In the past couple of weeks I talked a bit about my 2 35mm film cameras – the Canon EOS 3 and the Canon EOS IV. Today I get to talk about my favorite film camera. Favorite camera really. If I could only shoot with one camera, the Contax 645 would be it. If I could only shoot with one lens, the Carl Zeiss 80mm would be it. This combination is heavenly! The colors are so gorgeous and the bokeh is smooth as butter. I was honestly so intimidated by shooting medium format film, however, I have fallen in love with it. Medium format is much larger than 35mm, which is great in terms of quality and grain. There is so much more detail and less grain on each photograph, compared to a 35mm shot. Although the Contax has an automatic focussing system, I have been told it is not the greatest so I personally always manually focus my shots. This is something that used to be very intimidating as well, however, the more I do it, the more I love it because I get to decide on the composition without being limited by focus points. Changing film on this camera can be a bit time consuming, which is why having an assistant works so great. But, like everything else, the more you do it, the easier it gets. I used my Contax for all my portraits shoots and I also use it for a big part of weddings days. Overall, I love this camera and in the past year I have thankfully never had a problem with it.
Valentina these are beautiful photographs! Gotta love that Contax, and the wonderful artist behind it!
So lovely! All these shots are stunning!
Girlfriend you own that camera, it is working for you! Stunning imagery 🙂
I agree!!! The Contax & the 80mm are a match made in heaven. Gosh, I love film so much. All of your images are so beautiful!!!
these images are so beautiful!! lovely work. im a fan.
I love your work. I really need to get back to trying film again. I’m so used to autofocus now, I forget that I started off when I was younger manual focusing everything.
What a lovely portfolio! want me hire you now, honestly! :)))
couldn’t agree with you more! photographing with the contax 645 is truly a JOY, isn’t it 🙂 gorgeous images, as always!
I agree!!! The Contax & the 80mm are a match made in heaven. Gosh, I love film so much. All of your images are so beautiful!!!
so many beautiful images. wow. wow. and wow. your work is absolutely breathtaking.
love the Contax images! Gorgeous!
gorgeous!!!
I love that you shoot film. I have the EOS 3 as well, but may get the Contax system in the near future 🙂 It’s such a beauty. Great job!
Um, yeah, you totally ROCK that camera!
Stunning work Valentina!
Agreed that the Contax is just such a magical camera, love all of these!!! (especially that one of the bride & groom at the end of that tunnel of trees/branches… GORGEOUS!)