Updated June 26. 2026
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The Contax 645 is the fanciest (and most expensive!) film camera I own. One of my favorite photographers, Wendy Laurel, uses a Contax 645 and I’ve always been in love with the way the photos look. She even photographed my wedding and used a Contax 645! Our wedding in Hawaii was actually featured on a wedding blog called 100 Layer Cake! You can see the photos here! I just truly believe there is something special about this camera. It captures light in a way that I’ve never experienced with any other film camera. Maybe I’m crazy but I think there’s a reason it can be difficult to find one of these and it’s because most photographers aren’t willing to let theirs go! The most likely place you’ll find a Contax 645, especially in good condition, is eBay. KEH Camera is another great option, but they only have them in stock every once in a while. They have great customer service though, so if you do stumble upon one, I’d pro If you’re looking for a medium format camera that’s a bit more affordable, I highly recommend the Mamiya 645. I actually had a Mamiya 645 before upgrading to the Contax 645 and I wish I had never sold it! It’s an amazing camera and much, much more affordable. You can read more about it on my blog here!
When I finally got my dream camera, the Contax 645, my husband and I took a trip up to Seattle and Mount Rainier to try out the camera for the first time. You can watch our whole journey on my youtube channel, Cameras & Cats! The video includes a basic how-to and then I share all of my favorite photographs from the trip. I also included behind the scenes footage from my shoots with Seattle models Carolyn Jean and Chloe Rain. Even if photography isn’t your thing, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and listen to Chris’ ridiculous dad jokes. Oh, and you can watch two different squirrel attacks!
I have a more in-depth review of the camera on my blog here, so make sure to give it a read!
I’ve included all of the photos shown in the video at the bottom of the post, as well as a few other favorites I’ve taken with this camera.
If you’re on the hunt for a Contax 645, here’s where you can find them!
WHERE TO FIND A CONTAX 645:
Purchase a Contax 645 on KEH Camera
Purchase a Contax 645 on eBay
FILM RECOMMENDATIONS:
Ilford HP5 400 Plus Black and White 120 film
If you found this post helpful in any way, I’d love it if you considered signing up for my Patreon! For as little as $1 a month, you’ll get early access to all of my YouTube videos, plus tons of photos that I don’t post anywhere else. Depending on which tier you choose, you could also receive seasonal prints and/or discounts! I always use all of the proceeds towards cameras, film & processing.
If you have any questions, I’m always happy to help! You can contact me here, or leave a comment below! Thanks so much for stopping by! You can also check out my B&H Photo storefront & Amazon Storefront for more camera/film recommendations. :) Have a magical day!
<3 Myles Katherine
