Contax Aria ^_^ Zhongshan Hall 台北中山堂

2006.10.14

Back in 1996, when I first got into CONTAX photography, my entry-level model was the 167MT. It was paired with three lenses: the Carl Zeiss Distagon 2.8/28mm T*, Carl Zeiss Planar 1.4/50mm T*, and Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 4/80-200mm T*, which covered most of my shooting needs. The Aria was the only entry-level model available after the discontinuation of the 167MT. Unfortunately, the majority of its body was made of plastic, losing the metallic feel. Even the crisp sound of the metal mirror flipping up was nowhere to be found.

1996年剛開始接觸CONTAX時，入門機型是167MT，配上Carl Zeiss Distagon 2.8/28mm T*、Carl Zeiss Planar 1.4/50mm T* 與 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 4/80-200mm T*三顆鏡頭，足敷大部分的場景需求。Aria算是167MT停產後的唯一入門機型，可惜機身外殼已經大部分改為塑膠材料，雖然功能完整但金屬味盡失，連清脆的金屬反光鏡彈起的聲音也不見了。

On 10.14, I returned to work after a long holiday, and there wasn't much of a work atmosphere on a Saturday. So, I decided to take a day off and visit Taipei City after experiencing the Siege of Taipei. The Zhongshan Hall on Yanping South Road is a building from the Japanese colonial era. It's said that the surrender ceremony of the Japanese troops in Taiwan took place here. In recent years, after undergoing renovation, it has been transformed into an arts and cultural center, with a spacious front square, perfect for hosting medium-sized outdoor concert

10.14是天下圍攻後補上班的日子，週六上班實在是沒什麼氣氛，索性請了假到歷經圍攻、圍城後的台北城看看。延平南路的中山堂是日據時代的建築，當年台灣地區的日軍受降典禮好像是在這了舉行的，近幾年重新整修後已經改為藝文中心，前廣場很大，足敷中小型戶外音樂會使用。


Photo 1: 中山堂前廣場 (CONTAX Aria, Carl Zeiss Distagon 2.8/28mm T*)


Photo 2: 中山堂前廳的牛眼窗 (CONTAX Aria, Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 4/80-200mm T*)


Photo 3: 中山堂側門特寫 (CONTAX Aria, Carl Zeiss Planar 1.4/50mm T*)

其他照片請參閱 相簿-台北中山堂 2006。

Canon EOS Kiss Digital N ^_^ Taoyuan Daxi 桃園大溪

2006.9.29

The primary reason for choosing a CANON DSLR was the convenience it offered for adapting CONTAX lenses. While OLYMPUS E-series cameras could also achieve lens adaptation, the need to multiply the focal length by 2 and the non-standard 3:2 aspect ratio ruled them out as options.

With the CANON 350D, adapting CONTAX lenses required careful selection of adapter rings. I've only used two types, one made in China (approximately $750 on eBay, around $900-1,500 in Taiwan) and the other made in Japan (around $2,250). I heard that the Japanese-made adapter rings of more recent manufacture had exceptional quality but came at a price of around $4,500, which I couldn't justify.

The Chinese-made adapter ring had good compatibility, but its thickness wasn't quite accurate, off by about 0.X mm. This didn't make a significant difference with lenses having a focal length of 50mm or more, but with lenses at or below 35mm, it became evident that the infinity focus wasn't precise enough. The Japanese-made adapter ring had excellent compatibility, no issues with infinity focus, and its matte black finish added a sense of quality. In the end, I chose the Japanese-made adapter ring and purchased a total of four.

For this trip, I brought along the CANON EOS 350D, Carl Zeiss Distagon 2.8/21mm T* (=34mm), and Carl Zeiss Planar 1.4/50mm T* (=80mm).

 
當初會買CANON DLR的原因，主要是看上她轉接CONTAX鏡頭的便利性。雖然OYLMPUS E系列也可以達到轉接的目的，但因為焦距需乘上2倍且非3:2的傳統底片比率，所以並不列入選。
有了CANON 350D，要搭上CONTAX鏡頭，那就要慎選轉接環了。我只用過兩種，一是大陸製(eBay約$750，台灣約賣$900-1,500)另一是日本製(約$2,250)，日製的近代接環聽說品質超好，但價格約$4,500，就捨不得買了。大陸製轉接環密合度尚佳，但是厚度不是很正確，應該多了0.0X mm，在焦距50mm以上的鏡頭上使用差異不大，但在35mm(含)以下的鏡頭使用，就會發現無窮遠對焦不夠精確。日製接環密合度很好，無窮遠對焦沒問題，而且以啞黑色塗裝增添質感，最後我決定採用日製接環，一共買了4個。這次帶了CANON EOS 350D、Carl Zeiss Distagon 2.8/21mm T* (=34mm)與Carl Zeiss Planar 1.4/50mm T* (=80mm)。

Daxi Township is a must-visit destination on the Northern Cross-Island Highway scenic route. Most visitors simply pass through or stop at the rest area to purchase Daxi dried tofu. About five years ago, I learned from travel books that this place had well-preserved historic buildings, and I only realized it was a great photography location after seeing it with my own eyes. This time, I brought along two fellow photography enthusiasts to broaden our horizons.

 
大溪鎮是到北橫風景區的必經之地，大部分的遊客都是路過或者在休息站買些大溪豆干。約5年前從旅遊書籍上得知這裏有一些保存良好的好建築，親眼目賭後才發現這裡真是個攝影的好地方，這次也就帶著兩位公司攝影同好來開開眼界。


Photo 1: 大溪老街 (Canon EOS 350D, Carl Zeiss Distagon 2.8/21mm T*)

In addition to the old buildings, there is also a memorial hall dedicated to Chiang Kai-shek, which has now been transformed into an exhibition hall and an outdoor café.

除了老建築，還有一個蔣中正的紀念堂，目前已改為展覽館與露天咖啡座。



Photo 2: 總統 蔣公紀念堂 (Canon EOS 350D, Carl Zeiss Distagon 2.8/21mm T*)

Another must-visit place is Huang Rixiang's old shop. Their freshly braised tofu and pork belly are tastier than anywhere else. After spending a morning taking photos, it's time to fill our stomachs and hit the road!

另外黃日香老店也是個不能錯過的地方，現滷的豆干與豬肚比任何一個地方都好吃，拍了一個上午，現填飽肚子在上路吧！

 
其他照片請參閱 相簿-Daxi Old Street Album 大溪老街 2006。