Contax T question

[Peter_S]

Hi!
I have two Contax T questions:
a) Is there some space under the front cover to fit the glass of a filter when closed - when removing the tread of the filter entirely and glueing the glass onto the lens? Or is the lens front completely flush with the cover?
They seem to be awesome cameras, but I shoot b/w film almost exclusively with yellow filters (I have filters attached permanently to my T3 and Minilux, too).
b) is it possible to adjust the RF yourself, like in the Bessas?

Thanks! Peter

 

[JMQ]

When the lens retracts, it is flush with the body. The panel has a "depression" that can fit something less than 1 mm in thickness. I think you'll need to solve a different issue -- at close focus of 1 m, the little lens will stick out of the barrel. Your glued glass will impede this movement unless you plan to shoot at infinity and mid distances.

 

[raid]

I would not do something to damage a T. It is too beautiful of a camera.

 

[JMQ]

Raid, you are a purist. Seriously though, gluing a rimless filter to the T is just not practical.

 

[Peter_S]

Thanks all! That solves that question.

 

[Peter_S]

One more question: How bright and clear is the viewfinder compared to a Contax T3 (or G2 or M6, for that matter). Still curious about that little camera.

 

[JMQ]

The T VF is very bright. I just looked through it, and then compared with the MP, and I would say comparable in brightness, may be just a tad dimmer. The T VF is very useable, and you have enough manual control to capture just about any lighting condition. it was my camera for travel in the 80s and 90s. A delightful little package with a very quiet shutter and a killer lens. If you shoot film, buy it.

 

[Peter_S]

Cheers!
Awesome to hear that. I may get one, to complement my T3, once I sold my M6...a RF for the pocket sounds nice. I still wonder how easy RF adjustment is when it gets knocked out of alignment.

 

[JMQ]

I have never attempted the adjustment, and in my many years of having used and owned 3 Contax T, I have not have the need to adjust the RF. That said, you may want to locate a good repair person in case you need some work done -- I dropped one of my T, and had to send it to a very qualified repair shop (metro camera repair in NYC, but they are no longer in business). If you need further convincing about this camera, check out Dante Stella's excellent write up.

 

[Peter_S]

Thanks again. Sounds good (and like the Contax reliability I am used too). I have read Dante Stellas report a while ago, when I first got interested in the camera. I dismissed it because it does not take filters; but it looks like a stellar backup body and for color work with Portra 800.

 

[Peter_S]

Just bought one. Will be nice to have a 38mm focal length occassionally....the Minilux and I do not get along all that well (unlike the T3, which I adore).

 

[OlliL]

You got the one, that just ended on eBay.de?
If so, looks really nice. I really liked my T, but unfortunately
it was in pretty bad condition, which made me sell it eventually.
Still looking for them occasionally though.

 

[Peter_S]

Yes, that was me. I could not resist, the price was a little too tempting 😉. I think I will like it a lot.

 

[OlliL]

I didn't watched it till the end, but I hope you got at for a steal 🙂
Enjoy it, it's an XA on steroids!

 

[Peter_S]

I received it and I am very positively surprised. Nice, bright VF and clear RF patch. Super!

(Got it on a steal...not any more expensive than the Minilux I got a while ago.)

 

[Highway 61]

I would not do something to damage a T. It is too beautiful of a camera.

It is a beautiful looking camera but it's a piece of crap with plastic innards, white metal covers (with a thin layer of titanium applied), frame overlapping and, cherry on the cake, fatal CPU failure which happens sooner or later in, say, 97% of them.

Of course there is that red shutter release button, made of sapphire... 😀

[I have been owning two of them so I know what I'm speaking of]

 

[JMQ]

I received it and I am very positively surprised. Nice, bright VF and clear RF patch. Super!

(Got it on a steal...not any more expensive than the Minilux I got a while ago.)

Congratulations. Enjoy the camera, and please share your photos.