Amy Burchenal Photography

When I was 18, I was given my grandfather's 1950's Contax IIIa camera. This gift initiated my life-long passion for black and white photography. I began shooting with it, and felt that by using his camera I could channel a connection to a man I'd never known. This bond has generated a passion for traditional photography. There is something different about the quality of a photograph that is created with a camera from a different time. Auto-focus, zoom and flash are not part of my repertoire. I like knowing that every photograph I print is a direct result of my personal decisions and actions, instead of the latest technology. I love the challenge of working with available light and the spontaneity of shooting people on the street. I particularly enjoy walking the streets and capturing the excitement of the now as it unfolds before me. As the images slowly emerge in my darkroom, I am always amazed by how these photographs reveal all that can be experienced in one simple day, hour or minute. Suddenly the ordinary becomes extraordinary! In life's short journey, photography helps me to step back and marvel at the significance of every day.

  thanks to RangefinderForum.com

Amy has some very nice images. This is another case that shows that old cameras are still good cameras.

This is a Contax IIIa. It was a worthy, some would say more than worthy, competitor to the Leica. Nikon made their name on a rangefinder camera based on this design. I had the opportunity to use one back in the 1970s — a Nikon SP. Loverly. Nikon modified their rangefinder and made it the Nikon F. But that's another story. Here is a page on the Contax:

Contax II and III
Zeiss' Successful Leica Competitor

I've always been a Leica kind of guy (my grandfather's fault) but these are beautiful cameras and lenses. There is a Russian copy called the Kiev which is also very nice. Just to say that if a camera took beautiful pictures 50 years ago it can take beautiful pictures today.