Group: Administrator
Post: 1,370 (301 liked)
Join date: February 2017
Status: Failed treatment for L.B.A. and G.A.S,
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on Aug 22, 2019 21:55:05 GMT
Posted: Aug 22, 2019 21:55:05 GMT
This article is part review, part technical explanation, but full of observations and answered questions. It primarily covers the AX's 'Auto Back Focus' system. Be warned that it's a long article, so be prepared to jump around the page a bit - but - it's worth the time if you appreciate a real-world test on a very complicated beast with over 200 pending Patents contained in it when it was made. I won't spoil it, but there is one big payoff at the end that you won't be expecting. At the very least, it alone is worth a read.
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Group: Administrator
Post: 1,010 (77 liked)
Join date: January 2014
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on Aug 23, 2019 2:43:12 GMT
Posted: Aug 23, 2019 2:43:12 GMT
Good article, but most of the images were missing for me. I followed the link about the mirror slip problem, and will definitely secure mine in place the next time I give it the heat treatment.
PF
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Group: Moderator
Post: 2,038 (562 liked)
Join date: April 2014
Status: Long, long time Contax and Yashica user; glad to be here and hope to contribute.
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on Aug 23, 2019 22:43:11 GMT
Posted: Aug 23, 2019 22:43:11 GMT
A good, comprehensive assessment of the AX and nice to see the reference to the 137AF at Photokina 1982; I remember it well (and the Yashica FX-A which was also shown).
It is one of those rare cameras that allows you to rethink photography and what you can do. I never cease to be amazed by its macro capability with any manual focus lens, let alone the joy of popping on a ML 70-210 f4 and seeing the lens 'turned into' an AF wizard. An engineering masterpiece, the like of which has never been, and probably will never be, seen again.
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Group: Member
Post: 411 (90 liked)
Join date: March 2017
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on Aug 25, 2019 7:37:49 GMT
Posted: Aug 25, 2019 7:37:49 GMT
...An engineering masterpiece, the like of which has never been, and probably will never be, seen again. Sad but true. At some point I wonder if it was a masterpiece or just over-engineering, in the sense of being unnecessarily complex, it reminds me cases like the Contaflex, not only in its build and design complexity but also because was released too late, not mentioning the price. Nice article and amazing camera, thanks for sharing it here. |
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Group: Member
Post: 435 (15 liked)
Join date: July 2016
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on Sept 23, 2019 17:12:27 GMT
Last Edit: Sept 23, 2019 17:13:38 GMT by lenslover
Thanks for Sharing this Article. Even i don't need the AX, because it's too huge, for my relative small hands, and i am settled with the FR I, FX-D, 139Q, 167mt and RX. I do remember that time quite well, when the AX was being introduced into the media, as well as the Aria, with the new 28-70 Vario Sonnar, as Kitlens, that was being 2 years later, into 1998. With all analogue SLRs i've had, it was never the same feeling, than with my Contax & Yashica Gear. It's hard to explain, but you Guys do understand, you take a SLR into your hand, look through the OVF, play with it's settings, mounting a Lens, adjusting the aperture, etc...and fast recognize, if it does fit you, or not...i never had that feeling with any other analogue SLR, but with Contax and Yashica Gear. And i've had much....Konica, Minolta, Nikon, Canon...etc.
It's like Fujifilm with digital Cameras nowadays - from Photographers, for Photographers. ;-)
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Group: Member
Post: 272 (39 liked)
Join date: July 2014
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on Sept 25, 2019 20:26:39 GMT
Posted: Sept 25, 2019 20:26:39 GMT
The AX is incredible and here is something magical about the way it works. It is however very bulky and in a way tiring to hold for a long period. Unfortunately due to that it doesn’t make me want to go out and shoot with it.
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