Review 2 of 3
Price Paid:
$3200.00
from Legend Micro Summary:
I own an N1 and the N Digital, with its 35mm sized sensor, is the natural extension into digital. The camera body is essentially the size of the N1 with the vertical grip. All manual controls are in the same place and Contax has succeeded in adding a small number of digital controls, centered around a jog shuttle control, creating a fast, intuitive interface.
The most outstanding feature of the camera is the 6Mpixel 35mm sensor. Shooting in raw mode (which is supported by a photoshop RAW plugin - no need to ever touch the Contax software) delivers stunning quality pictures. Startup time is acceptable and internal buffers are large enough to shoot sequences even in RAW mode. JPEG1 mode is great for semi-serious shooting with roughly 3MB per picture (RAW is around 10MB). Camera supports the larger 2 and 4GB microdrives but check the weaknesses section below for bugs :-(
Despite the bugs and customer service issues, I would buy the camera again. I am extremely happy with the image quality and the fact that dropping the N1 and picking up the N Digital - or vice versa - is completely natural as they are virtually the same camera.
To me, this is the ultimate film/digital setup. Throw in an NX for quick'n'dirty stuff or when you don't want to carry any bulk, and you have the ultimate photography bag. Strengths:
35mm sensor (great quality)
Essentially a digital version of the N1 (controls, etc.)
Excellent digital controls and configurability
Zeiss lenses - enough said Weaknesses:
POWER CONSUMPTION. This really sucks - in every sense of the word. Forget trying to do anything using the 4 supplied NiMH (or even higher capacity 2300mAh ones). Go straight to B&H and order - at a minimum - the Quantum Battery 1+. This external battery is small and leight enough to clip on your belt and allows a full day's worth of shooting.
Sensor noise. Not a problem as long as you stay at ISO 160 or below. Forget ISO400 and don't even think about night shooting.
Some strange software bugs. Occasionally, once a CF card or microdrive is half full, the camera will try to write to the CF (you can see the access light flash) but will end up resetting itself NOT SAVING THE PICTURE.
The camera doesn't properly communicate with the 70-300AF lens and will have to eventually go back for what I think is a software problem. Similar Products Used:
Nikon D100 Customer Service:
Well, if I ever succeed in getting hold of a breathing, talking human being, I'll let you know. Need to return the camera to get the 70-300 lens problem corrected but have been traveling and couldn't let go of the camera for a couple of weeks.
Attempts to contact customer support and TALK to someone (not just send in the camera) have been futile - once you fight your way through the menu system, nobody ever picks up. Tried it 4 times about 6 weeks ago. Will start again next week.
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