They didn't stop making them because they were crappy cameras--just like Leica didn't stop making the M3 because it sucked; or Hasselblad, the original 500 series.
Technology accelerated the demise of the Contax line. For many photographers, DSLR's make more sense and offer more value, and can do much of what the Contax (with film or a digital back) can do, at greater value.
I own the Contax 645 and most of the lenses and accessories, along with a creaky old Kodak ProBack. It is a fabulous camera and the back is quite workable within its limitations.
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I've shot a billion frames with mine and have no issues, other than the battery use is semi high (2 a day under very heavy shooting) and the flash sync between 1/90th to 1/125th depending on the flash duration.
The viewfinder with the prism and a 1.26 crop is somewhat small compared to the HY6 and the H1, even a little smaller than the new Mamiya.
Other than that they are built like a tank and the lenses are amazingly sharp, actually too sharp for a lot of my work.
In fact if the new Mamiya had the build quality, fast lenses, right angle grip and removable prism like the Contax there would be banner headlines. They are the only medium format camera with a digital interface that has a right angle grip.
Given all of this would I recommmend it today? Probably not. The viewfinder and flash sync can really get in the way, even in studio in controlled conditions.
Will I sell them today. Probably not, Probably never. Overall they do the job really well, the right angle grip makes a day of vertical shooting easy and I love the fact they have real shutter and f stop controls.
You can easily handhold an 80mm and 1/30th and keep everything sharp. They are very smooth.
With the Phase backs they are bulletproof. I rarely have a crash or a miscommunication.
When we work with outside techs they always end the day amazed we have no connection issues.
The secret to this is to keep the contacts clean and polished. We do it before every project.
Now I don't know this as fact, but I've been told there are two firmware versions of the Contax. The early one had higher battery use, the later ones less. Once again, there are no facts on this.
I have 4 bodies and all pretty much act the same.
The two things to look out for are the sound. You can tell if a Contax is worn out because the mirror will make a more pronounced slapping noise. Not that it effects the image, it just doesn't sound as smooth.
The second thing is the way the prism mounts on the body. Under rough use it will crack the mounts on the prims or if someone yanks the camera up by the prism. You can't tell it's cracked, but you will connection issues if it is. When traveling we take the prisms off the body and have no issues with breaking.
Don't misread this as you have to be gentle with these cameras because overall they are very, very, strong.
Still, for the money there a hell of a deal.
JR
