Contax N1 - Personal Impressions (Contax N1)

Member Name: HSomerville

Product:	Contax N1
Date:	04/05/04 (1272 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lens performance, Auto-manual focussing, Foolproof auto-exposure

Disadvantages: Bulk, weight, cost, Limited range of lenses and accessories, High cost

The N1 is an impressive camera.

Results are 35mm at its very finest. The Vario-Sonnar 24-85mm zoom is in a class of its own - the resolution, contrast, coverage and total absence of linear distortion throughout the zoom and aperture range are uncanny. This is due in part to the huge glass elements in its design, the weight of which makes the assembly liable to lateral movement, and the closest focusing distance a little long. 82mm filters are expensive, and close-up supplementary lenses unobtainable.

The manual-focus and semi-autofocus modes are pleasant and precise, making the N1 ideal for static subjects, although the manual focus button on the back should be larger. The multi-zone tracking autofocus is less successful, being easily confused. The lenshood should be removed indoors as it obstructs the infra-red focus assist beam.

Locks should have been provided on the exposure area switch and compensation dial - both can easily be moved inadvertently. The camera back, however, is as secure as Fort Knox against accidental opening.

Exposure with zone-evaluation is very accurate and consistent - quite foolproof with negative film, but it is recommended to use -1/2 stop compensation for slides which otherwise come out a little light. The spot metering mode (with exposure lock) allows very precise metering (e.g. of highlights with reversal film) but I have not yet tried this feature.

Always close the eyepiece shutter when using auto exposure and a tripod! otherwise light entering the eyepiece can cause serious underexposure. The useful 2-second timer makes a mirror lock and cable release uneccessary.

The N1 is large and heavy, but with the lenshood fitted it fits like a glove in a comfortable Lowepro hip case, and its sheer mass makes hand-held shots at low shutter speeds uncannily sharp.

The fine ergonomic
s and tactile feel of the N1 makes one reluctant to put it down!

Howard Somerville (Photo enthusiast, UK)

Summary: