tony_lockerbie Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 <p>I have posted with this camera before, but with some urging from Rajmohan I decided it deserved another airing. You will have to forgive a certain "sameness" to my images here, but my duties as a dog walker and classic camera user tend to diverge, hence the familiar territory!<br> Now the Contarex is a wondrous beast, all chrome and business like, quite formidable. I kind of like the engineers philosophy when building this camera...forget the cost, forget the weight,and forget the ergonomics...this is how we will do it! The result is a heavy, blocky beast, but with a beautiful finish and lustrous chrome.<br> The German camera industry was at their peak around the time that this camera was made, as was their lenses. I still think that the optics from Zeiss and Leitz reached a point that has not really been surpassed. Unfortunately this is reflected in the cost of the lenses for the Contarex, so I'm stuck with the "poverty" pack of the 50mm Planar, 35mm Distagon and 135mm Sonnar. Anything more exotic comes with a frightening price tag.<br> I would never consider the C'Rex to be my everyday camera, others will do a similar job with less effort, but the camera does remain a special part of my collection,and is one of the most "fondled".<br> I have used all three lenses here, and the 35 and 50mm both focus very close, making them almost double as macro lenses. The no compromise to the engineering shows with these two, as both feature the aperture opening slightly as the lens extends to allow for light loss...very clever.<br> Now for the camera and a few images.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted September 15, 2015 Author Share Posted September 15, 2015 <p>With the lenses.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted September 15, 2015 Author Share Posted September 15, 2015 <p>First pic.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted September 15, 2015 Author Share Posted September 15, 2015 <p>No.2</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted September 15, 2015 Author Share Posted September 15, 2015 <p>No.3</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted September 15, 2015 Author Share Posted September 15, 2015 <p>No.4</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted September 15, 2015 Author Share Posted September 15, 2015 <p>...and nature's graffiti, also the Distagon.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted September 15, 2015 Author Share Posted September 15, 2015 <p>Try again!</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted September 15, 2015 Author Share Posted September 15, 2015 <p>No.5</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted September 15, 2015 Author Share Posted September 15, 2015 <p>No.6</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted September 15, 2015 Author Share Posted September 15, 2015 <p>No.7</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted September 15, 2015 Author Share Posted September 15, 2015 <p>No.8</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted September 15, 2015 Author Share Posted September 15, 2015 <p>No.9</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted September 15, 2015 Author Share Posted September 15, 2015 <p>No.10</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted September 15, 2015 Author Share Posted September 15, 2015 <p>Aha, that should have been swans...too many distractions!</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted September 15, 2015 Author Share Posted September 15, 2015 <p>Lucky last.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted September 15, 2015 Author Share Posted September 15, 2015 <p>Thanks for looking, all shot on Pan F+, and souped in Pyrocat HD, scanned on an Epsom V700.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajmohan. Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 <p>Hello Tony,<br> Beautiful example of the camera + lenses, and images to match. Great depth and tones! The camera is indeed an experience - I walked around with it and the 135 around my neck yesterday, and my back did protest after a couple of hours; next time, I should do some calisthenics before taking it out. My first roll goes to the lab today - can't wait! </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoryAmmerman Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 <p>Lovely images Tony. I really like the tones in that Agave image. No complaints about "sameness" from me. If I lived anywhere near a coastline, I'd probably be littering this forum with beach shots.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member69643 Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 <p>Those of us trapped inland, especially former sailors like myself, find nothing boring nor "sameness" to your images. You keep right on walking the dog. Me and my dog envy you. :)</p> <p>Nice shots BTW, and a beauty of a camera.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc_bergman1 Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 <p>I agree with the others. I always look forward to seeing your pictures, especially of the shoreline. There are few things as relaxing as a stroll along the beach. Now that I am living inland I surely miss it.</p> <p>The tones look great in these pictures. I really like the subtle tone variations in your Agave picture.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick_drawbridge Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 <p>Fine work with a fine camera, <strong>Tony</strong>. The Contarex has always seemed to me to be more of exercise in precision engineering than a really user-friendly camera, rather like that other behemoth, the Voigtlander Prominent, but the quality cannot be denied. The lenses, obviously, are beautiful, and you've shown them off in this series. Your "home town" looks charming and I feel like planning an excursion; there must be some nice images to be had around the harbour, as well as along the coast. Thanks for another excellent post.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted September 15, 2015 Author Share Posted September 15, 2015 <p>Thanks everyone, I have always been drawn to the beach, so it will be a constant theme for my CMC posts. Rick, the boatsheds you can see are indeed photogenic, but the actual town lacks the look that yours has....I'm not really inspired to photograph anything there.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbon_dragon Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 <p>This camera has looks and the image quality is great ... but the "user interface" is not the best. it's heavy and awkward to use. Rewarding and beautiful ... but awkward.</p> <p>I like to compare this camera to the Leica M2 or M3. Both are beautiful (though the bullseye is more so) but the Leicas are also masterpieces of practical use. I don't mean to criticize. In fact I've owned one of these and used it and I know it's a camera worth trying. Once I've had that experience though, I'll go back to a camera with more attention to the way people use a camera.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajmohan. Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 <p>Hi David,<br> I completely agree that although beautiful and beautifully made, the bulk and weight are challenging. And of course, the early Ms are also wonderful, easy-to-use machines.<br> However, on my first walk with the camera, I got used to the camera within the first few shots, and I found it to be like using any other solid SLR with buttery smooth lenses that are very easy to focus. One of my favorite SLRs is the Leicaflex SL, and to my mind, the Rex compared quite favorably to it.<br> Of course this view may reflect my love of the quirky!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now