Contax N Digital

I am under the impression that the N Digital does exist... B&H apparently even has it in stock and on the web there are people that (supposedly) own this camera.

So why have I not seen a single review of it, anywhere? I mean, not only here, but actually nowhere. Not in magazines, other sites...

Why wouldn't Contax want to get the word out on this camera? It looks interesting (not that I could ever afford one) being the first 24x36 sensor camera...

That said I think (hope) that the entire full-frame issue will be laid to rest by Olympus at Photokina.

Regards,
photovoyager

photovoyager said:

I am under the impression that the N Digital does exist... B&H
apparently even has it in stock and on the web there are people
that (supposedly) own this camera.

So why have I not seen a single review of it, anywhere? I mean,
not only here, but actually nowhere. Not in magazines, other
sites...

Why wouldn't Contax want to get the word out on this camera? It
looks interesting (not that I could ever afford one) being the
first 24x36 sensor camera...

That said I think (hope) that the entire full-frame issue will be
laid to rest by Olympus at Photokina.

Regards,
photovoyager

Click to expand...

Isn't that the contax that got recalled and is gonna be rereleased with new parts. I remember reading somewhere about the battery system and some other areas are being changed.
--
Canon A40, Canon EOS

I agree...

Like you, I've been waiting for Phil or any photography magazine to review the camera. I'm curious to read how the camera is rated & performs, even though I cannot afford it and/or the lenses. One of the biggest camera stores in Canada does not stock the ND and will not bring it in by special order, so I kinda dought that it exist also.
Jules

photovoyager said:

I am under the impression that the N Digital does exist... B&H
apparently even has it in stock and on the web there are people
that (supposedly) own this camera.

So why have I not seen a single review of it, anywhere? I mean,
not only here, but actually nowhere. Not in magazines, other
sites...

Why wouldn't Contax want to get the word out on this camera? It
looks interesting (not that I could ever afford one) being the
first 24x36 sensor camera...

That said I think (hope) that the entire full-frame issue will be
laid to rest by Olympus at Photokina.

Regards,
photovoyager

Click to expand...

photovoyager said:

I am under the impression that the N Digital does exist... B&H
apparently even has it in stock and on the web there are people
that (supposedly) own this camera.

So why have I not seen a single review of it, anywhere? I mean,
not only here, but actually nowhere. Not in magazines, other
sites...

Why wouldn't Contax want to get the word out on this camera? It
looks interesting (not that I could ever afford one) being the
first 24x36 sensor camera...

That said I think (hope) that the entire full-frame issue will be
laid to rest by Olympus at Photokina.

Regards,
photovoyager

Click to expand...

The Contax N Digital does indeed exist, and can be bought in a number of stores and by mail order from B&H, Ritz, Delta International, Adorama etc. (if you can afford it). There have been numerous reviews of the camera in magazines and on the web. The most comprehensive review was in the British Journal of Photography. A search of the archives here will provide a number of references to other magazine reviews (e.g. PC Photo) from the UK and Australia. There does not appear to be a comprehensive magazine review yet from the USA.

Several online reviews by users include those at http://www.outbackcoyote.com and http://www.lonestardigital.com

Unlike the many comments on this site mostly by people who have never seen the camera, the reviews by actual users have been mostly very positive. The Contax N Digital is not perfect (the major issues include the lack of on-camera LCD review for images taken in RAW format, and image noise at the higher ISO settings). Reviewers have otherwise praised image quality and camera ergonomics, and Carl Zeiss lenses continue to have a fine reputation.

I doubt that the full-frame "issue" will be laid to rest. There are definite advantages with larger sensors (including depth of field control, noise, investment made in current lens lines). The disadvantages (cost, pehraps the need for new lenses) are also well known, but new full-frame sensors in production (Dalsa, Kodak) suggest more cameras will reach the market.

Brian

brutal said:

Isn't that the contax that got recalled and is gonna be rereleased
with new parts. I remember reading somewhere about the battery
system and some other areas are being changed.
--
Canon A40, Canon EOS

Click to expand...

Recall was only for some early cameras released in Asia. There has been no recall for cameras sold in the US or Europe.

Brian

"So why have I not seen a single review of it, anywhere? I mean,
not only here, but actually nowhere. Not in magazines, other
sites..."

Look at http://www.contaxinfo.com . Click on Contax User Forum.

This is a private site, not affiliated with Contax. Since May 2002 there are reviews about the Contax N-Digital, many comments by users and some images, if this is meanungful on the web at all.

As almost everywhere now to be able to read it and post, you have to be registered with your e-mail address.

Dirk

Dirk Seffern said:

"So why have I not seen a single review of it, anywhere? I mean,
not only here, but actually nowhere. Not in magazines, other
sites..."

Look at http://www.contaxinfo.com . Click on Contax User Forum.

This is a private site, not affiliated with Contax. Since May 2002
there are reviews about the Contax N-Digital, many comments by
users and some images, if this is meanungful on the web at all.

As almost everywhere now to be able to read it and post, you have
to be registered with your e-mail address.

Dirk

Click to expand...

Dirk - I've long known about, and read, your excellent site.

I was referring to a professional review, by a site like this one, or a major photo magazine...

I did not know about the British magazine, but at any rate I can't get that, so it is of no use to me...

I find that reviews from actual users are helpful, but can't take the place of a professional review like this.

Regards,
photovoyager

Companies GIVE cameras to mags and sites for review.

I don't think CONTAX wants to give out a $7000 + $1500 lense to 200 people.

--
Mr. Stacey
F707, s85, s75

Olympus 340, Nikon 800, Kyocera S3, Canon S200

Mr. Stacey said:

Companies GIVE cameras to mags and sites for review.

I don't think CONTAX wants to give out a $7000 + $1500 lense to 200
people.

Click to expand...

Having worked on staff for several magazines, they don't GIVE the cameras to the magazines, they lend them to them for review. If they had them in real supply, they would have them available for review. I think it was a costly experiment, one that the industry should be grateful for, if Contax shares their mistakes.

Hmmm. I've seen D1x reviews, 1D reviews, not to mention MF camera reviews, and others.

Tell me why is there no Contax review again?

Mr. Stacey said:

Companies GIVE cameras to mags and sites for review.

I don't think CONTAX wants to give out a $7000 + $1500 lense to 200
people.

--
Mr. Stacey
F707, s85, s75

Olympus 340, Nikon 800, Kyocera S3, Canon S200

Click to expand...

Sorry folks,

I stand corrected. I'm on a 2 week vacation down south to sunny Toronto & just purchased the latest copy of a British photo magazine called "Professional Photographer". To my surprise, there's a review of the Contax N Digital in it.

Jules

DarrenH said:

Tell me why is there no Contax review again?

Mr. Stacey said:

Companies GIVE cameras to mags and sites for review.

I don't think CONTAX wants to give out a $7000 + $1500 lense to 200
people.

--
Mr. Stacey
F707, s85, s75

Olympus 340, Nikon 800, Kyocera S3, Canon S200

Click to expand...

Click to expand...