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I just bought Contax N1 system any advice for me
- Thread starter chyeo
- Start date
D
dormant
Never leave home without spare batteries.
albert4321
Well-Known Member
I turn the AF button to "M". Push it once to perform auto focus. Do it again if necessary for re-focus. This way, it safes a lot of battery juice.
Use the 2-sec self timer for Mirror lock-up if you need to.
The TLA-360 flash matches with the 24-85mm zoom perfectly. Get a stofen diffusor at
I set my custom function to have AE lock on the wake up button (the one below the shutter release)
Take it everywhere including oversea trips, even it is heavy. You will be rewarded.
Check out the 17-35mm zoom. I found that it's fun to use. A top performer in its class. But I use the 24-85 the most.
Use the 2-sec self timer for Mirror lock-up if you need to.
The TLA-360 flash matches with the 24-85mm zoom perfectly. Get a stofen diffusor at
I set my custom function to have AE lock on the wake up button (the one below the shutter release)
Take it everywhere including oversea trips, even it is heavy. You will be rewarded.
Check out the 17-35mm zoom. I found that it's fun to use. A top performer in its class. But I use the 24-85 the most.
albert4321
Well-Known Member
Michael,
The AE lock only works when you keep pressing the wake up button (on the LHS of the lens mount when the body facing you). It is an easy way for me to check the exposure reading when I move the camera around for composition, without flapping the AE lock lever. Also, sometime when I use the AE lock lever, I forgot to flap it back. It is a higher risk for me to ruin the rest of the roll.
Albert.
The AE lock only works when you keep pressing the wake up button (on the LHS of the lens mount when the body facing you). It is an easy way for me to check the exposure reading when I move the camera around for composition, without flapping the AE lock lever. Also, sometime when I use the AE lock lever, I forgot to flap it back. It is a higher risk for me to ruin the rest of the roll.
Albert.
Albert,
You may be teaching me something. Are you saying that when you use the LHS button on the front (camera facing you), that it effectively acts just like and AEL button? Any way to hit it to turn on AEL and then hit it to turn off AEL? Or is it simply locking the exposure data when it is depressed?
Thanks,
Michael.
You may be teaching me something. Are you saying that when you use the LHS button on the front (camera facing you), that it effectively acts just like and AEL button? Any way to hit it to turn on AEL and then hit it to turn off AEL? Or is it simply locking the exposure data when it is depressed?
Thanks,
Michael.
I'm not sure why everybody has such a problem with the batteries. With My N1 ... I seem to be able to shoot dozens of rolls (36 exposure) without a battery failure. I do use the camera in Manual Focus mode and then use the button on the back of the camera to focus! Are you guys really suggesting that in Autofocus mode you only get a couple of rolls of film to a battery. No way!!
Michael.
Michael.
albert4321
Well-Known Member
Michael,
The LHS button only work as AEL if you set it in the custom function. I forgot which number.
Yeo,
For battery consumption, it really depends on how you shoot with the N1. If you shoot few rolls continuously (say 5-10 rolls within an hour), the battery may go dead in about 5-6 rolls. But if you turn the camera off and on (perhaps a few times), the battery level will go back up. I don't know why, but that also stated in the owner's manual. If you shoot casually, one 2CR5 will last over 10 rolls easily. I shot a wedding with the N1 for 10 rolls of films in 8 hours without changing the 2CR5. As Taylor mentioned, also keep spare battery with you.
As I mentioned earlier, if you don't use the AF all the time, the battery drains quickly. It takes a lot of juice to move the heavy Carl Zeiss glasses (with metal barrel).
I don't use the P9 since it adds weight. But it seems to be a good economic and flexible option. If nothing else, it makes your N1 outfit looks more professional.
The LHS button only work as AEL if you set it in the custom function. I forgot which number.
Yeo,
For battery consumption, it really depends on how you shoot with the N1. If you shoot few rolls continuously (say 5-10 rolls within an hour), the battery may go dead in about 5-6 rolls. But if you turn the camera off and on (perhaps a few times), the battery level will go back up. I don't know why, but that also stated in the owner's manual. If you shoot casually, one 2CR5 will last over 10 rolls easily. I shot a wedding with the N1 for 10 rolls of films in 8 hours without changing the 2CR5. As Taylor mentioned, also keep spare battery with you.
As I mentioned earlier, if you don't use the AF all the time, the battery drains quickly. It takes a lot of juice to move the heavy Carl Zeiss glasses (with metal barrel).
I don't use the P9 since it adds weight. But it seems to be a good economic and flexible option. If nothing else, it makes your N1 outfit looks more professional.
albert4321
Well-Known Member
Michael,
PS. The LHS button is simply locking the exposure data when it is depressed.
PS. The LHS button is simply locking the exposure data when it is depressed.
I found the power consumption for N1 to be very acceptable. I went to China for two weeks and during one of the short trip for 4 days, I took more then 20 rolls of film and the 2CR5 last and worked well! the problems is that the camera is a bit heavy and is giving me neck and back pain, it came very close to breaking my neck and I am sure with the P-9 batteries containers it will do the job really well!
albert4321
Well-Known Member
One thing I do not like about the N1 is the neck strip. It is so tinny. The wider leather version, W-50, can only been purchased in Japan. I have also seen picture of the wider nylon neck strip for the N camera in Japan as well. I know, I can use off brand neck strip. But I am a sucker for original brand.
One day I may try to hook up my C645 neck strip to the N1 and see how it will work out. But the blue color is kind of funky.
One day I may try to hook up my C645 neck strip to the N1 and see how it will work out. But the blue color is kind of funky.
