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Contax Aria

Contax Aria

Travel light. Really light. The smallest, lightest Contax SLR ev Read more

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Specifications

Feature
Value
Comment
Camera Features
Carl Zeiss T* Optics
The finest glass. The most advanced designs. The most stringent manufacturing techniques. And, of course, world-famous Carl Zeiss T* lens coating. The Aria employs the finest lenses in the world.
Real Time Electronic Shutter Release
As with most Contax SLR cameras, the Aria provides for shutter release and timing at the speed of light. Contax introduced this concept to the photographic world in 1975 with the original RTS.
Integrated Motor Drive
The Aria offers an integrated 3-frames-per-second motor drive that may be fired as a single frame advance if desired.
Exposure Modes
The Aria’s complete set of exposure modes includes aperture priority, shutter priority, program and manual exposure control.
Automatic Bracketing Control
First introduced in the Contax 167MT, ABC provides for a series of photographs offering bracketed exposures in 1/2 or 1 full stop increments. One is under-exposed, one is at the normal recommended exposure and one is over-exposed by the meter’s suggestion. Often, a deviation from the normal exposure provides a different feeling in the photograph.
Spot, Center-Weighted and Matrix Metering
A selector switch on the side of the mirror box makes it easy to choose between spot, center-weighted and matrix metering. In matrix metering, the viewfinder displays the variation from a standard center-weighted reading.
Custom Functions
Customize camera defaults to your preferences. Switch order of ABC system, leave leader out or in on rewind, choose delayed or immediate rewind at roll end, select AE lock assignment and more.
MM/AE Lenses
Uniform External Design
Every Carl Zeiss T* lens operates in the same way so there is no confusion on the part of the photographer, no matter which lens is used.
Optical Design
The secret of the true-to-life reproduction is in the optical design. And performance is optimum even at full aperture, or under poor lighting conditions. In fact, these are conditions where the visible difference really becomes apparent.
Famous T* Coating
The special Carl Zeiss T* multi-layer reflection coating produces ultra-flat transmission of light of all wavelengths. Coupled with the total elimination of internal reflection, the result is color reproduction of high purity.
Camera Specifications
Type:
35mm focal plane shutter, AE SLR
Lens Mount:
Contax/Yashica three-claw bayonet
Shutter:
Vertical, metal, focal plane shutter
Shutter Speed:
Auto: 16 – 1/4000 sec., Manual: 4 – 1/4000 sec., Bulb
Flash Sync Speed:
1/125 sec. and slower
Self-Timer:
Quartz controlled electronic, 10-sec. delay LED indicator (blinks fast 2 seconds before exposure), Exposure counter indicates remaining time
Shutter Release:
Electromagnetic, Electronic cable switch socket
Exposure Mode Control:
Set by releasing mode lock and turning control pointer to desired mode
Exposure Modes:
Standard program AE, Shutter priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual, Programmed TTL auto flash, Aperture priority TTL flash, Manual auto flash, Manual flash
Metering System:
TTL full aperture, Center-weighted, Spot, Evaluative
Metering Cell Type:
Silicon photo diode (SPD)
Metering Range (ISO 100, f1.4):
Center-weighted: EV0 – EV20, Spot: EV2 – EV20, Evaluative: EV2 – EV20
Film Speed Range:
DX: ISO 25 – 5000; Manual: ISO 6 – 6400
Exposure Compensation:
+/-2EV in 1/3 stop increments
ABC Function:
+/- 0.5 or 1.0EV in Program, Shutter priority, and Aperture priority exposure modes
Flash Linked Luminance Control:
TLL direct light metering
Flash Sync:
TTL mode with dedicated flash: 1/125 sec.; Sync at slower speeds with AE lock or Manual flash mode PC socket supplied (capable of 300 volts)
Rear Curtain Flash Capability:
Yes, with rear curtain synch capable TLA flash
Auto-Set Flash System:
Yes, with five-pin TLA-compatible TLL flash
Accessory Shoe:
Five-pin TLA flash system
Viewfinder:
Fixed pentaprism (eye-level with long eye-point)
Field of View/Magnification:
95%, 0.82x (with 50mm lens at infinity)
Eye-Point Length:
25mm (from outside of eye-piece lens)
Eyesight Correction Range:
-5d – +3d (FL-type diopters)
Eyesight Correction Range:
-5d – +3d (FL-type diopters)
Focusing Screen:
FU-type interchangeable screens (4 types)
Viewfinder Display:
Illuminates for 16 sec.
Viewfinder Display Information:
Aperture display, Shutter speed, Exposure warning, Mode indicator, Flash indicator, Exposure compensation, Exposure counter, Metering mode indicator, Flash ready, Flash OK
Display Panel:
LCD illuminates for 16 sec.
Display Panel Information:
Mode indicator, Film speed (ISO), Exposure compensation, Exposure counter, Countdown timer for self-timer, Cumulative time counter for bulb exposures, Film rewind indicator, Battery check, Custom function indicator, Drive mode
Film Loading:
Auto loading with automatic advance to first frame
Film Wind / Rewind:
Auto advance (3 fps), Auto rewind at film end
Drive Modes:
Single frame, Continuous, Self-timer
Winding Speed:
Single or 3 fps
Film Counter:
Auto reset, Cumulative type counter to 39 exposures, Shutter operates at 1/125 sec. until first frame, Blank shot system
Custom Functions:
AE lock assignment (AE lock lever or half-press of shutter release), Switch order of ABC system, Leave leader out or in on rewind, Delayed or immediate rewind at roll end, Initiate film winding
Camera Back Cover:
Detachable, for installation of D-9 multi-function
Batteries:
Two 3V CR2 lithium batteries
Battery Check:
Automatic, display on external LCD
Depth of Field Preview:
Yes
Dimensions:
5.4" W x 3.5" H x 2.1" D (138 x 90 x 52mm)
Weight:
1.3 lbs. (510 g)
Release Date
First seen
23 April 2007