| CONTAX ANNOUNCES THE N DIGITAL: WORLD'S 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 to be 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 to 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
- 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.
- Thin, lowpass filter developed by Kyocera crystal technology
An optical uncolored crystalline lowpass filter eliminates false color producing frequencies that often affect image quality.
- Wide range of image recording modes
The N Digital can write in several formats, including JPEG (3 compression ratios) RGB-TIFF, and RAW formats.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Shooting assist function
- The LCD offers a visual Shooting Assist Function histogram.
- Confirmation of exposure range (which can be shown in bright tone distribution graphics).
- Displays exposure information and other file information simultaneously.
- 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
RAW 12bit
(RAW data should be developed through image data processing with the dedicated application software) | | Recording media: | CompactFlashTM card (type I, II), MicrodriveTM (510MB, 1GB)*1 | | White balance: | Auto, fluorescent light, flash, one-push preset setting, color temperature setting (pre-defined value) | | 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 speeds: | 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 | | Flash sync. speed: | 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: | Aperture priority auto
Shutter priority auto
Program auto
Manual exposure
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 (selected with Exposure A.B.C. Lever) | | 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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Contax USA announces N Digital!