Minolta CLE or Contax T3 for backup purposes...

[Asim]

I'm really having a dilemma and thought some of you could give me a new perspective...

I have a Leica MP with a 50mm Summilux Asph. This is all that I have photographic-wise. I need a backup system in case something fails on the MP or perhaps maybe I travel somewhere I might not want to carry an MP with Lux (ie. the beach, a bicycle tour, etc). I know Leica's are very durable but I also travel a lot. The last place you want your only camera system to fail is when you've spent thousands of dollars to bring your family to the Taj Mahal or the Great Pyramids, etc.

I would also like to have a camera with a self-timer.

My thinking is to go with either of these:
1. Minolta CLE with a 28mm Elmarit Asph.

*This would give me the self-timer and a smaller and cheaper camera.
*With the 28mm I would also gain an extra lens for my MP.
*The problem is that the 50 Lux won't work so well on the CLE because it doesn't have 50mm framelines
*Perhaps the focusing accuracy is not so great at large aperture (f/1.4-f/2.8).

2. Contax T3.

*This is even smaller than the Minolta and still has the self-timer.
*The lens is reviewed to be absolutely amazing.
*The problem is that I don't gain another lens for the MP.
*To take advantage of both focal lengths, I would have to put film in both the MP and the Contax T3.

So what do you think?
Oh... and I only shoot slide film... mostly Provia 100F

 

[Larry H-L]

Both of your choices are good cameras. The main difference that I see is that the T3 would give you a pocketable camera for those times that you don't want to lug a body and heavy lens.

 

[Scrambler]

The CLE is a nice camera. I've no experience of the Contax. Framelines are best guess anyway, many people are happy to use the CLE with a 50 and just frame inside the lines rather than just outside. Less accurate close up, of course, but just shoot further inside the lines.

 

[raid]

I had two CL's that I both have sold, but I kept the T2,
It depends on which other cameras you own. If using the specific 50mm lens is essential for your needs, then a CLE would be more suited. If you don't mind using a sharp 38mm lens in a compact camera, then the T3 is a good choice. I have used the T2 as my pocket camera on trips overseas, while I used one other camera as the main camera.

 

[Iestrada]

I would prefer to have a backup camera that uses the same mount lenses. I have the CLE and love it. I do not think that you would disappointed with it at all.

 

[Peter_S]

While the CLE maybe the better backup, the T3 is the better addition - it can do what the MP cannot (AE, AF). When I shoot only film, I carry an M6 (or GF670) for 50mm FOV and the T3 instead of a 35mm lens and these fast snaps the M6 cannot do.

(Plus the T3 is amazing, probably my all-time favourite camera, size-quality is unmatched - its my main mountain camera and has yielded double-spreads)

 

[Asim]

hmmmmm.... Perhaps the best thing to do for now is get either the CLE without the 28mm or get just the T3. The cost would be the same. And add the 28mm later.

 

[Asim]

Now I'm thinking that the CLE is the better option because then I'll ALWAYS have an extra lens available for the MP. I really don't like to carry two cameras with film in both. It messes up with the chronology of the slide photos when I finally develop them.

But is there a camera that I'm overlooking with a self timer and a meter? I know there's the M5 but then I'm getting something that is bigger than the MP.

 

[Scrambler]

Self timer AND meter AND M- mount? Hexar RF. That and the CLE are pretty much it apart from the M5.

Voigtlander Bessa R has meter and ST but screw mount.

 

[k__43]

I'm in a similar situation .. I have three cameras that I use as complementary cameras when I'm on the road. I was in Cuba with a Pentacon Six and an Oly XA, in China with a Mamiya 7 and a Leica CL and in Amsterdam with the M6 and the Contax T2.

I want to get rid of 2 cameras right now. I think the XA will definitely go but should I keep the CL (better low light and manual option) or the T2 (autofocus is pretty helpful sometimes).
The CL runs without battery, not so much the T2 - which needs batteries not obtainable everywhere. The T2 produces great pictures and is really tiny - the T3 you want to buy is even better I guess. ..
I'm still undecided myself, but you say you want either a 28mm+CLE or a T3 (35mm).
I'd go with the money (T3) or if you unlike me don't have money issues I'd go with the focal length I really need.

 

[gilpen123]

Back-up with a CLE and 40 cron may be my best option if I were in your shoes, however, if you want another FL the a 28 ultron or a VC 28 3.5 may fit the bill. I had both cameras, though the T3 is an excellent performer for a compact 35 mm, the versatility of s system camera may be better.

 

[Bob Michaels]

Asim: if you truly want a backup, nothing will do but to replicate what you have. You need that seamless transition. I once tried a CLE as a backup to my Zeiss Ikon but everything was not automatic when I used the backup. My fingers fell in the wrong place and it was just was not the same. I ended up with another Zeiss Ikon as a backup.

BTW, I am a real believer in backups. I had a body develop an electronic short in Cuba and had I not had a backup, I would have been faced with a 5 day $600 trip back to Miami to continue shooting. That paid for the backup body right there. Another time, I had a problem with my 28mm lens which I use 98% of the time. But I was able to substitute either the 21mm or the 40mm and keep shooting with a minor mental adjustment.

 

[David_Manning]

Contax T3 is an incredible camera. Not only AF/AE, but on-board flash, which meters perfectly (I used to shoot lots of Provia 100F...never an exposure problem, with or without flash).

Also, the T3 is very pocketable, for beach/bicycle/dinners out.

But you know all this already 😉

 

[Pablito]

Stay away from the CLE, very unreliable electronics and totally awkward to use manual exposure from what I remember. Leica CL or Letiz/Minolta CL is a better choice. 28mm lens requires external finder though.

 

[santela]

The T3 is amazing indeed.

I had three of them. The first two died on me.

The first one died when I was in Istanbul, the front lens curtain won't open, I didn't realize and had several shots blocked by the curtain.

The second one refused to rewind the roll after I finished shooting.

I bought both cameras at the same shop, the owner was nice enough to take them back.

So finally I decided to shell out for a mint copy, at the same shop. It's been great since, well I also don't use it as much as my other cameras.

So there you go, the T3. Not the most reliable camera in the world, but so good that I keep coming back.

 

[bastian a.]

An M6 and a 28 or 35mm lens would be the best choice ...
The M6 doesn't have a self timer, either, but you can buy an accessory self timer like an "Autoknips". It's a good solution if you don't need it too often.

Another M body is the best backup camera for an M body ...

 

[shortstop]

I've got an MP with 'cron 50 and 28 color skopar and a T3. I've been impressed by the sharpness of mini Contax. I've adked me how such a tiny camera could do so brilliant negatives.
One time I used a wrong development time with Tmax 400 and Rodinal (too long). I obtained images of extraordinary sharpness without losing the gray intermediate scale. You can try.
On the other hand I love cl leica and its 40 summicron.
My dream would be having in MP 40 mm frame and a 40 mm 'lux. It' a dream. Why Leica didn'make such combination. To selll two focal lenghts (50 and35) instead one?
If you need a camera you really take eith you aleays, buy a T3. It's a true camera with a true extraordinary lens.
Antonio

 

[kbg32]

I would have to agree with Pablito. You will probably need a backup for your CLE. Electronic parts for this camera are no longer available should something happen. It is a wonderful camera. I've had two of them. It is not a matter of if it will fail, but when. You're better off with a CL. If the meter fails, you still have a working camera.

 

[Fraser]

I would spend the money on film lenses and insurance, a backup camera is only any good if you take it everywhere you go I would just use my phone as a backup, having a second body is different. If you suddenly have a fault with the MP two minutes on the internet would get you a SLR with a lens delivered to your door the next day.