Contax T2 - why it's my favourite 35mm compact

[Nick De Marco]

I just published a short post review of the T2 on my Rangefinder Chronicles blog.

Having tried quite a few compact 35mms the T2 is the one I would keep if I had the throw all but one away.

Have a look at my blog to see why I think so and let me know if you agree:
http://rangefinderchronicles.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/the-contax-t2-my-favourite-compact.html

DSC_7110 by Nick De Marco, on Flickr

8 by Nick De Marco, on Flickr

Nick

 

[p.giannakis]

I quite enjoyed the post, very nice pictures too.

 

[mrjr]

You and your photos make a compelling case for the T2. I can see the appeal, especially as I really like something a-little-bit-wide for casual portraiture. And I can see the appeal, because I'm blown away by several features of the TVS—simple things, like the-lens-moving-to-focus-on-half-press-for-low-shutter-lag.

But the things that really make me love the TVS are the provision of the wide 28mm/3.5 (as fast as almost any other compact 28mm camera) with the flexibility to zoom a little....... and the price of entry. It does it all.

The T2 has 3 strikes against it, to my eyes. Well, 4, if you count the price. First is the size; after having a Nikon 35Ti, I decided it was neither here nor there in terms of size—not small enough to get in a pocket, and not big enough to sit nicely in the hand. Which leads nicely to the second thing, which is the hand grip and lens placement... like the 35Ti, there's jess no space for my hand. Then there's the lens. Theoretically, it should be about right, but I find myself leaning wider these days, and a 38 just feels entirely too close to a 40. I just can't get excited about photos shot with a 40. In most of my photography I rely on that extra drama that a wide lens gives; it's a crutch, to be sure, but I do love it.

Gotta say though, if I had the opportunity that I had last year all over again...the opportunity to buy a nice T2 for 200 bucks... I'd buy it in a heartbeat!

 

[helen.HH]

Lovely set of photos in your Article Nick...I do AGREE
It has a Beautiful rendering with gorgeous silvery grey tones
The Lens is wonderfully sharp

My only complaint was the dials a tad too small ... ergonomics a bit tight... otherwise probably the best little compact

T2 magic...


concentrating... by Helen Hill, on Flickr




horsey play by Helen Hill, on Flickr

 

[helen.HH]

Anders Petersen did utterly Fantastic work with the T2/T3

 

[sepiareverb]

...My only complaint was the dials a tad too small ... ergonomics a bit tight... otherwise probably the best little compact...

Agreed, tho I don't know that the dials are too small for me. Compacts come with some compromises in size, and I think the T2 balances that very well. The T3 is too small at times – and tho the dials seem the same size – it is the box of the T3 that I find annoyingly small at times. Think winter, when working with gloves, and the T3 is the most pocketable camera I have...

There is likely no better advertisement for the Sonnar than this frame:

...8 by Nick De Marco...

 

[Nick De Marco]

Many thanks for the replies and more T2 photos
Nick

 

[sara]

The Contax T2 was one of my first proper point and shoot cameras.
I do think it is an excellent camera!

 

[scigeek]

It's a lovely little camera, agreed.
Are the results really so different from my 1980's £10 Olympus point-and-shoot though?
Grrrr……
Woof!