Contax RTSII vs Nikon FE2

[a_law]

Hi,

 

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I'm thinking of switching to Contax. I'm currently using a Nikon FM2 body. I was considering up-grading it to a FE2, since it offers Aperature Priority Mode & AE Lock. The specs of FE2 actually looks very similar to the Contax RTSII, except FE2 has higher shutter speeds, i.e. 1/250s flash sync & 1/4000s top speed. What draws me to Contax is the quality of their Carl Zeiss lenses. My only hesitation on switching to Contax is the reliability of RTSII. I couldn't find anything relating to the reliability issues of Contax RTSII body on the net. Now Nikon bodies like FM2 and FE2 are famed for their reliability. Does anybody have any experience with Contax RTSII camera? I need some insight before I decide whether to switch or not. Thank you.

[jim_meyer]

I don't have an answer, but another question. I thought the FE2 was out of production. I guess you are thinking about getting a used one? If new ones are available, I'd be interested also.

[daryl_hiebert1]

<i>Disclaimer:</i> I know nothing about contax. This is just a

thought based on my familiarity with Nikon equipment. I have an FE

and I am very happy with it. I don't think you can go wrong with one

of these bodies (or the FE2). For a more complete review, check out

at http://www.photo.net/photo/nikon/nikon-fe.html

 

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Since you already have a Nikon body, I'm assuming that you have glass

to put on it. Shouldn't that be enough of an argument to stay with

the Nikon system? To get an FE2 body would cost a LOT less than

having to get rid of all your current stuff and then repurchase new

contax gear.<P>

 

If you have the time and the money, by all means go for it. If you

want to sell any Nikon stuff cheap, keep me in mind ;-)

[shannon_hong3]

The RTSII is also out of production.

I'd agree that investing in a totally new system(if U already have a

large investment in one) would not be cost effective. The differences

in optical quality bet the Nikkor and CZ lenses for most instances

would be minimal.

[shannon_hong3]

The differences bet the FM2n and FE2 are

 

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1. Aperture Priority.

2. TTL flash.

3. AE lock.

4. exposure compensation.

5. electronic shutter.

 

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Apart from the above - both cameras are almost identical.

 

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FE2s are highly sought after on the used market and usu. go for more

than their original price new. Perhaps keeping yr FM2 as a backup and

getting a used N2000, N6000, N6006, N8008, N8008s or N90 as yr

primary would be a better option.

[s_ren_hese]

This reply is somewhat outdated but it might be of interest neverless.

I am using the RTSII since 6 years and I am sure its one of the most

robust and reliable cameras around. As someone who is on the field

with camera gear quite often I can give you some examples: I threw a

geologist hammer into the camera accidentally, but after hammering the

resulting bulge of the pentaprisme back into place the camera worked

as if nothing had happened. I was realy surprised.

The mechanical shutter speed of the RTSii is slow (1/50) but it did

help to get some slides under worse conditions when my batteries went

flat (-20 degrees C). So I can very much recommend the RTSii but you

should take into consideration that tele lenses are a weak point in

the Contax system (as long as you are not

very rich). Stick with your Nikon gear but buy a RTSii for Sundays!

 

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Regards

 

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Sören Hese