Where are the Contax 645 Cameras?

[Masuro]

Actually, where are the people who use them? I have a Contax 645 and I love using it. It has everything I've always wanted in a camera and the 80mm Carl Zeiss lens that comes with it is wonderful. Every review I've read has been very good. So where are the people who bought it and are using it? I realise that it is now out of production, but so are many cameras that are being used by people here at APUG.
Any ideas? Were there simply not that many of them produced?

 

[HerrBremerhaven]

The used prices are still fairly high. There has also been a persistent rumour of Sinar, Zeiss, Cosina or several other companies considering re-introducing the camera. Anyway, the only taste I got of it were through a few rentals, and then only with that nice 80mm. I would not mind owning one, though used prices are an issue.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
Dead Link Removed

 

[Masuro]

Thank you for the reply. The Contax 645 was 4 million Won here (about 2 thousand British Pounds) and I bought it used for 2.3 million. Still a high price, I suppose. It's difficult to find things like cable releases and cold weather battery packs for it.

 

[MikeSeb]

I own two bodies and all the lenses except the 45 and the 45-90 zoom. Best system I've ever used. As you say, the smaller accessories are rare and costly, but I was fortunate enough to stock up on them before Kyocera announced the end of the camera.

I think the 35 may be the best lens in the bunch; the 80 is OK but it has obvious barrel distortion, though it's sharp. The 210 gets no respect but I use it frequently as a longer portrait lens. The 140 I use the most; the 120 is astonishing in its sharpness.

I'd love to see the line resurrected. I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Masuro]

I noticed the barrel distortion in a photo I took a couple of weeks ago. I thought it was my fault so I am relieved to see it is probably the lens. But not happy to hear it's the lens, if you know what I mean. I plan to buy the 120mm lens in the future because it's a good focal length and because I want the macro ability. I also want the 210mm but I have not heard great things about it. Still, it can't be that bad.

 

[WRSchmalfuss]

The Distagon 35mm and the Sonnar 120mm, are the best lenses in the CONTAX 645 row, money can buy. I also use, with an special K-6 adaptor with great success, the ARSAT Fisheye 3,5/30mm, and the CARL ZEISS JENA SONNAR MC 2,8/180mm, and the other CZJ lenses. The lens focusing can be perfectly controlled also with the very sensitive AF-indicator. The CONTAX 645 AF after all the years still a super camera.

 

[Pete H]

I have one with all lenses except the 55 mm & the 140 mm. I love it and use it all the time. The 120mm Makro- Planar is superb.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Bear in mind that the 120 Makro-Planar is not a good portrait lens. Not very flattering because it's so sharp and contrasty.

 

[Karl K]

Contax 645 on Evil Bay right now

....also the 120 Apo-Makro-Planar and a waist-level finder.

 

[Masuro]

Both of those would be lovely to have but, alas, I'm skint at the moment.