The Carl Zeiss T* lens line up comprises roughly the fastest medium formatlenses in each focal length range. Thats slowerthan the Rollei 600x and Pentax 645N, but faster than all other systemsto-date. The Contax advances film at the rate of 1.6 frames per second. Thereader scans the barcode on DX-coded film and sets the film speed automatically,just like on most 35mm cameras. The Contax is one of a few medium format cameras to have this feature. The camera prints exposure data on film outside the picture area. This handy feature is well described in theContax RTSIII review here on. Also available is the TTL pre-flash metering feature whichworks with ANY flash equipment. The Contax offers the fastest flash sync of 1/125s for focal plane shuttermedium format SLRs. 1/125s flash sync and TTL pre-flash metering.This will be discussed in greater details. The AFsystem doesnt have an AF-MF clutch and hence allows for simultaneous AF andMF.Īdditionally, the AF system uses a high precision area sensor for enhancedaccuracy. Unlike the Mamiya and the Pentax, the Contax uses in-lens motors. The standard viewfinder is the AE prism finder with center-weighted and spotmetering options.

This theoretically increases focus accuracy and provides sharper pictures.Unfortunately the Vacuum Film Insert works only with 220 films due tointerference of the backing paper on 120 films. A mechanism createsa vacuum during the moment of exposure and keeps the film flat on the pressureplate. The Vacuum Film Insertis a Contax exclusive. The regular insert accommodates both120 and 220 film types by rotation of the pressure plate. There are three filmbacks currently available for the Contax: Standard,Polaroid, and Digital.įor Standard, two inserts are offered. Theshutter is electronically controlled and has a top speed of 1/4000s, which isanother first for medium format. The Contax utilizes the first medium format metallic-blade shutter. (All current Contax lenses are shutter-less and utilize thefocal plane shutter in the camera body.) One example is the possibility of leaf-shutterlenses in the future. Electronic linkages do away with mechanical wear and tear and providedesign and expansion flexibility. The use of Carl Zeiss T*lenses presents another appealing feature.Ĭommunication between the lens, body, filmback, and viewfinder is exclusivelyelectronic. It competes directly with the Pentax 645N and Mamiya 645 AF (to bereleased in October, 99) and is currently the only AF medium format SLR tofeature an interchangeable viewfinder and a filmback. The Contax 645 represents the second AF medium format SLR currently on themarket.

Contax 645 prism finder