what better platform for MFDB can you get for a comparable price?
Probably nothing as well built, including the hasselblad H.
The only issues with the Contax is the prism viewfinder is a somewhat small view, think mamiya df and of course if you need in shutter lenses, they don't exist, though that's becoming less of an issue for us as we have moved so much of our production to constant lighting.
I don't follow used prices, but from time to time go onto KEH which used to have a fairly large supply of contax, though today I think they have one lens, so either the cameras are wearing down, or people just decided to keep theirs and not upgrade to another platform.
Everybody knows the lenses are sharp, the cameras are smooth and the camera has a much different character when used with the waist level finder.
It is a camera you have to become use to. It's very robust, (except th exposed shutter if you change backs and it MUST have constant contact between the prism, the lenses and the back, so all contacts must be kept Cartier polished clean. In autofocus it will also run through batteries and the right angle grip should only be used to finish the set, not as a run until dead system.
The other plus is being focal plane their are so many lenses available, I can't imagine a situation you can't produce a certain look and if you really wanted to go crazy, you can have cinema lens companies make adapters or mounts for about any lens that will cover the frame.
There is also not a 100mm f2 lens other than the Hasselblad F 2 110 which I use, but only from 2.8 on as stopping down and focusing is not easy, wide open it's a snap.
The only other downside is my case is just huge, but that's me, not the average user. You could easily use it as a street camera with an 80 f2. a waist level finder, no right angle grip and a strap.
With a fast back like the p21 it shoots just about as fast and response and medium format film.
I have to admit I'm still amazed that the complete line was closed as they covered rangefinder, medium format and 35mm dslr.
In regards to repairs, the few I've had have been completed well and since I have double everything, it doesn't make it an issue, other than don't expect to walk into your local rental studio's equipment department and ask for a lens if yours packs up, because they don't have them anymore.
Actually, I've gone multiple times and tried and priced all medium format brands, hasselblad, phase, leaf and other than the rear screen, of the newer backs, I don't really need a different system, as I'm not over the moon about a gazillion megapixels anyway.
That's the reason I bought the Leica S2. It allowed me use of my contax lenses, with a little better lcd and made the system more mobile.
Great cameras, but not for everyone.
IMO
BC
