What's new
DPR Forum

Welcome to the Friendly Aisles!
DPRF is a spin-off of dpreview. We are a photography forum with people from all over the world freely sharing their knowledge and love of photography. Everybody is welcome, from beginners to the experienced professional. From smartphone to Medium Format.

DPRF is a community for everybody, every brand and every sensor format. Digital and film.
Enjoy this modern, easy to use software. Look also at our Reviews & Gallery!

Need advice on buying a Contax ND

Hi Albert,

>... with one year warranty card
This is not from US authorized contax dealer so I guess you have to send it to HK for repair under warranty. Right? or is this an international warranty honoured by authorised dealer in any country?
 
Albert, did your camera come with the CD?

What did you mean "the battery keeps dying" Were the batteries charged? Didn't the camera come with an AC adapter to let you just plug it in to try it?
 
Well, I had a hard time playing with the ND. I fully charged the factory and the Panasonic batteries and I could only shoot a few shots and the body would not turn on after that. I could not find the power cord for the AC adaptor, it turns out that I left it as work. So I will try again tonight with the AC power. I have not got a chance to read the manual. I may have to charge/condition the batteries a few times before they are fully functional, or the ND body is not working right. I think I should read the manual before I make any conclusion of the body. So far, my confidence level is very low. Well, you get what you pay for. I won't do it again, but I could not find ND any where else.

For the warranty, they said it should work since they issue me an invoice. I have a feeling Contax won't cover it and I am not counting on it as the price I paid, I am taking a risk.

The ND seems come with everything in the box, 2 CDs are included.

Marc, if this puppy works, I will come back and ask you what setting I should use.
 
Albert, go directly to a battery store or camera shop and get
a new set of 2000 or 2200 mAH Ni-MH batteries and a good charger (preferably a charger that allows you a reconditioning setting).

I had the same experience with the junk Contax included with the camera. It will get better after charging them a couple of times, but not what it should be (I assume they are the 1300 mAH ones).
 
Marc,

Your are right, the Sanyo batteries never seem to get fully charged even I plug them in for hours. For the Panasonic, I charge them couple times and now I can keep shooting. I will get a better battery/charger and also need two or more ND battery holders.

I loaded the images into my computer and I think this ND is a keeper. I won't bother to load the Contax RAW developer and will get the one Irakly suggested.

BTW, what setting do you use in your ND?

Al.
 
Albert,

It's really not so much the batteries but the charger. Before, or at the same time you buy new batteries, get a real charger. That Sanyo charger is a joke, but I've gotten 100+ shots out of the Sanyo 1700mAh Sanyos that came with my ND when charged in a decent charger. Here's a great place for batteries / chargers:

http://www.batterysupply.com

BTW, what firmware version is yoiur ND? If it's less than 1.07, download it here:

http://global.kyocera.com/prdct/optical/ndigitalsoft/

If it's 1.08, you will still want to download 1.07 and try it, which is as new as 1.08 but has less contrast and snap when shooting JPEGs & TIFFs (not with RAW which is the same for both), giving a better tonal range ultimately through some mild Photoshop manipulation. If it's 1.09 or higher, save it and send it to us
happy.gif
.

Cheers and welcome to the fold!

DJ
 
DJ

Thanks for the info.

BTW, how do I know what version of firmware in my ND? And what setting do you use in the ND?

I shot a few images with the ND with all the default settings. The images seem to be dull in color.

Also, I got banding in some images. I wonder if it is due to the batteries did not have enough juice. When I shot with the AC adapter or the Panasonic batteries, it seems to be okay. But it is not very conclusive yet. The ND is not as friendly as my Sony DCS-1V.

I have downloaded the demo of the Raw Developer. It does work for ND. However, there are so many settings for color and such and I have no clue what they are. And it said my raw file does not have any color balance information. I guess it is about time for me to learn this digital darkroom software and skill sooner better than later.

Regards,

AL.
 
Well Albert, now you know why this camera wasn't an instant success (or successful at all) in the marketplace.

Here are the IDs for the two chargers worth considering from the web site DJ recommended above:

http://www.batterysupply.com/mh-c204f-4aa220dc.htm

http://www.batterysupply.com/mhc401fs.htm

Leave the batteries in the charger when not using the camera because nMh batteries go dead without use very quickly. The chargers above have an automatic "trickle charge" feature to keep the batteries up and ready.

Up until Irakly's source completes the Mac version of the new RAW developer, I continue to use J-Peg large as my setting. J-peg large eliminates any small buffer issues, and is very fast to shoot with. Due to the apparent broad dynamic range, the J-pegs from this camera are the best I've seen from any other DSLR . I will occasionally use a Tiff setting for an important commercial shot, but there is little difference IMO. My camera uses firmware version 107 BTW.

I have most settings as standard except chroma is set on +. I use the histogram setting & highlight warning for the LCD review as the screen is useless for evaluating anything other than composition. Read your manual to set these.

Most of all, learn to read the histogram, it is your best friend when using this camera.

I took this camera to Martha's Vinyard last summer and shot hundreds of images. Except for having to carry around 2 extra battery carriages, it shot all day long on J-peg large
with zero misses. I strongly suggest 3 sets of 2200 mAH sized nMh batteries for day long outings. I then recharge in 2 chargers at night to be ready the next day.

What imaging program are you currently using? If PhotoShop, what version? The relatively "dull" images you are experiencing is actually an advantage compared to other DSLRs. It is an indication of the wider latitude this camera produces compared to even the mighty Canon 1Ds.
Even in J-peg Large I rarely experience blown whites with the ND. I prefer a flat looking file when importing to Photoshop for the same reason I prefer it when scanning film negs. PhotoShop is a FAR, FAR more powerful image processing engine than could ever be included in a camera.

P.S. Go to the Gallery here to see some ND shots.
 
OH, BTW Albert, if in the end you decide this camera isn't for you, I will trade you a complete Canon 10D kit (Camera, Battery grip & Strap + 2 extra batteries, 420EX flash with diffuser, Stroboframe flip bracket) along with a 24-70/2.8L Zoom. All MINT and tested for accurate focus. Irakly has even shot with this camera to great effect and can vouch for it.

But only IF the ND works. Which I'm sure it will. : -)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top