Contax 645

[f16sunshine]

I've never seen one for sale here at RFF classified. Nor much mention of the camera. Which is odd as we discuss nearly all other systems. Does anyone use this system?
I've seen some fabulous images online.

 

[keytarjunkie]

The Contax 645 is an SLR, not a rangefinder. I've never used one but I'd imagine it would be like a Mamiya 645 Pro TL with better glass.

And, they pop up occationally on APUG and ebay. I don't think I've seen one here either.

 

[skibeerr]

Notorious for battery consumption apart from that the best 645 slr I ever handled.

Frequently for sale on ebay, they fetch high prices though.

 

[Thardy]

I saw a wedding photographer use that camera along with a dslr a few years ago, and I liked the look of it.

I'm not sure if the Contax suffered the huge drop in price back then with the digital explosion. It seems that prices in Med Format cameras have crept back up. Film camera prices go up as films disappear.

Maybe they will (easily) accept a digital back?

 

[f16sunshine]

Ooops! Yes of course it is an SLR. I put this in the wrong section. Maybe a Mod can move it. Thanks

 

[fbf]

contax 645 is great, some best/fastest lenses you would find in MF systems.
AF works great as well. Digital back support. Many useful accessories. The build quality is top notch.
However, it used to be insanely expensive back in the days, plus it's only 645 format comparing to the more popular hasselblad.

My favorite was 35, 55, 80mm lenses with compact WLF which also makes it a superb street shooting machine

 

[sevo]

I'm not sure if the Contax suffered the huge drop in price back then with the digital explosion.

It did. but it dropped less dramatically than the Mamiyas and Zenzas, so it is relativel even higher priced now - being relatively young, rare and originally positioned quite a bit more up-market.

 

[f16sunshine]

Well I just looked at ebay. a Basic system with a 80mm lens shows completed auctions starting around $2k and going to $3k. The 140mm f2.8 starts around $900 well used.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

It was designed from the ground up as a digital system that can also take film backs, much like the Hasselblad H system. It was and is popular with digital back users and was only discontinued because Kyocera decided to stop making cameras.

 

[rgpadron]

Wonderfull well integrated system, well designed, superb lenses.

 

[mathomas]

Would love to have one (I love my Contax RX), but the prices have stayed relatively high. May explain why serious hobbyists (as opposed to pros) don't discuss them much. So, I got a Hassy 500c/m. Still offers Zeiss lenses, so I'm happy.

 

[Photon42]

There was one in the classifieds, but it was some time back. Can't remember exactly. Maybe six to twelve month. The camera is well designed but requires these funny 2CR5 batteries, if the additional grip is not used. They only last about five films or so. Accessories are horribly expensive today for the C645.

 

[Frank Petronio]

I guess the auto-focus isn't up to current Hasselblad-Leaf standards and it has it's out-dated when used with a digital back compared to the competition nowadays, but as a film shooter it works well.

The old Hasselblad H1 shoots 645 as well and a basic 80mm outfit isn't too expensive.