Couple Qs about Contax T

[analogpics]

Hey all, just acquired a Contax T yesterday and finished a roll off and thought i'd ask a couple quick questions (didn't find anything in the search here or on google 😛 )

1) is the diamond shaped RF in the viewfinder supposed to be kinda fuzzy...similar to the Canonet QL17? It doesn't seem to be a huge deal as almost all the pics i shot on the first roll were in focus and shot at f2.8 and 4.

2) What shutter speed is displayed in the viewfinder when you have the flash attached/turned on? In the manual, it seems like it's supposed to read 1/60th (the LED between 125 and 30) but mine has the LED blinking and below 30th, so just wanted to make sure that's normal.

Thanks guys!

 

[JMQ]

Hi, I just checked my T.

2) With the flash attached and turned on, the flashing LED will show what the shutter speed is based on the auto exposure. so, if you are pointing at a darkened area, it will blink below 30. If you are pointing in a room with ample light, I would expect it to blink between 30 and 125. I think your camera is working as it should.

1)The diamond patch is not fuzzy, you use it to focus -- in-focus when the double images are aligned.

Hope this helps. Good luck with the T. It is a neat camera.

 

[sleepyhead]

I think he means the edges of the diamond shaped focusing patch.
They are kinda fuzzy and indistinct on the Contax T.

 

[JMQ]

I think he means the edges of the diamond shaped focusing patch.
They are kinda fuzzy and indistinct on the Contax T.

Thanks for clarifying. Yes, if that's what he meant, then it is indeed indistinct.

 

[analogpics]

Ahhh thank you guys! Just wanted to make sure everything was working as it should 🙂

I really love this camera so far (i've only had it 24 hours but still...) I did get used to the rangefinder patch in some of my pricier rangefinder cams, but i'm really surprised at how accurate the RF is on this camera.

I've owned a T2, T3 and G2 (still have the G2 and T3) and for whatever reason, i've had AF probs with all of them....so i figured why not try a rangefinder! Trying a roll of color in here so looking forward to the results.

Kinda random, but i noticed that the bottom plate has some kinda gunky foam stuff that rubbed off on the film canister....can i just peel it off?

 

[analogpics]

So i noticed that the shutter speeds are noticeably off. Is that a common prob with this cam? I've shot a few rolls and the ones that turn out, i really like, but any shot that read 1/60th or below had motion blur. I had a guy from KEH check it out and he said its off soooo....im contemplating returning it or having them repair it.

 

[JMQ]

I have owned 4 Contax T cameras at various times, and speeds off were never an issue for me. I had other issues like film not advancing correctly and in 2 cases, I dropped the camera on concrete, so that's clearly operator error. The guy who used to fix it for me Metro Camera Repairs in NYC is no longer in business, so I don't even know who to send you to.

 

[analogpics]

Ahhh that's good to know JMQ, i'll see about finding another T soon. KEH told me to just send mine back for a refund rather than seeing if they could fix it. I really enjoyed that camera, so am hoping to find another one soon

 

[analogpics]

Contemplating silver vs black....any opinions?

 

[sleepyhead]

I don't want to be negative, but I think it took me about 7 years and around 6 Contax T's to find two cameras that had no issues (or ones I could deal with, such as a broken door latch).

On a positive note, some of my favourite pictures, particularly when my kids were small, were taken with those Contax T's. One Contax T was with me pretty much everywhere (supermarket, dentist, out in the snow, etc.)

 

[kram]

Mines working fine at the mo. Great camera. I too used to have problems with autofocus cameras, so am happy with the rangefinder T, no focus problems. Sounds like the foam seals need replacing. I did it myself, most time consuming part ix getting the old foam off.