Contax T VS. picked one up cheap.

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kknox

kknox
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Has any one used one, & what are your thoughts? This little camera sold for $1899.00 when new. I have had a G1 & G2 not any longer. The Sonnar lens interests me.
 
Lots of features, their most advance P&S, but unfortunately the 28-56 Vario-Sonnar lens' IQ noticeably suffers compared to their T2 and T3 despite advanced features like using an aspheric element. Not unusual to see it go for $200 or less despite the high price when new. My last TVS version was the TVS III which was smaller, fewer bells and whistles but lens performance was noticeably better, closer to the 35/2.8 on the T3 which still commands high prices. The main drawback is the relatively slow speed of the zoom in order to keep it compact. If you want a tack sharp compact high end P&S, the T3 is the only way to go beating every other P&S from Nikon or Leica with their 35/2.8 Sonnar that equals the quality of a Leica M lens.
 
I had one about ten years ago and remember paying about two hundred and fifty USD for it at that time with the case, strap and presentation case. Used it for a road trip around the western US and came away with some pretty good photos. Used it as a trade in for a Horseman VH-R before it devloped LCD bleed. It's not a T2 but a nice pocket camera as long as everything works.
 
I have sold mine for spares as soon as after three months as it had stopped working. It had started extending the lens, clicking a few times and then off. Felt really sorry as it is a great and pocketable camera.
I am tempted to buy another one, but I am afraid that bad luck will strike again.
 
Great camera TVS II, prefer it to my TVS III, as it has a larger veiwfinder and less light fall off wide open.
 
I recently scored an original Contax TVS for a $43 at a second hand store in Japan. They said the lens was cloudy but it turns out the removable filter was just dirty. I unscrewed it, wiped it down, and everything cleaned up nicely. Mine even came with a data back! :D


Here's some stuff I've shot with it since:
Everything is shot with Fujifilm Superia 400. Scanned at home on my Minolta Dimage Scan Dual IV









 
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