Adapter wanted - Hassy CFV50 to Contax 645 body

[Michael H. Cothran]

I can't seem to find one online. Was wondering if anyone here knew of such a beast? I currently shoot with a Hassy V system, would like to upgrade my original CFV to the new CFV50, but would also like to acquire a Contax 645 system for the CFV50 back. Can it be done?

[bcooter]

For anything, Contax, or Zeiss related contact, [email protected]

Son Minh Pham, Phd.

He's great and knows all the ins and outs.

IMO

BCooter

[Ajoy Roy]

I can't seem to find one online. Was wondering if anyone here knew of such a beast? I currently shoot with a Hassy V system, would like to upgrade my original CFV to the new CFV50, but would also like to acquire a Contax 645 system for the CFV50 back. Can it be done?

Why not get a H4D40.
It is marginally more than the CFV50 ($17,995 vs $16,995). You get a 10% voucher for future purchase, so you get the 80mm lense practically free, and the H4D40 becomes less than CFV50!

Pros :
. Fully autofocus camera, with excellent ISO.
. You can still use the V system lenses
. In built light meter
. the LCD is larger with higher resolution.

Cons :
. 40Mp vs 50MP
. you have to start buying H lenses if you want autofocus
. smaller sensor, crop factor 1.3 vs 1.1

In my opinion, with the bulk of the system costs in the MFDB, there is all the justification for switching from V system to H system, in case you go digital. Of course if you want to shoot film, you still have the V system.

[Dustbak]

AFAIK, it cannot be done. There is no such adapter (from V to Contax). You could go get a CF39 and get adapters for the V & Contax (or a Sinar back with the same adapters).

[Ajoy Roy]

AFAIK, it cannot be done. There is no such adapter (from V to Contax). You could go get a CF39 and get adapters for the V & Contax (or a Sinar back with the same adapters).

A bit of confusion. What I meant that you get the H4D40 and use the V lenses with an adapter.

The user has a V system, and wanted to explore the possibility of using the CFV with contax system. It is unclear whether the contax is there or will be acquired if CFV can be used.

[Michael H. Cothran]

The user has a V system, and wanted to explore the possibility of using the CFV with contax system. It is unclear whether the contax is there or will be acquired if CFV can be used.

Sorry for the confusion. Yes I currently have a nice V system, but would buy a used Contax 645 (with 35, 45-90 lenses to start) if the CFV50 would mount. Not sure why, but the older Contax appeals to me much more than an H system or Phase One/Mamiya. And I'm sure it's aesthetics (and Zeiss lenses) more than anything. I've owned and used Hasselblad for 40 years, and have owned Contax 35mm film cameras since 1981. I'd like to own a Contax 645 with a modern digital back, and was hoping on the CFV50 being adaptable.

Thanks for your responses.
Michael H. Cothran

[Ajoy Roy]

You have a V system. The only reason for getting a Contax is for the AF and inbuilt metering, and I feel the H system is better on both those counts. Why don't you rent an H camera and see if it suits you.
 
As it is, the cost of a body with two lenses and CFV50 is going to be more than that of H4D40 with 2 lenses.

[John R Smith]

I'd like to own a Contax 645 with a modern digital back, and was hoping on the CFV50 being adaptable.

Michael

You can't do it. The V mount on the CFV-50 is built into the back, and is not removable. So even if you could find a V to Contax adaptor, it would put the sensor plane behind where it should be (by the thickness of the adaptor). On Phase and Leaf backs the mounts are removable, so they can be swapped.

John

[JV]

The only reason for getting a Contax is for the AF and inbuilt metering, and I feel the H system is better on both those counts.

+1

Additionally it is much easier to find backs for the H system.  Digital backs for the Contax are more difficult to find and tend to be slightly pricier.  At least that is my experience.  I had both the H1 and the Contax 645, bought a digital back for the H1 and sold my Contax.  Also, if long exposures and flash synchronization is important to you the Contax might not be the best choice either.  That being said, I never had a camera that felt better in my hand than the Contax 645, visually very appealing and a pure joy to work with.

[Cineski]

The only reason I went with Contax 645 was because of the glass.  Just insane and perfect for portraiture.  I do like the new Schneider optics on the Phase One bodies, though.  I do find the Contax system limiting in several areas after having used it for several months, but not severely so.  Only having full stop adjustments for the shutter speed when in manual and I sure wish the aperture ring could be locked into place like the old Hassy are a few drawbacks.  Other than that, the Zeiss glass is quite amazing and the system is very nice to use.

[yaya]

I can't seem to find one online. Was wondering if anyone here knew of such a beast? I currently shoot with a Hassy V system, would like to upgrade my original CFV to the new CFV50, but would also like to acquire a Contax 645 system for the CFV50 back. Can it be done?

You could trade your back in for a different one that fits the Contax. You can use your V lenses (also the FE type) on the contax with a simple adapter

While not as popular as it used to be a few years ago, the Contax is still a very capable and reliable system and the AF + metering are just a bonus IMO

If you do a lot of portraits you could also find an MP-1 vertical grip that will make the handling even better or if you shoot them horizontally look for a waist level finder which will still give you metering as opposed to the H WLF

Good luck!
Yair

[JV]

While not as popular as it used to be a few years ago...

Yair,

For new back sales would it be possible to give us a breakdown of the different type of mounts?  

So many percent Phase, so many percent H mount, etc.

Thanks, Joris.

[yaya]

Yair,

For new back sales would it be possible to give us a breakdown of the different type of mounts?  

So many percent Phase, so many percent H mount, etc.

Thanks, Joris.

This is not the kind of information that can be disclosed in terms of exact % figures however I can say that we sell more Mamiya and V mounts than H or Contax as new sales. The AFi-II 10 and 12 have also been strong sellers since we started shipping them

Yair