Question about Contax T

[sooner]

Hi Folks,

I am a happy owner of the Minox 35 GT-E, which I love. I've wondered whether the Contax T, which looks nearly identical, is the same optically. Anyone done a comparison? The Contax T seems to be much rarer and sell for more on the Bay, but I was wondering if it's really any better than the Minox. Frankly, I don't see how it could be. Thanks....John.

 

[chut]

The Minox GT-E uses a MC Minoxar 35/2.8, which is a 4 element, 3 group Tessar design. The Contax T uses a Sonnar 38/2.8, 5 elements and has a T* multi-coating.

I haven't made a head to head comparison as I only use a Contax T now but the Sonnar is a later lens design and is known to have been a significant improvement to the Tessar in terms of sharpness and chromatic aberration.

Aside from the lens, the Contax T also offers a rangefinder versus the scale focus of the Minox. I've also found the T to be more durable.

 

[sleepyhead]

Chut said it!

Both are great optics, but it's easier to get beautiful shots close up and wide open with the Contax.

In my experience, the Contax AE metering is also much more accurate under low light conditions. The Minox tends to underexpose in low light.

Check out my Flickr, I have pics taken with both.

 

[sleepyhead]

No contest. I've had them both, and the Contax is in another league. Sold the Minox ages ago, but still have the Contax. Also bear in mind that the Contax is a mostly metal hockey puck and thus heavier and somewhat larger than the rangerfinderless Minox.

I wouldn't say "it's no contest", and as much as I love my Contax T, quite frankly, both cameras have poor reliability in my experience.

I've used 4 Minox 35's and 4 Contax T's in the past 20 years, and I've had problems with 2 Minoxs' and 3 Contaxs - will elaborate later, gotta run.

 

[sleepyhead]

I agree, the Rollei 35S/SE Sonnar is very nice - but again, no rangefinder to help with close-up and wide-open shots - I missed to many of those type shots with the Rollei - but perhaps more practice would've helped....

Back to the Minox's and Contax T's:

2 of my 4 Minoxes died from the well-known shutter-magnet problem, both died whilst on vacation and were a BUMMER. I took a break from Minox 35's for a few years, used Olympus XAs, which were totally reliable, but the lens was not quite up to the Minox 35 standard. Then I bought two Minox MLs, used them for a while, but then sold them for two Contax Ts.

Within months of use, both Contax T's had problems: on one the rangefinder went out of alignment (anybody know a repair person who can work on these?), and on the other, the small, weakly-built, sliding lock on the bottom that holds the back of the camera on disintegrated into many tiny fragments.

So then I bought another 2 Contax Ts: one is fine and never had a problem, but I had ANOTHER one break the door lock. So I now use the camera back from the camera with bad rangefinder on the camera with the bad door lock. Good, two functional cameras for the time being, but I don't have much faith in the Contax T's reliability.

I love it for it's results:

Just to be fair to the Minox 35:

 

[chut]

I've only had one Contax T and I haven't run into any problems so far. Because it's so small, I find that it's the camera that I take with me the most. The lens is a real overachiever given its diminutive size. Here are some shots I've taken with it:

 

[sleepyhead]

Nice shots Chut!

That second one, porttrait of a man with landscape behind him, is VERY typical of that beautiful close-up quality of the 38mm Sonnar. Difficult to achieve with the Minox's because the lens is more "edgy" sharp in my experience.

 

[morback]

beautiful...

How easy is it to focus the Contax T? I'm hugely enamored with my T3 and am looking for an analog version to carry my b&w film...

 

[sooner]

Thanks for the comments. I hadn't realized reliability on the T's was also an issue (I've had my Minox repaired also, by the way). Maybe I should consider the Rollei 35S, feel free to comment and compare that one in a 3-way lineup.

 

[ZeissFan]

I've not owned the Contax T, but I can tell you that the Minox 35 series have shutters that are have been problematic for me. I don't know if it's the electronics or some other issue, but of the five Minoxes that I've owned, four of them have unreliable shutters, and I've sworn of buying any more.

I agree that the Rollei 35S is an excellent alternative, although I prefer the S over the SE because the incorporation of in-viewfinder LEDs was a bad idea. Just because you can do something doesn't mean that you should.

For pocket cameras, I've been using a Balda CE 35 (roughly the same size as the Minox) and have found it to be a very capable camera. The Rolleimatic (the one with the swinging door and a Tessar-type Rolleinar) also is a nice choice, although exposure control is limited. And also, the Zeiss Ikon Contessa S 310/312 with a branded Tessar lens and trap-needle exposure.

 

[raid]

I have been using a Minox GT for about 15 years now, and a Contax T2 since a year. I have not had any problems with either camera. Don't get a spell started on my cameras! Both are very good cameras. I have used my GT with at least 50 rolls of slow slide film. Exposure wise, the GT is very accurate. It fits in my pocket, and it is very light. When carefully used, there should be no problems. I often use the +2X compensation for slide film with the GT.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Great lenses all...

Great lenses all...

Years ago I tried a Rollei 35. I could never get past its quirky controls and sold it.
OTOH I love my Contax T. It has worked without problem since I bought it used four years ago.
My Minox 35ML is very capable and lightweight, but needed repair once in the same time period.

Chris

 

[sepiareverb]

Beautiful image.

 

[manfriz]

Hi everyone! I'm new to this forum (actually I'm not new but it's my first post!), I found this thread because I've just bought a Contax T that seems to not have any kind of problem but one, the one you were talking here, the sliding lock...it's broken and i don't know (if is there a solution) how to fix it! I know that this is an old thread but if someone figured out how to do without using another Contax T's back part please help me! I love this camera and I've actually found a way to "lock" the back door using a 1/4" screw for the camera strap but it's ugly looking...Thank you in advance for you reply and sorry for my bad english!!

 

[DwF]

Can anyone here advise on removing top cover on Contax T and cleaning the viewfinder window. I know this is fragile so I wanted to get info before I attempt anything.

Many thanks in advance.

David

 

[Highway 61]

Can anyone here advise on removing top cover on Contax T and cleaning the viewfinder window. I know this is fragile so I wanted to get info before I attempt anything.

The top cover easily comes out once you remove the screws which hold it in place. The viewfinder window is glued inside the top cover so it will all come with the top cover unless the glue has now got brittle - very possible : in this case you will have to re-cement the window on the inside of the top cover after cleaning.

The window is made of extremely thin mineral glass and it can break very easily if you clean it with too much force. Use a small cotton dab, few cleaning fluid, and be gentle.

 

[DwF]

Thank you for that. I figured all of that was the case, but could not recall from seeing one of these open years ago, whether there were any fittings that would come off when I pulled the cover. I can tell the glass is super fragile. Great advice. 🙂

I am considering buying this one and it all seems really good but the window looks to be smudged or foggy, and the shutter seemed lazy on a couple of low light exposures. Almost like a lazy mechanical shutter. I know the camera has been stored away for decades.

 

[sleepyhead]

By the way, l have 2 or 3 Contax T's lying around, each with it's own issues.

For the cost of shipping, I would be happy to give them away to anyone who thinks they can repair them or use the parts. Send a private message if interested.

 

[DwF]

PM sent, thank you!