Marc,
I did not receive your long private message.
Let me deal with your comments in sequence where appropriate.
Your comments on the photo can be viewed on
http://contaxinfo2.com/photopost_3/showphoto.php?photo=899
And are:
“I'm sorry Clive, but don't these demonstration shots from a non Contax camera belong in the test Gallery?â€
Not very smiley and warm in my book.
Out of context comments? I was ready for this defence and posted dates so that others could view the whole message and see that they do actually represent your views at the time.
It appears that you have forgotten a vital element of your criticism of the Contax ND – that of image quality:
July 27th – you advocate that all images need work in PhotoShop.
Oct. 3rd – “But I'm not totally convinced of the image quality on this camera quite yet. The need to lift every image in PhotoShop so much concerns me because the more you have to screw around with digital images the more the danger of artifacts and degraded image. Also weak the blacks from this camera concern me a lot.â€
Nov 23rd – “Conversly, we still do not have decent software for the Contax ND. At ISO 400 the Canon G3 delivers better pictures at 1/10th the price (and I'm not kidding about that).â€
Actually I do not mind digital images per say. I am well on the road to being 100% digital in the future and welcome that day. What I do object to is when people who have bought a dog try and convince others that the image quality is as good as film. That might influence others to make a mistake.
Before Michael Hahn hits the roof:
“I've invested heavily in that look for years and years. However, this camera is a DOG, and those defending it are either honestly unaware of what is really possible from a good digital camera, or "whistling past the graveyard" IMO.†– Marc Williams Dec. 6th.
Marc, I apologise about labelling you as a wedding photographer. This was a honest mistake based on your postings of Jul 3rd where you claim to be considering the ND for pro’ work, mainly weddings and on Sept. 28th, Oct. 2nd, Nov 26th, Dec 2nd, Dec. 4th and Mar. 13th. where you mention doing wedding photography.
Also, anyone viewing your web site
www.fotografz.com might also be forgiven for making the same mistake.
Yes, nearly everything is being printed digitally. BUT that does not mean that you cannot still produce a film image in the old fashioned way. You went digital because of financial reasons, NOT to improve image quality.
Perhaps I got confused with your swapping and changing: There are references to purchases of two Kodak camera and two Canon cameras after your investment in the N Digital. Once you had decided to get rid of the Contax and buy other systems you began to defend it. Maybe the less you use it the better it is?
Marc, you claim to be well versed in all manner of digital imagery and I do not dispute that. But despite all your experience and the fact that you shoot many times the images of others such as myself you needed expert help to obtain the best from the ND. What chance have others got of getting decent results?
Marc, you make many and varied comments about all sorts of things. I have brought some of these points to light because you appear to contradict yourself constantly.
You make more than one comment to the effect that you do not trust Contax as a company yet remain patron of this site.
You state three times that you would not buy another Contax but then try and swap your ND for another Contax.
You offer expert opinion on matters such as lens resolution where other experts use microscopes to form opinions yet you shun the use of a common loupe or magnifying glass to view a print.
You moan at the expense of a $6,500 digital camera that does not perform as it should yet later state that it is worth the money as a pure tool for monochrome.
Your comments taken together do not add up!
I do wonder what sort of ‘deal’ you got from your Contax agent in order for you to remain so loyal after posting such heart felt and well documented criticism of both the product itself and the company’s after sales service?
Clive