C41
Kodak Portra 400
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
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The Contax Aria, introduced in 1998, is a compact multi-mode AE SLR built on a magnesium alloy frame and designed to pair the Contax/Yashica lens system with a smaller, lighter body than the flagship RTS III or the mid-range ST. Weighing approximately 410 g without lens, it offers aperture-priority, shutter-priority, program, and manual exposure modes, a sophisticated multi-pattern metering system, and an electronically controlled metal-blade shutter reaching 1/4000s. It was marketed as a serious photographer's compact — smaller than the ST but more capable than entry-level Yashica bodies. A later variant, the **Aria D**, added DX coding for automatic ISO reading.
Reference
Recommended film stocks for the 35mm format your camera takes.
C41
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
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Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black-and-white film known for strong tonality, visible grain, and documentary character.
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Kodak Gold 200 is a daylight-balanced C-41 color negative film with warm color, moderate grain, and a classic consumer-film look.
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Before you buy used
About this camera
Contax's compact magnesium AE body — multi-mode metering, C/Y mount, in a travel-light chassis.
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Format | 35mm |
| Mount | Contax/Yashica (C/Y) |
| Years | 1998 – 2005 |
| Shutter | 30s – 1/4000s + B, electronic vertical metal |
| Flash sync | 1/200s |
| Meter | Multi-pattern silicon |
| EV range | EV 0 – EV 21 |
| Modes | Manual, Aperture, Shutter, Program |
| Weight | ~410 g |
| Battery | 2x CR2 |
By the late 1990s, most major manufacturers had migrated to autofocus systems, leaving the Contax/Yashica manual-focus line as a deliberate choice for photographers who prioritized optical quality from the Carl Zeiss T* stable. Kyocera launched the Aria in 1998 as a way to attract photographers who found the RTS III's size and bulk off-putting but still wanted full exposure automation. The Aria was produced until Kyocera ceased Contax camera production in 2005, marking the end of the C/Y SLR line. The Aria D variant added DX ISO coding at some point during the production run.
The Aria represents the last generation of C/Y-mount SLR development before the line was discontinued. It is notable for combining modern features (multi-pattern metering, full AE modes, 1/4000s shutter) with the legacy C/Y mount, giving shooters access to the entire Carl Zeiss T* SLR lens catalog in a body small enough to carry daily. The magnesium alloy chassis gives the body a premium feel disproportionate to its size.
For contemporary film photographers, the Aria is an attractive pick because it offers more automation than the RTS III (which lacks program mode) while remaining compatible with the same legendary glass. Its compact size makes it easier to justify as a carry camera alongside a modern digital system.
Full Contax/Yashica (C/Y) mount compatibility:
The Aria's TTL flash metering works with the Contax TLA series flashes (TLA200, TLA360). A data back was available for imprinting date information. No motor drive; the built-in film advance is automatic.
BW
Ilford HP5 Plus is a flexible ISO 400 black-and-white film with classic grain and strong push-processing tolerance.
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Kodak Ektar 100 is a fine-grain C-41 color negative film with saturated color and high sharpness.
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