remember their name and I don't know whether they are still the official repairers.) Their attitude was incredible: they quoted a silly price, I could have almost bought a new one for the same amount, and were in no hurry to get it fixed. Fortunately, I wanted the camera for a trip to Japan so I "advised" them that I would be contacting the relevant director at Kyocera to tell him how his products were bing handled in the UK. (I had the resources to do it: my wife is Japanese and get's much angrier than me). This did the trick. Price halved and the repair got done within a week.
Point is, if that's still the case, then a 645, beautiful and well made as it is, would not be a good idea in the UK.
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This camera has been a stellar performer. I purchased another camera system as back up (for around $1,500 like new) and now can't believe the prices that this stuff is being sold on Ebay.
The only question in my mind is long term (especially the digital back support) is Phase One or any other back going to continue to support digital backs for this system.
If I was starting fresh I would probably now purchase the H3 system and the lenses??? (Only because Hasselblad is still in business)
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=86408\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
1. I purchased my Contax 645 kit system new for $3999 when it first came out. Thus, given the MF systems in existence I am not surprise to see the rise in demand again for the Contax 645 system. Given the fact for something that has been discontinued and yet still serving professional photographers well, I am surprise that the market value has not get back to at least close to the original price. For the first time in photography, we see something that is collectible and yet functionally is still one of the best in the market. This is very similar to the Contax/Yashica manual lens for the 35 mm where the Planar T* 1.2/55 100th Jahre and the 1.2/85 50th and 60th Jahre are the best SLR lens that I have tested including Leica-R latest lens.
2. I believe when it comes to MFDB, the niche is small and selective in conjunction to the high expensive price tag of MFDB, Leaf and Phase One should continue to support the Contax 645 system as long as there is enough demand. In addition, let's take the most pessimistic point of view, even if there are no more services available for the Contax 645 system tomorrow, there are plenty of these Contax 645 cameras that would fill a great number of orders for Leaf and Phase One backs. The question is, are there enough Contax 645 users demand for MFDB? It is at this junction is where folks make their subjective thoughts, whether out of fear, passion, or analysis, which leads them to choose one system over another. It is in my believe that you simply cannot go against quality and flexibility whether it is the gear to create art or art itself; it is our nature to drawn to and our passion to love. Thus, we are the engine that move these companies to the direction of their supports.
3. Like James mentioned, Hasselblad H wins by default at the superficial level. I see Hasselblad H system has its own problems which I will not go into to be fair for their business. However, to be fair for Contax 645 system of all the negative comments, Hasselblad existence is also in question and let just leave it as that.
-Son
Philadelphia and LA, USA
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I can't believe I sold the whole thing. :^0
Entire kit. Obviously I did not do adequate price research and I've left some money on the table here but ... c'est la vie. It's going to a good home and has come to the end of it's abondonment by me ;^}
How I loved that curvacious glass and ample body in my hands. But I had to have the film real estate of the 4 x 5. If somebody dies and leaves me enough money to go out and buy a P45 any time soon I'm gonna regret this sale but then that would be old territory for me. I'v been broken hearted before and I'll be broken hearted again I'm sure.
Off to the post office I go.
PS: Thanks Michael
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=85606\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Thank you Scott for selling me the whole kit! I've never bought anything sight unseen
before (at least not such a large purchase). I appreciate your conservative description
of the system, and that you took amazingly good care of it. Your honesty, integrity
and patience reduced my stress considerably.
I'm grateful to Michael as well for allowing this and similar posts to occur on LL. It's a
nightmare trying to piece together a system on ebay. It's sooo much better to acquire it from
another professional. Thank you.
I also want to thank James Russell whose comments about 'buying what's available' hit
home with me. Not to mention his occasional reminders that Contax gear is remarkably
cost effective.
All i need now is a DB ...
Tony
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inspired by this treat and after thinking a while for which mf system i will go for my emotion 22/75 backs, i decided to go the contax 645 way, just bought a 645 kit for € 1400 and will search now lenses and battery grip. maybe the 35/45/140/210 lenses.
never was thinking much bout contax, but after short research and reading here i am convinced.... sure the rollei is fine also, but i prefer the more little 645 systems for less weight and the fast shutter speeds for aereal shooting,- although 1/1000 with the rollei should be fine here also,- not 1/500 what delivers my hassies.
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Hey rehhniar,
Good to see you getting into the contax system..it really is great.
One thing.
With all the extras being so expensive..
I am now using some recharegable cr5 batteries and find them to give much more use than the standard cr5's so you may not need the battery grip if you don't need the AA capability and extra grip.
I know a few others here use them also and seem to like them.
Marc
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i just checked the 2cr5 rechargeable akkus. they have 600ma as biggest sizes as it seems. the normal 2cr5 batteries have 1300 - 1600ma. how many shots are making these rechargeable akkus?
to make the things complete without thinking too much about i ordered the 45/140+210 lense from keh.com aside the kit with the 80/2 lense and 4 of this rechargeable 2cr5 batteries. now i have just some days to wait ..... i paid for the 4 lenses and the body with accessories around $ 4400. not bad for an excellent mf system, as i hope and as you tell.... i think.
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i received the camera and the 4 lenses yesterday. to my surprise there also was included in the camera set, which i bought on ebay, the flash grip, the pola back and the battery grip. everythings in very good condition. i think after short testing that i will love the camera.
its a real modern concept.... incl. 2.curtain sync, writing the lense/shutter/app data to the electronic connector, not any cable to the emotion.....
great alteranative till the HY6 will come out ... and the price is great too.
autofocus seems to be very accurate, the manual override, the focus-fix button, the ael knob ..... everything fits perfect in the hand. i never was working with a modern mf camera, for using this format very little in the past. usually i took 4x5" and 35mm or now my shift camera and the old 500 hassy or the 5d. will be a pleasure to use the contax i think i will do so often....
still couldnt shoot with the digibacks, waiting for the adapter. post slows down so much before christmas...
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Congratulations! I´m sure you will be satisfied, I have used mine for nearly six years without any problems.
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Hi all
I think i will go Contax route, based on what i read here and on some other forums I'm 99% positive about this. Still some Q:
Is there a downloadable manual or brochure (just to check everything while waiting for shipment:)
I'm planing to use it with film for few months, how reliable is metering in this camera?
what are the must have lenses?
extra accessories?
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Hi Filip,
Good to see you here.
here is a link to download the manual..I have not tried it but it should work..
http://www.contaxusa.com/downloads.asp?sec...0&contax=190000 (http://www.contaxusa.com/downloads.asp?section=manuals&itemnum=190000&contax=190000)
best accessory is the wasit level finder if you are used to using one..really nice.
35mm lens is stunning
Marc
(yes Marc from ebay!!)
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http://cgi.ebay.com/Contax-645-W-Kodak-Pro...1QQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/Contax-645-W-Kodak-Pro-Back-Kit-Extras-Super-Clean_W0QQitemZ190068226215QQihZ009QQcategoryZ31388QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
Here is an ebay item for a complete Contax 645 with 120mm macro lens and the Kodak DCS Proback currently at $2,001
Not sure what price this will end up but seems low at this point
Might be a good way to get into mf
I think the back had 40,000 shots
FWIW