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Contax N1 35mm SLRs

4.48/5 (31 Reviews)

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  • Lens MountContax N
    Camera TypeSLR (Single Lens Reflex)
    Film Type35mm
    Battery TypeLithium Battery
    Focus TypeAutofocus • Manual Focus
    Focus LockWith Focus Lock
    Number of Focusing Points5
    Interchangeable LensesInterchangeable Lenses
    Shutter Speed32 - 1/8000 sec
    ISO Range - Automatic SettingISO 25 - 5,000
    ISO Range - Manual SettingISO 6 - 6,400
    Frames Per Second3.5 fps
    Manual Shooting ModesProgram Shift • Aperture Priority • Shutter Priority • Fully Manual
    Light Metering ModesCenter Weighted • Spot Weighted • TTL • 3D Color Matrix
    Auto ExposureYes
    Bulb Shutter SpeedWith Bulb Shutter Speed
    Self TimerYes
    Film Auto TransportLoading • Rewind • Mid Reload
    Dioptric Adjustment Rangefrom -3 to +1
    Viewfinder Frame Coverage95 %
    Viewfinder Magnification0.73X
    Depth2.75 in.
    Height4.56 in.
    Width6.00 in.
    Weight28 oz.
    MPN141000
    Product ID44003

Product Description

The Contax N1 introduces a Dual Focus Mechanism as an extension to our existing manual focus 35mm system. The new mechanism will enable the user to focus on the subject in a split second by switching at will between manual focus and auto focus modes. We have also taken the greatest care in designing the size and position of the controls in such a way that they can be operated immediately, without the need to take the eye away from the viewfinder.


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Reviews 1 - 5 (31 Reviews Total) | Next 15

User Reviews

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:4
Submitted by roland@quadsys.com a Expert

Date Reviewed: May 22, 2004

Strengths:    Solid body with manual controls
Excellent lenses
Ergonomics

Weaknesses:    Slow AF (depending on lens)

Bottom Line:   
I moved from Minolta (Dynax 9) to Contax for two primary reasons: great Zeiss lenses and the N Digital. I had been waiting a long time for Minolta to introduce a digital SLR with a full image sensor but eventually came across on announcement for the N Digital. I investigated further and traded the Dynax 9 for the N1 and a set of Zeiss AF lenses. I love manual controls on cameras (that's why I moved from Nikon to Minolta) and although the N1 is not as solidly build as the Dynax 9 (what is?), it's a non menu driven body with dials and knobs for all settings. Feels great and overall performance is what I expected.
A plus is the phantastic sound the drive makes :-)
The AF system takes a bit of getting used to but the N1/Digital has a niftly little control for selecting the AF mode and sensors to use. I use this feature extensively and with great results. As other reviewers have stated, the main drawback of the AF system is that it's fairly slow but I found speed depends on the lens.
With the vertical grip/battery pack mounted, the camera feels well balanced. I don't regret the move from Minolta and have now added a N Digital and NX body to the set. The ability to use the Contax Zeiss AF lenses on all three bodies makes this a superb film/digital setup.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   11-20 years

Price Paid:    $1000.00

Purchased At:   B&H Photovideo

Similar Products Used:   Minolta Dynax 9
Nikon F100

Type of photography:   Outdoor

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by jungoh a Intermediate

Date Reviewed: March 24, 2004

Strengths:    Excellent metering
reasonably fast focusing
excellent image quality in deep color balance
Sturdy and reliable body quality and ergonomics
Equipped with all necessary key features

Weaknesses:    viewfinder brightness and focusing is still behind Minolta Dynax 7
Slightly slow auto focus

Bottom Line:   
Excellent layout
New useeful diagonal AF focusing system
excellent ergonomics
excellent auto exposure: metering system
Solid built
Fine focusing ABC
useful dual focus mechanism

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   6-10 years

Price Paid:    $650.00

Purchased At:   KEH

Similar Products Used:   Minolta Dynax 7
Leica R-E
Minolta 600 Si
Contax 167 MT
Nikon FE2 (manual)
Pentax ZX M (manual)

Type of photography:   Outdoor

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Bob_Budding a Intermediate

Date Reviewed: September 22, 2003

Strengths:    Ergonomics
Build quality
Lenses

Weaknesses:    Slightly slow autofocus

Bottom Line:   
Everything about this camera seems right. It fits into my hands perfectly and the layout is perfectly intuitive. Just a few rolls and using this camera felt completely natural. I can fous on the subject and not on making the camera perform. And then there are the lenses-perfect colors and loads of detail. I acknowledge that the autofocus isn't as fast as some other cameras, but who cares? The results are spectacular!

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   21+ years

Price Paid:    $600.00

Purchased At:   eBay

Similar Products Used:   Nikon 8008
Nikon F100

Type of photography:   Outdoor

Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:3
Submitted by SingLO a Intermediate from London, England

Date Reviewed: September 8, 2003

Strengths:    Dual focusing system.
Excellent handling.
Solid contruction.
Access to new Zeiss optics.

Weaknesses:    Expensive optics.
Limited lens system not yet fully developed.

Bottom Line:   
Like most Contax N users, I came from the background of using the Contax C/Y manual system for some time. It is a hard decision for me to get into the N system because I still currently own 11 Carl Zeiss manual focus lens with the Contax AX and Aria bodies. Recently both my Aria and Ax broke down at the same time and they are to be repaired. So I decided to take the plunge. I fell in love with the N1 instantly. It is a dream machine! Its control layout and handling are intuitative, remarkably similar to the AX.
I bought it with the 24-85 Vario-Sonnar. The dual focusing system is excellent with smooth and well damped focusing ring. With a FX-1 micro prism, manual focusing is as easy as with the old C/Y manaul camera bodies. The AF sensors are positioned at the diagonal lines of the rule of the third divsions. I think this is better design than the Canon or Nikon counterparts in which they cluster the AF sensors mostly at the center and people's photo tend to suffer from autofocus symptoms in fast action shots (subjects in dead center in their pictures). I own the EOS-3 and I don't think its AF and control system are that great particularly if you mount a slow speed zoom lens to it. As a personal taste, I dislike the absence of aperture ring and dial/button control of the Canon EOS system. I am selling my Canon system. Many users complained about the AF speed and accuracy of N1. But I personally find the AF of N1 is very good and accurate. I don't shoot sport and wildlife so the N1 can satisfy my needs. Now I will keep my beloved Contax manual focus system and enjoy the best of both worlds.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   2-5 years

Price Paid:    $1071.00

Purchased At:   Jessops

Similar Products Used:   Contax AX
Contax Aria
EOS 3
EOS 30E
EOS 1000NF
Mamiya RZ67 Pro II
Bronica ETRSi

Type of photography:   People

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Polaks Veluz a Intermediate from California

Date Reviewed: November 8, 2002

Strengths:    Design,lenses,ease of use,quality.

Weaknesses:    none so far

Bottom Line:   
TOPS!!!!elegant design, enough usefull features,the ability to switch from autofocus to manual in such an easy way is great, and of course the Zeiss lenses are fenomenal.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   2-5 years

Price Paid:    $1075.00

Purchased At:   Calumet

Similar Products Used:   nikon f100, canon eos3

Type of photography:   Other


Reviews 1 - 5 (31 Reviews Total) | Next 15

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  • Lens MountContax N
    Camera TypeSLR (Single Lens Reflex)
    Film Type35mm
    Battery TypeLithium Battery
    Focus TypeAutofocus • Manual Focus
    Focus LockWith Focus Lock
    Number of Focusing Points5
    Interchangeable LensesInterchangeable Lenses
    Shutter Speed32 - 1/8000 sec
    ISO Range - Automatic SettingISO 25 - 5,000
    ISO Range - Manual SettingISO 6 - 6,400
    Frames Per Second3.5 fps
    Manual Shooting ModesProgram Shift • Aperture Priority • Shutter Priority • Fully Manual
    Light Metering ModesCenter Weighted • Spot Weighted • TTL • 3D Color Matrix
    Auto ExposureYes
    Bulb Shutter SpeedWith Bulb Shutter Speed
    Self TimerYes
    Film Auto TransportLoading • Rewind • Mid Reload
    Dioptric Adjustment Rangefrom -3 to +1
    Viewfinder Frame Coverage95 %
    Viewfinder Magnification0.73X
    Depth2.75 in.
    Height4.56 in.
    Width6.00 in.
    Weight28 oz.
    MPN141000
    Product ID44003
    Other Features<li>"5-Point Wide Array Diagonal Auto Focus System" <li>"Fine Focus ABC" (Auto Bracketing Control) <li>Optional external Liquid Crystal Display viewfinder


 

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