I got my NX off ebay and paired with a Planar T 50mm. I am not experienced so when my photos were not sharp, I blamed myself. After 20 rolls over the last few years I finally took it in. The autofocus is front-focused according to the eye view and I never knew which one to trust. The shop told me the mirror is mis-aligned and will cost $250. I suppose I could have them repair it, but how confident can I be that it will be 100% right. If you have any advice please let me know.
I purchased this camera primarily to gain access to Zeiss optics. I have the 24-85mm and 70-210mm and yes, they are as good as claimed. The NX is an excellent camera for the price with a very nice AF display through the nice bright viewfinder. The built quality is first rate although I prefer the feel of a metal body. The flash works quite well except for vignetting at the widest settings on the 24-85mm zoom. The AF works with 100% accuracy. I had about 6 badly exposed slides out of 6 rolls of 36 exposures and believe it may have been a result of switching the on switch all the way to AEL in error. My only complaint is that I would prefer more traditional dials and switchgear as getting in and out of the vartious program modes is awkward. The N1 does better here but that camera is simply too large. The NX is definately a "fringe" camera with so much competition from Nikon and Canon but if you are a fanatic with lens quality and take pride in owning "the best" this is an inexspensive body to get into the Zeiss club.
Rating Reviewed by: Taylor (Unregistered User)
(Intermediate)
Review Date May 21, 2003
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 4 of 5
Used product for 3 Months to 1 year
Review 3 of 10
Price Paid:
$899.00
from B&H
Summary:
Having read the reviews below, I find them a bit unfair to criticise NX to be a mediocre camera "just because" it has a built-in flash, not entirely made of brass and titanium, etc. I find NX to be an excellent camera in what it does and what it is. Given that NX is positioned as the junior model in the new N mount line-up, it cannot be directly compared to N1. NX has enough capability to satisfy most users, and it is a fine and well-made camera in its own right, though somewhat pricey compared to simliar cameras of other brands.
One thing I didn't like about NX is its voracious appetite for battery. CR2 litium batteries are not cheap, and the separate battery pack is a joke (too cumbersome requiring another adapter and doesn't last long). Also, the data back for NX is a "date" back, recording only the date, not photo data.
Nevertheless, I like NX for its light weight, CZ optics, and the ease with which one can switch back and forth between MF and AF. But I will probably move up to another body once the successor to N1 is released.
BTW, Contax ought to do something to bring down the price of N mount lenses. With a new line-up there aren't many used lenses available and buying everything new is prohibitively expensive when you are considering Contax.
Strengths:
Light weight
CZ optics
AF/MF switch easier than many other cameras
Is it almost the price of Nikon F100 but with quality not as good. But all flash-equiped SLR are lightweight & more "fragile" design. Just compare Nikon F70 with F801, you know what I mean. So NX is on its own, never compare with RX, N1 or others. If you find the features are good enough, feel right, price right, buy it (bear in mind lenses are costly). I personally find NX suits me more than Nikon F70 & F80. Features on F70 out of date (lack of fancy features!), F80's focus assists (white-light) beam is terrible for my subjects (mostly people)& is not made in Japan.
Nikon F100 has no built-in flash (becos I need it, otherwise stick with Nikon or go for N1). For the lens, I prefer 24-85 for its faster 3.5-4.5 and the weighty feel compared to the 28-80, which has cheap feel (like those cheaper Nikon zoom). Exactly as if you compare the Manual Focus Zeiss 28-85mm to the cheaper Zeiss 28-70mm.
Lens is not as good as the 25mm result at wide angle. At normal to tele focal length are acceptable to me.
Strengths:
-Carl Zeiss lenses (the name is great)!
-Contax, a rare name in any function.
-Accept medium format Zeiss lenses (becos I use Hassel Zeiss on my Nikon!)
-Nice & rather quiet shutter.
Weaknesses:
-Lack of lens variety at the moment.
-Auto focusing is not as good as Canon & newer Nikon.
-Excuse yourself before rewind your film.
I'll disagree with those who are complaining about the fine detail of focusing. First of all, auto-focusing in Contax is not as mature as Nikon or Canon cuz they are doing it for very long. The strength of Contax is not this. The Contax is know for its support of Carl Zeiss lenses and rigid body.
When I bought my N1 then I also bought the focusing screen cuz I know "no any camera" in world can focus "what you want". Every electronics has its logic of focusing but this is me who can make best decision that what is the right focus for my short.
I'm buying NX as my backup body for my N1. NX is not a true Contax. The first body I've ever seen in contax which is not rigid as others. Its light. First time contax introduced built in flash.
Sound is not an issue for me that it is doing DING or DONG. I know that NX has the same mount as N1. This is made by Contax. Nothing ever I have to worry about.
Strengths:
Light weight
N mount and good backup for N1
Buit-in flash (sometimes you dont need power flash but just light)
20 very usable and powerful custom functions
Weaknesses:
Not as rigid as Contax bodies use to be but a guy who buy Contax knows how to take care of it. Its like a guy who own porche will take care of his car more than one who buy ford focus.
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