Contax 645

[greg_lawhon]

It looks like MFD will need a new category for Contax. The Contax website confirms the rumors about a new 645 autofocus camera. See www.contaxcameras.com. The link to the information about the new system is on the home page (if you don't see it, click on "News" and then "Press Releases" to get there too.

 

<p>

 

Here's a summary:

 

<p>

 

Six lenses upon release: Distagon T* 35mm f3.5 (21mm lens in 35mm), Distagon T* 45mm f2.8 (28mm lens in 35mm), Planar T* 80mm f2 (50mm lens in 35mm), Apo-Makro Planar T* 120mm f4 (75mm lens in 35mm), Sonnar T* 140mm f2.8 (87mm in 35mm), Sonnar T* 210mm f4 (131mm lens in 35mm). Each lens uses an integrated Ultra-Sonic motor. Leaf shutter lenses in the future.

 

<p>

 

Autofocus: single or continuous. Automatic transition from AF to manual focus by turning the focusing ring. When you begin to focus, the AF system releases. No AF/MF switch required.

 

<p>

 

Motor drive: 2.5 frames per second drive is built-in and is standard equipment.

 

<p>

 

Interchangeable backs. Auto advance to the first frame. A Real Time Vacuum system pulls the film down to the pressure plate before every exposure (at least on 220 film, which has no paper backing). Data Back imprinting with f-stop, shutter speed, exposure compensation, exposure mode and lens information.

 

<p>

 

Detachable eye-level AE Prism. The AE functions include aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual metering. AE functions with the optional waist-level finder too. The AE Prism also includes spot metering, center-weighted average metering and TTL Pre-Flash Metering. Automatic bracketing control.

 

<p>

 

Viewfinder information: aperture display, f-stop, exposure warning, flash indication (including pre-flash TTL metering), exposure compensation (+/- 2 EV), exposure counter and AF confirmation are all visible in the viewfinder.

 

<p>

 

Shutter: focal plane shutter with maximum 1/4000 second top shutter speed and the fastest X sync at 1/125 second.

 

<p>

 

The TTL flash system is the same as the Extended TLA Flash system as used on the CONTAX RX, AX and Aria.

 

<p>

 

Availability: January, 1999.

 

<p>

 

Price: undetermined.

[benoit_doloreux]

Hi everybody!

 

<p>

 

I'm still getting the Contax/Yashica digest...too lazy to delete and still finding a guilty pleasure reading it!

 

<p>

 

The new Contax 645 is at Photokina and you can see a picture of it at :

 

<p>

 

http://www.photim.com/infos/default.asp

 

<p>

 

Let the age load completely and scroll down. It is Chasseur d'Images site and they will have real time coverage of Kvln's

Photokina.

 

<p>

 

The Contax is a beast, check out the features :

 

<p>

 

the Contax 6x4,5 is a AF-SLR with interchangeable viewfinder (prism standard).

 

<p>

 

It comes with 6 lenses with HSM (Hypersonic Motor).

 

<p>

 

The lenses are: Distagon 3,5/35, Distagon 2,8/45, Planar 2/80, Sonnar 2,8/140, Sonnar 4/210 and Apo-Makro-Planar 4/120

 

<p>

 

It has 4 horizontal and 2 vertical AF sensors in a 5mm field.

 

<p>

 

It has a vacuum film backplane as the RTS III.

 

<p>

 

It is MF capable.

 

<p>

 

It has 120/220 film DX capability.

 

<p>

 

Top shutter speed 1/4000 and X-sync 1/125.

 

<p>

 

It is 141x138,5x145,5 mm and weighs 1550 gr. w/o lens.

 

<p>

 

The price of the body w/ prismfinder and film back is around (!) 6500 DM which should be US$ 3700.

 

<p>

 

It also has interchangeable film backs also polaroid, interchangeable motors and focusing screens and finders.

 

<p>

 

Start saving!

 

<p>

 

Benoit / Montreal

[ron_wood1]

Have been dreaming of making the switch to MF and checked out the Contax homepage....move over M7, P645, and Fuji 645zi, I think I'm in lust again...

[gene_crumpler6]

Start filling out those application papers for your second mortgage!!

 

<p>

 

Also remember, as in cars, don't buy the first production run!

[jim_chow]

I received a photocopy of the Contax 645 flyer (in Japanese). From

the system diagram, it appears that there aren't separate 120 and

220 magazines as most MF systems have. Instead, there's only one

magazine with part number MFB-1 (also a polaroid magazine, MFB-

2). The inserts are what give it 120/220 capability. The standard

insert is the MFB-1A 120/220 film insert, which implies it can

accept both 120 and 220 film. The second insert available is the

220 vacuum film insert (MFB-1B). Thus, it seems one only has to

buy a 220 vacuum insert rather than a much more expensive

magazine to use the vacuum capabability!

 

<p>

 

Other system components show 5 metal hoods, a compendium hood,

3 sizes of extension tubes, macro bellows, battery holder, power

pack, remote cable switch, 3 types of focusing screens, waist level

finder, TTL flash (like the Contax TLA flashes), and Contax filters.

[pete_awasthi]

I must be in heavens. Have recently acquired the 645 and the results are awesome. It handles like a dream and the Zeiss optics are fast and inspiring. I am giving away my 500CM outfit without any hesitation.