From RF to P&S? Contax T3 on the way...

[furcafe]

Not sure I agree w/your take on shooting a Leica M in the DF, but see no problem w/your using a good P&S as you describe. That's 1 of the main reasons why they were invented, right?

Personally, if photography is going to be a significant part of the trip, I prefer having a "real" camera (i.e., w/full controls, minimal focus/shutter lag, & lens interchangeability) as my primary shooter, but will often bring along a P&S as a supplement (for me, Minolta TC-1, Nikon 28/35Ti, or Fuji Natura).

I love shooting with my M6, but recently I was in Mexico City and felt awkward using it the way I would in other North American cities. I don't honestly know if was it's size, or having to carry a bag over my shoulder, security concerns, sticking out by looking different, or my lack of Spanish language capability. There is a lot of security in Mexico City, and maybe I felt watched continuously.

I ended up shooting mostly with my iPhone. Okay, I got some pictures, but nothing I'm going to hang on the wall.

Since I'll be doing more international travel soon, to several continents (for just a few days at a time each), and photography is not my main purpose for traveling, I decided a premium point & shoot camera might be the answer. It's small, discreet, and easy to carry...and doesn't shout (or even state) photographer.

I have an Olympus Stylus Epic, but I'd like more control and less vignetting. So I bought a Contax T3, which will arrive next week.

I'm excited for a new piece of camera gear, but am I crazy or what? I have to say, the only lens I have for my M6 is a Zeiss Biogon 35/2, which is terrific. So, I just slimmed down my gear tremendously for the same field of view and similar quality, I think.

Any opinions? I'm thinking that less concentrating on gear with a p&s is maybe the thing I need to get out of the creative rut I've been in lately, too. I'm sure it's all attitude-dependant, anyway. I'm just wondering if anyone else has done the same thing, or come to the same conclusions.

By the way, none of the current lineup of digital p&s seem to have the combo of sharp glass and full-frame DoF ability. I thought the X100 would be compelling, but it's still big-enough to require a neck strap or bag of some kind.

----David.:bang:

 

[David_Manning]

Furcafe, the limitations of my M in the DF were purely my own. I felt a bit under the microscope...maybe because I hadn't been there in so long. I don't speak the language, look different from most everyone else, and my own security concerns (along with the factual security concerns).

As I went in and out of my hotel, the Mexican Federal Police would tell me "No pictures" or the like...and I wasn't even trying to take pictures of them. They were keeping me from shooting AROUND the hotel. I later found out President Calderon was expected some time during the day or weekend. Regardless, I feel like I was viewed with suspicion because I had a smallish camera bag and my M6 slung over my shoulder or around my neck.

So, it was due to my personal feelings mostly. I think the T3 is so small and quick that it wouldn't have been an issue...it would be unseen. I took plenty of camera phone pictures while I was there.

But my T3 has arrived, and it's a beauty!

 

[jsrockit]

😀 Well in the sense that the T3 can do everything the M6 with the 35mm attached to it can... and more. Redundant by the fact that if suddenly the M6 disappeared, the photos I would be taking with the T3 would hardly be discernible.

But process is important, not just results. That is why I keep both. 🙄

I see, makes sense... but depends on what lens is on the M6.

 

[Matus]

David, congratulations on the T3 - I hope you will enjoy it!

As your case is as close to mine as it gets - please do report here once you get a bit of experience with the T3. I am still considering it. In particular I am curious how does the T3 works with filters (BW or color).

 

[kdemas]

Enjoy your T3, terrific camera! Remember it has 7 custom function settings, including "film leader out" that I enjoy for B&W. Functions include (so you don't have to look them up):

1. Film leader status after rewind (leader in/leader out)
2. Lens extension time (lens extension on shutter release/on focus lock)
3. Exposure compensation hold time (1 frame only/until camera is turned off/until setting is canceled)
4. Exposure compensation steps (1/3 EV/1/2 EV)
5. AFL button function (focus lock only/focus and AE lock)
6. Focus lock hold time (AFL button) (1 frame only/until camera is turned off)
7. Manual focus hold time (until camera is turned off/until setting is canceled)

 

[furcafe]

I understand. I'm also clearly not a local & was there a couple years ago for the 1st time. The current war w/the narcos was already well underway, but I didn't notice an undue amount of security (except for the occasional truck full of army soldiers that would randomly appear) or undue hostility to photography from law enforcement. Same went for civilians on the street (not as accomodating as Bangkok or Tokyo, but no more hostile than Beijing or the U.S.). I also never felt that I should worry about street crime. However, I pretty much kept to the main tourist & artsy areas (Centro Historico, Roma, Condesa, etc.) & being a resident of another capital city, I'm used to massive displays of security theater.

I had my messenger bag w/me most of the time & my Leicas didn't seem to attract any particular attention except for a guy selling old cameras @ a flea market in Roma. When I went to see lucha libre, the arena's ban on photography applied to all cameras, including my point & shoot (for which they had a very convenient camera check near the ticket counter)!

Furcafe, the limitations of my M in the DF were purely my own. I felt a bit under the microscope...maybe because I hadn't been there in so long. I don't speak the language, look different from most everyone else, and my own security concerns (along with the factual security concerns).

As I went in and out of my hotel, the Mexican Federal Police would tell me "No pictures" or the like...and I wasn't even trying to take pictures of them. They were keeping me from shooting AROUND the hotel. I later found out President Calderon was expected some time during the day or weekend. Regardless, I feel like I was viewed with suspicion because I had a smallish camera bag and my M6 slung over my shoulder or around my neck.

So, it was due to my personal feelings mostly. I think the T3 is so small and quick that it wouldn't have been an issue...it would be unseen. I took plenty of camera phone pictures while I was there.

 

[Archiver]

Congratulations on the T3. That one looks like it is in excellent condition. They are gorgeous cameras, and very discreet.

Three things: AF on the T3 can be a little quirky, as it requires contrast in the AF patch and will not respond to horizontal lines (think horizons). So to AF on certain objects, turn the camera vertical, lock focus, and then go back to landscape orientation to shoot.

Second thing: as a way to get around this, you can set the T3 to hyperfocus using a combination of aperture priority and manual focus. You can even set the T3 to return to the previous manual focus range when you turn it back on, making it very fast indeed. This also helps cut down on focus time and any (negligible) shutter lag.

Third: when it is very dark, the T3 will emit a pattern of red beams that it will use as a focus target, not unlike the old laser focus pattern in some Sony Cybershot cameras circa 2003. I am sure that this can be turned off, but just be aware of it.

 

[Rico]

Yeah, the active AF feature is very cool (focus on a blank wall in absolute darkness out to 5m). Even nicer is "shutter-drag" mode for the flash: that will mix flash with available light to give a natural effect.

 

[David_Manning]

I thought I'd post some test shots from the first two rolls...Kodak Gold 200 and Kodak BW400CN.

I'm phenomenally impressed with the metering and sharpness of that Sonnar lens.

Yeah, dorky, I know...

 

[sepiareverb]

I've found that mine overexposes more than other cameras when I adjust it to +2, I'm trying smaller adjustments on this roll.

 

[Matus]

David, the second shot is excellent. Great to hear you like you new camera.

 

[Archiver]

Wow, fantastic T3 photos. Enjoy your new camera! 🙂

 

[David_Manning]

I took the new Contax T3 to San Francisco and got some nice pictures. I'm very happy with the camera, it's compactness, and it's sharp lens.

 

[David_Manning]

Here's a quick B&W conversion. Did I mention...the T3 is fantastic. The results are like my M's results, but it's smaller and has a flash.

 

[Archiver]

Superb stuff. I just have to get through this darn roll of Velvia so I can shoot something less expensive to process.

I, too, had come to the conclusion that a Contax T3 could substitute for a Leica M and 35mm lens. While it doesn't give the rangefinder experience, it certainly has the image quality. Glad you're happy with your T3. 🙂

 

[David_Manning]

Thanks Archiver. I'm happy with the decision to buy my T3...now I don't leave home without it.

On another note, chrome film is ridiculous, right? I just found the best deal I could on slide film...$4.69/roll for Kodak Elite Chrome 100EB from Adorama. I think Walmart here in Texas still sends out chrome film to Fuji for about $7/roll. This is comparable to shooting Ektar for me, and I can project!

 

[Iver Aldas]

Contax T3 Love

Contax T3 Love

Hi David,

How are you and how's your Contax T3 doing? I missed mine so much but luckily I got a new one for less than US$300.

Shot from my old Contax T3 and is waiting for repair.

Regards,
Iver