Contax AX slr

cyrano · Expire: 2016-12-30

Has anyone had any experience of using this camera? It incorporated an autofocus mechanism in the body itself the moved the film plane back and forward +/-10mm to allow mf Zeiss lenses to remain unchanged. It seems to me the body would need to be fairly wide but would that help or hinder? Probably depends on your hand size.
I'm new to digital wizardry but would it be possible for Contax or others to issue a digital version today? I am intrigued by the idea of a camera with the ability to take most mf lenses available and offer an af mode if required,imagine a souped up A7 with this feature..with it's bigger size it would also improve handling hopefully. Shall we see a Sony/Zeiss/Contax hybrid in the next couple of years?
I don't know if digital sensor's can or will react in the same way as a film platform would, it may be impossible due to the natural differences between film and digital, others far more versed in all this will be better informed.

Contax AX : http://www.h1photo.com/131000.html

tromboads · Expire: 2015-10-01

No reason why that sort of system couldn't be incorporated with a digital sensor in mind.

I suspect its a question of market tho. And for that reason i cant see how it would happen. Surely a small flange allowing the user to add adapters as he or she wishes is just as useful?

hoanpham · Expire: 2015-01-18

This idea had been discussed in other forums before.

We have image stabilizer in Pentax, sony alpha, olympus, and perhaps more.
The sensor can be shifted in many directions (x-y-z-rotation) that can be used for this purpose.
It is also possible to tilt sensor similar as tilt lenses. Technically both tilt and shift is possible in side a camera body.

The challenge is how we/human can command the camera to tilt and/or shift which dimension and how much,
or if the camera can self-analyze the scene and select the optimall tilt/shift value, and should combine with image stabilizing.

One can patent the process and/or the algorithm, the gui design, and make big money Smile

I haven't use the AX, but I have RTS iii which is an awesome camera. My best film body ever.

rbelyell · Expire: 2014-01-31

i used the AX for awhile before i left the slr world for rangefinder. what an incredibke piece of engineering and a joy to use with the awesome contax zeiss lenses. i dont know if you are thinking of getting one, but if you are, im sure you will love it.

as for digital version, i read several pieces over the last year that intimated sony was working on a mirrorless that would autofocus pretty much any mount manual focus lens. havent heard anything about it since the A7 came out.

cyrano · Expire: 2016-12-30

dan_ · Expire: 2016-12-19

hexi · Expire: 2011-11-18

Hi

I'm still dreaming of a digital FF Contax/ Kyocera whatever camera.

Ok, this brand has appealed me since years. I bought numerous cameras since i started, and now sticked only with Contaxes. Great design, light and pretty rare.

So far i had in order on appereance : 139, RTS, RX, Aria, 159, S2, RTS II

i kept the Aria, maybe the best of them, the RX, 139, RTS II. The Zeiss lenses on them are quite a match

as for the AX, i'm still hesitating, because of the weight. That said i have a 1ds which is all but lightweight

but i think i'll go for it Very Happy

gillesF · Joined: 18 Jan 2014 Posts: 32 Location: Roussillon - france

i have a contax AX, autofocus works well. it is bulky, big and heavy but it goes well in my hand, and i do not have big hands.
an interesting feature, you can use the body as a ten minimeters extension ring.

is it impossible to make digital backs for premium film slr ?

contax made a full frame digital slr with the N digital, AF mount from the N series.