GR1v or T3 for flash

A

awalkinthestreet

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This is my first post here after following the forums for a while. So hello everybody!

I'm looking for a compact 35mm camera at the moment. Currently I use the Olympus Stylus but find that without any manual functions it is a bit restrictive. I've narrowed my options down to the GR1v and T3 due to their size and functions.

I am leaning towards the Ricoh GR1v more because I usually shoot pushed Tri-X and the ISO override is helpful, which the T3 doesn't offer.

However, I shoot a large amount of my work with flash close up (sort of similar to Anders Peterson/Jacob Sobol in style) and I'm wondering which of the two is best for flash shots? If anybody has images of close up portraits taken with flash from either it would be really helpful if you could post them.
 
You can push your film with the t3 by using exp. compensation.

In any case the t3 beats the ricoh imo, one of the things with the t3 is that it has af lock on a half depress of the shutter release so you can do multiple shots of the same scene (for different compositions for instance) without having to refocus each and every time, regardless of whether you use flash or not.

With the ricoh the lens will return to its "stanby" position each and every time you do a full depress, with or without flash. Unless you use the thing in snap mode of course...

The other thing is the contax can be still be repaired in most cases, no one has parts for the ricoh.
 
A tiny bit off topic.
The Hexar AF beats both of them with the "Konica HX14" ttl flash it comes with (or you can find).
Full control of every function and one stop faster f2/35mm lens.
It's IR focus system can focus in literal darkness. (Just not through glass).
 
I can't comment on the Contax as I've never owned one, but exposure compensation for pushing is a little annoying (like on the other film Ricohs). On the GR1v I like the pre-focus settings.

Flash will probably be similar in both, on-body compact type flash
 
The GR1v has a 28mm lens which I find often too wide. Also, it is very susceptible to readout failure. Mine has, and although it's useable it's too difficult to select various modes because I can't see what state it's in. The importer in my country (Australia) has discontinued service (if it ever did, I don't know). Previously I had the original GR1 which also packed up. This brand is not on my shopping list!
 
I have gone through 3 different ricohs and I have loved each one. I really like the AF assist light for when I am shooting shows and cant look through viewfinder. Not sure if contax has that. I can vouch for them being hard to repair. All of them have died and I got them fixed but all bit the dust again after repair. The readouts did go out in one as well. So now they sit on a shelf.
 
There is actually 1 guy in europe who has original "brand new" parts. He is of Japanese origins, with a Japanese name that begins with the letter "m". Should you ever think of sending him something, don't do it.

He did a Gr1s last year for me, the camera lasted less than 20 rolls.
 
john_s said:
The GR1v has a 28mm lens which I find often too wide. Also, it is very susceptible to readout failure. Mine has, and although it's useable it's too difficult to select various modes because I can't see what state it's in. The importer in my country (Australia) has discontinued service (if it ever did, I don't know). Previously I had the original GR1 which also packed up. This brand is not on my shopping list!
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The lcd readout can be dealt with. Doesnt seem to be very hard either.
T3 should be more reliable. I've heard about many which have had different problems with the GR1 compacts, like dust in viewfinders and the lcd problem etc.
http://apug.org/forums/forum147/107868-how-missing-lcd-segments-repair-ricoh-gr1.html
 
My second GR1 died yesterday, for it's second time! I love that little camera but it is just not reliable, and with Ricoh (or anyone else for that matter) not fixing them anymore I would say go for a Contax.

I second the Hexar AF, best camera I shot and didn't keep!
 
Is the exposure compensation on the T3 easy to access? Also if it's not a manual button does it reset every time you turn off the camera? That would be kind of annoying if I had to set it every time I powered the thing on.

The Konica is too big for me, I'm looking for something to go in the pocket.

I'm used to shooting a 28mm as it's the only lens I have on my M6, however I don't really mind 28/35 for the compact.

I'm more interested in which has the most powerful flash?

Reparing seems to be a bit of a concern too so maybe the T3 is the better option, but the downside is that it's quite a bit more expensive where I am than the GR1v.
 
I have had two GR1's and loved them but got rid of them before they failed. You may want to consider a Nikon 35 Ti.
 
awalkinthestreet said:
Is the exposure compensation on the T3 easy to access? Also if it's not a manual button does it reset every time you turn off the camera? That would be kind of annoying if I had to set it every time I powered the thing on.

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You press once the mode button and then rotate the +/- dial in increments of 1/2 or 1/3 up to +/- 2 stops. More presses on the mode button take you to other functions until you cycle back to exposure compensation. You have the option (via custom functions) to retain your exposure compensation setting after switch off.

Link with info on the T3: http://www.contaxcameras.co.uk/tseries/t3/t3features.html

I'm more interested in which has the most powerful flash?

Reparing seems to be a bit of a concern too so maybe the T3 is the better option, but the downside is that it's quite a bit more expensive where I am than the GR1v.
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I don't know about the GR1, the flash on the T3 is not strong at all (something like GN 9, if memory serves) but it's very accurate. You can add and use the Contax TL-200 flash with adapter SA-2 to increase your flash range. Actually, I think you can use via the SA-2 any other flash (just take care you use one with safe sync voltage) if you don't care for TTL flash. On the downside, the camera is not any more pocketable, and, obviously, an extra flash and adapter add to the cost.

.
 
Does anyone have any closeup people shots with flash on either? I kind of know what the Contax T3 looks like from Anders Peterson and Jacob Sobols work, but not really sure with the GR1, I'm guessing it is similar.
 
So in the end I went with the Contax T3, I found an almost brand new one here in Seoul for not too bad of a price (around $650).

Really pleased with it, however I cant seem to figure out how to set the exposure compensation and make it stay the same when the camera is switched off and back on. Any body have an idea?

I will post some shots with it soon.
 
There are plenty of PDF versions of the manual online. I gave up on mine this last summer in a general clear out, mostly in frustration with the battery drain. Battery life was completely unpredictable. I know there is supposedly a fix. Otherwise a lovely camera.
 
awalkinthestreet said:
So in the end I went with the Contax T3, I found an almost brand new one here in Seoul for not too bad of a price (around $650).

Really pleased with it, however I cant seem to figure out how to set the exposure compensation and make it stay the same when the camera is switched off and back on. Any body have an idea?

I will post some shots with it soon.
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Have a read of my review - http://www.35mmc.com/17/06/2015/contax-t3/
I detail all of the custom settings. A great camera, good luck with it!
 
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