Should I buy a Contax N1 and 24-85 zoom

[ras]

Arlen - there are plenty of reviews on the N1, 24-85 and other lenses, for instance on "epinions". There are also lots of websites devoted to camera dealers, and with a little research you would have found out that you do NOT want to deal with any other dealer than B&H, Adorama or Delta International. I can vouch for all of those.

In any event, the N1 with 24-85 and 80-200 is a killer combo with Velvia 100 in particular. Have fun!

 

[arlen]

Hello,

Just got a package from UPS containing the N1 and 24-85 from B&H. Wow! that was quick, I just ordered it yesterday and didn't request overnight delivery. Perhaps they remember the 9 months it took to deliver the special order 95mm warming circular polarizer I ordered last year.

Robert, regarding your 7 year old soccer son - my 35 year old rugby son is probably slower.

Otola, I have been using velvia in my c645 almost exclusivly. Unfortunately the labs that will develop 120/220 films are becomming very rare in the Houston, Texas area. I've had 5 of them close down on me in the past 2 years. I bought the Epson 2450 scanner and the Epson 2200 printer. But, getting the film to and from a lab is a half day spent.

Well, I'm rambling and I have a new owner's manual to peruse.

Regards,
Arlen

 

[rbudding]

Arlen,

Make sure you give us a report out on your experiences with your new N1.

 

[arlen]

Robert,

Going back to 35mm film after several years shooting only the c645 was a bit of a shock. I'm still getting used to it.

The way the N1 autofocus works is still not entirely clear to me. I know I don't want the camera to decide where my subject is.

That the camera tries to be intuitive about where you want to place the focus point may be the cause of so many complaints about soft autofocus of the N1.

The exposure metering seems right on. Especially, after I asked the lab to stop making adjustments to the proofs. This brings up a subject for discussion - dust control. I'm getting film back from various labs that I need to wash before scanning. What steps do you take to minimize the impact of dust/lint on your scans?

I still don't have the Nam1 from Adorama so I have not had the chance to use my MF lenses with this camera.

I'll keep working with the camera and perhaps have a picture or two worth posting sometime

Rgds,

Arlen

 

[fotografz]

Arlen, I would first speak to the lab and tell them you are experiencing excessive dust problems.

To prep for scanning films I use canned air to blow off loose dust first (Cosco has the best price for quanities of Dust Off), then wipe with a PecPad (available from Light Impressions) put it in the holder and blow it off again. I also sometimes run the strip through a static free brusher.

BTW, I have a hardly used mint N1 with Data Back in box complete with a N-50/1.4 and its optional shade for sale. I just bought a second ND so I no longer need this as a back-up. $1,100. + shipping in the US.

Marc Williams ... fotografz@comcast.net

 

[rbudding]

Arlen,

You might want to change the autofocus mode to manual. You can still autofocus by pressing the button near your right thumb. And you can select which AF sensor to activate with the little toggle control that is also near your right thumb.

It takes time to get used to any new camera. Hope this helps.

 

[albert4321]

Arlen,

To remove dust for scanning, my lab uses a anti-static brush (I forgot the brand) to run thru the film before fitting it into the scanner. With ICE, it works very well.

If it still does not work, as Marc suggested, blow of as much as dust first (or run it thru the brush), then use a anti-static cloth to wipe the film. I do that religiously when I print in the wet darkroom.

For AF, as Robert pointed out, I always use the joy stick to select AF point, set the AF to manual, then press the AF button to focus. It works very well for me and save a lot of battery.

Albert

 

[tessar_man]

Hi All:
Your responses to David's question about N1 with 24-85 were very encouraging. I am also on the brink of switching from Aria plus 28, 45, 50, C60 Zeiss lenses) to this combo. What concerns me is that I will have to give up my lightweight Tamron 2.8/90mm Macro (Tamron doesn't support the Contax N mount for this lens). A macro lens is a must for me and the Macro Sonnar 2.8/100 or the C645 120 with NAM1 are very heavy and expensive alternatives. The other issue is that Contax still doesn't seem to make noise about releasing a new digital body to replace the ND (ideally under $1000 like Canon digital Rebel). A second digital body seems to be a must in todays photographic environment.
Jan