Contax (Kyocera) Aria

Bought on ebay virtually unused. Three major irritations:

First, I have never encountered a stiffer on/off switch on any item. I dislike using it. It's so stiff that one can easily imagine it breaking.

Second (no one else has mentioned this, so I might just have been unlucky)the door release mechanism is equally stiff. A real thumb acher. Also, the door is slightly loose when no film is loaded.

Third, the body covering marks very easily.

I owned a Nikon F80, a camera of comparable build which retailed for 1/2 the price and had no design faults.

The matrix metering puzzles me. On AF cameras, exposure is biased towards the subject in focus. On an MF camera.....who knows? When the matrix and centre weighted metering modes disagree, matrix often suggests 1.5 stops more exposed!

It's all a great shame.The camera is light and feels great with a 28mm or 45mm Zeiss lens. I also like the spot meter and general layout, but the build quality comes nowhere near expectations for the £600 RRP price tag.

If the RTSII is a Rolls Royce, and the 139Q a Rover, then the Aria is a Toyota; great reputation but fundamentally (and unnecessarily) flawed.

The aria is an all-around great camera. Spot metering is impressive (considering many high-end DLSRs don't even have this). The Carl Zeiss lenses are phenomenal; I'm even using some lenses that are probably slightly 'big' for the aria (the 28-85mm zoom and 80-200mm zoom) but they balance just fine and produce ridiculously gorgeous pictures. Having owned Nikon and Contax systems, I can testify to the immense merits of both. But the Contax definitely possesses something "magical"-- a strange tendency to get shots that look 'etched' or 3D. The aria a pleasure to use: simple, easy, and a GREAT viewfinder.

I'm very happy with the Contax Aria camera body. I've been using them for 7 years and will be using them for years to come. To see photos taken with these camera bodies, Go to www.RobValineimages.com

The plastic on the Contax (Kyocera) Aria 35mm SLR camera is tough as nails, and strips the weight off the package. This is highly desirable compared to the "battleships" that fill out the rest of the Contax line. Paired with the Tessar 45/2.8 or the Planer 50/1.4,1.8 you have a discreet street package that will get you into the "scene" without looking like a wedding photographer. That is such a huge advantage when shooting "people" in high profile or hazardous situations. Big manual controls make the camera a cinch to dial in. The bright viewfinder and smooth lenses are fast to focus, and clear in low light conditions. Pack it with 3200, leave the flash at home, and let it roar (the body is a little loud).

It's cheap too! No beads of sweat running down the forehead because you're carrying $5000.00+ worth of gear through crack ally; And If you want a heaver camera, screw a piece of metal into the bottom.

P.S. Bean counters, leave my Tessar alone; it's a great lens! I know the 50's are sharper, but lack personality and fail to give me the "two steps" back in a crowded night club.

I bought my first CONTAX Aria in 1999 and loved it from the moment I picked it up, but the results were superb (even with the Yashica ML lenses, not the CZ items) and confirmed it as my favourite camera ever (a position previously held by the Contax 137MA). Sadly a burglar parted my company with both cameras, and with the insurance money I was seduced by an attractively priced Contax RX. For some reason I never got on with the RX - I think because of a poorly placed AEL button which resulted in countless over- and under- exposed pictures. Apart from this and a disappointingly dim viewfinder, it handled so well and felt superb, but eventually I sold it. I then bought my second Aria in January 2003 and found it as delightful as the first. There was a slight glitch when I ran my first slide film through it, and discovered a tendency to over-expose (though when the slides were scanned into my computer the exposure suddenly became spot-on for some strange reason). I got round this by over-riding the DX system and rating the 200ASA film at 250ASA.

I have not experienced any reliability problems with this or any other Contax camera.

No other camera I have handled comes close to the Aria. Even though it seems like the poor relation of the Contax range, do not be fooled - this is a seriously capable camera and delivers quality results. It is also simply an enjoyable camera to use.

I purchased Aria as newer body to replace my Yashica FX3 Super camera, as I have Contax lenses. The Aria is lightweight and compact like my Yashica which was the main reason I got it. But I do not have good results with the automatic metering. When I select evaluative metering mostly I get overexposed photos, especially with the 28mm lens - slides are always overexposed especially. The metering on my FX3 Yashica actually works better.

Ok, so you want to be a photographer right ? You go through all the "major" brands and buying guides, endlessly comparing features until you go stark crazy ! In the back of your mind you say to yourself, " Hey, if I am putting this much time and energy into this search, maybe I should think about getting some quality gear that will last !"

But all you run into are dim viewfinders, obscure controls, and cheap zoom lenses. So what's an aspiring Ansel Adams to do ? One day you are at your whits end when suddenly you see this little jewel on the front of a magazine. "What can this be ?" you ask. You finally get your hands on this "Aria", put the viewfinder up to your eye...and the battle is over. You have discovered the magic of a Contax. So what I am I talking about ? First, an ergonomic design so natural and sure footed that you can work it with your eyes closed. A viewfinder brightness that puts the others to shame. An exposure meter that is dead on...and one more thing, Carl Zeiss lenses. Here is where faith plays it's part. If you have been taken by the smoothness that the Aria moves with, and decide to bring her home, when you get those prints back from the store and show them to your friends, the color rendition, sharpness, detail and contrast will leave them breathless, and you smiling. "What's that camera called ? " , It's a Contax Aria, and if you want to make a serious start into 35mm photography at an entry level price, you will not be disappointed.

I bought my second Aria 2 weeks after my first Aria. There will be the time to change from one to another, but noone can part me from Aria. The well-built, light weight camera that can mount a Zeiss lens on it for a reasonable price is sought after. I enjoy using Aria as my serious photo or travelling. The Aria with Tessar 45/2.8 is a handy point-and-focus-and-shoot camera. People are wondering when they saw Aria with Tessar 45/2.8 on it. Is it a "high-end point-and-shoot" or a "junk-like SLR"? No matter what it is, Aria with Zeiss glasses can take the great images with painless in weight, size and price.