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21 Jan, 2009
CONTAX RTS II QUARTZ ACCEPTS CARL ZEISS C/Y LENSES
The Contax RTS II Quartz 35mm camera should be owned by any professional that appreciates ease of use and splendid, predictable results from a tried and true camera.
The Contax RTS II Quartz is excellent because it is a full size comfortable professional piece. It is only one of a few models that affords the use of the significant and high quality Carl Zeiss lenses with the C/Y mount, some of the best in the world. This is the strength of this body that pushes it past its counterparts.
It is versatile and accepts a wide range of peripherals, such as remote shutter cable, TTL Flash, and three different Contax Motor Drives. Once a motor is attached, such as the Contax Professional Motor Drive W-6, for example, the user has the pleasure of a form fitted grip that eliminates fatigue and provides complete stability for your photographs. The feel resembles the Canon F-1 with the fitted motor grip, although slightly less room for your hand. But the results overall should be better with a Zeiss lens vs. any stock Canon glass. While Zeiss lenses are a bit pricey, they are cheap in comparison to the same piece in Medium Format size. Additionally, this camera also accepts other lenses such as Yashica with fine results as well if the user is on a strict budget. (But do upgrade to Zeiss when you can! Wow.)
I recommend the use of a Motor Drives with your Contax to add weight and balance to the camera resulting in especially tack sharp images.
The design of the RTS II resembles the medium format line of Contax, with its oversize white lettering on a jet black body. It will lend you the prestige and confidence your camera is used by the most elite professionals. It has shutter speeds to 2000 and easy to understand instructions and operation.
The RTS II sports Quarts Timing for great tested precision; a 97% viewfinder (better than earlier RTS), and a horizontal titanium-foil shutter that is exceptionally durable. Of the 5 that I have owned at the studio, none have failed. Foams on the RTS are probably the first thing to go, as with most cameras. But I would rate the longevity of the Contax foams higher than a Leica, which otherwise compares well. Most of the many I have seen still have the foam in tact and are still fine with many more years of use remaining before service is needed.
While some believe it is more realistic and better, 35mm film format can be more expensive than digital. It is not quite as nice as medium format larger film negatives (which are even more expensive). I would place this camera on a par with a nice Leica, Nikon, or Canon of the same 80's to 90's period and have confidence using it with pride in most professional applications.
03 Feb, 2009
Polaroid OneStep Express Film Camera Durable, Sharp Pix
1 of 1 found this helpful RECOMMEND: BUY
As of 2/2/09: New and lightly used specimens of the Polaroid OneStep Express Film Camera are hightly recommended. Similar to all other fine counterparts in the 600 line, they use the common Polaroid 600 film currently flooding the market. Results can be spectacular with a little practice.
Many a Pro have used this very camera to pretest setups for light and composition before coming in with the Hasselblad or Graphlex. It is dependable, streak free and flops out a 3 x 3 photo on a 4 x 3 border. Its instant film sheets are sold in packs of 10 qty cartridges and bulk packaging is available. The price is amazingly low per shot if you consider the normal expense of travel and processing/or purchasing other printing equipment.
This specific unit has a 106 mm lens with automatic focus. It has two focus zones from 2 feet to infinity. It has auto flash, and auto shutter speed as well and it recharges from a battery in the film cartridge in .4 seconds.
This sleek attractive design is available in multiple colors and is made carefully in the United Kingdom. It flips open and shut to protect the telemetry from the elements and most models come with a soft case that holds the camera and several packs of film. While the materials used to make it are probably cheaper in relation to most cameras, the design, durability and function are not. The excellent shoot to print turn around time and ease of use put all Polaroid 600 cameras at an advantage even against digital.
The "Positive" original you get with this camera is larger than a medium format negative! (The lens does not compare to most medium format, however). There is little grain in a polaroid picture as it is not reproduced from a smaller negative emulsion. 8 x 8 enlargements or scans can easisly be done.
Artists and writers have often used this camera to illustrate their books with splendid results from the positive. Recently, there has been a craze to publish photo books created entirley by the Polaroid.
Some of the best uses of this camera are probably family photo albums, parties, event giveaways, vacations, testing light and set ups, inventory, construction, insurance, and legal uses. The original prints cannot be easily doctored and hold up well as evidence in court as a truthful representation of any scene.
Reports that the film will become scarce are unlikely as the company has announced plans to sell the rights to make the film once it ceases production of the cameras and film in 2010. Further, stocks are high and it is a great opportunity to get in on the historic Polaroid Instant craze if you never had the chance before. The format is amazingly uncontested despite being the only way to get a print without external devices right away. -Nathan H. Photozinc.