Contax ends production of 35mm cameras
Comments: 5
Via dangerousmeta a link to an article in the British Journal of Photography called Contax — the end of an era:
The manufacture of Contax and Kyocera branded 35mm film cameras has ceased, and digital products are to follow by the end of the year, marking the end of an era.
A spokesman for Kyocera in the UK confirmed to BJP that the Japanese manufacturer has already stopped production of both its own and Contax-branded 35mm film cameras. These include the Contax TVS-III, which is a high-end zoom compact; and the electronic rangefinder, the Contax G2.
My ‘mini-camera’ is an old Contax T2, and I’ve long wanted a G-series rangefinder. Look for the price of those to go through the roof. The end of an era indeed! Garret also links to an article suggesting that production of the 645 series will continue.
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Posted to Oh, the Humanity • 2005.03.06 (Sun) • 11:45
Comments
Posted by Fazal Majid 2005.03.06, 13:22
The Contax G2 is not really a rangefinder. If you long for some Zeiss lens goodness, have a look at the revived Zeiss Ikon, a true Leica M compatible rangefinder.
Posted by arthur 2005.03.07, 05:08
I have a T2, too. The greatest “point and shoot” ever made, I think.
Posted by Simon 2005.03.08, 05:37
Whilst on the subject of old rangefinder cameras - you may be interested in the early Kodak Retina range, from memory the IIIC was the cream of the crop, built in light meter and interchangable lenses - build quality to die for.
The Zeiss Ikon cameras had superb quality but unfortunately servicing is a real problem and lenses were prone to balsam separation (cement between the elements creeps)
My personal camera is a Rolleiflex T (tessar lens) 6x6cm format.
Posted by Keith Jenkins 2005.03.09, 17:42
I love my Contax cams! I had held out hope for a digital G series…guess not. I do have a couple of G2 cams, however, not true rangefinders but very nice none the less! So, might Kyocera start using Zeiss glass for cell phones?
Posted by jh 2005.03.10, 00:02
So, might Kyocera start using Zeiss glass for cell phones?
I expect Sony to be the first. ;-)
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