lightsong

Thanks for the offer Austin. The Quantum B1+ should be OK now that I know what the real

problem was. But if that doesn't work out I'll contact you.

JT

It's a deal Patrick. But seriously - I discovered something interesting about the Contax 645

with the P-25 back. The flashing "E" in the 645 viewfinder was actually saying "you idiot -

there's no memory card in the P-25". Unlike most digital cameras which warn you when you

forget to load a memory card - the P-25 apparently depends on the 645 to remind you.

When I realized my error and loaded a CF card in the back all was fine. I guess the cold

weather froze my brain and not the batteries. Thanks for your input.

JT

It seems as if it's not a battery problem. I'm using fresh batteries indoors and switching on

the P-25 is causing the 645 to stop functionung as if the batteries are dead. I think now that

the battery dieing caused some kind of malfuntion that persists even with fresh batteries

indoors.

Thanks

Thanks Neil. I have four sets of rechargeables that I rotate as soon as a set gets low on

power. I suspect it's something between the 645 and the P-25. The batteries are fine until I

switch on the P-25 which has it's own battery. There also I have four batteries that I rotate.

JT

I'm using a Contax 645 with a Phase One P-25 back. It's worked fine for the last few

months using the MP-1 battery grip and Energizer rechargeables. Now that it's gotten cold

outside the batteries are of course runung down quite rapidly. This morning it was near

freezing and the batteries died after one shot. I then removed the MP-1 and connected a

fully charged Quantum Battery 1+ to the 645. The 645 would operate until I switched on

the P-25 back and then the battery readout flashed "E" and would cease to function. I

disconnected the Quantum and tried with a freshly charged set of energizer rechargeables

in the MP-1 grip and the same occurred. Indoors or out I now get the same flashing "E" as

soon as I switch on the P-25 back.

Can anyone help?

Thanks,

JT

Tony,

I see what you mean. For $17.00 I'll give the strap a try along with the belt clip although the

belt clip sounds less cumbersome. I can always return the strap to B&H. They had to special

order the cable.

Thanks,

John

Thanks to all.

Tony M. - The Quantum B1+ sounds it will give me what I want. I also found a nifty shoulder

strap that looks useful since I do most of my shooting outdoors. Unless you have a better

solution.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?

O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=32427&is=REG

Thanks all. I tried with 4 new energizers and so far so good. I appreciate your responses.

The Contax 645 is new to me so I'd appreciate any tips or any you can give me that are

pertinent to this camera. Also - I've done an extensive search on the web and made a

number of calls trying to locate lens hoods for the 35mm and 80mm Zeiss lenses. I did

track one down for the 45-90. Any suggestions?

JT

Contax 645 battery problem

I just took delivery of a new Contax 645 system. The delivery of the P25 back was delayed

by FedEx and I have no back yet for it.

I installed the accessory battery grip using 4 NiMH rechargeables to test the camera body.

Everything works fine except that I'll shoot only a few times - turn the camera off and

when I turn it back on after a while the batteries seem to be dead. I've tried this with 4 sets

of rechargeables all with the same result

Can anyone help or do I have a defective camera?

Thanks,

John