Building on Kristian's recent posts, is there any reason to add a Contax MF SLR system to an existing R8 system? I find myself collecting gear quickly; every few months I go on a buying spree. My wife buys shoes, I buy gear. Contax has interested me for years and I have toyed with the idea of an RX body, 28/2.8, 50/1.4 and 135 for what seems like years. Anybody what to take a shot at me?

-- Paolo d'V. (miscusa@tiscali.it), May 21, 2002

Answers

Not at all Paolo, I owned those three lenses and they are all excellent. The Contax system is very fine indeed. A much better value than the Leica R system IMHO. I would suggest that you consider the Aria instead of the RX. Smaller, lighter, quieter, and has an evaluative meter. And costs less. I never had any durability or reliability issue with the Aria (and I had two of them). I sold the Contax gear because I am happy with the M kit (35/50/90).

-- Dan Brown (brpatent@swbell.net), May 21, 2002.

Paolo

I don't see the point myself unless you want to waste money. If you do then no doubt you will do it whatever we say!

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), May 21, 2002.

I get these urges periodically so I entirely understand. I have Leica M & R systems along with a somewhat complimenting EOS system. My latest urge was to buy a Minolta X-700 body with 28, 50 & 85 or 100 Rokkors cheap, for a beater system that would take excellent pics and be totally expendable. This in spite of a lot of Leica maestros like Ernst Haas for example who repeatedly recommended minimal equipment. Resist the urge and it will pass. Use what you have, too much gear gets in the way. Good luck.

-- Gil Pruitt (wgpinc@yahoo.com), May 21, 2002.

Why buy a Contax AX and add autofocus to your R8 system? I'm sure autofocus would come in handy sometime. I understand the AX is a good camera plus your get the Zeiss lenses. Just a thought.

-- John Miller (vwbus1967@earthlink.net), May 21, 2002.

The problem with having a lot of different camera systems is that you will always find that the camera/lens you didn't bring with you is just the one you need. But if you bring them all, you will be too busy juggling gear to react to opportunities, and soon, too tired to care.

When I first began in photography more than 30 years ago, I had a Nikon F with two lenses and a Yashica TLR. I soon noticed that whenever I would pick up the Nikon, it would have the wrong lens on it. But the Yashica always had the right lens.

-- Dave Jenkins (djphoto@vol.com), May 21, 2002.

There are a couple or four of reasons to justify your urgings. Contax 28/2, 55/1.2, 85/1.2, 70-210/3.5 pre-Japanese Zeiss German optics. These, IMHO, are the only reasons to look at a Contax SLR. An Aria is too small for these lenses (balance) and the AX may make the whole thing to cumbersome. However, I think you can get an adapter for the AX to use R lenses with the AXs' AF mode. And if you get the "wants 'n gimmes" for these legendary Zeiss lenses, have your lawyer draw up the bankruptcy paper work in advance. You'll need it.

-- Marc Williams (mwilliams111313MI@comcast.net), May 22, 2002.

Paolo I have the RTS2 (and in the past a RTS3) and absolutely love this camera. The ergonomics and build quality are first class and I believe it handles better than the Leica R series. I also love the shutter button which requires a tiny touch to trip the shutter, none of the springyness commonly found on others. The Zeiss lenses are optically xcellent as well, though are not of the same construction quality as the R series but then again, they are about 1/3 the cost!

-- Karl Yik (karl.yik@dk.com), May 22, 2002.