One more Q, if I may..I need a light, 2nd body for the 18 and 28 lenses, manual focus. The Aria is the lightest, but for an extra one third of a kilo penalty, I can get an RX.. So my question is, would the so-called badly d&ed mirror affect the photos so much that I would need to carry the penalty weight of the RX. The teles have the AX. The lighter the better, but not at a compromise..
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paulcontax
Well-Known Member
Posted by Thomas Turk (Thomast) on Wednesday, January 07, 2004 - 4:53 pm:
One more Q, if I may..I need a light, 2nd body for the 18 and 28 lenses, manual focus. The Aria is the lightest, but for an extra one third of a kilo penalty, I can get an RX.. So my question is, would the so-called badly d&ed mirror affect the photos so much that I would need to carry the penalty weight of the RX. The teles have the AX. The lighter the better, but not at a compromise..
Hi Thomas,
I'm using an old Yashica FR for those occasions. VERY good build quality !!! Much better d&ed than Yashica FX-3 (I had 3 different ones incl. the 2000-version). Much better viewfinder and operation. Just a (cheap) thought.... ;-) Paul
One more Q, if I may..I need a light, 2nd body for the 18 and 28 lenses, manual focus. The Aria is the lightest, but for an extra one third of a kilo penalty, I can get an RX.. So my question is, would the so-called badly d&ed mirror affect the photos so much that I would need to carry the penalty weight of the RX. The teles have the AX. The lighter the better, but not at a compromise..
Hi Thomas,
I'm using an old Yashica FR for those occasions. VERY good build quality !!! Much better d&ed than Yashica FX-3 (I had 3 different ones incl. the 2000-version). Much better viewfinder and operation. Just a (cheap) thought.... ;-) Paul
olebojensen
Active Member
Hi photofriends
I just rediscovered the best Contax equipment for me.
On a trip to Thailand I brought an Aria, 18/4, 28/2,8, 80-200/4 and TLA200 and this combination covered every possible photosituation. I just bought the Aria one month before leaving and compared to my 167mt (same in 10 yrs), the Aria is far superior in every way but nightmetering.
I also brought the book 'Tha Tao of Photography' by Tom Ang and reading his eastern inspired advices in a buddist country seemed to give me a more open mind to the subjects, they kind of came to me, rather than I 'envented' them.
I brought home 27 rolls Sensia/Velvia and I don't think I've ever had this kind of hit rate.
I have scanned 160 of the 900 pictures on my Nikon Coolscan LS-40, and if you like you can take the trip with me on
As far as my digital considerations I have put them very low on my wishlist. Aria/Zeiss/Fuji/a good projector and a screen, that's eyecandy.
Regards
Ole
ps. feel free to give me feedback
I just rediscovered the best Contax equipment for me.
On a trip to Thailand I brought an Aria, 18/4, 28/2,8, 80-200/4 and TLA200 and this combination covered every possible photosituation. I just bought the Aria one month before leaving and compared to my 167mt (same in 10 yrs), the Aria is far superior in every way but nightmetering.
I also brought the book 'Tha Tao of Photography' by Tom Ang and reading his eastern inspired advices in a buddist country seemed to give me a more open mind to the subjects, they kind of came to me, rather than I 'envented' them.
I brought home 27 rolls Sensia/Velvia and I don't think I've ever had this kind of hit rate.
I have scanned 160 of the 900 pictures on my Nikon Coolscan LS-40, and if you like you can take the trip with me on
As far as my digital considerations I have put them very low on my wishlist. Aria/Zeiss/Fuji/a good projector and a screen, that's eyecandy.
Regards
Ole
ps. feel free to give me feedback
Hi there,
Ole,
May I be yet another in a long line of viewers to congratulate you on your photographic skills. I love your composition, your sense of colour and of course the sensitivity in your work.
Long Live Light and Zeiss!
Regards and God Bless you,
Paul Matthews
Ole,
May I be yet another in a long line of viewers to congratulate you on your photographic skills. I love your composition, your sense of colour and of course the sensitivity in your work.
Long Live Light and Zeiss!
Regards and God Bless you,
Paul Matthews
R
rickd
Ole, your photos are wonderful; you're certainly putting your gear to good use. It will take me a while to peruse them all.
(And let me say what a pleasure it is to be able to see all the thumbnails on a single page, as compared to a series of pages.)
Best regards,
--Rick
(And let me say what a pleasure it is to be able to see all the thumbnails on a single page, as compared to a series of pages.)
Best regards,
--Rick
Ole,
I've been on your site a few times, and always find it most enjoyable. The pictures are of a very high standard - not many of mine would be capable of standing up against them.
Do you get on with the 25? I see you don't have many from that lens on your site, yet many more from the 28.
Best,
David.
I've been on your site a few times, and always find it most enjoyable. The pictures are of a very high standard - not many of mine would be capable of standing up against them.
Do you get on with the 25? I see you don't have many from that lens on your site, yet many more from the 28.
Best,
David.
olebojensen
Active Member
Everybody,
Thanks for the nice words.
David...
I have had 2 different 25/2.8 lenses, but neither could, IMHO, compete with the 28/2.8 in clarity and color rendition. I dont know if I've been out of luck with the ones I got, but they were not as open in the images as my 28. And with the 18mm as an alternative I also consider the widearea covered best with 18+28.
Thanks again.
Ole
Thanks for the nice words.
David...
I have had 2 different 25/2.8 lenses, but neither could, IMHO, compete with the 28/2.8 in clarity and color rendition. I dont know if I've been out of luck with the ones I got, but they were not as open in the images as my 28. And with the 18mm as an alternative I also consider the widearea covered best with 18+28.
Thanks again.
Ole
diane_kramer
Member
Bravo Ole. The photos are beautiful.
Your wonderful pictures transported me from a miserable, gray, cold place to warm, colorful locations. The photos clearly demonstrate your skill and your passion for photography.
Thanks,
Diane
Your wonderful pictures transported me from a miserable, gray, cold place to warm, colorful locations. The photos clearly demonstrate your skill and your passion for photography.
Thanks,
Diane
D
davidfung
Hi all. I have a question. I am planning on going on some form of trip to pretty rugged country. Potentiall hundreds of miles from any form of modern civilisation (that is, away from electricity, courier postal service, etc). I am planning on taking photos, probably my main goal. I have invested a lot in Contax gear and want to continue to use it. Can anyone give suggestions as to the applicability of the contax system for harsh conditions. There may be sand (i.e., dessert) and maybe rain and maybe snow/ice. I am only planning on taking two lenses, as 25/28 and a 45/50. My initial thoughts were on the 28/45 combo. My concern is how realiable are the bodies and how well do they stand up to harsh conditions. Will probably take two bodies to remove the need to change lenses. Anyway, any thoughts or comments are most welcomed. Thanks, David.
Having traveled all over with my RTS and then the RTSII and now RTSIII's you shouldn't have any problems. The cameras are very rugged. Bring along several dust brushes and keep them in plastic bags. I used to carry a can of air, but post 9/11 that's become problamatic so a large bulb blower is essential. You will need to do regular extenal cleaning with the ususal soft cloths and be very careful when changing lenses. I always carry a few large heavy zip bags to hold stuff especially film. Bring extra AA batteries as they are often expensive and double bag them. likely the cameras will hold up better than the photogarpher. have a great time, take pictures!
D
davidfung
Phil, thanks for your thoughts. How about the lenses? Do they hold up as well? Did you travel into areas with extreme conditions? Like sub zero? Sand storms? Blizzards? The camera will probably not be used during those conditions, but how did they survive the rapid changes in humidity, temperature and dust? Thanks, David.
Let me be more detailed, First, I always keep a UV or 1A filter on just to protect the front elements. My choice is B+W or Helopan due to optical qualities and my being a snob. It's impossible to keep all the smutz off the lenses so I carry two small trim (chip) paint brushes to clean off the "stuff". One 2.5cm with the bristles cut short and one 5cm. The focusing helical and f stop rings need some protection and a wide rubber band can really be helpful but unless dunked, they are well designed and can be brushed out.
if you feel grit when you focus, stop and use a (chip) brush to clean out the grit before it works itself into the helical. When you change lenses, point the lens down to avoid moisture getting into the mirror box.
In extreme cold, leave the camera outside your clothing to avoid moisture condensing and causing that series of problems. Again a plastic bag open on the botton to allow airflow can do wonders. When traveling in the Negev dust was the problem, not sand, in Asia it was humidity (!) and in Europe rain rain and more rain so I often use an EWA bag to protect the camera if I really had to shoot, but usually just a heavy plastic bag. It may look dumb, but a 3p glad zip-lock bag can save you big bucks in repair. Be sure the bag is really clean inside and don't leave the camera in the hot (direct) sun inside the bag, for that some aluminum foil can be a real help. I also have a silica gel canister in my bag to try keep things dry. I think I got it at Porter's many years ago, be sure it's the type that can be heated to recharge it
If you can keep the majority of "elements" off the cameras you stand a better chance of aclamating them without damage. You have to understand that in extreme conditions the equipment might not work the same so don't force anything! A lot of common sense can save you a ton on money. I hope this helps
if you feel grit when you focus, stop and use a (chip) brush to clean out the grit before it works itself into the helical. When you change lenses, point the lens down to avoid moisture getting into the mirror box.
In extreme cold, leave the camera outside your clothing to avoid moisture condensing and causing that series of problems. Again a plastic bag open on the botton to allow airflow can do wonders. When traveling in the Negev dust was the problem, not sand, in Asia it was humidity (!) and in Europe rain rain and more rain so I often use an EWA bag to protect the camera if I really had to shoot, but usually just a heavy plastic bag. It may look dumb, but a 3p glad zip-lock bag can save you big bucks in repair. Be sure the bag is really clean inside and don't leave the camera in the hot (direct) sun inside the bag, for that some aluminum foil can be a real help. I also have a silica gel canister in my bag to try keep things dry. I think I got it at Porter's many years ago, be sure it's the type that can be heated to recharge it
If you can keep the majority of "elements" off the cameras you stand a better chance of aclamating them without damage. You have to understand that in extreme conditions the equipment might not work the same so don't force anything! A lot of common sense can save you a ton on money. I hope this helps
Hi,
I am currently working for 99% digitally (unfortunately no ND
), but I notice tha to get fast results, analog is still favourable (contradiction? ) i shoot a lot of portraits on location or in the studio.
I am looking into an "old" contax system, like the 159MM or 167MT. I found a lot on ebay and one or two at a local store, any hints where to look for regarding defects?
thanks!
I am currently working for 99% digitally (unfortunately no ND
), but I notice tha to get fast results, analog is still favourable (contradiction? ) i shoot a lot of portraits on location or in the studio. I am looking into an "old" contax system, like the 159MM or 167MT. I found a lot on ebay and one or two at a local store, any hints where to look for regarding defects?
thanks!
jsmisc
Well-Known Member
Hi Marco.
I had a 167MT once but couldn't really get on with the buttons. Also the main circuit board failed leaving the camera dead after about 15 months. This was years ago and the bill would have been £200 if Kyocera hadn't relented and reduced it to £80 as I recall, during my somewhat aggrieved negotations. I was probably just unlucky as I have not heard of any other similar complaints.
Hope that helps,
John
I had a 167MT once but couldn't really get on with the buttons. Also the main circuit board failed leaving the camera dead after about 15 months. This was years ago and the bill would have been £200 if Kyocera hadn't relented and reduced it to £80 as I recall, during my somewhat aggrieved negotations. I was probably just unlucky as I have not heard of any other similar complaints.
Hope that helps,
John
V
vdipiet
Marco, I think if something is wrong with one of these used cameras it would be internal. If I were you I would seek out a used Aria from a reputable store. The Aria is still in production so if something does go wrong at least it would be easier to fix. Plus the Aria is a great great camera. That's my 2 cents.
V
vdipiet
I find the Aria to be much more comfortable to hold than the 167mt.