Review Contax Aria

[Guest]

I've had an Aria for a few years now. I traded my Nikon FM2n in for it and never regretted the change. I have looked at two other Contax cameras as possible second or replacement models: the RTS II and the RX. Although I like the RTS II, I have had bad luck finding one that works properly. I also miss the spot metering found on the Aria. Regarding the RX, it is a great camera but seems massive in comparison to the Aria. I like smaller, light weight cameras especially when travelling. The Aria fits the bill and has been completely trouble free.

 

[Guest]

I have used an Aria and an RX for four years now, having done a lot of traveling and taking shots, mainly on architecture. The main reason to buy the cameras were the optics, especially the D 21 and a Schneider PC 28 which I use to a great extend along with a Vario-Sonnar 80-200. I have never had any problem with the build quality of neither cameras nor lenses. The Aria has less "sex-appeal" due to its plastic exterior, but the inner parts connecting film plane and bayonet mount are still metal and seem just as strong as in the RX.
The Aria's matrix metering seems a little unpredictable to me, but you can always compare its results to the usual evaluative metering, since the difference is displayed in the viewfinder. When I need an exact reading, I use an external light meter(Gossen Sixtomat digital)anyway, which is the only reliable way of having exact exposure control in difficult lighting situations.

 

[Guest]

Just got my first roll developed.

Hmm, Using the averrage metering on most of my shots, any hint of dark foregrounds, the camera overexposed the main picture.

The matrix metering works fine for backlit situations.

Maybe I should use the spot meter more often.
Or whip out the handheld incident meter.

 

[Guest]

hi mark schurr,

i am very much interested in shooting architecture and i want know bout this schnieder pc 28 for contax mount, is it as expensive as the pc dist.35? any more inexpensive pc lens available around?..thanks.sonny

 

[Guest]

I have the Schneider PC and think it is one of the very best lenses I have ever used. I used with my book on Gothic architecture (www.frenchgothic.com). I got it at Foto Hobby in Frankfurt by email for about $1700 US three years ago plus filters. It was, as I recall about half the price of a Zeiss 35mm

 

[Guest]

Schneider PC Super-Angulon get a high mark (3.9) under the Leica label on Photodo.com, comparable to other Leica wide angle R lenses. I like the way it handles better than the Zeiss 35mm PC.

 

[Guest]

I think the pricing has flipped. The Schneider is more than the 35mm Contax lens now in the used market.

> I have the Schneider PC and think it is one of the very best lenses I > have ever used. I used with my book on Gothic architecture > (www.frenchgothic.com). I got it at Foto Hobby in Frankfurt by email > for about $1700 US three years ago plus filters. It was, as I recall > about half the price of a Zeiss 35mm

 

[Guest]

I just can underline what Stan Parry wrote (also cf. my contribution to the Angenieux/Schneider thread in the Carl Zeiss lenses - manual focus folder)

 

[Guest]

I have an Aria that I bought used. It seems that if there is bright light the pictures come out under-exposed. This does not always happen spome times they come out perfect. Also I have some trouble with low light. I am not sure if I should send the camera in for repair or not. If so can anyone tell me a good place to send it?

 

[dirk]

Hi Arthur,

can you describe which metering system you are using in the specific situations? (Matrix/spot/integral). Depending on the situation, you have to adjust the metering for difficult situations, which is normal with every camera. Look in th manual for this.

dirk