David:
Have to agree with Guy here. Seriously, it sounds to me as though you feel the need to carry the sword for Contax, no matter what the argument. Setting the semantics of what constitutes a dead system aside for now -- and I like RobMac's moniker of "Discontinued" -- it is now you who has gone over the edge and given untrue information that needs to be clarified.
To your statement, "all the major digital back makers (Hasselblad, Phase, Leaf and Sinar), as they continue to support the Contax 645 with their best digital backs. This is not true if I understood a recent press release -- Sinar has announced that future support for the Contax body is over.
Next, "The ability to use high quality Zeiss optics with a higher end, more flexible and capable digital back (like the new P65+ or Aptus 10 backs) is an ideal situation for photographers who are already stretching their budgets. " It should be stated that Contax Zeiss lenses were made by Kyocera in Japan, not Zeiss in Germany -- and anybody that's shot them both will tell you they have different looks. Not saying one is bad or inferior in any way, just different and that should be clarified. More to the point however, is that prices for many used Contax lenses are no longer a "bargain for the budget-minded photographer." Because of the limited supply, many of them cost as much or more than new Hassy H or Mamiya lenses.
And then, "a digital back can be easily extended to other camera systems beyond the Contax 645," While you may deem this "easy", it is in fact not necessarily economical! Current cost to retrofit a back to a different system is between $2000 and $7000 depending on the program, camera and back. For many photographers, they'll find it easier (more economical) to try and sell off the entire system with the back and buy into the new system directly.
Then you stated: "It is about getting the best quality images, and preferably at the best price point. The fact is, that a Contax 645 and Zeiss optics with something like a P65+ back will produce a vastly superior image file than the smaller fixed sensor technology from Leica, period." David, this may be your ASSUMPTION, but it is in no way, shape or form a FACT!!! We have not even seen an S2 file yet to make this call.
And then: "I guarantee you that it will be more costly to dump an older Leica S2 system when that time comes. This is because with the Leica S2, you must dump the sensor too (which is where most of the expense is at)." So are you telling this group you will "guarantee" that statement by backing it with your wallet? I think not, again it is your ASSUMPTION, not a fact... The "fact" is nobody has any idea what the used market will be for the Leica S2... But one thing is for certain, and that is that Leica has historically held the among the best resale values of any camera system.
So a caution from me as admin going forward: Let's take it down a notch and get back to engaging in polite dialog. Stating opinions is fine, just let's be clear they are opinions and not facts...
To everybody who has given polite and considered responses, thank you and please continue to do so!
Carry on,
