Description: The new CONTAX ARIA is the smallest , lightest CONTAX SLR ever at 16.2 ounces. It is the perfect camera for wilderness exploration or family outings. This fully- featured, durable, SLR provides advanced photographic capabilities designed for the discriminating yet active photographer.
Summary: This is well near the perfect SLR. The viewfinder is the best I've used or even looked through on an SLR--hands down. This, for me, is the single most important feature of a camera. The Aria's snaps into focus, is bright, has good eye relief (I wear glasses), shows 95% of the view, is relatively high magnification, and displays useful information consolidated on the right side of the view.
The feel and heft of the camera inspire confidence that it will wear well and take some knocks (and it has).
Feature set is useful with not to much to sift through--I've never found myself wanting another feature.
Spot metering is very useful. Matrix metering is accurate.
It's small and relatively discrete for an SLR.
It has a good aesthetic design.
Zeiss lenses have been great (25/2.8, 35/2.8, 45/2.8, 50/1.7, 50/1.4, 85/2.8). I now just leave the 35/2.8 (it's a gem) mounted on the Aria; it's been an incredibly useful kit.
Weaknesses: Shutter speed dial location is awkward to use, but I find myself setting it for the day (essentially) and working with the aperture when I need to change exposure.
There is a more serious concern to do with the shutter. Mine has a tendedncy to hesitate or not fire--this seems to happen in cold. NOT cool.. This is the second Aria I've had this problem with. I haven't looked into getting it repaired yet.
All said, I find myself thinking that it would be the perfect SLR if it didn't have the shutter trouble.
Similar Products Used: Contax 139Q, Yashica FX-3 2000, various Nikon and Minolta SLRs
Summary: I believe that ratings should be given based on what a given camera/lens is meant to be. As a lightweight, reliable and accurate picture-taking machine the Aria could not be much better. If you use this camera and one of the world-renowned zeiss lenses and are still not satisfied with your pictures don't spend any more money on equipment. Take a photography class instead.
Strengths: - Lightweight
- Uses zeiss lenses
- Responsive convetional controls and informative viewfinder display
- Bright and contrasty viewfinder makes focusing and picture composition a joy.
- Every lightmetering mode you can crave for, including true spot metering
- Full range of exposure modes including shutter priority and program, using the more recent MM lenses.
- 1/4000 shutter speed
Weaknesses: Mirror lock-up is not there
An add-on vertical grip would make it absolutely perfect
Summary: This is my favourite travel camera by far - it is very discreet, lightweight and compact. I love its traditional design, keeping LED screens and buttons to a minimum. Has matrix/centre-weighted/spot metering capabilities. I've found the matrix accurate for most situations with the standard 50mm lens, but on bright days, avoid using matrix with any wide-angle lenses because it will overexpose dramatically. The Aria is built very well for a modern SLR. I would highly recommend this camera for those who take their photography seriously, and who can't get enough of Zeiss lenses.
Strengths: Zeiss lenses, good build, traditional design, bright viewfinder
Weaknesses: Viewfinder readouts can be hard to read in bright light, rubberised body cover is very sensitive to acid rain - take care to keep it dry in heavy showers!
Similar Products Used: Contax ST, Nikon F80, Pentax ME-F
Rating Reviewed by: Martin Mikolajek(Unregistered User)
(Intermediate)
Review Date July 9, 2003
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for More than 1 year
Visitors rate this review 3.00 of 5,
3 votes
Review 4 of 34
Price Paid:
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Summary: This is my first SLR camera and I have nothing but praise for this little jewel. If you are serious about learning photography, this camera provides the best mix of convenience (autoexposure + unique Contax AE lock, integrated motorwinder, matrix, integral and spot metering, timer, multiexposure, DOF preview button, excellent viewfinder) with perfectly ergonomic manual control and outstanding lenses. I use this camera with Planar 50/1.4, Distagon 28/2.8 and Sonnar 135/2.8 - all magnificent and yet inexpensive lenses. I have never regretted not having bought my first camera from Canon or Nikon - in fact, even after hundreds of rolls later and several-year practice, I still believe that I could not have made a better choice. And although the digital seems to have cought up with film in many respects, and is overtaking it in some, film cameras like Aria will still give you many years of unsurpassed photographic enjoyment.
Strengths: Handling, ease of use, lenses, features for price (what other sub-$500 has true spotmetering?, for instance]. If you search for the best manual SLR for the beginner, this is it.
Weaknesses: As you might know, Contax lens line is more limited than that of the large manufacturers, and some (not all!) of the lenses are more expensive than comparable professional products from other brands. On the other hand, even the cheaper Zeiss lenses rank among the best on the market. And how often do you really need that 15/2.8 or 300/2.8?
Another weakness, I guess is that there is some insecurity about the future of the Contax manual focus line at the moment, which may worry some people. Yet, the quality of Contax cameras is very high, in my opinion, and I believe that they will work even in 20-year time, or as long as film is available (whichever occurs first].
Summary: 1) interface is top of the heap, very modern yet no stupid needless gadgets. Also quite lightweight for travel. 2) the best viewfinder in recent SLR history. BRIGHT and informative.
3) Useful metering modes. Note to people familiar with other Contax bodies, this body is made of polycarbonate (quite strong) instead of metals, it's great for travel but if you're expecting something as massive as the RTS series, not going to find it here.
Strengths: A joy to use. Not too pricey. All the features you'd expect. Lightweight. Great user interface. THE VIEWFINDER IS BLOODY AWESOME compared to most pathetic SLR viewfinders.
Weaknesses: No mirror lock up or mirror-before-shutter when in timer mode. Why??
Similar Products Used: Contax 139Q, Canon EOS-3 (more like P.O.S!), Yashica FX-7
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