Re: Rave on the Aria
Viewfinder Brightness
Hi, I've joined the rave about the Aria and got the silver edition with the Tessar 45mm. Can't quite get over its dinky aesthetics - it's such a cute camera I can't believe it's compatible with my Carl Zeiss' lenses! With the Pancake Tessar, it's dimensions are outrightly thrilling - it's so small and light, and not tremendously more bulky than a Leica M6 (esp. with a 50mm protrusion in front), I've been wondering whether a dedicated everready case to accommodate the tiny lens exists. The Pancake doesn't protrude more than 1.5cm when set at infinity!!! This gives it the dimensions of a tiny rangefinder (excluding the pentaprism of course). I've found it isn't much more unbearable than than a T2 in transit. Lugging this around isn't a problem at all!
Oh, as a step up from the 167MT I've been amazed at its light body shell. However, the 167MT has lasted me 10 years; will the Aria disintegrate from the market like most Japanese plastic cameras in 20-30 years?
From an aesthetic perspective, has anyone got inside information as to whether the silver coloured CZ lens range will be limited to the Aria, or perhaps added in the next Anniversary etc? It really is pretty, but all of that psychological stuff about aesthetic appreciation is probably damaging; with a black camera, I have no hesitation in using it as a workhorse. A silver one has me cringing in fear of scratching it, just like a cd...
Has anyone any experience of using the Aria with a 300mm f4 Tessar? The centre of gravity shifts towards the middle third of the lens. As a heavy lens, I wonder if the lens mount can tolerate being held by the lens on a routine basis.
With the same lens, the viewfinder dims dramatically - compared to a Tessar 45mm 2.8 which isn't exactly terrible either. With a Planar 1.4mm, no complaints, but the advantage of the 45mm is that anything 3metres in front on a tiny aperture of f5.6-8 will be within depth of field.
Can anyone tell me what the point of an AEL lock is? I've checked the manual and reconfigured the custom functions and set the AEL lock on a half-depressed button setting. This works just like the T2 and hence I've not needed the AEL lock, which is inoperable with one's eye at the viewer.
Have a Happy New Year - I think I'll go snapping in the city!
Joe Tweed