Contax T3 - Worth the money?

[Neare]

The flash bracket comes up on ebay from time to time.
Also, the advantage of the bracket's TTL is that it works with all TTL flashes not just the TLA200, meaning you can get larger flashes and swivel heads etc.
Hence why it is probably the most appropriate P&S for fashion work.

 

[oktyone]

Is the TVS zoom lens comparable in sharpness to the T2 or maybe the T3? i like the 28-56mm zoom range and not so high price tag.

 

[andrew00]

Yeah it's quite funny, when I shoot with my 5dmk2 I tend to use the 580 EX II flash and have it on a custom bracket's mini rc bracket, which puts it just to the side of the lens and just a bit in front. So it kinda give a P+S effect but with that big DSLR.

Also when I shoot with my Ricoh I use the Oly FL-20 flash just on the top.

So I really like having a powerful offset flash I guess, so the TTL'd T3 seems a good choice for me I think! If only I could find one for sale somewhere!

Oh and whilst I think of it, if one gets the SA-2 adapter, since it has the connectors on the bottom does that mean I don't need a cable, i.e. you just need the bracket?

 

[awilder]

I've used the T2, TVS, T3 and TVS III. The TVS III zoom is nearly as sharp as the T3 and definitely beats the TVS. The TVS III about the same sharpness as the T2. The only drawback of the TVS or TVS III other than speed is greater corner falloff than the T3. Overall, the TVS III is a great compact camera and is bettered by the much costlier T3 by just a small amount. A nice TVS III could be had for about $300 compared to $600 for the T3.

 

[Neare]

Oh and whilst I think of it, if one gets the SA-2 adapter, since it has the connectors on the bottom does that mean I don't need a cable, i.e. you just need the bracket?

Yeah, flashes supporting TTL will work without a cable.

 

[Jaans]

I've used the T2, TVS, T3 and TVS III. The TVS III zoom is nearly as sharp as the T3 and definitely beats the TVS. The TVS III about the same sharpness as the T2. The only drawback of the TVS or TVS III other than speed is greater corner falloff than the T3. Overall, the TVS III is a great compact camera and is bettered by the much costlier T3 by just a small amount. A nice TVS III could be had for about $300 compared to $600 for the T3.

You can also get a Yashica T-Zoom for about $200 and it packs a hell of a punch for the money. The Carl Zeiss optics are outstanding and value for money has to be one of the better bargains out there.

 

[Rico]

... So I really like having a powerful offset flash I guess, so the TTL'd T3 seems a good choice for me I think! If only I could find one for sale somewhere!

Oh and whilst I think of it, if one gets the SA-2 adapter, since it has the connectors on the bottom does that mean I don't need a cable, i.e. you just need the bracket?

The SA-2 appears often enough on eBay, but will cost $50-100. It provides a hot shoe and a TLA sync port. The Contax TLA200 (which I don't own) is reputed to cause red-eye on the hot shoe, but does provide TTL quench. For bigger TLA flashes (30, 280, 360), lack of support for TTL quench is addressed adequately by the auto-thyrister in the flash. The T3 is dwarved by these flash configurations, and I find the inbuilt to have enough power and no red-eye: lighting rendition is, of course, flat.

 

[andrew00]

Aye looks like it's a game of waiting for one to come up which is lame as I want it now heh. Esp in black although Black T3's seem to be more expensive which isn't cool!

Oh whilst I'm here - what does the T3 data back do and is it worth getting a camera w/it on?

 

[Neare]

It's a data back styled for P&S cameras - meaning it prints the data inside the film frame itself rather than at the end of it or in between frames.

So you get orange digits in the bottom right hand corner of your shots, it can show time, date etc in different combinations. It will give your shots that extra 'p&s' feel to it if that's a look you want. I find it to be quite cool personally and of course you can just turn it off when you don't want the imprint.

 

[andrew00]

Ah I can live without the date, especially as it looks like it increases the profile a little. After using my Ricoh GRD3, I'm always keen to get pocketable cameras, so the T3 is a great marriage of quality and size for me. I'd get the databack if it was doing some magic but date's aren't that important to me heh.

I found one place, a camera store, selling the following package. I've no idea if it's a good deal!

Contax t3, sa-2 adapter, tla 200 flash, zeiss monocular, wooden box, cases, strap and manual for £695 (est $1100). Apparently it's a collectors edition package or something and it's chrome (shame not black!). What do you think?

 

[sepiareverb]

Wait for the black- it is really nice.

 

[muf]

£695? Expensive. I bought mine from ffordes in Scotland for £350. Packages are all well and good but at the end of the day, it's the camera you will be pocketing, not the box and accessories.

Btw, the Ricoh GR1v is even more pocketable than the T3. There isn't a 35mm camera in existence that is as pocketable as the GR1v.

Paul

 

[Neare]

Seems a little expensive. But remember that there's also the 70 year edition which is titan coloured as well, that commands a little premium.

Regular titan bodies should go for around $550usd.
Black's are worth say an extra $100?
The 70 year version comes with it's own half case, strap etc. So it gets a little more.

TLA200 for $150 max
SA-adapter $70-120 would be my estimate.

Keep to those sorts of prices and don't get ripped off =D

 

[andrew00]

Managed to find a T3 on eBay super cheap, hurrah!

 

[35mmdelux]

Nice camera, nice controls, but results unpredictable at times.

 

[35mmdelux]

Oly Epic is a contender (and cheaper).

 

[gilpen123]

I have all 3 very seldom do I use the mjuII as I hate turning the flash off everytime I open and shoot. For sheer portability with big results, the T3 can't be beaten. IMO Hexar AF is slightly better for my use as it focus faster and lesser shutter lag but the size and 1/250 shutter is a problem when you go out and shoot with one camera only. The T3 does this better and with it's soft leather case, I can loop on my belt w/o being bulky. Here are some samples of T3 and Hexar hopefully can help you get some ideas.

Contax T3









Hexar AF

 

[gilpen123]

Sorry I'm mostly B&W on film so no color film samples.