Alternative to Contax TVS?

[analogpics]

Hey friends, sorry if this has been discussed already (couldn't find anything myself), but i'm curious if there are any similar 35mm point and shoot zooms to the Contax TVS? I really liked the ergonomics and lens sharpness/rendering, but i feel like the AF was really hit or miss (at least on the copy i was borrowing). Now i'm thinking about trying out some alternatives to it and was wondering what's out there. Any leads? 🙂 Thanks!

 

[splitimageview]

I find the AF quite accurate, similar to my old T2 and T3s...

 

[Ranchu]

I haven't used it, but people seem to like the rollei prego 90. Oh, I have a Fuji DL Super Mini Zoom, which is OK lens wise, and it has a lot of nice controls including scale focusing (!).

 

[Sym101]

I've had the Contax TVS III and never had a any AF issues.

Loved the IQ of the camera. Unfortunately it was stolen. Maybe someday I'll get a replacement.

 

[analogpics]

Haha yeah ive had hit or miss luck with the T2/T3 😛 guessing its because i'm always shooting in low light. I gravitate towards the point and shoots with active af over passive for that reason. Just shot a roll through the rollei prego zoom, and was kinda surprised how well it turned out! May try the newer prego 90 too since theyre so cheap 🙂

Ranchu, i was eyeing that DL Super Mini Zoom too. How's the AF been on it for you? There's also the natura classica.

Haven't really seen anything really close to the TVS series other than the leica minilux zoom...curious to see what other people might know that i don't 😉

Sym101, was that draw bridge design awkward ergonomically speaking?

 

[splitimageview]

The key is to know what the Contax is looking for with regards to focus. Page 70 of the manual gives a guide, and the indicators in the viewfinder are there to notify if focus is achieved (or not.) I have found it to be quite accurate even in low light, and if it's low enough, the AF assist beam will help. But if the subject has low contrast or some of the other factors as listed in the manual, it may not be able to focus. Keep an eye on those indicators and it should provide good results assuming the camera is in full working condition. Make sure the windows are all clean.

Also, you can program the camera so that a half-press of the shutter button will initiate focus, and then a full press will fire the shutter. Page 118.

 

[Ranchu]

I didn't have any focus problems, but I mainly used it in daylight. It was quite a while ago. It moves the lens when you prefocus, rather than after you push the button, so that helps. The lens had clean color and good contrast, no sludgy corners.

It has a little red light on the front that blinks when you fire the shutter, which bugged me.

In all, I'm glad to be reminded I have it, so thanks for that!

 

[Sym101]

...Sym101, was that draw bridge design awkward ergonomically speaking?

Nope it didn't feel awkward at all to me from the first moment I used it. And when my friend borrowed it, he had no complaints about it either.

We both loved the camera🙂

 

[Dante_Stella]

Is the digital rangefinder useful on the TVS? That and the one on the T2 kind of fascinate me.

 

[analogpics]

Well, i found a TVS II for cheap so after your recommendations i'm giving it another shot 🙂 wish me luck!

 

[AlexBG]

I loved the shots from my TVSii, I can relate to what you about the focus, I seem to remember it is just 1 centre point. I liked an Olympus zoom 80 I had before I dropped and broke it. Only the TVS and Leica minilux zooms are expensive.

Add the Yashica T zoom.

I would definitely try one of the olympus mju zooms.

 

[paniolo]

I had the Yashica T Zoom, it's a nice little beast, feels reliable and is sporting a Zeiss lens with realy good image quality. Motorwind was fast and still quiet. I loved it for its simple ergonomics, the Leica-like located viewfinder at the left body corner and it's fast autofocus. Too bad I sold it when I went back to manual cameras. Maybe it's time to look for one again. 🙂
It's a premium compact for sure.