Coolest Camera?

unpopular · Aug 24, 2012

I owned the more modern RX, another sexy 35MM Contax. You really can't appreciate these things until you pick one up. Not only do they look nice, they're better built than ANYTHING. They weigh an absolute ton, but are so well balanced and ergonomic (ergonomics were designed by Porche), it was way more comfortable than my current plastic fantastic.

(Contax System)

The 645 remains my dream machine:

With vertical grip and Kodak DCSPro 645
(Contax 645)

(Contax 645 AF Camera and Lens Specifications)

What I wouldn't give for a digital G:

(http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2010/05/07/the-friday-film-the-contax-g2/)

If there is any potential in a camera brand gone by, the Contax G is it. If Kyocera doesn't, someone absolutely must resurrect this.

Derrel · Aug 24, 2012

Rick Waldroup said:
The original Contax RTS, first introduced in 1975. It featured state-of-the-art Japanese electronics, a body designed by Porsche, and superb German lenses.

I owned one of these for about a year. Bought it just a few months after they came out. I always had people stop and ask about the camera when I was out shooting. I sold it and went back to shooting Nikons. It is still the sexiest camera I ever owned. Even better looking than my Zone VI 4x5....

These cameras not only looked sexy, they FELT absolutely sexy...sensual...luxurious...the body covering was very soft to the touch...it was absolutely unlike that of ANY OTHER camera I have ever felt...the covering was ever-so-slightly "squishy", for lack of a better term! "Like fine Corinthian leather!" as Ricardo Montalban used to say...no, wait...that was the Chrysler Cordoba's seats...and Corinthian leather is the kind of leather that simply does not exist!

unpopular · Aug 24, 2012

^^ exactly! it's hard to explain. The covering isn't "soft", but "luxuriously squishy".

I never owned a camera that was just so amazing actually use. It was really easy to forget about the camera and just focus on photography.

And the focus assist on the RX was the BEST. Period.

SamSpade1941 · Aug 24, 2012

Currently this one.. and I pretend she is an F4s.....

View attachment 18200

unpopular · Aug 24, 2012

... Leica is like a Rolls Royce, nice for the old stuffy crowed. Contax is like a Maserati.

(look what you people have done, unleashed the contaxian in me)

Ysarex · Aug 24, 2012

unpopular said:
What I wouldn't give for a digital G:

(The Friday Film The Contax G2! | STEVE HUFF PHOTOS)

If there is any potential in a camera brand gone by, the Contax G is it. If Kyocera doesn't, someone absolutely must resurrect this.

I used to shoot a Contax G system for a number of years. It certainly was a sweet little camera. I rank that 28mm Biogon as one of the 5 best optics I've ever used over a 35 year career. I sold the G system when I finally made the full switch to digital. Still a pang or two of nostalgia, but I wouldn't swap back.

Joe

unpopular · Aug 24, 2012

I know what you mean, but at the same time I kind of feel like Kyocera abandoned the brand too early. I can understand why they did, but I think that today they are probably kicking themselves over it.

The Digital G could have really given Leica competition for the M9 Digital. I suspect that if Zeiss does go digital, it will be under the Contax name and that there will be a Digital G and some possibly at some point some kind of Digital R-series. Currently there just isn't a whole lot of option in luxury end, aside from Leica and possibly Fuji.

Derrel · Aug 24, 2012

Here is an oldie-but-goodie...VERY sexy when actually seen up-close and personal....the Rolleiflex 2.8 F....

Photography Matters: Just one camera? This would be it. The Rolleiflex 2.8F

unpopular · Aug 24, 2012

For me the Rolleicord was always just a TLR. But the 6008 always sparked my imagination

(equipment |*phoTon)

Always been well outside my budget, the Arcbody is by far my favorite from Hasselblad

(http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/hasselblad/cameras/hasselmodels/models/arc.htm)

The mamiya Press Super 23 was always a beautiful camera:

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/dsevilla/2122540587/)

With its horrible ergonomics, dim viewfinder, dim ground glass, heavy, fragile with weird, difficult to use movements, it was always better to look at than to actually use. I've spent hundreds, if not thousands trying.

Rick Waldroup · Aug 25, 2012

unpopular said:
I know what you mean, but at the same time I kind of feel like Kyocera abandoned the brand too early. I can understand why they did, but I think that today they are probably kicking themselves over it.

The Digital G could have really given Leica competition for the M9 Digital. I suspect that if Zeiss does go digital, it will be under the Contax name and that there will be a Digital G and some possibly at some point some kind of Digital R-series. Currently there just isn't a whole lot of option in luxury end, aside from Leica and possibly Fuji.

How cool would it be to have a digital Contax G system.:heart:

I, too, shot a G for several years for my personal work. As others have mentioned, the lenses were excellent. Super sharp, small, lightweight, and relatively inexpensive compared to other lenses on the market at that time.

Helen B · Aug 25, 2012

unpopular said:
For me the Rolleicord was always just a TLR. But the 6008 always sparked my imagination

The SL 66 SE is/was my favourite of the Rolleiflexes - so much so that I have three of them, or 0.1% of the total production run.

The mamiya Press Super 23 was always a beautiful camera:

View attachment 18218
(Mamiya Super 23 polaroid tribute | Flickr - Photo Sharing!)

With its horrible ergonomics, dim viewfinder, dim ground glass, heavy, fragile with weird, difficult to use movements, it was always better to look at than to actually use. I've spent hundreds, if not thousands trying.

That and the simpler Universal. Great lenses, nice big negs and a couple of lenses that will cover the whole frame of 3.25 x 4.25 instant film.

manaheim · Aug 25, 2012

I have a D100 that was stripped. It's all nude now. Pretty hawt. I keep her away from the D800. After all, he's just a little boy.

pixmedic · Aug 25, 2012

just picked up a Pentax auto 110 Super!
Petite and Sexy!

View attachment 18289 View attachment 18290

Derrel · Aug 25, 2012

The Mamiya Press 23 was...so...sooo "Mamiya"...meaning the absolute opposite of sexy...

Now on the other hand, Linhof made a press camera that still burns in my mind from my single camera show encounter with it...a full system, fitted hard case, immaculate, priced at a "Firm" used car price point, 15 years ago...the Linhof Technika 70...zOMG, what a a sexy beast!!!!

http://www.fotoduo.com/images/Technika_70_2008.pdf

and also

Google Image Result for http://infocast.nl/storage/LinhofPress70b.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1316034035042