W
writing4me
Rico, You make some very good points there. Well said. -Lynn
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J
johnj
I'm new to this body and lense matching game, but is it true that I can put a Contax G lense on a Voightlander body?
R
rickd
"is it true that I can put a Contax G lense on a Voightlander body?"
Zork modifies two of the Voigtlander ultrawides to fit the G cameras. I've not heard of anybody doing the reverse.
--Rick
Zork modifies two of the Voigtlander ultrawides to fit the G cameras. I've not heard of anybody doing the reverse.
--Rick
> The C/Y line is kaput, perhaps not officially, but we can probably > safely assume that they're no longer manufacturing any of the lenses, > and only two or three of the bodies. So long as the line serves as a > cash cow they'll keep it on life support, but I suspect even that will > cease in the next year or two.
Reading this catastrophic scanario, I'm very glad that I just purchased nice new Aria last month.
Am I afraid that C/Y line is "dead"? -- no, not at all, since these cameras look quite sturdy and so I hope Aria will serve me well for few years. At that time, I hope I will be able to find quite good digital camera with 1) manual focus 2) manual apperture ring and 3) manual shutter speed dial. Shortly something like Aria (or other C/Y contax) or leica Rx but in digital.
Am I afraid that Zeiss is not developing new lenses for C/Y? -- no, since I think all lenses which I would like to use: Distagon 2.8/28 or 35, Planar 1.4/50 (already bought), Planar 1.4/85 or Planar 2/100 are better (or at least the same quality opticaly) as new zooms produced for N line -- do not counting a lot of other various brand lenses which I think are not so good.Are there better lenses? Yes, sure! Maybe some leicas, but they are not suitable for me, because of their prices.
Is there any other camera brand which I should choose instead of Contax? Yes, sure: Nikon FM3, but it does not provide Zeiss! And Leica M/R, but it does not provide nice price of Zeiss (for my choose set of lenses).
Conclusion: I've bought the best camera for me, and I just need to learn how to take better pictures, so lets go and learn real photography instead of writting essays about Contax future
Cheers,
Karel
Reading this catastrophic scanario, I'm very glad that I just purchased nice new Aria last month.
Am I afraid that C/Y line is "dead"? -- no, not at all, since these cameras look quite sturdy and so I hope Aria will serve me well for few years. At that time, I hope I will be able to find quite good digital camera with 1) manual focus 2) manual apperture ring and 3) manual shutter speed dial. Shortly something like Aria (or other C/Y contax) or leica Rx but in digital.
Am I afraid that Zeiss is not developing new lenses for C/Y? -- no, since I think all lenses which I would like to use: Distagon 2.8/28 or 35, Planar 1.4/50 (already bought), Planar 1.4/85 or Planar 2/100 are better (or at least the same quality opticaly) as new zooms produced for N line -- do not counting a lot of other various brand lenses which I think are not so good.Are there better lenses? Yes, sure! Maybe some leicas, but they are not suitable for me, because of their prices.
Is there any other camera brand which I should choose instead of Contax? Yes, sure: Nikon FM3, but it does not provide Zeiss! And Leica M/R, but it does not provide nice price of Zeiss (for my choose set of lenses).
Conclusion: I've bought the best camera for me, and I just need to learn how to take better pictures, so lets go and learn real photography instead of writting essays about Contax future
Cheers,
Karel
W
writing4me
John E., One of the new Voigtlander bodies (as seen on cameraquest.com) is made to accept the OLD Contax rangefinder lenses from the Contax II, IIa, III and IIIa. This new Voigtlander rangefinder was not made for the NEW Contax G lenses. Sorry
-Lynn
C
chrono72
Just to come back on a couple things:
—Regarding Hasselblad, I cannot argue about image or system quality because I have yet to use either (honestly, i cannot afford medium format nor see a need for it at my tender age of 21). Because I have not used Contax medium format, or know how long its been around, or how extensive their lens catalog is, I cannot argue one is better than another. My argument is Contax is supporting this format of photography, along with 4 others. Again, to each their own.
I do have to agree with Rico on the Managerial issue. Nikon and Canon produce a good pro-model every year, at the latest every other year. Didn't Nikon make a new digital body? Canon has sooo many lenses, some awesome, some mediocre at best.
I really think the N-digital would have been successful if it was marketed better. It almost seemed like contax was saying, "Oh, a 12,000 dollar camera body isn't selling? well, lets just discontinue it, nobody wants digital it seems."
I really think by putting most of their effort into 645 and N lines and really marketing it Contax could make a profit.
Maybe I'll type more later. -Ken
—Regarding Hasselblad, I cannot argue about image or system quality because I have yet to use either (honestly, i cannot afford medium format nor see a need for it at my tender age of 21). Because I have not used Contax medium format, or know how long its been around, or how extensive their lens catalog is, I cannot argue one is better than another. My argument is Contax is supporting this format of photography, along with 4 others. Again, to each their own.
I do have to agree with Rico on the Managerial issue. Nikon and Canon produce a good pro-model every year, at the latest every other year. Didn't Nikon make a new digital body? Canon has sooo many lenses, some awesome, some mediocre at best.
I really think the N-digital would have been successful if it was marketed better. It almost seemed like contax was saying, "Oh, a 12,000 dollar camera body isn't selling? well, lets just discontinue it, nobody wants digital it seems."
I really think by putting most of their effort into 645 and N lines and really marketing it Contax could make a profit.
Maybe I'll type more later. -Ken
R
rickd
(Putting on Idle Speculation cap)
The C/Y system is down to two bodies in the US, three elsewhere. I'll guess that they're still manufacturing the Aria and RXII, and have enough RTSIIIs on the shelf to meet demand. It would appear that they aren't interested in bringing the RXII to the States at all.
I'll further guess that they're perhaps still manufacturing three or four of the most popular (affordable) lenses, but that the rest are subject to stock on hand only.
I found it telling that last year they had incredible rebate deals on C/Y gear and this year there's been nothing at all. I also note that even the biggest Contax retailers are carrying far less C/Y gear than a year ago, especially lenses and accessories. I translate all this as meaning the line is being put to bed for good. For anyone wanting a new body or lens, don't wait too long.
None of what I'm saying is a comment on the quality or breadth of the C/Y system. Rather, it's a recognition that Contax will no longer be a manufacturer of a comprehensive SLR system in the manner of the RTS system, with its wide array of bodies, lenses and accessories. They simply can't compete with the Nikons and Canons, and evidently don't see the value in positioning themselves against the Leica R in the "boutique" marketplace, not having committed to the much smaller N system.
As parts become scarce, older Contax bodies will be relegated to dusty drawers or raided for spare parts. My RTS and 139 are tired and don't warrant fixing. That's why I bought an Aria. My feeling is that the lenses will easily outlive me, but the bodies, especially the electronics, simply aren't as robust.
For me, the G system erases much of the pain and the N system can fill any holes that I don't have plugged with the G and my existing SLR gear. I would have preferred a different outcome, but figure we have to be pragmatic about what's possible in 2003.
--Rick
The C/Y system is down to two bodies in the US, three elsewhere. I'll guess that they're still manufacturing the Aria and RXII, and have enough RTSIIIs on the shelf to meet demand. It would appear that they aren't interested in bringing the RXII to the States at all.
I'll further guess that they're perhaps still manufacturing three or four of the most popular (affordable) lenses, but that the rest are subject to stock on hand only.
I found it telling that last year they had incredible rebate deals on C/Y gear and this year there's been nothing at all. I also note that even the biggest Contax retailers are carrying far less C/Y gear than a year ago, especially lenses and accessories. I translate all this as meaning the line is being put to bed for good. For anyone wanting a new body or lens, don't wait too long.
None of what I'm saying is a comment on the quality or breadth of the C/Y system. Rather, it's a recognition that Contax will no longer be a manufacturer of a comprehensive SLR system in the manner of the RTS system, with its wide array of bodies, lenses and accessories. They simply can't compete with the Nikons and Canons, and evidently don't see the value in positioning themselves against the Leica R in the "boutique" marketplace, not having committed to the much smaller N system.
As parts become scarce, older Contax bodies will be relegated to dusty drawers or raided for spare parts. My RTS and 139 are tired and don't warrant fixing. That's why I bought an Aria. My feeling is that the lenses will easily outlive me, but the bodies, especially the electronics, simply aren't as robust.
For me, the G system erases much of the pain and the N system can fill any holes that I don't have plugged with the G and my existing SLR gear. I would have preferred a different outcome, but figure we have to be pragmatic about what's possible in 2003.
--Rick
N
noidea
>Hmm, I'm not a Contax owner, but came to this board, because I wanted to abandon my Nikon system for a Contax. > However, the activities - or better non activities - of Kyocera scare me off from that idea. I started many years ago with a second hand Mamiya ZE not knowing that Mamiya didn't produce any 135 stuff under their name anymore, and lenses and accessoires weren't available widely in pre-ebay times. Seems I would probably have run in the poo poo with a Contax.
People are quite negative regarding the brand with Contax, and they have all the reason to do so, afterall there are not many marketing activities with contax. However, I think they should be a lot more optimistic about contax. You have to think what the giant japaness company think, there is only a few option that will happen,
the worst picture is the kyocero went bust, very unlikely, it will take years for such a big company go bankcurpcy.
It lost a lot of money and it hurts, then they will decide whether to sell contax (as one of the option) or to build/intergrate their business with their current business and create "synergy" (I hate this word!). Personnelly, I would choose the later one because the contax is a very good brand, long history of success in photography. It make sense to do so!
The company is not doing too well, not too bad either, it will continue sleeping! Unless there is a new agressive CEO turns out and change the culture of company!
Judging on the products line of Kycero, quite honestly, I think they will likely to lose a lot of money and will hurt, then they will do something about it
dead silence always happen before big changes!
Ben
the worst picture is the kyocero went bust, very unlikely, it will take years for such a big company go bankcurpcy.
It lost a lot of money and it hurts, then they will decide whether to sell contax (as one of the option) or to build/intergrate their business with their current business and create "synergy" (I hate this word!). Personnelly, I would choose the later one because the contax is a very good brand, long history of success in photography. It make sense to do so!
The company is not doing too well, not too bad either, it will continue sleeping! Unless there is a new agressive CEO turns out and change the culture of company!
Judging on the products line of Kycero, quite honestly, I think they will likely to lose a lot of money and will hurt, then they will do something about it
dead silence always happen before big changes!
Ben