I am investigating what Medium Format system would fit most of my needs and have narrowed it down to the Contax 645 and Fuji GX680III. Unfortunatly both are discontinued. The Fuji interests me for camera movements but the Contax is a portable system.
My main question about the Contax is vibration when using for macro.
I plan on using the 120mm macro lens with a multi-shot back (eyelike or imacon) and need the shots vibration free. Since the Contax 645 uses a focal plane shutter will this cause more vibration compared to something like a leaf shutter used on a Hasselblad lens?
Thanks
The shutter is the least of your vibration problems with these cameras for use with a multi-shot back. Neither of these cameras will keep the mirror locked up for the sequence of shots, and it will repeatedly bounce up and down between the shots. The mirror bounce is way more vibration than a shutter curtain. So, with these cameras, you must physically tape the mirror in the up position, in order to eliminate this movement, and rely on live view focusing tethered to a computer.
Now, assuming you will be doing this, the concern about vibration is really moot. Technically, the leaf shutter on the FUji lenses will be less vibration due to its smaller size. In practice, I have done sixteen shot images with the Contax 645, and shutter vibration has not been a problem. Furthermore, for macro work, you can add a bellows accessory to give you movements with the Contax 645. So, your problem really comes down to whether you want a smaller more portable system, or a larger one with integrated capability of movements. Either of these cameras is capable of the quality you are seeking with regard to multishot with the proper technique.