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Which Contax System suits best to your needs

I've tried my friends G1 and fell in love with the zeiss lens, but I'd like to be able to zoom in a little, hence the need for an SLR. I'm debating between the NX, N1 and Aria. Some people comment on the N's lens quality compared to the G and state it isn't that clear. Clarity, color rendition and portability are my primary factors. I'm wondering how the G series compares to the SLRS image wise.
Thanks,
Jason
 
JB, since I believe color rendition and clarity can be taken for granted with any Carl Zeiss lens, that leaves portability. There, the Aria wins hands down. I have two and they form the basis for my travel kit. It's like having a Leica M without the rangefinder problems. I don't use the zoom lenses, only primes, but I should think a 28-80 plus a longer one would work well.
 
Thanks Tom, do you use prime lenses on the Aria? It might be in my head, but the primes look sharper to me. That's one bonus for the G. I'm a big fan of wide lenses, and a 21 would comprise half of my shots.
Jason
 
jb,

With portability being one of your primary factors, the Distagon 21mm is not ideal - it sticks out half a mile and weighs more than the Aria itself! Like Tom, I use primes only: my travel outfit is Aria, 28/2.8 and 50/1.4. For portable 21mm coverage, consider the G with Biogon 21mm.

Also, click on a person's name to see their profile (equipment is often listed).
 
JB, yes, that's about all I use on Aria, though I have a couple of Tamron SP zooms. Primarily (so to speak) I like the small size of the primes; they are unobtrusive, light, compact and sharp, sharp, sharp. My usual travel kit is 28mm f2.8, 35mm f2.8, 50mm f1.4, 85mm f2.8, 135mm f2.8 and occasionally 200mm f3.5. I usually pick a couple of lenses for the day, depending on what I'm after and where I am; usually it's the 28 and 85; sometimes just the 35.
 
I just purchased an Aria with a 1.4/50mm Planar. I am looking around for accessories and addintional lenses, and I am finding that the availability at the major U.S. stores is quite limited. Is there greater support for the manual focus Contax systems in the rest of the world? Have I purchased a system Kyocera is no longer supporting? Any information would be helpful.

Brandon
 
Only the better camera stores were authorized Contax dealers. Try KEH for used equipment. B& H, Camera World and Adorama all sell used and new equipment at good prices. There are some good deals on ebay too, BUT always check everything out carefully just to be sure you understand what you are getting.
 
Brandon, Kyocera/Contax is supporting the Aria. It is still in production and as far as we know will be for some time to come. Contax has an excellent track record of supporting even the equipment that they eventually discontinue, so never fear. While they do continue to service discontinued equipment, there are generally also other sources of repair available so you are not stuck in that regard either. Hope this helps? Congrats on your Aria.
happy.gif
Best, Lynn
 
I'm actually thinking about going backwards from the N1. Alot of my work is portraiture/weddings (I'll keep at least one of my Nikons for those split second candids) and also nature/scenic/macro. So, I'm thinking about going backwards to the AX and the fast manual-focus lenses. I've no experience with older Contax since this is my first foray into the Zeiss line - gotta admit I love it - and am wondering what people think about this.
How does the meter compare (N1 to AX)?
Autofocus speed?
Autofocus in low light? (N1 hunts alot)
And other thoughts as appropriate....

Thanks so much for the feedback!
 
David - the N1 with the central sensor and USM lens such as 24-85 does not hunt much at all, and certainly not more than the competition. The outer sensors are less sensitive under difficult circumstances but they are also fine under most conditions. With perhaps the exception of the top-of-the-line Canon/Nikon (and N1 is not in the same category), all SLRs have trouble with poor contrast/lighting. Reputedly, the AX AF is much slower and you have to manually get the lens within range before AF becomes usefull at all, I believe. Metering-wise the N1 is excellent, so that is not going to be an issue either.
The AX serves....I am not really sure why anyone wants to use one; it really is just a very heavy, slow AF camera or a very heavy MF camera. Neither fish nor meat in a sense....

Just a thought, of course...
 
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