Which Contax System suits best to your needs

[Guest]

Hi all...

looking for a little purchasing advice -

I'm a senior in college working on my senior photo project. I only got bit by the photo bug three years ago, but am thinking about upgrading my current Canon A-1 system.

I shoot mostly people, hand held. Occasionally I've shot telephoto from a tripod. Most of my shooting is with my nice 50 1.4 FD.

I'd be willing to throw up to 1400 dollars (US) at a new camera system, if it made sense. Minimum of a back and a fast 50.

I'm perfectly happy with manual focus and don't know if I'd even be able to use auto. I want lenses which will be visibly superior to my FD lenses on TMAX negatives, printed to 11x14 fiber. Depth of Field preview would be a requirement, as would continuous/burst shooting. Quietness is also a big factor. Reliability is a must - my A-1 is a tank that hasn't given up on me yet. I'd also like something that doesn't eat batteries - paper and film are already expensive enough. If I could use my rechargeable NiMH AA cells, it would be great.

I know thats a lot of description, but hopefully someone can see some pattern that could narrow down my options. I'd love to go Contax, but please also let me know if you think I'd be better served with a different system.

thanks in advance for your help

Peter

 

[Guest]

I assume that used Equipment is OK.

With Motor: For that sum your choice is pretty limited. I would go for the 167MT

Without Motor: You wanted "build like a tank" for that amount of money your choice should be the RTSII.

Lenses: Planar 1,7/50 and Sonnar 2,8/85

then if your money is recharged later probably a D28 or D25 or for Portrait the ultimate Lense, the Planar 2/100

If you want to spend all money on camera and a 50mm only then go for the RX as body. Pretty solid and very silent. But not exactly like a tank.

Mike

 

[Guest]

Hi,

How visible is pincushion/barrel distortion at either extreme end of the 24-85 lens for the N series? I am trying to decide between a G2 system and the N1 - I beleave that the G2 lenses are slightly better in this regard.

Also, how do the two systems compare with regards to sharpness and colour rendition. My main objective would be to shoot slides of landscapes, city scenes, people, and some still life.

I am trying to get a comparison between the G and N system based on a optical performance level and not so much on comfort.

Lastly, how effective is the light metering on the G2?

Peter

 

[Guest]

Peter,

above-mentioned in this thread Jack Su rated the N24-85 *zoom* over the G *primes*. His issues were color rendition and sharpness/resolution.

Notabene, prevailing opinion is that the Contax G primes are overall the best 35mm lenses - beneath Leica M glass.

Same as you, I am interested in other opinions from owners of both systems.

You asked for the metering capabilities of the G2.
Are you used to center weighted metering? Or do you currently rely on a sophisticated matrix metering system? In the last case, you will have to relearn...
I recently shot a test roll of slide film with humbling results. Fortunately, my main subject are negs ;-)

I wonder what the additional cost of a spot meter might have been. There is none.

 

[Guest]

I use spot metering quite a lot and I am afraid that I'm goin to miss this kind of feature on a rangefinder. However, I do like the compact size and the Zeiss primes.

After some more research, I think that perhaps an Aria with a couple of primes might be a good compromise.

Peter

 

[Guest]

> [The G2 is a cracking little monster and I have used it a lot on assignment for travel corporate reportage features over the past 3 or 4 years. The lenses are pin sharp and give great colour rendition with little distortion. Metering is great. Go buy one...]

 

[Guest]

I never owned my G2 in the days when I still used my M4 but around 25 years ago I loved Leica's black and white renditions and Contax's color renditions with Fuji color film and just never looked back.
Now that I rely much more strongly on Autofocus I use Contax for everything but have stopped shooting black and white so I can't verify if the G2 or Leica was clearly better for that genre.

 

[Guest]

Andrew,

did you shoot slides?

(For sure it will be possible, if you are used to what the metering does. My father did all his slide work for 20 years with a center weighted metering Minolta and seldom lost a shot.)

Peter,

don't forget that the G2 (as all contemporary Contaxes) has an auto bracketing feature. You should rely on this feature in really challenging situations. This should be when a matrix metering system fails as well.

Aria:
Hm, primarily you wanted maximum optical performance level.
Is here anybody qualified for a comparison between C/Y-mount glass (Aria) and G glass? Dirk often praises the substantial progress of the new N lenses compared to C/Y ("N zooms equal/better then C/Y primes"). The G-lenses are completely new designs as well.

Disclaimer:
I am not sure, if any difference on Zeiss level should really matter.

 

[Guest]

Hi everyone,

I'm just a beginner and is considering buying the Contax T, do you think its suitable for novices like me? I just want it to take nice artistic photos of people, plants, and dogs..(as stupid as this sounds)

And whats a good price to pay for it?

 

[Guest]

> The T3 takes pretty decent pictures, although I must confess to not being blown away by them. They don't seem to have much better quality than any other point and shooot. But, it is early. A good price would be around $650 for silver and $700 for black. I would be interested in feedback from others on their success with T3.