7 Reasons I May Just Sell My Contax 645.

After smashing the lens on my Contax 645, it may be time to say goodbye, here are 7 reasons why I may sell my Medium Format Film camera, in search of a new film camera for my wedding photography business.

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[supamsp]

I have the Fuji GFX, Kipon adapter along with the Zeiss 80mm lens. There is zero comparison between the look of the Zeiss compared to any other 50 1.2 lens that I've used. The Zeiss is slow to focus, expensive but the bokeh and look that it achieves is like nothing else. Nothing comes close!

[HikeSoloOutdoors]

I would HIGHLY recommend the Nikon FM3A with Voigtlander lenses. The FM3A with the Voigt 55mm f1.2 is my go to film setup on a wedding day.

[NRecob]

Luke, the Mamiya 645 is not difficult to use. It's actually a joy--I shot a 645 1000s for years. Speaking of Mamiya, another option is the Mamiya 6 or the Mamiya 7 II--check em out! Finally, best of luck with whatever you choose. And please do let us know. Happy Holidays!

[valeriogalantini]

The Contax 645 is probably the best camera for wedding photography. But yes, it costs sooo much and what about if there is a prblem? Who knows...
The Pentax 645 is one of my favourites for this kind of use since I've seen some prints, but the reality is that they are all good (I have Hasselblad, but I love as well Pentax lenses, Mamiya lenses, ...).
Another option are Mamiya range finder systems, Mamiya 6 and 7/7II. Superb optical quality and a quite light camera, Mamiya 6 can also retract the lens when not used and it's very compact, Mamiya 7 has more lenses, all of them will give incredible images.
There is also the Rollei 6000 system, in particular I have a Rollei 6008 integral (recommended version): it's very heavy but also one of the best medium format camera in my opinion, lenses are made by Zeiss or Schneider so there's no need to talk about image quality. The problem with this kind of cameras is the battery system, but I think it's possible to order some brand new battery from Germany.

[josephpeppard]

Hey Luke, great photography content and channel. I too shoot the Nikon Z6 II camera for my digital work. For my film work I use the Nikon F6 35mm film camera with F-mount lenses, Kodak Portra 160 and 400 film stocks. I love the Nikkor 58mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.4 lenses for portrait photography. Thanks so much for the stimulating content Luke.

[ejacks]

Brother Luke, here is what you do. Buy yourself one or two Pentax 645n or 645n II bodies (they are relatively cheap) then pick up the Pentax 645 lens adapter for Pentax 6x7 buy the Pentax 105mm/f2.4 for the 6x7 system and mount it on the Pentax 645 body and you are golden. This lens is great for your type of subject, however, it is a manual focus. This lens produces similar results as the Carl Zeiss 80mm. It is another dream lens.

This kit is versatile. You have access to the cheaper Pentax manual lenses made for the prior Pentax 645 system and the auto lenses made for the Pentax 645n and 645n II. You can also use the lenses from the Pentax 6x7.

Best of Luck!!!

[joshuataliaferro]

I’m super interested in this! The Carl Zeiss lens is truly magical, but I would love to see you do a side by side comparison. I’ve tried to find one like that on YouTube but none of them are wedding photographers.

Also it would be cool to know the difference that each camera body has on the same lens Stock. Like does the mamiya make portra 800 look different than a Contax 645? I’ve always been curious about this.

[alfredobustamante]

I can't wait to see what camera you land on.

[photochemical-art]

If you're looking for a lighter medium format camera that has a lot of very sharp lenses and costs about the same as nikon f mount gear then you should definitely look at the soviet pentacon six system. Specifically the Kiev 60. Because the body with a waist level finder, 80mm ziess biometar f2.8 lens and a roll of film only weighs 1.5kg. And for the 4000 CAD you can get 3 bodies with a full set of carl ziess jena lenses and a couple of pro packs of portra. And that gear is built like soviet tanks and is to my knowledge easily repaired as it is all mechanical. Hope you find my comment usefull.

[ericjwormely]

You had to start somewhere and it helped. Great camera, great lens, and its YOU that makes the difference.

[chrisdelk]

I just recently purchased a 500cm. The camera is amazing and I have had a lot of fun shooting with it so far. I am not a professional though and I don’t have to use the camera to make money yet so my input may be limited.

The camera is pretty slow which is both great and bad at the same time. I use the CF lenses because they are newer and I enjoy both the look and build quality of the glass. I shoot mostly portrait work so I use a prism finder with a good focusing screen which makes focusing faster for me.

One of the things I love about this system is the removable backs. I load two to three backs at a time and can switch between rolls and film stocks quickly. A reload is as simple as inserting a dark slide. Pushing one button and removing the back, then attaching new back and removing dark slide/remembering to remove dark slide. I love it.

[LoraineRoss]

I've just bought a pentax 645n - it's way more affordable than the contax 645 and has autofocus :) Going to start taking it to weddings next year.

[adamwestphoto]

Hey Luke. I like your channel, I just subscribed.
I have been a tog for a while now and I bought two Contax 645 kits back in 2003, for use with Leaf digital backs in studio.
I sold off one kit over the years, but I hung onto one kit with the 80mm just for the 'GAS' that I suffer from. I had a real love/hate relationship with the Contax 645. It was great in studio with the digital back, but man those std 120 film inserts struggled to keep the film flat on the focal plane, at wide open apertures! Yes, I know of the vacuum back, I had that too, but that increased battery consumption on an already power-munching beast.
I also found a lot of the smaller switches on the C645 to be fiddly and stiff. Also over time, the rollers on the back inserts deteriorate, and little pieces of plastic end up in places you don't want them to be!
For my street photography, I bought a minty Pentax 645NII and paired it with an adapted 6x7 SMC 105mm 2.4. Total manual focus with a crystal clear viewfinder! If you want to stay with film, try the Pentax. It will surprise you. Ditch the Contax 645 before you end up being that guy left holding the baby!👍

[jcpatts]

I feel like this is always something photographers will wrestle with 😂 I have a Pentax 645, love it. When I shoot alongside 35mm the medium format blows it out of the water 90% of the time. The colors and depth are so different. Could be because I’m comparing it to an EOS 3 + 50 1.4 but still no comparison. I recently was gifted a rolleiflex and loooove what I’ve gotten from that with personal work. But the practical side of me loves my gfx. I got a 50s and it’s slow but is so perfect for replacing film for me. No more cost each photo and no more waiting weeks for the scans. Plus paying for shipping the film out too… I wish medium format gave you more than 12 or 16 shots because swapping rolls is a pain to me. I think having some sort of film during the day is important to help edit the digital files, but I’m relying on film less due to the cost and extra hassle.

[SeanNeale]

Pentax 67ii would be dope, but I also have an obsession with the Contax N1 for 35mm as a wildcard haha

[charlesgrove]

If you’re thinking 35 mm definitely an F6! Hard conundrum
Love the Hassey

[josephpeppard]

Hey Luke, I was thinking that the Nikon F6 film camera and the Nikkor 58mm and 85mm f/1.4 lenses might provide a smaller more compact solution for your film photography. In addition you'll have almost endless Nikkor F-mount lens options.

[contaxpaulharrison]

Have you considered simply buying a 140mm F2.8 lens for the Contax 645 it is a lot cheaper, and was the portrait lens for the Contax 645.

[unknownartdivision]

This is just my opinion, gear doesn't matter that much, yes it's important, but focusing too much on very excellent lens that are probably overpriced, especially when shooting film some times can be unnecessary. If you want still use the 645 format because gives you 15 or 16 shots per roll, you can consider other cameras, for example, Mamiya 645, Pentax 645, Zenza Bronica ETR/ETRS/ETRSi or maybe an Hasselblad using a A16 645 film back. If you want still shoot medium format film, you have some options left that are not Contax 🙂

[markycantalejo]

please post the last frame your contax took before your lens broke!