A Super short Review of the Contax T Rangefinder

[raytoei@gmail.com]

A Super short Review of the Contax T Rangefinder

The Contax T is the first of the premium compact
T series cameras from Contax/Kyocera.

First introduced in 1984, the Contax T is a true
rangefinder unlike the subsequent models (T2, T3 and TvS)
where were more of a premium Point & Shoot cameras.

This camera isn't very well known now because it is quite rare,
but in the hey-days it was used by celebrated photographers
HCB and Costa Manos.

Here is a picture of famous fashion photographer Mario Testino using
a well-used black Contax T. Next to him is Mariah Carey.
My silver contaxt T is in the foreground with the attached flash.

Comparison with the other Compact RFs

I find the Contax T fascinating, it is as-if the designers
took the best bits from the other great compacts and crammed it
into this camera with enhancements:

* RF patch is diamond-shaped (Yashica-GSN/Minolta Hi-matic)

* Form factor is similar to the Minox 35, Rollei 35, Olympus XA

* Flash Attachment is similar to the XA but unlike the Oly A11 flash
which is underpowered with a GN of 10, the Contax T flash T14 has a
GN of 14m (2xAA batteries vs 1 for the XA)

* Aperture Priority similar to the Minox and XA

* The Cover flips like the Minox 35.

* Film advance lever like the Minox but is a single-stroke lever unlike the double
found on the Minox.

* Film loading like the Rollei 35

* The ISO reaches a max of 1000 versus the 800 for the XA, Minox

(to be contined...)

 

[raytoei@gmail.com]

Using the Contax T

Well, this thing is small but heavy. How heavy ? I think if i loop
the Camera strap around my neck, I risk slapping myself into unconsciousness
from the Contax T if I attempt to run.

But just like the XA is a bit too light, and the Rollei 35 is a bit too heavy,
the heaviness of the Contax T is offset by the nicely done thumb grip on the camera,
the risk of the camera slipping is quite small.

A more irritating issue is the camera cover, it is a bit unnatural to walk around for street
photography with the cover flipped opened unlike the XA which slides open easily and
unobstrusely.

However, I complain too much. This Sonnar 38/f2.8 camera is a beautiful camera
and it takes beautiful pictues, even if my Contax T RF patch is a bit mis-aligned at f2.8.

Here are some pictures of beautiful people:

All captured on the Contax-T mostly at f2.8. Film is the self-rolled Ilford XP-2.

Fin. Thanks for viewing.

raytoei

 

[JMQ]

Yes Raytoei, the Contax T is a beautiful all-metal camera with decent exposure control. I'd add that it has a super quiet shutter, and without the flash, is quite a compact camera for its day. I bought one in 1984, and used it for many years until I dropped it. Bought 2 more in in the late 1990s. I have both the chrome and black models, which are sadly shelf-queens these days. BTW, Dante Stella has a great review on the Contax T on his site.

 

[Murchu]

Now, this is my kind of review. Short, sweet, to the point, and with as much emphasis on pictures as text. I like it - well done 🙂

 

[rbelyell]

nice description. i love mine as it is truly pocketable, but has a wonderful lens. i read cartier-bresson was a huge fan.

 

[GaryLH]

nice description. i love mine as it is truly pocketable, but has a wonderful lens. i read cartier-bresson was a huge fan.

+1

My all time favorite pocket rf camera...

Gary

 

[ChrisPlatt]

The Contax T is my "special occasion" pocket 35.

Chris

 

[kdemas]

Loved my Ts, I had a black and silver one. The only thing I didn't like was the film loading, PITA.

Great camera.

 

[raid]

I love using the T2. It is "95% as good" as the older T.

 

[raid]

Would you today buy a T over a later model?
The market value of a T can vary a lot.

 

[JMQ]

Would you today buy a T over a later model?
The market value of a T can vary a lot.

Dear Raid,
Absolutely! The T is all manual -- ok, aperture preferred, but you can do exposure compensation. The RF is "real", and focus is manual. It size (w/o the detachable flash) is about a pack of cigarettes.

 

[GaryLH]

Would you today buy a T over a later model?
The market value of a T can vary a lot.

In a heartbeat, if i were to do it over again now. I have two of them as well.. One black and the other is chrome. Every once in awhile I am tempted to buy a third one.😀:angel:

Gary

 

[Highway 61]

Here is a picture of famous fashion photographer Mario Testino using a well-used black Contax T.

Rather looks to be a black TVS III.

I have owned two Contax T cameras, both got a defective CPU eventually, making them totally useless and unrepairable.

Very disappointing and overrated compact 35mm camera, but for its lens. The camera inwards are all plastic ; the film advance mechanism is clumsy (frequent frames overlapping) ; the RF base is so short that it's more of a marketing tip than a useful tool in the field.

The all-mechanical Rollei 35 is a much more serious camera...

 

[GaryLH]

Rather looks to be a black TVS III.

I have owned two Contax T cameras, both got a defective CPU eventually, making them totally useless and unrepairable.

Very disappointing and overrated compact 35mm camera, but for its lens. The camera inwards are all plastic ; the film advance mechanism is clumsy (frequent frames overlapping) ; the RF base is so short that it's more of a marketing tip than a useful tool in the field.

The all-mechanical Rollei 35 is a much more serious camera...

Sorry to hear about your problems. I guess I have been lucky with both of mine.

Bought my first brand new when they first came out and the second one about three years later. So far not a single problem with either of them... Knock on wood 🙄

I had the Rollei 35s as well both the Sonnar and Tessar. I liked the Contax much better. They both take great pictures and at end of the day that all that really counts.

Gary

 

[raid]

The T2 has the same lens as the T. It is a great street camera with its AF for quick shots.

 

[dexdog]

I used to have one of these cameras. Great shooters, much better/more functional/easier to use than the various Minox compacts, and sleeker than the compact Rollei 35s. Mine was ripped off at a youth hostel in Australia. I loved my Rollei 35SE, but the Contax T was way cooler. Lost the 35SE when a 7 foot deep trench collapsed on me while doing field work.

 

[Rico]

The Contax T is a great street machine: unnoticed, shutter instantaneous and silent. Film loading is at least as easy as my Barnack. 🙂

 

[raytoei@gmail.com]

Rico,

you are right, the LTM barnack cameras are quite finicky in terms of film loading. Didn't have any problems with film loading, even with self-rolled film.

raytoei

 

[rhl-oregon]

There's a black one on eBay for 1K.

By which I mean "one kidney."

No, really only $725.

However, an eBay seller in Denmark is selling off his 4 Contax Ts one at a time to shift to AF (aging eyes) with bids starting rather less than the Spare Kidney Black model.

 

[emraphoto]

Would you today buy a T over a later model?
The market value of a T can vary a lot.

Forgive the resurrection of such an old thread but I thought I'd add that of all the contax compacts I have used, the T is the one I have kept. So, I suppose the answer is yes Raid... although a little late.

What I really like about the T, which is rarely mentioned, is that it is an well thought out scale focuser. Which I shoot about 90 percent of the time.