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Re: [OM] Worn out Zuikos

Subject: Re: [OM] Worn out Zuikos
From: AG Schnozz <agschnozz@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2003 18:11:34 -0700 (PDT)
Living on a rock Dan wrote:
>What Camera?

The Contax 645AF or the Pentax 645 NII.  Several months ago I
had the check halfway filled out for a brand new Pentax. 
Chickened out at the last second.  Good thing too, since the
battery insert decided to go into meltdown mode right in the
store!

Anyway, this does have relevance to this list as I have
seriously explored many MF options and have found only two
cameras that are even remotely close to the usability of the OM
system.  From a pure ergonomic and feature perspective, the
Contax is as "perfect" of a 645 system as they come.  Except for
the availibility and cost of lenses.

From a bang-for-the-buck perspective, the Pentax rocks.  Those
lenses are no slouches either.  Extremely sharp, contrasty and
filled with Bokeh!  As a field camera, the Pentax is a better
choice.  I believe the optics are actually a bit superior for
landscape photography than the Contax.  In the NII model, they
addressed most of the design weaknesses and feature shortages
that the AF-N had.  The data imprinting includes lens
information beyond just F-stop used.

The weight of the Pentax is amazing.  Their new lenses are also
very lightweight.  This is an outfit that you can comfortably
backpack with.  When all is said and done, the Pentax with a
decent ZOOM lens is still lighter and smaller than the average
DSLR.  And less expensive...

My only problem with the Pentax is the film-insert.  I would
much prefer interchangeable backs.  However, this is where a
second body comes in.  I wouldn't travel without a spare,
anyway.  Might as well load one with the Velvia 100 and the
other with Delta.  Hmm.  Just like today, with my OMs.

For wedding/portrait work, interchangeable backs don't matter. 
You're going to load up with a primary film such as Portra 160
or 400.  The inserts are quick to change.

Battery life in the Pentax NII is amazing.  Besides, the
batteries are AA.  Doesn't get any cheaper than that.  The
Pentax has much better power management than the Contax or the
Mamiya.  You can spend a week in the north-country without
worrying about batteries.

Back to the lenses... The AF lenses in the Pentax line have been
getting better and better, faster and faster.  The AF sensor is
incredibly accurate and the lenses snap into focus more like
what we are used to with the 35mm wonderbricks.  Contax' AF
lenses are also pretty snappy, but much heavier.  The Contax
lenses have a far superior manual-focus override than ANY other
AF camera.  You half-press the shutter, let it focus and then
you just turn the focus ring to "correct" the focus.  Think of
it as motorized focus assist.  The Pentax requires that you
scratch, rub and jump all at the same time.  The Pentax
focus-ring does turn in the wrong direction.  :(

The Contax and the Pentax are both logical choices in the
"upgrade path" to medium-format from the OM system.  The
viewfinders in either one will feel like home.  The Mamiya,
Bronica and Hassleblad are all dimmer and have courser focus
screens.  Kinda the difference between a 1-x and 2-x series
focus screens.

IF (a big IF) I do go with a new MF system, it would be one of
these two systems.  I'd have to give the nod to Pentax, though,
because of lens choices (the entire line of 645 lenses will work
with the latest body) and field use.

Kinda AG Schnozz

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