Outstanding build quality. Fast, 2.8 Planar. AF is fast, and controlled all sorts of ways as options -- and it disengages if you grab the focus ring and turn!

None.

I love this camera. I love the images it produces even better. My *only* complaint is that the manual could be a little more informative.

Customer Service

I had occassion to call Kyocera and got an expert to answer my question in a friendly and knowledgable manner. A+

Similar Products Used:

Rollei TLRs, Voigtlander MF, Kiev 60 MF

Good build quality, perhaps too much so (weight penalty) Love the lenses, especially their speed. The Makro Planar is astonishing, as are all Zeiss S-Planar types.
Buy contax battery pack P8 (not listed in the 645 literature)much cheaper than the $300 oversize battery grip, and does the same thing (4x AA) and allows you to keep the power off camera, saving weight and keeping batteries warm in cold weather. Once I got this $58 accessories, battery life was no longer a problem.
Love the camera is general (see below, though)

Every camera has its faults: here are some of the contax's:
Major irritation nobody mentions is the auto-off feature which turns the camera off after 15 secs to save power. You cannot change this, and doing street photography it drives me insane. Pressing the shutter results in a half to 1 second delay while the camera powers up, and means you miss your shot. Surely you should be given the option to leave the camera on, if you have sorted out a good power source? Or at least to have power saving after 5 mins, not a few seconds after you just turned it on. Contax take note.
I also prefer the regular w.l. viewing hood over the prism finder. Prism cuts down brightness by 2 stops, I'd say, and is heavy.
Camera and (especially lenses) is too heavy in general. Anything that weighs more than it needs to is, de facto, badly designed. Lenses especially are over-weight, a typical zeiss flaw.
They should put a spirit level into the back of the waist level finder too.
More lenses please.
Apo Makro sould have been autofocus, it weighs enough and costs enough for that, and you can over-ride it easily enough. Their excuses of macro photogrpahers wanting control are just that - excuses.
Wish it was a 6x7 though!

This autofocus quality medium format camera really is new territory in the photo world, and opens up new possibilities for the medium.

Customer Service

no experience yet

Similar Products Used:

Mamiya 7
(problem with inaccurate focusing of longer lenses)
Plaubel Makina

I really love the exposure information imprinted on the negatives. It really helps me get an idea of what works and what doesn't for future photos. This is the 1st medium format camera I've ever bought/really used and I love it. It took me a very limited amount of time to figure out the basics of the camera. The camera is not overdone with multiple features and it seems as easy to use as a 35mm SLR. I like the solid feel of the camera when its in my hands. I also love the exceptional sharp pictures I've made using this camera!

Battery drain! I've gone through tons of batteries(I'm thinking of getting stock in Energizer). I recommend not using 2nd party or no-name-unfamiliar brands of batteries. I bought several new batteries at a camera show and they died very rapidly. I would suggest going with Duracell or Energizer.
On one occassion I did have the camera stop functioning because the battery got cold from weather, a remote battery pack in a pocket/coat would probably help. I lugged this camera around for a month in back-pack while vacationing in Europe, it becomes heavy after a while. The back-pack only contained my camera, a 2nd lens, a 2nd back, a flash, and few small accessories and it was still heavy. I really wish I could afford to buy more lenses, cost effectively speaking its a very expensive camera.

I'm not by any means a pro, I am a fine art photography but this camera does just about everything I've ever wanted and more. I don't regret buying this camera, but I wish it was cheaper to buy extra lenses and misc accessories for this camera. It can bit bulky and akward because of its size, but a great camera overall.

Customer Service

None

Similar Products Used:

Pentaz SF-10, Zeiss Ikon Icarex, Nikon Point and Click.

Big bright view finder,easy to read info in viewfinder, excellent zeiss lenses, focus is right on the money; camera body feels solid, as does lenses, handles well

Product has no power saving features; this camera just EATS BATTERIES!! I realize that the battery is moving a large heavy lens and powering a sophisticated piece of equipment BUT...COME ON ALREADY- I should own stock in Energizer!!! In addition, its too heavy, I feel that the auto focus is a tad slow, - I also use a Canone EOS 1N and I feel that the auto focus on the 1N is quicker. Not enough lenses in product line, expensive camera, expensive lenses, expensive accessories

I am delighted with the photos this camera delivers. I'd recommend this camera to anyone.

Customer Service

no experience

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS 1N, Fuji 645, Mamiya 645

Excellent lenses, both optically and mechanically. Excellent lens mount. MF with AF, good metering system. Intuitive ergonomics. 1/4000 of a sec shutter speed and good height placement of the shutter release.

Lenses are too big and heacy as compared to other makes, such as Pentax, try to compare the 210mm focal length. AEL mode would like to see a push button instead. AF a tad too slow and noisy, also the AF point could be finer. Grip not that comfortable for people with large hands.

After over a year and a half of use, I can easily recommend the Contax 645 system to everyone. The system is well made with excellent lenses, especially the MP120 F4 APO, focuses down to 1:1 with true apo quality and an excellent lens barrel. Power consumption is not a problem for me, on average can last 12-15 rolls a piece. Don't understand why the lense have to be made so big in length. Just look at Pentax's 200 F4, small and compact. A great medium format system to live with and I just wish that they'll introduce more lenses. Also not that expensive coz you don't have to buy a separate metering prism or a motor drive just like Hassy's 503 system.

Customer Service

None required

Similar Products Used:

Hassel CF 503 system

Looks neat

turns off every 15 sec. Battery only last 2 rolls 220. Cable releise for bulb only. Very frail,cheep constrution. Shutter is vulnerable when back is off. Dosen't hold its value. (i cant give it away) Rediculesly over priced.

What an absalutely worthless piece of equiptment. How are you suppose to make photographs with a camera that takes a second to power back up when you try to releise the shutter?!! Sorry missed the shot! The d*** thing turned its self off! This camera is not suited pro use. I'm sure it will not survive. I'm thinking Yugo with a Rolls price. At least i can wright it off.

Customer Service

Accesable but not helpfull.

Similar Products Used:

Hassy,and Nikon

Flash synch, Lens quality and speed, 120/220 Backs

Battery drain, shutter vulnerability, small buttons, Polaroid Back

Although the image quality is superb from this camera I feel that the camera may not be suited for heavy pro use. The batteries do not last long enough and the shutter is too vulnerable and delicate. This is disappointing because otherwise the concept and the image quality is superb. I regret trading my Blad gear for the Contax outfit.

Customer Service

Faulty shutter cost me two weddings. Camera sent to Japan for repair and is still not back some 12 weeks later.

Similar Products Used:

Hasselblad 503CW, pentax 645AF, Bronica ETRS etc

Easy to learn and use. Super sharp lenses at a bargain price compared to Hasselblad. Works without fail.

Battery life and the power saving feature comes on too quickly and can not be adjusted. One must buy the battery grip.

Great camera, Great value. Lenses are made in Japan, big deal. If you are not getting great images with this camera, guess what, it is not the camera. Contax should have spent the extra money to have a power chip designed with a much lower power consumption rate. I have not yet seen a med format camera with a few quirks.

Customer Service

Very slow to ship the free back. Should have been prepared with enough inventory for the promotion. Fast service on repairing my 360 flash.

Similar Products Used:

Mamiya 645 1000s Mamiya 645 Pro and Hasselblad CM500

Quality! Images! Compact for medium format! Hand holdable! Fast! Autofocus in a medium format! Zeiss lenses! What more could you want?

Uses batteries quickly. Auto focus a little slow, but still greatly appreciated when the eyes are tired.

I sold my hasselblad and haven't looked back. Handles like a 35mm for those quick shots. The images are incredible, at least as good maybe even better than the hassy. Don't let the light body fool you, IT IS NOT A DELICATE CAMERA! (of course your shutter is vulnerable when the back is off, they all are) I LOVE THIS CAMERA, IT HAS NOT LET ME DOWN! As with any camera you must take the time to know its strength and weekness and find new ways to deal with it. This camera has just a few minor weaknesses but all in all, good work Contax, keep it up!

Customer Service

Responsive, helpful.(My problem was with the cable release).Quick.

Similar Products Used:

Hasselblad 503CW

Quality lenses and great feature set. Nice to manually override AF function by turning lens barrel.

Battery drain more than some others, but not to the extent many complain. I feel if you can’t afford batteries, how in earth did you pay for the camera? Accessory and lens costs higher than I hoped.

In making my move from 35mm to medium format, I rented the Contax, Mamiya and Pentax to see which I liked. All nice cameras, but the Contax won me over hands down. Many useable features, good construction, great lens quality and AF that works fine (important for me). Yes, it will be an expensive move, but for those taking this plunge, the quality of your work increases dramatically. I’ve used this camera extensively for 14 months in architectural, portraiture and sports shots with stunning results and no regrets or problems.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Mamiya, Pentax 645