It really looks like it ought to.Actually, over the next year or so you probably won't see a big slide in the dollar. We (I'm in the investment business) are looking for it to strengthen.
-bob
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It really looks like it ought to.Actually, over the next year or so you probably won't see a big slide in the dollar. We (I'm in the investment business) are looking for it to strengthen.
David it was all positive and a nice discussion.Hey Guy, I would like to end my contribution to this thread on a positive note with you. I agree with you 100% on this observation. The larger 9 micron pixels have a higher signal / noise ratio and produce an extremely rich and clean image, which when printed is VERY difficult to distinguish from the higher MP backs using smaller size pixels. You need an image with very high frequency content and print very large to see a relatively small difference.
Couple of interesting things come to mind here....first, several (all?) of the first batch of lenses with the Central Shutter (leaf shutter) are listed as being f2.5 Summarits. While that may not sound all that fast from a 35mm perspective, given the larger sensor size and the accompanying smaller DOF, these f2.5 lenses may due quite well, especially if sharp to the edges. There are not that many faster lenses in MF right now, are there? (The 110 f2.0 comes to mind, but not a whole lot more that come up regularly.)one very interesting possibility of the s2 will be just how fast later leica lenses will be. this is something that surprised me with the announcement of the lenses that will be available - nothing spectacularly fast there. but imagine a 50mm, 70mm and a 90mm f1,4 with a mf camera that does (and lets be realistic) iso 800!
I still think the only place for leica to go in selling this thing is with the lenses.
they've got to sell the body at a good price and make lenses that no one else can.
Stuck with Zeiss glass??? You've got to be kidding. The Zeiss APO macro for the Contax 645 is still considered one of the finest macro lenses ever made. The Contax Zeiss 35mm IF lens is also an incredible wide angle, which I have not seen anyone improve upon. And, the Zeiss 140/2.8 is every bit as good as the new Mamiya 150/2.8D for a fraction of its cost.Exactly what Jack and i did . Get a AFD-II and used lenses and actually started with the ZD which BTW a new unit is coming out said to be much faster. The nice part is are able to move up with better parts in the system. The Contax you are stuck with what is made today only and that was more my point than anything is no growing future in that system does not mean it is bad and actually quite good
Guy, the Zeiss lenses are a major point in the cost equation. Not even one of the new Leica S2 lenses offer the speed of the Contax Zeiss F2 80mm lens, which pro portrait photographers like Mark Tucker have put to great use.Talking about the body David , there will never be an improvement to it. The lenses we all know are great always have been. Owned many Zeiss lenses myself and shot Hassy film camera's for 20 years.
Well, the AF is still faster than a Leica M8 or Leica-R. Talk about limited growth....those Leica lenses will never be able to focus fast, no matter how much you advance their bodies. I have owned all of these cameras, but I dumped the Leica gear (much like Guy dumped his for Mamiya). For me, the Contax is still the one that is capable of the best files, and it is the one that can handle more diverse shooting conditions than these "newer" Leica cameras.Really....having a stock of Contax replacement parts to keep it breathing for more years will not improve the AF, will not improve any metering, will not be able to introduce any newer, faster features. If you can live with its present configuration and capabilities.....great....stay with it. If one wants the ability to employ newer developing technologies, it is not the system for that. If the backs and glass can do everything, then as a body, it works fine, but there are no paths to improving anything for it. Not bashing it, just taking a forward look which Contax does not have. It may not need it for some folks, and that is fine, but in the larger scheme of things, it, and others are not going to be delivering things that folks may want and need.
LJ
David,Well, the AF is still faster than a Leica M8 or Leica-R. Talk about limited growth....those Leica lenses will never be able to focus fast, no matter how much you advance their bodies. I have owned all of these cameras, but I dumped the Leica gear (much like Guy dumped his for Mamiya). For me, the Contax is still the one that is capable of the best files, and it is the one that can handle more diverse shooting conditions than these "newer" Leica cameras.
Reality is, that the Contax System does not exist anymore nor is it supported and any future developments to be expected.Guy, the Zeiss lenses are a major point in the cost equation. Not even one of the new Leica S2 lenses offer the speed of the Contax Zeiss F2 80mm lens, which pro portrait photographers like Mark Tucker have put to great use.
However, even if we compare bodies only, the Contax still offers more for less. If you are doing any serious macro or copy work, the waist level finder option on the Contax is invaluable ergonomically, and a real PITA when using a Mamiya 645. Then, there is the in-camera flash meter, which is like having a Sekonic flash meter at your fingertips. For any product work, the Contax auto-bellows offers shifts, tilts and swings, with a build quality and precision almost identical to a Horseman. In fact, just ask Irakly, who is able to use this equipment quite effectively in his work.
And, I do not think you even want to bring up the shutter lag issues that Mamiya has, when the Contax has none.
I will agree that new cameras are offering some newer and different features, but all in all, there are so many useful and productive features of the Contax that newer cameras like the Mamiya still do not even offer yet. So, it is pointless to claim that the newer cameras are actually "moving forward". It may not be the fastest camera for fashion and event photography. But, for portrait, copy, macro and product work, the Contax is more than capable of delivering professional results.
Of course the Contax system exists. The Contax brand company may be out of business, but the system itself is still available and going strong. Contrary to what you say, it is still supported, at least by ToCad in the US who have the official support rights and honor all warranties. All of the support equipment and spare parts that were in Japan are now at ToCad. As for future developments, there will be none, but as I pointed out previously, they were so far ahead of everyone else in terms of providing a complete professional system, that it is still taking other companies like Mamiya years to catch up. For example, Mamiya still has serious shutter lag issues, no waist finder, no flash meter, no 500mm AF lens, no T/S bellows, etc. etc.Reality is, that the Contax System does not exist anymore nor is it supported and any future developments to be expected.
While you may have such a system and be happily using it with great digital backs it is no longer supported. Unfortunately, because it had evolved to a really great system and would be - frankly - a serious competition to the S System as well as the other MF Systems. But - Contax decided to skip it. Kind of really crazy management decision
Thus comparing the Contax 645 system to any other MF system, especially the S System does not make any sense in my eyes. Never look into the past, better look into the future
And the future will be definitely cool
Guy, why so shy? Why not say they need to really give you one, PLUS all the lenses.....to keep, not just to test? Be bold :thumbs:They need to give me one to test. Not joking either