Cash it or Keep it?!

[Raptor Reveller]

For the past 18 months I have been using a Contax U4R with my Zeiss 85 'scope. I have had some reasonable success with the set up but being a 'birding' birder, out in all weathers, I find with the Contax I'm very 'light' dependant with the 4mps getting noticably grainy at 200 iso. On the flip side at the other end it goes down to 50 iso and if light is good and I'm switched on it takes a good pic. After trawling through endless threads and posts I feel maybe the Fuji 30 maybe the kiddy for me for those dull autumnal norfolk days and opportunist encounters. Thing is do I keep the contax for those light blessed destinations and for posterity of a design classic or just move on and try and make a couple of quid to buy a swing out adaptor!
Comments appreciated

Andy

149blog - Beach Thick-knee 50 ISO +0.7 Contax U4R

[delia todd]

Hi Andy I see this is your first post, so may I welcome you on behalf of the Staff and Moderators at Bird Forum

I'm sure someone will be along soon with some advice for you

D

[Paul Jarvis]

For me I would keep it, they are great cameras.

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

For the past 18 months I have been using a Contax U4R with my Zeiss 85 'scope. I have had some reasonable success with the set up but being a 'birding' birder, out in all weathers, I find with the Contax I'm very 'light' dependant with the 4mps getting noticably grainy at 200 iso. On the flip side at the other end it goes down to 50 iso and if light is good and I'm switched on it takes a good pic. After trawling through endless threads and posts I feel maybe the Fuji 30 maybe the kiddy for me for those dull autumnal norfolk days and opportunist encounters. Thing is do I keep the contax for those light blessed destinations and for posterity of a design classic or just move on and try and make a couple of quid to buy a swing out adaptor!
Comments appreciated

Andy

149blog - Beach Thick-knee 50 ISO +0.7 Contax U4R

I'm still using the cp990. The f30 gets good reviews, but not good enough to ditch the contax/kyocera. Think good digiscoping will always be ligt driven, and then the deicision is wether to continue getting small upgrades which is all I think the f30 is or moving across to DSLR.

[erniehatt]

I don't know the camera in question, but looking at the image, my first thoughts would be keep. If you feel you need something different, and have money burning a hole in your pocket, then give the f30 a whirl, it seems it is excellent in low light situations. Ernie

[john-henry]

For the past 18 months I have been using a Contax U4R with my Zeiss 85 'scope. I have had some reasonable success with the set up but being a 'birding' birder, out in all weathers, I find with the Contax I'm very 'light' dependant with the 4mps getting noticably grainy at 200 iso. On the flip side at the other end it goes down to 50 iso and if light is good and I'm switched on it takes a good pic. After trawling through endless threads and posts I feel maybe the Fuji 30 maybe the kiddy for me for those dull autumnal norfolk days and opportunist encounters. Thing is do I keep the contax for those light blessed destinations and for posterity of a design classic or just move on and try and make a couple of quid to buy a swing out adaptor!
Comments appreciated

Andy

149blog - Beach Thick-knee 50 ISO +0.7 Contax U4R

Keep it Andy,
As you say, the Contax is a good camera if you've got good light and the F30 is good in low light/windy weather etc. so you've something to cover both situations. The F30 is not a great camera in strong sunlight, it has a small dynamic range and highlights go quickly unless you use EV compensation.
Like you I'm out in poor weather quite often and find the F30 gives me shots I wouldn't be able to get with my A95, (another "old" camera), however when we finally get some good weather the A95 will be my first choice again.

regards

John

[Neil]

I would keep the Contax as others have said. It's a good little camera and has served you well and you would miss it. The Fuji 31fd ( replacement for the F30 ) will do what you want in poor light. I love going out in the rain for ducks, waterbirds,snipe,rails and the Fuji is great for this kind of weather. Neil.

[buzzard12]

Keep it.

Remember how you felt about it when you first got it?!!

If like me you long for better photo's on dull october days get in line! I think you will just have to find Bay Breasted Warbler on a sunny day if you want the pics to go with it!

Not being cheeky, but if your like me, first and foremost a birder, with an increasing interested in getting quality photos of every scarce bird you see then I challenge you to find a noticably better camera. Failing that challenge get out and find noticably better birds;)

Ps; Hope you find both shortly!!

[Raptor Reveller]

Thanks guys, I think those were the answers I was looking for, just ẁanted to justify keepin' the contax and possibly gettin a new camera.
Cheers
Andy