can use Carl zeiss lens, vertical grip. Optional immediate AF functioning even in MF mode.

Not cheap, less types of lens available at this moment, consume batteries quickly.

The hand grip is a bit small for large hand users, but vertical hand grip is a solution and allow more stable vertical handheld. This feature is unique among all 120 cameras. Also, you can choose to use 2CR5 or/and AA batteries when using vertical grip. The AF speed is slower than Pentax 645N, but good enough for taking portrait photos. The most smart feature is that you can use AF function at anytime by pressing AF selection bottom even it is in MF mode. Personally, I found the surface texture is very good. No 135mm film back available compared with Mamiya, less convenient. Finally, this camera consume batteries very fast especially using AF frequently.

Customer Service

No experience

Similar Products Used:

Rollei 6008, Pentax 645N & 67II, Mamiya 645 pro.

Feel like a 35mm, there for there is no need to use a tripod. Zeiss lense.

autofocus to slow and is not great in dim lighting. Battery life is way to short.

It is a good camera if you are coming out of a 35 mm system. Great for weddings, the only thing you have to worry about is posing the bridal party(leaving your light meter at home.) It is just a little bit expensive, and at this price i expected to make me toast. But overall i have to say i do love this camera. As you can tell i am great fan of zeiss optics

Similar Products Used:

Hasselblad 500cm
contax G2
Nikon F90X
Minolta X700
yashica T4 (P&S)

Handles like a 35mm
Spectacular optics
Responsive autofocus
Quick manual overide
ergonomically perfect
Data printed on film

1/125 sync slow for fill flash, a limitation for wedding work.
Battery consumption
Shutter vulnerable

Good riddance to my Hasselblad 500C; hello Contax! Thank god, at last a really modern medium format camera with the handling ease of a 35mm--AND great Zeiss lenses, with very competent autofocus to boot! This really is a wonderful camera ; I can see no reason to keep my 35mm Contax system--this handles just as well, but the larger film size (4x bigger) is MUCH better for scanning!. The sharpness and contrast of the 45mm, 80mm, and 210mm lenses surpasses the admittedly older Zeiss lenses (50mm, 80mm, 150mm) I was using with my Hasselblad. Highly recommended for professionals or any photographer serious about producing the finest possible images with a handheld camera.

Customer Service

(no experience yet)

Similar Products Used:

Hasselblad

great ergonomics
great lens quality
wonderful design

Battery life is fine if you leave continuous autofocus off.

A great camera. i was hesitant about the price, but it has been nothing but pleasure to work with.

Customer Service

None needed in 2 years

Similar Products Used:

Mamiya 645

A medium format camera that has most of the features of a 35mm reflex (autofocus, automatic film loading, lots of informations in vierwfinder, etc.) and more, such as exposure information printed on the side of the frame.
Extremely easy to use.
Also, I was suprised to see that despite its battery problem (see below) it behaved extremely well under extreme cold (-18 degrees Celsius).
Did I mention the beautiful Zeiss lenses?

Plastic construction feels cheap and fragile (compared to a solid Nikon F5, for example). A/F is kinda slow, comparable to an old F801 (N8008 in the US).
But battery consumption is the worst problem. I was shooting only 2-3 rolls per battery (lithium!) until I decided to turn off A/F. Now I focus manually as best as I can, and use the focusing button on the back for final correction only. This way I can shoot up to 5 rolls per battery -- wooah!

When I first used it I really thought it would replace my numerous 35mm cameras, but this did not happen. I often take it as my primary camera when travelling, but the battery issue is really annoying. (I don't like the idea of spending more money on batteries than on film.)
In many situations the F5 (which weighs about the same but is so much more dependable) or the G2 (with its superb Zeiss lenses) are a better choice.
Finally, the good old Rolleiflex takes pictures which are just as good (and square!) and it is much lighter.
Conclusion: I have mixed feelings about this camera; it's probably one of the best in the 6x4.5 category, but sometimes I think the money would have been better invested in an X-Pan or a Nikon AF-S lens...

Customer Service

Not used.

Similar Products Used:

Hasselblad 500C/M, Rolleiflex 2.8 GX, Contax G2, Nikon F5 & FM2, Leica R6, etc.

Carl Zeis Lens tac sharp
Battery pack accessary,

Focusing, Battery life and expense of the 2CR5 6V

I have used this camera for about 1 1/2 years and for the extreme price, expected alot more. In low light, the AF focusing is terrible. Recently, I bought the new Metz MZ5 Flash. This flash has an infrared beam built into the flash to aid an AF camera in focusing in low/dim lighting. Unfortunately, I bought the flash to find out that Contax (for whatever reason) has made the camera incompatable with any flash unit that has infrared capabilities. I initially blamed Bogen/Metz for the infrared beam not working. After intense research, found out the incompatabilty issue was with Contax. Recently purchased the Mamiya 645AF. The infrared built into the camera is excellent. Need this capability when you are in a dark low lit wedding reception when manual focus becomes difficult. Found the Metz MZ5 infrared overrides the infrared on the camera when the flash is on. This is fine. Either way I found the answer to my problem. Thankyou Mamiya!!

Customer Service

Fairly good, Contax and Yashika in NJ

Similar Products Used:

Mamiya 645 AF

SHARPLENES,EASY TO USE,VERYWELLMADE,JUST A GREAT CAMERA

a little to heavy

if you want a camera that takes fabulous photos this is the one! weddings are a joy to photograph,you have to have a fast, sharp, intelligent camera, that does the job. 645 is it.

Customer Service

very fast

Similar Products Used:

LEICA R8

PLEASE CORRECT SPELLING SEE CHANGE AT THE BOTTOM LINE.

a little too heavy.

***please correct my spelling on review sent in on 7/17/01. sharpest-lenses in the medium format range. also a little too heavy. thanks henry!

Customer Service

same

Similar Products Used:

LECIA R8

Auto-focusing, sharp image, relativly small lens compatible with many filter. Data imprinted on the film.

TOO HEAVY. power consumption.

Amazing Camera on the 6x4.5 film having AF function. Both AF function and T* Zeiss on this Japan made Lens can be used(This is the only srongness point I bought this camera). I cannot find any big difference of the image quality produced by this lens and Hass's Zeiss lens.
However, AF speed is a bit slow and AF cannot be worked at the low-light situation. The body with the sand-treatment surface is easy to be scratched. The locking button for some dials make me slow reponse of tuning and the control of AE lock is not so convenient(not the button pressing but the front dial turning).

Similar Products Used:

Mamiya 645 pro

Feels,handles, and responds similar to top-end 35mm cameras. Auto-focus a bit noisy, but quick. Love the data imprinting & the 1/125 flash sync.

Lack of lens system, have to wait "till April, 2000 for the 150/2.8 AF lens.

For someone looking for medium format quality who has eyesight problems with manual focusing, this camera handles beautifully. A dozen rolls of Provia 100F have turned out outstanding!

Similar Products Used:

Mamiya 645 Pro.