contax T3

[stip80]

hi folks,

needs some inputs here. i've been contemplating to get a decent pocket AF film camera. since i've been using manual slr and m-mount rf, this would be a new experience in regard to the tiny vf and the af mechanism and i would like to limit the damage so that if i found myself dont like it, i may sell it again at not too much losses.

initially, i plan to get and have been looking for a used contax T2, quite small camera w/ decent lens at not too much price. however, i just received an offer to buy the little brother a black contax T3 at quite mint condition w/ the hand strap and the pouch (no box, manual, etc) which would cost me about the double my original budget for T2.

so, just a quick input, what is the market price for this contax T3 camera? how much would you be willing to spend for black T3 w/ given condition?

thnks.

 

[thegman]

I know nothing about the Contax T3, but a quick Google shows there is at least one place willing to repair:

http://www.camerarepair.com/prices/repairs/Contax-B9/T3-C699.html

If you're willing to consider other options, there is the Fujifilm Klasse S (38mm lens) and W (28mm lens), both available new, under warranty, and fantastic cameras.

Also there is the Natura Classica, cheaper, and with a zoom lens, but more plastic, and less manual control. Looks cool though.

If AF is essential, discount the Rollei 35, otherwise consider it, tiny, and pleasant to use, unless you've got big hands.

 

[ian_watts]

The T3 has a contrastier, possibly also slightly sharper lens, and feels smaller and neater. However, it has an annoying button that you need to press in order to engage and disengage the manual aperture settings. I have bought two T3 cameras: one couldn't expose slide film properly (it consistently overexposed by a stop which meant that I had to have exposure compensation permanently engaged); the other exposes fine but has a weak lens motor (the lens sometimes doesn't fully retract and has to be given a little nudge). All in all, I wouldn't spend good money - say, more than £250 - on buying one now. I just don't think they are as well built as the T2 and could be money down the pan.

If I was buying a compact film camera now I'd probably either spring for a Leica CM or Minilux. Both are bigger than the Contaxes and both have poky viewfinders but the CM seems to be a reliable camera and the Minilux, although prone to the E02 'error of death', is a cheap option. I've seen mint Miniluxes going for £100.

 

[stip80]

The viewfinder on the T3 has no framelines, only 4 corners.

Also these cameras have been out of production for a long time now, and once it breaks it breaks.

For this kind of money I'd personally be better off with a user Leica, but that's' just me.

well, in my place leica is very hard to come by, let alone a user one with similar price to T3. actually i already have a zi, which does it job marvelously, but now looking for something very light to be carried around.

I know nothing about the Contax T3, but a quick Google shows there is at least one place willing to repair:

http://www.camerarepair.com/prices/repairs/Contax-B9/T3-C699.html

If you're willing to consider other options, there is the Fujifilm Klasse S (38mm lens) and W (28mm lens), both available new, under warranty, and fantastic cameras.

yes, actually klasse looks nice but seems only available in japan/taiwan. the T3 offered to me is for price less of this klasse brand new. would you still go for klasse in this case?

The T3 has a contrastier, possibly also slightly sharper lens, and feels smaller and neater. However, it has an annoying button that you need to press in order to engage and disengage the manual aperture settings. I have bought two T3 cameras: one couldn't expose slide film properly (it consistently overexposed by a stop which meant that I had to have exposure compensation permanently engaged); the other exposes fine but has a weak lens motor (the lens sometimes doesn't fully retract and has to be given a little nudge). All in all, I wouldn't spend good money - say, more than £250 - on buying one now. I just don't think they are as well built as the T2 and could be money down the pan.

If I was buying a compact film camera now I'd probably either spring for a Leica CM or Minilux. Both are bigger than the Contaxes and both have poky viewfinders but the CM seems to be a reliable camera and the Minilux, although prone to the E02 'error of death', is a cheap option. I've seen mint Miniluxes going for £100.

yes, CM is nice but is too pricey for me. i dont know abt minilux, but seems like the viewfinder is lacking all the info available in other cameras, and the E02 error already scares me in the first place.

seriously, you think T2 is more durable than T3? arent both made from titanium?

 

[stip80]

ok, lets do a quick poll, would you buy a mint black contax T2 + pouch for usd500? if no, whats your treshold?

 

[Matthew Runkel]

Assuming you mean a mint black T3 with pouch for USD500, that is an outstanding price. Indeed, I would very likely buy that camera at that price, although I already have a titanium model. I think USD800 is closer to the going rate.

I've had my T3 since 2001 and have never been seriously tempted by another p/s. Mine needed a repair out of the box (it scratched film) and about three years ago when the one-toothed take-up spool gave out (this part is a weak point in early examples, later replaced with a two-toothed spool). TOCAD does repairs in the US and I had a perfect experience with them. With those two exceptions, the camera has been totally reliable.

The lens is exceptional and the 1/2000 shutter is nice to have. [Correction, 1/1250 shutter speed--thanks, Martin] The size makes it a truly pocketable, take-anywhere camera. The viewfinder is excellent by p/s standards. The many custom settings are very nice to have (you will need to locate a copy of the manual online). I have found exposures very reliable including with E6. It is an autofocus camera with some ability to set focus manually. If you plan to use it primarily as a point-and-shoot, this should not be an issue. For shooting manually on a regular basis, most would choose a different camera.

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

You mean a mint black >T3<, right?

For $500, you buy it immediately.

Check to see if ToCAD America is still servicing the T3, but yeah -that's a great price for it...unfortunately. I've had two or three T3s. The size is great. Great lens. The viewfinder is okay- which means it's far and above the Leica CM's. I had a CM, also, and while i thought the lens was wonderful, i hated using the camera. For what it is, the body is too large and the viewfinder is painfully tiny. I would NEVER buy a Minilux, which has a slightly worse viewfinder and the reputation for just Not Working. I wouldn't want a Minilux for $10, actually. I can just imagine traveling with it... flying 14 hours and then it shows the E02 message, and i'd be arrested because i hurled it into the air and it struck a nun or child....

Oh, my first Contax was a T2, so i'm familiar with it, as well. I recently considered which to buy again, a T2 or a T3. Decided on the T3. The T2 has the interface i prefer - aperture around the lens.... But, it has a limited high shutter speed in certain modes and/or certain aperture... something like that... and the T3 is better in that respect. And although they're both small, the T3 feels smaller in a fairly significant way. If you're putting either in a jacket pocket or a bag, it's probably not a factor. But, the T2 isn't going into a shirt pocket or your jeans.

 

[jlindstrom]

I just similar problem and after research & some luck got a nice Rollei AFM35 cheap. It's similar to T3 but a lot cheaper..

Has a nice 38mm f2.6 lens, has both manual and autofocus. It has both P-mode and aperture priority mode and internal flash.Film is selected by dx only, if not recognised then defaul iso100.

--Juha

 

[dcsang]

Not that I don't love the Contax T3 (I've often considered getting one myself) but I'm just curious why this thread is in "RFF News" ??

Cheers,
Dave

 

[kzphoto]

I have a Klasse and I've used a Contax T3 (albeit for like 10 minutes) -- the klasse is well built, the lens is top notch and the camera handles really well. For the life of me I can't get the focus to hit what I want, I'd say I get 10 OOF pictures on every 36 exp roll.

The Contax has a better viewfinder by far, there's no mirror in the assembly like in the Klasse. With the Klasse, if you're not dead center in the viewfinder, you get black out in the VF. With the Contax, you have a nice bright optical finder, and you see the shutter speed on the right side of the display. In bright daylight it's hard to read.

The Klasse is cheaper by a few hundred dollars and the lens is sharp. Get the Contax if the viewfinder is important to you, or you need the faster shutter speed.

 

[Geoff2011]

I've shot a T3 for the past 2 years and I can tell you none of these other cameras being discussed here hold a candle to it. The T2 is a nice compromise. The Minilux...the best thing going for it is the Leica logo. The Rollei and the Fuji's are both way down the list. The Nikon compact is decent but the sharpest contrasty lens is on the T3. Like any new camera once you learn to use it things get much easier. It does have framelines but they're more "guidelines" than accurate framelines and they are somewhat faint. In low light they are very clear.

Don't agonize - just buy one.

If you can get your hands on it for $4-500 pull the trigger and don't look back. You will have the best compact ever made and no reason to revisit the issue.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39087262@N02/sets/72157624358696432/

Clearly I'm very biased but I've been down this road and own several popular compacts.

Good luck and enjoy it!

 

[muf]

It's all opinion but here's what I've owned or own.
Contax T
Contax T2
Contax T3
Leica Minilux
Nikon 35ti
Ricoh GR1v
Fuji DL Super mini zoom
Rollei AFM35
Minolta TC-1

My favourite is the Rollei AFM35
Second is Ricoh GR1v
Third Minolta TC-1

The Contax T3 is not even up to the T and T2 in my experience. Didn't like it one bit. I agree that the T3 has a nice lens but it's not up to the Rollei or Ricoh lens and the ergonomics are horrible. Kept mine for about 3 months before selling it on.

But like I say. It's all about opinion.

Paul

 

[stip80]

Assuming you mean a mint black T3 with pouch for USD500, that is an outstanding price. Indeed, I would very likely buy that camera at that price, although I already have a titanium model. I think USD800 is closer to the going rate.

I've had my T3 since 2001 and have never been seriously tempted by another p/s. Mine needed a repair out of the box (it scratched film) and about three years ago when the one-toothed take-up spool gave out (this part is a weak point in early examples, later replaced with a two-toothed spool). TOCAD does repairs in the US and I had a perfect experience with them. With those two exceptions, the camera has been totally reliable.

The lens is exceptional and the 1/2000 shutter is nice to have. The size makes it a truly pocketable, take-anywhere camera. The viewfinder is excellent by p/s standards. The many custom settings are very nice to have (you will need to locate a copy of the manual online). I have found exposures very reliable including with E6. It is an autofocus camera with some ability to set focus manually. If you plan to use it primarily as a point-and-shoot, this should not be an issue. For shooting manually on a regular basis, most would choose a different camera.

what do you mean by titanium model? the silver one? i thought they all made of titanium and its just a matter of the finish on the outside, no?

btw, which one cost you more money? the silver or the black finish?

wow, so it has 1/2000s, thats good to know. i just downloaded the manual and wud try to learn first what other features it has.

You mean a mint black >T3<, right?

For $500, you buy it immediately.

Check to see if ToCAD America is still servicing the T3, but yeah -that's a great price for it...unfortunately. I've had two or three T3s. The size is great. Great lens. The viewfinder is okay- which means it's far and above the Leica CM's. I had a CM, also, and while i thought the lens was wonderful, i hated using the camera. For what it is, the body is too large and the viewfinder is painfully tiny. I would NEVER buy a Minilux, which has a slightly worse viewfinder and the reputation for just Not Working. I wouldn't want a Minilux for $10, actually. I can just imagine traveling with it... flying 14 hours and then it shows the E02 message, and i'd be arrested because i hurled it into the air and it struck a nun or child....

Oh, my first Contax was a T2, so i'm familiar with it, as well. I recently considered which to buy again, a T2 or a T3. Decided on the T3. The T2 has the interface i prefer - aperture around the lens.... But, it has a limited high shutter speed in certain modes and/or certain aperture... something like that... and the T3 is better in that respect. And although they're both small, the T3 feels smaller in a fairly significant way. If you're putting either in a jacket pocket or a bag, it's probably not a factor. But, the T2 isn't going into a shirt pocket or your jeans.

yes, leica cm seems to have a nice lens, but the price is awfully much more than T3, let alone T2. minilux's leica lens intrigued me a bit, but i quickly dismiss it after learning the E02 error.

yes, T2 is a nice compromise, thats why i was aiming at it in the first place, until this offer came to me, which seems to be a decent one by some people in this thread.

Not that I don't love the Contax T3 (I've often considered getting one myself) but I'm just curious why this thread is in "RFF News" ??

Cheers,
Dave

my apologies, my bad. i didnt pay attention on which category when posted this thread.

I have a Klasse and I've used a Contax T3 (albeit for like 10 minutes) -- the klasse is well built, the lens is top notch and the camera handles really well. For the life of me I can't get the focus to hit what I want, I'd say I get 10 OOF pictures on every 36 exp roll.

The Contax has a better viewfinder by far, there's no mirror in the assembly like in the Klasse. With the Klasse, if you're not dead center in the viewfinder, you get black out in the VF. With the Contax, you have a nice bright optical finder, and you see the shutter speed on the right side of the display. In bright daylight it's hard to read.

The Klasse is cheaper by a few hundred dollars and the lens is sharp. Get the Contax if the viewfinder is important to you, or you need the faster shutter speed.

so, in the first paragraph, which one has problem w/ focusing? did you mean t3 or klasse?

nice info on the vf, noted.

actually, the new klasse is more money than this t3. but if you can find them use, which is very hard to find unless you live in japan, they are probably abt 100usd cheaper than t3.

if i can find used klasse w, i wont rule out getting it. 28mm might be a nice addition to 35mm of t3.

I've shot a T3 for the past 2 years and I can tell you none of these other cameras being discussed here hold a candle to it. The T2 is a nice compromise. The Minilux...the best thing going for it is the Leica logo. The Rollei and the Fuji's are both way down the list. The Nikon compact is decent but the sharpest contrasty lens is on the T3. Like any new camera once you learn to use it things get much easier. It does have framelines but they're more "guidelines" than accurate framelines and they are somewhat faint. In low light they are very clear.

Don't agonize - just buy one.

If you can get your hands on it for $4-500 pull the trigger and don't look back. You will have the best compact ever made and no reason to revisit the issue.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39087262@N02/sets/72157624358696432/

Clearly I'm very biased but I've been down this road and own several popular compacts.

Good luck and enjoy it!

thnks for another conviction, i think i might actually pull the trigger.

nice info on the link as well.

It's all opinion but here's what I've owned or own.
Contax T
Contax T2
Contax T3
Leica Minilux
Nikon 35ti
Ricoh GR1v
Fuji DL Super mini zoom
Rollei AFM35
Minolta TC-1

My favourite is the Rollei AFM35
Second is Ricoh GR1v
Third Minolta TC-1

The Contax T3 is not even up to the T and T2 in my experience. Didn't like it one bit. I agree that the T3 has a nice lens but it's not up to the Rollei or Ricoh lens and the ergonomics are horrible. Kept mine for about 3 months before selling it on.

But like I say. It's all about opinion.

Paul

i've read a number of praise by people on afm35 and gr1v, but tc-1? i see that
the lens is only f/3.5 max aperture and it seems to cost quite a fortune. do you mind explaining why you like it better than t2 or even t3?

 

[Lance]

I have been wanting a black T3 for years. Prices are always way higher than the titanium color T3. 500$ is even less than what I see titaniums go for locally, but that could be the exchange rate. I say buy it. It's a no brainer, really. You can sell it for 500$ or more when you are done with it.

Me, I gave up finding a reasonable priced black T3 and bought a Klasse S instead. I found a new one for about 500$ including shipping. I'm happy.

 

[morback]

A black T3 for $500USD is a deal. I have 4 T3 in my house, one black (I also have the filter adapter, the hood, and the flash bracket but never bothered with those). They all work well, one keeps jamming and I keep having it repaired. Even in the "backward" country known as Turkey, so repairs are possible.

There are 2 weak points i know of and have experienced. The protective blades and the lens extraction/retraction mechanism. Out of the 4 T3, only one has exhibited those issues, repeatedly, so I guess it's just that sample.

Now, people love to hate the T3 because you need to go through menus. I've used them for 6-7 years. The beginning was difficult, and I did not use it to its full potential. Once I understood it, it just became the ultimate sidekick and it was both a breeze and a joy to shoot with it. It is a very smart camera, but you need to understand the way it works. My two favorite functions are the pre-focus setting (low shutter lag) and the film leader out setting.

There's nothing to worry about in terms of lens quality (you can check my early flickr). Don't let internet magnification confuse you. It fits in your jean pocket (not super comfortable, but you can do it). It focuses to 35cm, its maximum shutter speed is 1/1250 (not 1/2000), not bad for a leaf shutter...The manual has dof scale for scale focusing. In which case there's no shutter lag.

I've never lusted for any other P&S. Maybe only for a Rollei35, but that's another story. This camera has everything you need in the tiniest package (except a 90 degree prism a la Yashica T4 Super)

Anyways, it's a super picture taker, take your time to learn it, and for 500USD it's a steal.

p.s.: it focuses dead center. Almost.

 

[stip80]

A black T3 for $500USD is a deal. I have 4 T3 in my house, one black (I also have the filter adapter, the hood, and the flash bracket but never bothered with those). They all work well, one keeps jamming and I keep having it repaired. Even in the "backward" country known as Turkey, so repairs are possible.

There are 2 weak points i know of and have experienced. The protective blades and the lens extraction/retraction mechanism. Out of the 4 T3, only one has exhibited those issues, repeatedly, so I guess it's just that sample.

Now, people love to hate the T3 because you need to go through menus. I've used them for 6-7 years. The beginning was difficult, and I did not use it to its full potential. Once I understood it, it just became the ultimate sidekick and it was both a breeze and a joy to shoot with it. It is a very smart camera, but you need to understand the way it works. My two favorite functions are the pre-focus setting (low shutter lag) and the film leader out setting.

There's nothing to worry about in terms of lens quality (you can check my early flickr). Don't let internet magnification confuse you. It fits in your jean pocket (not super comfortable, but you can do it). It focuses to 35cm, its maximum shutter speed is 1/1250 (not 1/2000), not bad for a leaf shutter...The manual has dof scale for scale focusing. In which case there's no shutter lag.

I've never lusted for any other P&S. Maybe only for a Rollei35, but that's another story. This camera has everything you need in the tiniest package (except a 90 degree prism a la Yashica T4 Super)

Anyways, it's a super picture taker, take your time to learn it, and for 500USD it's a steal.

p.s.: it focuses dead center. Almost.

ok, thanks for the clarification on the shutter speed. so, you said its leaf shutter, does it have any connector for flash synchro cable? if it does, 1/1250 flash sync would be awesome and come handy at times.

I have been wanting a black T3 for years. Prices are always way higher than the titanium color T3. 500$ is even less than what I see titaniums go for locally, but that could be the exchange rate. I say buy it. It's a no brainer, really. You can sell it for 500$ or more when you are done with it.

Me, I gave up finding a reasonable priced black T3 and bought a Klasse S instead. I found a new one for about 500$ including shipping. I'm happy.

ok, i think im gonna bite the bullet. i hope the seller doesnt follow this forum and later changes his mind selling it, LOL. bu, seriously, i think im gonna be broke soon if i keep coming back to this forum for inputs on gear acquisition.

 

[whitecat]

I have had just about every high end point and shoot and I would have to rank the top 3 as Contax T3, Nikon 35 ti, and the Contax TVS III.

 

[muf]

i've read a number of praise by people on afm35 and gr1v, but tc-1? i see that
the lens is only f/3.5 max aperture and it seems to cost quite a fortune. do you mind explaining why you like it better than t2 or even t3?

Pin sharp lens. Very natural contrast. Has perfect round iris for the most amazing bokeh. aperture and shutter speed in the viewfinder. Smaller than any other high end compact. Ergonomics are incredilbly intuitive. Spot metering. Really, it's just a minature SLR. The specs are impressive and so is the lens, but the usability is it's crowning glory.
http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/MinoltaTC1.html

Paul

 

[morback]

To add your own flash you need this:

Images found here, pretty good overview.

 

[japancamerahunter]

Also these cameras have been out of production for a long time now, and once it breaks it breaks.

THis is not actually true, and a rather common misconception. You can actually have the cameras repaired by Kyocera (owner of the Contax brand) in Japan unitl 2015, and there are also independent repair shops that will do work on them too.
If you have a Contax and need repairs drop me a line and I can assist.