Contax T3 Focus Accuracy vs T2

[v3cron]

I've gone through so many different high quality compacts, and none of them are exactly what I want. The Leicas are too unreliable and boxy, Hexar too big, the Ricohs (which I still have and like) are too wide for every situation, the Epic is too basic and has that annoying flash-on default, and the Contax T2 misses too many shots that should have been easy to focus. I just bought a manual Contax T, but I'm not liking the fiddly opening and focusing, so it's going back. I need quick and Zeissy.

So that leads me to the idea of popping for a T3. My question is, will it focus more accurately than the T2? I know it focuses closer, but does it do so WELL?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Monochrom]

My experience with the t3 is that i never missed a sinlge shot due to the AF.

But have to say the contex from that period had a tendency to be built without proper alignment of the AF system...i had a g2 with such problem.

Perhaps that could be the problem with your t2.

 

[v3cron]

Thanks. I had two T2s at different times, and both were iffy with focus.

To add to my question: how noisy/quiet is the T3?

 

[Archlich]

Not silent (none is other than the Hexar), but on the quiet side as it does not screech.

 

[Monochrom]

I remember it to be quite silent, perhaps the auto advance made some noise...but never was a problem...the m9 is far noisier 😀

 

[mfunnell]

Thanks. I had two T2s at different times, and both were iffy with focus.

My experience with the T2 is that focus was iffy until I figured out how to work it properly. After figuring out something that seemed to work I got far better results - with the occasional failure, I think, more down to me than the camera's AF system.

The way I think the T2's autofocus is best worked (it's my theory anyway) is down to the way it's active IR system operates. It wants solid fix on the centre of something at the distance to be focused. It does not want a high-contrast edge, the way SLRs' autofocus usually works. Aiming at an edge just gives the T2's focus the opportunity to miss the foreground thing you're aiming for, and focus on the background, because you've missed the edge with the AF point (it's a bit hard to work out precisely where the AF point is).

So I focus on the centre of the "thing" I want in focus, recompose and release the shutter. That improved my results immensley.

...Mike

 

[v3cron]

Thanks all. I want to pick a T3 to play with at some point, but for now I went with another 28mm - a Minolta TC-1 from the classifieds here.

 

[ZeissFan]

I don't any camera is silent. Probably very quiet, but not silent. Unless it's off and sitting on a table top. Then, it's silent.

 

[Dennis.Carlson]

Im surprised you had problems with the T2. I own a T3, and owned a T2 before and can easily say that the T2 was/is my favorite camera even if I don't own it anymore. The combo of the build, focal length, and images that thing produces is so perfect. People complain about it being big, but I like it because it feels like a tool, a professional tool, not a toy (not that the T3 doesn't as well).

Anyways, regarding the T2/T3 as far as focusing goes...

I never missed a shot with the T2. Ever. Period. In all honestly, I feel the T2 is quieter. The AF is also faster. The reason being is that the lens does not extract until you press the shutter, which people complain about it having shutter lag but once figured out it is not a problem at all. I actually prefer this over the T3's focusing system. The T3 extends/retracts every time focus point is changed. It is not a drastically slow process, but the T2 definitely has the edge. Also, every time you focus the lens extending/retracting makes a noise (obviously). Once again, I feel like the T2 has the edge here because it does all 3 in once (extends, shoots, winds) and it does it in what I believe is quieter than the T3.

Before I continue to rant on about the differences (that I'm sure you know), I can say that the T3 IS ACCURATE. And having 2.8 as a AP setting is also a HUUUGE plus in favor of the T3. Do I believe the whole AF process of the T3 is possibly slower, yes. Do I believe that it is louder, yes. But the advantages of the T3 make it so irresistible. One day I'll buy a T2 just to own one again. Hopefully I awnsered your concerns without ranting to much. 🙂