CONTAX ANNOUNCES THE N DIGITAL:
WORLDS’ FIRST DIGITAL SLR
WITH FULL-FRAME
6+ MILLION PIXEL SENSOR
Digital SLR Uses Full Array of Auto Focus Carl Zeiss Lenses
SOMERSET, NJ – Kyocera Optics, Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of the
Contax N Digital, the world’s first digital
SLR camera to employ a full-frame 35mm, 24 x 36mm, 6+ megapixel CCD. This achievement
allows the camera full use of auto focus Carl Zeiss T* lenses while offering
the user world-class digital picture quality.
The
N Digital is based on the Contax N1 and provides the perfect ergonomic
platform. The N1 which was introduced
in the fall of 2000 has proven itself as a high quality product that can stand
up to the every day rigors of the working photographer. The N Digital and N1
cameras share all basic functions as well as the unique features incorporated
in the N1. This includes the “Dual Focus Mechanism”, the world’s first “5-point
Wide Array Diagonal Auto Focus System”, and “Fine Focus ABC (Auto Bracketing
System)”. The N Digital can offer greater control and creativity to meet the photographer's
demands by incorporating the Dual Focus Mechanism along with the highly
advanced SLR digital image technology. The N Digital offers a high-resolution
equivalent to film-based photography, meeting the needs of both professional
and serious amateur photographers.
The
new Contax N Digital will be able take advantage of the impressive lens line
from the N system, which includes a total of seven lenses. In addition, the Contax N Digital can also
use all eight lenses from the Contax 645 system with the NAM-1 adapter. The option of using lenses from the Contax
645 system is especially important to 645 owners since they could utilize their
current lenses with the N Digital with the simple addition of the NAM –1
adapter.
CONTAX N DIGITAL Main Specifications
1. 6 Mega Pixel, 35mm format, full frame (24mm X 36mm) CCD
The
N Digital is the world’s first Digital SLR to use a full frame 35mm CCD with
6.29 mega pixels. This gives the photographer the ability to use a full range
of Carl Zeiss T* lenses as the focus angle (angular field) is exactly equal to
that of a 35mm film camera. The photographer is now able to concentrate on shooting,
as the capture area is the same size as in traditional film based photography.
2. Thin, lowpass filter developed
by Kyocera crystal technology
An
optical uncolored crystalline lowpass filter eliminates false color producing
frequencies that often affect image quality.
3. Wide range of image recording
modes
The
N Digital can write in several formats, including JPEG (3 compression ratios)
RGB-TIFF, and RAW formats.
4. Menu of white balance
selections
The
Photographer can select from a menu of white balance modes:
- Auto: automatic adjustment by a built in color-detecting sensor.
- One Push Preset: selects a white balance based on a specific subject area
- Custom: the photographer can use to select a favorite color temperature manually.
5. Recording media: Compact Flash
Type I and II & Micro Drive
The
N Digital uses the popular Compact Flash type I and II, which can offer large storage
capacity. In addition, the N Digital also uses the IBM Type II Micro Drive to
meet high capacity requirements.
6. High Speed DSP and IEEE1394
The
N Digital uses high-speed digital image processing (DSP), which makes for real
time processing and photography at 3 frames per second. The N Digital is
equipped with a computer interface for reliable high-speed Firewire (IEEE1394) image
transfer. It is possible to transfer a RAW
12.5 Megabyte file to a computer in one second and also handle high speed, data
transfers efficiently.
7. An LCD monitor for immediate playback
A
2.0-inch, low-temperature, polysilicon, TFT color LCD monitor, with a Graphic
User Interface (GUI) is located on the back of the body. The photographer can
check exposure, focus and file information directly from the LCD monitor.
8. Shooting assist function
A.
The LCD offers a visual Shooting Assist Function histogram.
B.
Confirmation of exposure range (which can be shown in bright tone distribution
graphics).
C.
Displays exposure information and other file information simultaneously.
9. Basic functions of CONTAX N1
The
N Digital shares all basic functions of the Contax N1. The photographer can
concentrate on shooting because the N Digital can be handled the same as a
traditional 35mm SLR. Some of the basic functions shared between the Contax N Digital
and the N1 are as follows:
- Dual
Focus Function
- 5 Point
Wide Array Diagonal Auto Focusing
- Fine
Focus Bracketing (A.B.C.)
- High
Speed Shutter, maximum speed 1/8,000 sec., flash synchronization speed
1/200 sec.
- TTL
evaluative metering, center-weighted average metering, spot metering.
- Flash
auto set function
- Mount
Adapter NAM-1 as an optional accessory for CONTAX 645 mount lenses
- Custom
Functions
- Shares N1
& NX accessories
- All the
interchangeable lenses (Contax 645 lenses with NAM-1 adapter) and
accessories from the Contax N1 and Contax NX can be used with Contax N Digital.
- All
specifications are subject to change without prior notice.
About Contax:
Contax
North America, a division of Kyocera Optics, Inc., markets a complete line of
high-end photographic equipment including 35mm manual and auto focus SLR's,
medium format SLR's, rangefinders and sophisticated lens/shutter and zoom
cameras. The company also maintains the exclusive license to distribute world
renowned Carl Zeiss T* lenses for 35mm, 645 and Advanced Photo System cameras.
CONTAX N DIGITAL Specifications
|
Type |
35mm
focal plane shutter AF/AE SLR digital camera |
|
Image
Size |
24
x 36mm |
|
Image
Device |
35mm
format full-frame square pixel RGB primary color CCD |
|
Effective
Pixels |
6.29
mega pixels |
|
Recording
Pixels |
6.13
mega pixels |
|
Recording
format |
JPEG
(compression ratio 1/4-1/8-1/16) RGB-TIFF
|
|
Recording
Media |
CompactFlashTM
card (type I, II), MicrodriveTM (510MB, 1GB)*1 |
|
White
Balance |
Auto,
fluorescent light, flash, one-push preset setting, |
|
Auto
White Balance |
Measured
by an internal sensor |
|
Image
regulation |
Tone
curve, edge emphasis |
|
LCD
monitor |
2.0
inches low temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD, approx. 200k pixels |
|
Playback
Display |
Single
image, 9 image index, playback zoom function, histogram view, high light view |
|
Lens
Mount |
Contax
N Mount |
|
Shutter |
Vertical-travel
focal plane shutter |
|
Shutter
Speed |
Av,
P: 32 sec. to 1/8000 sec. Tv,
M: shutter dial setting 4 sec. to 1/8000 sec. Command
dial setting 32 sec. to 1/8000 sec. B:
Bulb X: 1/125 |
|
Sync
Settings |
X
setting (1/200 sec. or slower), direct X setting sync-terminal provide |
|
Self-timer |
Electronic
type with 2 & 10 sec. Delays |
|
Shutter
Release |
Electronic
release with dedicated cable switch socket |
|
Exposure
Control Modes |
(1)
Aperture
priority auto (2)
Shutter
priority auto (3)
Program auto
(4)
Manual
exposure (5)
TTL auto
flash |
|
Metering
System |
TTL
evaluative matrix, center-weighted average or spot (selectable) |
|
Metering
Range (ISO100,
F1.4) |
EV
0 to 21 (evaluative matrix / center-weighted metering) EV
3 to 21 (spot metering; based on 3mm diameter area in center of viewfinder) |
|
Speed
Range |
ISO50
to 1600 equiv. (1/3 step) |
|
AE
Lock |
EV
at image plane stored in memory |
|
Exposure
Compensation |
+2
EV to –2 EV, in 1/3 EV or 1/2 EV steps (selectable) |
|
Exposure
A.B.C. System |
Compensation
: 1/3 EV or 1/2 EV or l EV steps |
|
Coupled
Flash System |
TTL
direct flash control |
|
Flash
Coupling |
Automatic
shutter speed adjustment when Contax flash unit reaches full charge |
|
Flash
Auto-set |
Available
for Contax flash units with auto-set function |
|
Second-curtain
Sync. |
Available
for Contax flash units with second-curtain sync. |
|
Focusing
System |
TTL
phase-difference detection (5-point) |
|
Focus
Modes |
Single
AF, continuous AF (predictive), manual |
|
Fine
Focus A.B.C. |
System
Automatic (set with focus dial) |
|
Viewfinder |
Fixed
eye-level pentaprism (long eye-point) 95% field-of-view, 0.73x magnification
(with 50mm standard lens at infinity -1 D diopter, fitted with eyepiece shutter |
|
Diopter
adjustment |
Internal
mechanism, adjustable from -3D to +1D; FM type eye piece lenses (2 types)
optionally available |
|
Focusing
Screen |
Supplied
with whole-view matte FX-2; interchangeable with other FX-type screens |
|
Finder
Display |
Focus
frames. Exposure A.B.C. icon, Fine Focus A.B.C. icon, Exposure
counter/Self-timer counter/Exposure A.B.C. sequence, Fine Focus A.B.C.
sequence, Metering indicator, Flash ready, Focus indicator, Aperture, Shutter
speed, Exposure meter/Exposure compensation/Metering divergence, Manual
exposure icon, Exposure compensation icons |
|
Display
Panel Top-LCD
|
Exposure
counter/Self-timer counter/Exposure A.B.C sequence/Fine Focus A.B.C.
sequence/Bulb time, Focus frame selection, Exposure compensation (when
exposure compensation dial is in green position), Drive indicators, Battery
status (shooting mode), Aperture, Shutter speed/Film speed/Camera customized
functions |
|
Rear-LCD |
Exposure
counter, Recording format, White balance, Digital function customized
setting, Memory card cover indicator, Battery status (playback mode) |
|
Drive
Modes |
Single-frame,
continuous exposure, self-timer (2, 10 sec.) |
|
Continuous
shooting Speed |
Max.
3 frames per second in continuous (“C”) mode [with fresh battery at room
temperature] |
|
Max.
Burst Shooting |
JPEG1
(1/4 compression) approx. 5 shots JPEG2
(1/8 compression) approx. 8 shots JPEG3
(1/16 compression) approx. 13 shots RGB-TIFF
approx. 3 shots RAW
approx. 3 shots (Shooting speed should decrease after 3rd shots, complying
the recording mode) |
|
Exposure
Counter |
Subtractive
type, visible on top-LCD panel, rear-LCD panel and inside viewfinder, top-LCD
panel and rear-LCD panel displays “99” when more than 99 shots remains |
|
Accessory
Shoe |
Direct
X contact (coupled W/TLA flash) |
|
I/O
Interface |
IEEE1394 |
|
Power
Source |
AA-type
Ni-MH rechargeable battery x 4, AC power adapter |
|
Battery
Check |
Automatic,
status indicated on display panel |
|
Number
of shots |
Approx.
500 shots or more (room temperature, JPEG 3) |
|
Other
Features |
Exposure
check button, Depth-of-field preview button, AF light, Camera customized
functions, Digital function customized setting, Vertical shutter release
button (with lock function), Focus target selector |
|
Dimensions
(W x H x D) |
6
x 5-7/16 x 3-1/8 in. (152.0 x 138.0 x 79.5mm) |
|
Mass
(weight) |
2.18
lbs. (990g) w/o battery |
|
Standard
Accessory |
AA-type
Ni-MH rechargeable battery x 4/Quick battery charger, AC power adapter,
Strap, CCD parameter CDR |
- All specifications are subject to
change without prior notice.
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