Contax T, anyone?

[Steve M.]

I was trying to decide between one of the T's and a Minox 35 MB. Expensive, old, complicated electronic cameras scare me to death. One minute everything is great, the next you can end up w/ a costly doorstop. The price difference between the two cameras was pretty large, so even though the T arguably has a better lens, I went w/ the Minox. If it dies unexpectedly it's less money to lose.

I once owned a Hexar AF that had a very similar issue w/ the shutter button. They're known for this problem. My fix was to take the battery out of the camera and quickly and solidly press the shutter button about 100 times in the hope of clearing up the contacts. Worked like a charm and I never had any more problems w/ the shutter button.

 

[efix]

Yes, funny you mention it. The same happened to me, or the camera came with this fault... It comes from bad connection in the shutter release button. Simple fix actually. Take off the top cover and locate the shutter button. Unscrew it and clean it. Could be battery too.

Thanks! I'll try batteries first, I think I have some lying around. I just have it loaded with E100G, so I can't open it up right now 🙂

 

[efix]

I was trying to decide between one of the T's and a Minox 35 MB. Expensive, old, complicated electronic cameras scare me to death. One minute everything is great, the next you can end up w/ a costly doorstop. The price difference between the two cameras was pretty large, so even though the T arguably has a better lens, I went w/ the Minox. If it dies unexpectedly it's less money to lose.

I once owned a Hexar AF that had a very similar issue w/ the shutter button. They're known for this problem. My fix was to take the battery out of the camera and quickly and solidly press the shutter button about 100 times in the hope of clearing up the contacts. Worked like a charm and I never had any more problems w/ the shutter button.

Yeah, costly electronics repairs is what I fear most in the lifecycle of my T. So far it has been working flawlessly, though. I hope it's just the battery. Thanks for your input!

 

[efix]

Took apart my T last night - rather simple really. The putting back together was more challenging ... might do a short tutorial video on this as well 🙂

Anyhow, I blew my rocket blower a bit on the innards of the T, hoping that I have blown away all the residual dust that has been gathering below the top plate. As a positive side effect, my viewfinder is now clean from dust as well.

So far, the shutter seems to open and close properly as it should, so I hope my little disassembling and dust blowing has done the trick. I just loaded it with a roll of cheap Superia 200-24 to make sure it works properly before I load it with slide film again.

My last roll of E100G probably has some blank exposures and some I took twice when I was unsure whether the camera had exposed properly. I will report back as soon as I know more.

 

[efix]

UPDATE: The shutter problem doesn't seem to be one I can fix myself. In bright light it will always fire properly, but as the light gets sparse, it randomly chooses to either not fire at all, or to get stuck open. I inquired with different companies throughout the EU and US, and hopefully one of them will be able to get it back working again.

I have the prospect of getting an Olympus XA, so in case the T dies, I'll have another compact rf at least. And if the T can be fixed, I'll have two -- all the better 🙂

 

[oktyone]

Sad to hear that, makes me not want to use mine so much out of fear this could happen to mine, repairing it is absurdly expensive. Sadly the XA is no match for the T, the rangefinder is tiny, dim, with an extremely short base and awkward controls. I'd say a Rollei 35S is a better replacement, although you do miss the rangefinder.

 

[Rui Resende]

I own a T and a XA. I got them around the same time, some year and a half ago. I practically don't use the XA anymore, and I carry the T whatever i go. Based on what i've been reading in this thread, about light leakages and shutter problems, i guess i've been very very lucky. No problem whatsoever so far with mine, and i've used it and mistreated it a lot. I hope you can fix your problems. Efix, about buying the XA, some people just love that camera, i think it's great in its conception, probably superior to the contax in its design concept, but the lens is worse, and to me it's a lot harder to use.

Here some shots i made with the T since i have it (all the scans are lab ones, some not so good):

Hope you can bring your t back from the dead. It's an amazing shooter...

 

[efix]

oktyone and Rui, thanks for your replies and your input on the XA. I'll have a look at it today, and if I like it and the price is right, I'll take it.

Rui, those are some excellent pictures! Nice to see your T is put to such great use!

 

[micromoogman]

More bad news... The three screws that are holding the top cover are screwed into plastic brackets. 2 of 3 are wasted on my now so I have to tape it in place... Titanium and plastic?

 

[efix]

Just got the repair estimate for my Contax T. 200 €!!! 😱 "Repair and adjust shutter with electronics. Check and tune functions."

Looks like it's more serious than I thought/hoped. But I guess I should have it done. So here goes the swapping my 50 Planar for a 50 C Sonnar ... once my Yashica and Contax are back to a working state, I will have shelled out pretty much the price differenc between those two lenses.

Maybe for my birthday, then. I'd rather have my cameras working than a new lens.

 

[micromoogman]

I gave up on mine and bought a new black one instead. It seems to work fine. I gave something like $150 or 120 Euro for it.

 

[sleepyhead]

Hello fellow Appreciaters of the Contax T:
(Rui - great shots posted!)

Yes, keeping the Contax T running smoothly can be an expensive and trying affair. The lens is fantastic, the package size incredible, but the build is bad. I've been through 6 T's in the past 10 years in order to have two that function. And they have problems that need tape or other fixes.

But my main reason for writing is:
Has anyone tried to adjust the rangefinder on the Contax T themselves? Where are the adjustment screws and how to access them?

I have one body that is good, except the rangefinder is out of alignment in both the horizontal and vertical axes.

 

[Brian Legge]

These threads are making me think I should sell my new Contax T before trying it, falling in love and having it die. :\

I just bought one on a whim as the deal was too good to pass up and as it sounded like my ideal small camera. I haven't run a roll through it yet but I haven't found any issues yet while testing.

I'm starting to rethink getting into this camera given the rate people are talking about them dying.

 

[sleepyhead]

BRIAN - no no, you must at least try it before considering to sell.

Be careful opening and closing the small sliding lock on the bottom of the camera (used to allow the back to be removed for film loading/unloading) - I broke a couple of those just being heavy-handed...

 

[Brian Legge]

You're right. I will.

Thanks for the tip.

 

[Rico]

The build quality does leaves something to be desired. I removed the top deck to clean the VF, and noticed the plastic tabs. Based on the many dented bodies on eBay, I find it hard to believe the body exterior is titanium - more like pot aluminum! Best to treat the Contax T like a fine and delicate photographic instrument, and all should be well. Handling and resulting images are worth the investment. Just in case, however, I have three copies: my main, my zero-actuation collector grade, and a (working) parts donor. I shouldn't need an expensive service call for some time. 🙂

 

[efix]

I gave up on mine and bought a new black one instead. It seems to work fine. I gave something like $150 or 120 Euro for it.

That's of course the alternative - simply buying another one. Although you'll have no guarantee that it works, less that it keeps working ... that's why I decided to have mine repaired. This way I'll know it works, and I'll have warranty on the repairs. And a very good condition used T would cost about the same as getting the one I have (which is in very good condition except for the shutter problem) repaired.

Yup, expensive little toys. But compared to what getting a Leica fixed can set you back, still rather "affordable" ...

 

[efix]

Gentlemen (and Ladies), the T is back!

I just received it from Grah Optik in Duisburg, Germany today. They did a great job getting it to work properly again, and it seems it's received a full CLA on the way. Happiness! 😀

Shutter is no more sticky, viewfinder is clean, ISO dial runs smooth like butter, and everything else is as I remember. I just put a roll of cheap Kodak VR+ 400 film in it, just to be on the safe side before I load it with slide film again. Now let's take some pictures! 🙂

 

[Rico]

Good news, and post pics! What was the repair cost, if I may ask?

 

[efix]

Good news, and post pics! What was the repair cost, if I may ask?

As I stated previously, roughly 200 €. Not quite cheap, but the camera is well worth it, I believe.