dirk
CI-Founder
...the lovely SLR answer to the Leica M6...
When the Contax Aria hit the market in 1998, I was a happy user of an RTS II and an S2. Since I love the old fashioned design of the Contax cameras, I was quiet cold, what this kind of full featured (assuming) plastic camera is giving me, what I can not have with my other Contax’s. So I did not care so much about the Aria, although I found the prospect beautiful attractive made.
Then, one year ago, a friend of mine talked a lot about the Aria and all the benefits of having a small and light camera instead of his heavy metal RX or my RTS III (which I used last year). So he ended up buying it and made the mistake to lend it to me for a week-trip to Italy.
I must admit, that after using this tiny jewel, I changed my mind by 180 degrees. First of all, it is not a plastic camera. As far as my experience with Contax goes, there simply does not exist a plastic camera in the Contax philosophy. Even if they use modern materials, it never feels or looks cheap. It is always this great Contax-feeling. I think most of the Contax users know what I mean.
Secondly, it really has everything you need. An internal silent motor, three different metering methods, good viewfinder, very good compact handling and all that in a body of the size of an Leica M6, just lighter. Just think about it. We are talking here about an SLR, which gives you the possibilities, just rangefinder cameras have been able to give you in the past. I was already impressed by the size of the Contax S2, but now also with modern electronic and an internal winder – this comfort in this size was new for me. As far as I heard it from others, the 139 and 137 must have been in the same size.
O.k., if you are really searching for it, there are also disadvantages. The Aria has no mirror lock up and no 100% viewfinder. But which entry level model of other brands have that? – None. The on/off switch is kind of stiff – not Contax like.
Most shootings I made have been with center weighted metering. I did not trust the Matrix mode, because it was knew to me. As it turned out, on some test-pictures, the matrix-metering overexposed always by 0,5-1,5 stops. I do not know whether that was my mistake, but I heard it also from others. Very good is the information in the viewfinder, by how many stops the matrix metering differs compared to the center weighted metering. The little switch for changing the metering mode is good located at the right rear of the camera. You do not have to look up to use it. But it is kind of stiff. The same for the ON/Off switch. This is the stiffest one I have seen at Contax. really to hard to turn with the forefinger without looking at it.
The information in the viewfinder are on the right hand side. Sometimes in bright sunlight difficult to see. But this can be also because of my glasses, that I am wearing. But you always have to turn your head to the right side, to read the info. 95% Viewfinder and a 0.82 magnification makes it more easy to focus manually and looking with glasses. Viewfinder is not as bright as RX or any RTS, but this is normal, if you look at the price difference. You can program the AE lock to be activated by half pressing the shutter button.
Exchangeable screens, a “sophisticated†data back for aperture and shutter speed etc. imprinting in between the pictures (on the frame) or on the first two pictures are impressing me a lot for an entry level camera. These are more likely features for a pro model at other brands.
The advantage of the lighter body has also disadvantages. Some of the newer Zeiss Zooms are quiet heavy. You should be cautious using them without any accessories. I used also the 28-85 zoom with it and had no problems. But I guess a 100-300 would be not the best fit on a tripod.
For more specific technical details, please look at News & Info. For a comparison with the Contax NX look in the NX thread.
Summary of most important points
Very good handling
Very light
Professional accessories (i.e. “sophisticated†databack, exchangeable focussing screens)
3 Different Metering Modes
Many custom functions
On/Off switch to stiff
No mirror lock up
Matrix metering not as good as CWM
Viewfinder info to much on the right side
Excellent price/performance ratio (899 Euro) - compared to other Contax models !
Dirk.
When the Contax Aria hit the market in 1998, I was a happy user of an RTS II and an S2. Since I love the old fashioned design of the Contax cameras, I was quiet cold, what this kind of full featured (assuming) plastic camera is giving me, what I can not have with my other Contax’s. So I did not care so much about the Aria, although I found the prospect beautiful attractive made.
Then, one year ago, a friend of mine talked a lot about the Aria and all the benefits of having a small and light camera instead of his heavy metal RX or my RTS III (which I used last year). So he ended up buying it and made the mistake to lend it to me for a week-trip to Italy.
I must admit, that after using this tiny jewel, I changed my mind by 180 degrees. First of all, it is not a plastic camera. As far as my experience with Contax goes, there simply does not exist a plastic camera in the Contax philosophy. Even if they use modern materials, it never feels or looks cheap. It is always this great Contax-feeling. I think most of the Contax users know what I mean.
Secondly, it really has everything you need. An internal silent motor, three different metering methods, good viewfinder, very good compact handling and all that in a body of the size of an Leica M6, just lighter. Just think about it. We are talking here about an SLR, which gives you the possibilities, just rangefinder cameras have been able to give you in the past. I was already impressed by the size of the Contax S2, but now also with modern electronic and an internal winder – this comfort in this size was new for me. As far as I heard it from others, the 139 and 137 must have been in the same size.
O.k., if you are really searching for it, there are also disadvantages. The Aria has no mirror lock up and no 100% viewfinder. But which entry level model of other brands have that? – None. The on/off switch is kind of stiff – not Contax like.
Most shootings I made have been with center weighted metering. I did not trust the Matrix mode, because it was knew to me. As it turned out, on some test-pictures, the matrix-metering overexposed always by 0,5-1,5 stops. I do not know whether that was my mistake, but I heard it also from others. Very good is the information in the viewfinder, by how many stops the matrix metering differs compared to the center weighted metering. The little switch for changing the metering mode is good located at the right rear of the camera. You do not have to look up to use it. But it is kind of stiff. The same for the ON/Off switch. This is the stiffest one I have seen at Contax. really to hard to turn with the forefinger without looking at it.
The information in the viewfinder are on the right hand side. Sometimes in bright sunlight difficult to see. But this can be also because of my glasses, that I am wearing. But you always have to turn your head to the right side, to read the info. 95% Viewfinder and a 0.82 magnification makes it more easy to focus manually and looking with glasses. Viewfinder is not as bright as RX or any RTS, but this is normal, if you look at the price difference. You can program the AE lock to be activated by half pressing the shutter button.
Exchangeable screens, a “sophisticated†data back for aperture and shutter speed etc. imprinting in between the pictures (on the frame) or on the first two pictures are impressing me a lot for an entry level camera. These are more likely features for a pro model at other brands.
The advantage of the lighter body has also disadvantages. Some of the newer Zeiss Zooms are quiet heavy. You should be cautious using them without any accessories. I used also the 28-85 zoom with it and had no problems. But I guess a 100-300 would be not the best fit on a tripod.
For more specific technical details, please look at News & Info. For a comparison with the Contax NX look in the NX thread.
Summary of most important points
Excellent price/performance ratio (899 Euro) - compared to other Contax models !
Dirk.