Contax

Contax AX

MAJOR FEATURES



Contax AX - the full story A radical new approach to autofocus SLR photography, is offered by the Contax AX, which incorporates the revolutionary new Automatic Back Focusing System (ABF). Through the development of a camera with all the focusing functions inside the body, the Contax AX has retained the legendary high quality capabilities of Carl Zeiss manual focus interchangeable lenses, while offering the convenience of a sophisticated AF system. The photographer may choose between automatic or traditional manual focusing, with no compromise in either quality or ease of operation.
Alloy chassis, top and bottom plates ensure maximum durability and a wide range of exposure options plus supreme accuracy ensure that the highest standards of photography can be attained. The Automatic Back Focusing System consists of two main components, the rigid camera body and standard Contax/Yashica lens mount, plus a movable module containing the reflex mirror, pentaprism assembly and film plane. Manual focusing is accomplished in exactly the same manner as on any other Contax SLR, by rotating the focus ring on the lens mount.
The autofocus system is engaged by pressing a button on the rear of the Contax AX body and a choice of three modes, single autofocus, continuous autofocus or macro, is then available. In the single autofocus (SAF) mode, the camera sets and locks focus instantly, the user being free to make any manual fine adjustment via the lens focusing ring, should it be deemed desirable. This gives complete freedom of creative expression through manual depth of field control.

When set to continuous autofocus (CAF) mode, the Contax AF focuses continually, updating the focusing point and using its predictive programming to ensure sharp focus of moving subjects. The speed at which this operation is carried out means that the photographer is much less likely to miss out on fleeting opportunities. Selection of the macro mode implements repositioning of the movable module to a maximum rear position, ten millimetres behind the standard focal plane point. The increased lens extension thus achieved allows extreme close range photography beyond the minimum focusing distance of any attached lens, without the need for any attachments or accessories.

For macro use, the autofocus is disabled and manual focusing employed, because changing the lens to film distance alters magnification, while changing film plane to subject alters focus in macro photography. Because the Contax AX will be used by discerning photographers who will understand that both manual and automatic focusing have their own specific advantages, the viewing system is designed for ease of use in both modes.
The camera incorporates the bright viewfinder and built in dioptre correction, similar to that found on on other Contax models, while the large pentaprism required by the Automatic Back Focusing System provides further refined optical benefits, large field of view and enhanced brightness.

The Contax AX retains many of the favoured features of its manual focus predecessors, including the now traditional solidity. The top cover plate is titanium alloy, the bottom cover is hardened aluminium and both the main chassis and movable module are constructed from diecast aluminium alloy to combine durability with minimum weight. For simplicity and functional design, main control operations are carried out by traditional knobs, a system which has found much approval from existing Contax owners.

One touch operation of the metering selection lever switches between centre weighted average metering, for general photography, and spot metering for strict exposure determination. The spot metering area corresponds to a five millimetre circle in the centre of the viewfinder. The exposure control modes provided are aperture priority auto, shutter priority auto, programmed auto and manual exposure.

The high precision shutter has a comprehensive range of speeds, from a longest exposure of 32 seconds to a fastest of 1/6000, dependent on the exposure mode selected. Flash synchronisation is available up to 1/200 second. In recognition that different photographers attach differing priorities to camera controls, the Contax AX has been equipped with a series of programmable functions. These include exposure check button functions, multi exposures, automatic bracketing control (ABC) sequence, constant or intermittent selection of depth of field preview, film leader position after rewind, rewind start method, AF auxiliary light on/off selection and the activation or de-activation of audible electronic focus indication.

An optional multi-function Data Back D-8, specifically designed for the AX, allows convenient recording of information between frames, including dates, times, shutter speeds, apertures, exposure mode and two letters, in addition to counter numerical values and user selected numbers. The photographic data may also be be imprinted on the fist and second frames. As well as data imprinting, the Data Back D-8 provides an intervalometer function, with time delays ranging from two seconds to over four days. Available from late May, the Contax AX body will sell for around £1899.99 including VAT, the optional Data Back D-8 at around £499.99.


CONTAX AX SPECIFICATIONS
CONTAX DATA BACK D-8 SPECIFICATIONS

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