Favorite Contax SLR Camera Body

"Then again, that might mean having too many cameras."

 

One can never have too many cameras. ;-)

Contax 645. Someone should mention it :)

Yeah, great camera! But I'm under the impression that Robert asked about 35mm...

Although my question was meant to be about 35mm SLR's, I must admit that the Contax 645 is a really nice camera. And I am thinking of picking up a 645 at some point. But I'm leaning towards the Mamiyas - the used prices are very low, so I'd have a tough time justifying the extra $$$'s for the Contax.

Oh, it's a BEAU-TI-FUL camera! I own one. And a G2. And a T2. I'm kinda Contax-crazy, I must admit.

Yes, Jaques, I know the symptoms of "Contax Crazy" myself. I own a wonderful, fully restored Contax IIIa and a very nice Contaflex Super B. And I have a 521/16 Ikonta on the way. As much as I like them, they do have limitations for macro and long telephoto work. Which is what prompted the question.

 

The Contax 645 is an exceptional camera, but the Mamiya 645 is available at fire sale prices. I love Zeiss, but Mamiya is very nice, especially when I can get a basic camera/80mm lense for about $500. And additional lenses are inexpensive.

Why not look at the Yashica 108? It's fast, satisfying to use, cheap enough not to fret over and - unless you need mirror lock-up, DOF preview or very fast flash synch - it's pretty much optimum for non-autofocus purposes. Two program settings with easy backlight compensation button, full manual control with match-LEDs, AAA batteries, quick film loading and autowind (but still the reassuring manual rewind spindle confirming wind-on, plus a film viewing window). You can buy these quality Kyocera machines for peanuts.

What an extended post! Obviously there's a lot we like about these beauties. I'm new to

the CY system, but I have a good word left unspoken for the 139Q. It's just so much fun to

wind! Mine was just CLA'd, and it's at its best. The feeling you get is like ball bearings and

butter, definitely mechanical but flawlessly smooth. It would be hard to give that up for a

motor-driven camera. What is the most advanced manual-winding body in this system?

John, that would be the 159 - fastest top shutter speed and flash synch and a few program modes. The 159 is also identical to the 139 in size.

My vote is one of the small light metal bodies in excellent or better condition. With many of these cameras, I think that, given the difficulty of finding parts or quality repairs for some of them, reliability and condition should be a factor in your decision. My personal favorite is the Contax 139Q, probably the most durable and reliable of all Contax bodies next to the original RTS. As far as Yashica goes, it made some good SLR models (FR, FR-I, FX-3, FX-103) in the 1980s, but the Kyocera-era Yashica 107-109 models are not noted for either their features or their durability.

<p>goodday. I am new to the forum. in my younger years, in the 70s, I only had nikkormats - more specific : EL's. Did not want nor needed anything else. Than I sort of got lazy, used compacts for years, then switched to digital. Now I am back to film and decided to switch to Contax. I have a contax RTSiii and I am in love with this camera. The operation is so smooth, I like the feel - much heavier than the nikkormat, which is no lightweight - and the shutter - what to say :) My wife said 'what is that?' hearing the shutter sound. I think I would like to try the 159MM as well. Reading about it, it might turn out to be sort of a contax'nikkormat', with better lenses. Would like to hear your opinion, in case you use or ever used the 159 and one of the nikkormats.</p>

Contax S 60 years model

Titanium body

Lens Carl Zeiss Distagon 2,8/28

Most Contax SLR camera cases are poor quality, made

of paper fibre base material, easily worn out

made

of paper fibre base material, easily worn out

But not prone to feeding fungus like leather is.

 

I stopped buying and using leather lens and camera cases years ago, after making a connection between lenses stored in leather cases growing fungus; while those stored in fabric or other man-made material remained pristine.