What's new
DPR Forum

Welcome to the Friendly Aisles!
DPRF is a spin-off of dpreview. We are a photography forum with people from all over the world freely sharing their knowledge and love of photography. Everybody is welcome, from beginners to the experienced professional. From smartphone to Medium Format.

DPRF is a community for everybody, every brand and every sensor format. Digital and film.
Enjoy this modern, easy to use software. Look also at our Reviews & Gallery!

Which Contax System suits best to your needs

I have used Arias and an RX and there is simply no comparison, in my opinion. The RX viewfinder is far more clear and brilliant and the camera is much better built with a shutter that feels and sounds infinitely better; it is also much better d&ed. I love the light weight and small size of the Aria, but I choose the RX every single time. I cannot comment on the ST, but I find it hard to believe that it is superior in build quality to the RX. I understand that the only reason for the increase in viewfinder brightness in the RXII is the elimination of the focus assist technology, which is something I never use anyway, for what that's worth. 20% more brightness above what is already a superb viewfinder should be pretty marvelous.

Sean Wilkinson
 
Kevin
I was thinking about the 50 1.4 ,I have the 24/85,
other for the fact it is faster, is there any difference in the end results between the two at 50mm? is it sharper?
Thanks
Rick
 
> Rick Honestly, I have not used the 50/1.4 all that much so I can't give you an educated answer. I bought it as a backup for low lighting since it is faster than the 24-85 moslty, but I do plan on using it more in the future once the novelty of having a zoom for the first time in 10 years wears off.

Sorry I can't help

Kevin
 
Hey everyone, first post here. Recently my Elan IIe was stolen out of my sister's car and that's left me with an AE1 camera to work with. I really need a new camera so for the past week I've been researching what I wanted to buy. My first thought was to stick with Canon since that's all I have ever owned. But then after reading up on what other people use, I started leaning towards Nikon. Just when I thought I had myself convinced in investing in an F5 I thought I'd try looking elsewhere. I've always read such great things about Zeiss lenses, I figured I'd look at Contax. So anyway, thats how I got here. I'm fairly convinced I want an RTS III since I never used the autofocus of my Elan anyway. I am selling my second car because I want some really nice equipment. Will I be able to use it to the fullest extent possible? of course not, I'm still learning, but that's the fun part. Anyway, my real question is this - it seems like everyone uses the RTS III for portrait work in general, as one post earlier alluded to, as well as what I've seen around the net. But is it a good all around camera? Will it perform well on the street? I'm attracted to the rugged build and the heft of the RTS and ever since I picked one up, I've wanted one. Also, I was looking at picking up the 28-85 3.3-4.5 zoom lens to start with. I know FFL lenses are ideal, but I'd like a little more freedom since I like to take pictures of so many different subjects on the street. Anyway, I am rambling on. I want the RTS III because it's a "professional" camera (even though i am not...yet, heh) but was wondering if there are any strong arguements against it for the usage I intend. thanks.

-Daniel Schwartzkopf
www.dumbwhack.com
 
Welcome, Daniel!

I never used the Elan, but have the heavier D30, and a pair of RTS IIIs.

For street work or travel, the RTS III has negative qualities: expensive, large, heavy, moderately noisy. I find viewfinder info hard to read in bright sunlight. In the studio, however, these issues are no problem at all.

Other qualities are always enjoyable. Viewfinder brightness, high eye-point, and 100% coverage are superb. Camera controls are designed thoughfully and intuitively placed -- the archetypal 35mm SLR. Controls, and the focus action of C/Y lenses, are deliciously tactile. So, if you like manual focus, the RTS III is a piece of heaven.

I'm still trying to convince myself this is a street camera but, for sure, candid work is out. Better would be the Aria, which is very light and more quiet. Best is probably the RX because the shutter is reported to be super quiet (good for candids) and well-d&ed (good for slow shutter speed in low light).
 
To Chris Boyne:

My experience with RX and Aria: Both are solid. RX feels like a rock is very quiet, fast and heavy (?) and has a very well d&ed mirror. It´s a perfect body for lenses like VS 35-135. Aria has "plastic" feeling, is also solid but louder and more sensitive to mirror action. I often switch between both bodies and the only inconvenience is the different position and layout of the display in the viewfinder. Both viewfinders are bright. The only chance to have a very bright viewfinder is to use fast lenses like the unbeatable pair D 1.4/35 and P 1.4/85. An investment in this pair is the best you can do, this choice leads compulsorily to RX. The "date-back" of RX is not as useful as the databack available for Aria, but that depends on personal preference.
I can recommend both bodies extremly well.
My favourite working pair for landscape and travelling is Aria + D25 and RX with VS35-135, or the "small" package Aria + D25 + D35 + S85.

Regards Dieter
 
> > fairly convinced I want an RTS III < I use this camera and the VS 28-85 and can't praise it enough. The camera is magic IMO. The lens is very sharp. I use it for about 80% of what I do. Jeff
 
Thanks Jeff and Rico, for your input. I'm using an AE1 for evrything right now, which has that god awful shutter squeek going on, so I think any camera would be an imrovement over the shutter sound! ;)
 
I'm another newcomer to this site. I have a Contax G system and a Canon A-1 system, and I'm thinking of selling the A-1 and moving to a manual Contax SLR -- either an RX II or an RTS III and some primes. I have three questions for the group:

(1) Does anyone know when the RX II will be on sale in the US? Neither Adorama nor B&H have them (and their RX stock is sold out).

(2) One of my interests is landscape photography. Does anyone have experience using an RX for landscapes, and if so how good is the mirror d&ing compared to a mirror lockup? (Mirror vibration is one of the reasons I want to sell the A-1).

(3) Finally, does anyone know what Contax plans for the RTS III? Is there any chance that they will abandon it?

Thanks for any guidance you can give me.

-Robert
 
Hi Robert,

short reply to second point:

The mirror of RX is very well d&ed, but a little slow. If you want perfect d&ing take RTS III with mirror lockup and a tripod or "the big beast" AX which has an excellent d&ed mirror, big mass and is faster than RX.
I´ve never had problems with my RX (handheld) in the last two years in landscape photography.

Dieter
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top