Exposure control: Aperture priority Shutter priority Program auto Manual exposure TTL auto flash.Shutter release: Electromagnetic release with release socket.Shutter: Vertical-travel focal-plane shutter Av and P: 32s-1/8000 Tv and M: 4s-1/8000 B: Bulb X: 1/125 Direct X shoe contact: 1/250 second or less.The Contax N1 was finally in my possession. This obsession inevitably led me to purchase a mint N1 with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 24-85mm for about $400 USD. But there was nothing, only scattered information. Surely, some YouTuber, photography blog, or maybe a camera historian who scribed nostalgically about Contax and its last film camera would give some insight. Shortly after my brief encounter, I found myself searching the internet on a quest to learn more about this mysterious machine. Fearful that I might again succumb to dreaded GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome), I scurried away.
I noticed an N1 perched on a display stand and instantly I was intrigued. Until a leisurely stroll past a Tokyo camera shop. Two years ago, I was totally ignorant of the existence of the N series. Unfortunately, the N series had dismal sales and by April of 2005 Kyocera would cease camera production and abandon its relationship with Carl Zeiss. Incidentally, the N Digital was the first professional digital SLR camera to have a full frame sensor. It was followed by the Contax NX film camera aimed at advanced amateurs, and finally the Contax N Digital in 2002. This was a 35mm SLR camera aimed at professionals and the first in the series to use the newly designed N mount for Carl Zeiss’ auto-focusing lenses. The first and flagship model in the N series was the Contax N1, introduced in 2000. While these cameras have remained modern and respected photographic tools even today, Contax’s last cameras, the N series, has faded into comparative obscurity. In the years prior to Contax’s demise, they manufactured arguably some of the finest film cameras ever produced, including the T series, the G series and the Contax 645, one of the most gorgeous cameras ever made. Their utilitarian and tasteful Porsche-designed bodies married with Japanese engineering and Carl Zeiss’ tradition of optical perfection was an impressive combination. These cameras are statements of refined, modern elegance. I’ve long admired the Contax cameras of the Yashica/Kyocera era. – Excerpt from the press release announcing the end of the Contax brand, which has remained dormant ever since. Although Carl Zeiss and Kyocera have entered into a long-term cooperation regarding the development, production and sale of Contax-branded cameras, Kyocera has decided to terminate such business due to difficulties in catching up with the recent rapid market changes.”
Kyocera Corporation (President: Yasuo Nishiguchi, hereafter called “Kyocera”) has decided to terminate Contax – branded camera business.
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