Contax T3 aperture priority question

[osh]

Hello. I have a quick question about the Contax T3: in aperture priority mode, does the camera stop down automatically to prevent overexposure? So, for example, if I put the camera on 2.8 and point at a brightly lit scene, should the overexposure warning flash or does the camera use a different aperture? The reason I'm asking is that I have just bought one and the only way I can get the overexposure warning to flash (using ISO 400 film at any of the selectable apertures) is by pointing the centre of the frame directly at the sun. I'm trying to work out whether it's a fault with the camera or not.

I hope somebody can advise.

Many thanks!

 

[David_Manning]

If you set it to 2.8, it'll stay at 2.8. The shutter will steplessly increase in speed until it can't operate any faster, and then it'll blink at you. It's not designed to really "protect" the image...it won't stop down automatically if you've commanded f2.8. You'll just get overexposure.

If it's being weird, it might be a meter issue.

 

[David_Manning]

If you're lucky, Peter Schön will jump in with advice and his experience...he's an extremely capable T3 shooter, and shoots in very bright light all the time.

 

[osh]

If you set it to 2.8, it'll stay at 2.8. The shutter will steplessly increase in speed until it can't operate any faster, and then it'll blink at you. It's not designed to really "protect" the image...it won't stop down automatically if you've commanded f2.8. You'll just get overexposure.

If it's being weird, it might be a meter issue.

Thanks, I feared it probably would be a meter issue, but I noticed that the manual says in the section on aperture priority:

"If the available light on the subject is too bright for the pre-programmed automatic-linkage range, the program will automatically shift to get a correct exposure." (See p. 37 of the manual: http://global.kyocera.com/prdct/optical/support/manual/t3_eng.pdf)

I've just shot a test roll, so will have it developed and see what the exposures look like.

 

[Monochrom]

The t3 can go up to 1/1200 if i recall well, but it´s not for every aperture, say at 2.8 will not achieve that speed.

But if you want to shoot that open you can easily switch mid roll films and use pan f or 400 iso...as you choose.

Check the custom function to make it easier

 

[osh]

The t3 can go up to 1/1200 if i recall well, but it´s not for every aperture, say at 2.8 will not achieve that speed.

But if you want to shoot that open you can easily switch mid roll films and use pan f or 400 iso...as you choose.

Check the custom function to make it easier

Thanks, that's very helpful to know. My main concern with my camera though is that the overexposure warning doesn't blink at f2.8 (with ISO 400 film) if I point the camera at something that I know is too bright (even if the speed does go up to 1/1200) like a white wall in direct sunlight for example. I'm trying to work out whether the camera is faulty, or whether (as the bit I quoted from the manual suggests) the camera just stops down itself to a suitable aperture (which seems strange). I hope that makes sense!

 

[shortstop]

Thanks, I feared it probably would be a meter issue, but I noticed that the manual says in the section on aperture priority: "If the available light on the subject is too bright for the pre-programmed automatic-linkage range, the program will automatically shift to get a correct exposure." (See p. 37 of the manual: http://global.kyocera.com/prdct/optical/support/manual/t3_eng.pdf) I've just shot a test roll, so will have it developed and see what the exposures look like.

thanks for the information.I'd never asked. In the attachment we see as the maximum speed at F 2.8 is 1/500. for example, if we set 2.8, and EV is 20 with ISO 400 (18 with 100 ISO), the camera will automatically set 2.8 1/500 (see attachment).
Great camera.

 

[shortstop]

thanks for the information.I'd never asked. In the attachment we see as the maximum speed at F 2.8 is 1/500. for example, if we set 2.8, and EV is 20 with ISO 400 (18 with 100 ISO), the camera will automatically set 2.8 1/500 (see attachment). Great camera.

Oops, the attachment😎

 

[shortstop]

Oops, the attachmentdde0e

Sorry, another error: the camera will set 5,6 1/500 in the example (EV 20 with 400 ISO)
😴

 

[David_Manning]

I need to check my manual, but I think that's only in programmed mode that it'll stop down...not sure though.

 

[Monochrom]

Don´t worry about stoping down or overexposing...

Go shoot and try a few rolls...you´ll be surprised how much film can tolerate high lights!

Even get your self a 400 xp2 and you´ll get great DR!

Thanks, that's very helpful to know. My main concern with my camera though is that the overexposure warning doesn't blink at f2.8 (with ISO 400 film) if I point the camera at something that I know is too bright (even if the speed does go up to 1/1200) like a white wall in direct sunlight for example. I'm trying to work out whether the camera is faulty, or whether (as the bit I quoted from the manual suggests) the camera just stops down itself to a suitable aperture (which seems strange). I hope that makes sense!

 

[Peter_S]

If you're lucky, Peter Schön will jump in with advice and his experience...he's an extremely capable T3 shooter, and shoots in very bright light all the time.

Thanks, David!
I shoot in A mode all the time, and the camera never overexposed to the point that negatives were unusable. When the required shutter speed exceeds 1/1200, the camera should shift to the needed aperture.
Outside I shoot ISO 100 film and with a 2x yellow filter...the camera should then shift to f/4 or something when I have A set to f/2.8 when exceeding approx. EV14. ISO 400 & no filter ... it should require less than what you have described.

 

[osh]

Thanks, David!
I shoot in A mode all the time, and the camera never overexposed to the point that negatives were unusable. When the required shutter speed exceeds 1/1200, the camera should shift to the needed aperture.
Outside I shoot ISO 100 film and with a 2x yellow filter...the camera should then shift to f/4 or something when I have A set to f/2.8 when exceeding approx. EV14. ISO 400 & no filter ... it should require less than what you have described.

Thank you Peter, that's very helpful, and just what I wanted to hear! I got my negatives back today, and even the ones I tried to deliberately overexpose came out fine, so I'm delighted with the camera. I should add that I very much like your pictures - looking at what you have managed to produce with the T3 was one of my main reasons for choosing the camera.

 

[DougFord]

Even in aperture priority mode the camera will over ride your selection unless your selected aperture falls within the manufacturers chart for correct exposure with respect to the camera's shutter speed/aperture mapping. This is unlike the hexar af that will allow you to select the 'wrong' aperture with respect to the shutter speed.
If you want to over or under expose a frame on the Contax t3 you'll have to use exposure compensation, which is a royal pain, for want of easy access.