Contax T3 - User Comments, Discussion (PART 2)

[jay_goldman]

John,

Would you elaborate a little on your statement that you can shut

off the camera and leave the lens hood on. Does it retract into the

camera or does it stick out

[john_mccormack]

Jay,

 

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When the lens hood is mounted and the T3 is shut off, the lens

retracts into the body normally but the lens hood sticks out from the

body. This is possible because the adaptor ring fits onto the front

of the lens barrel, which when the camera is off remains, remains in

front of the lens' protective cover.

 

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If you look at the front of the T3 lens (the black portion), you will

notice a sort of "L" shaped indentation at the top and at the bottom

of the lens barrel. These bayonet inserts accept the adaptor but do

not interfere with the lens cover because they are in front of it

even when the camera is off. Pretty nice design, don't you think?

 

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By the way, the lens hood is pretty small and not deeply inset but

should provide good protection from flare (though I don't think the

lens is prone to flare.)

[andrew_schank]

I have tried to make the lens flare by shooting right into the sun on

several occasions, but it still did not flare. I think losing the

ability to holster the camera in the belt pouch rules out my being

interested in the hood, which is a great design, but not needed on

this superbly coated lens from what I can tell.

[marbing]

I am sure this question must have come up before but I haven't found

an answer that sounds more trouble than it is worth.

I know that one of the functions on the T3 is to rewind with leader

in or out. Not doing my own processing, I use this feature (on other

cameras like the G2) for changing film mid-roll where I would simply

advance the shutter with the lens cap on past the last exposed frame.

However, with the T3, this isn't possible. I have thought of using a

changing bag but that is not as convienient to carry as a small lens

cap and convenience is the whole idea of having the T3 in the first

place.

What other purpose could there be for leaving the leader out.

[philip_bonner]

You can use a lens cap for the T3. It fits over the metal lens hood

that mounts on the filter adaptor. I have never tried it to see

whether or not the rig leaks light but I imagine it would not.

[heikki_nurkkala]

I have been using that custom function lot for a film changing

purpose in mid roll... When I want to put that partially exposed roll

pack to camera I use litlle flashlight (which I always carry) to

confuse T3´s exposure meter to use fastest possible time and

smallest aperture.I try to find twilight or shade where i change my

film, I think that direct sunlight isn´t good choice. .. Also I hold

some black object(eg film container cap) upon lens.

I haven´t noticed any fogging or flare done by my film changin

procedure...

It is good to put focus to MF before changin film so the lens

doesn´t move when you hold somethin upon lens.

 

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Have anybody bought filter adaptor from Europe? I have been

looking for some time but haven't found any. I live in Finland and

Finnish Contax importer doesn't have any on their stock... They

havent even heard about it! If somebody have bought adaptor

from europe please tell!

[john_mccormack]

Re: Mid Roll Film Change

 

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The technique described by - Heikki Nurkkala

(heikki.nurkkala@luukku.com), October 03, 2001, above sounds like a

good one.

 

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Question. When you re-load the film, do you leave a blank frame

between the first and second load, that is, skip a frame? Thanks.

[heikki_nurkkala]

Yes, I leave one blank frame... I haven´t tested what hapens if I

don´t leave blank frame... is it exact? I think that if you load film

always same way( pull film leader allways to same exact point) ,

you dont have to leave any blank frames?

If somebody knows better, please tell!

[raymond_tai]

Anybody know whether 30.5mm filters widely available for other

purposes such as camcorders will work in the T3 adapter? I am

looking for a yellow/orange filter. Thanks.

[tony1]

Hello!

 

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I am wondering if there is a table in the T3 manual which state the

hyperfocal distance for a particular aperture stop at a particular

manual focus.

 

<p>

 

Something similar to the table at this website which is for the

MINILUX:

http://members.tripod.com/photolosopher/review/minilux/rev_minilux.htm

[tony1]

BTW, I would like to know this:

 

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Lets say you are in a dimly lit church. I do not want to use flash.

So I just set the aperture at f8. Now, the camera will then determine

the shutter speed right? In auto mode, it will be up to 16s exposure

(depending on the light condition). What if it is too poorly lit that

it has to be more than 16s? Will the camera 'reccommend' the user to

use the LT? And how do we determine the correct LT level to use?

[skyler_timmons]

Yes, aperture priority at f8 will set shutter speed as slow as 16s.

 

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Based on the manual, page 9, I don't believe that there is any visual

indication of underexposure if 16s is not enough. So, no, the camera

will not "recommend" use of LT. (f8, 16s, iso100 --- EV2... pretty

low light)

 

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LT exposures are unmetered by this camera.

 

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In the situation you describe, one could bracket exposures with LT

mode.

[tony1]

Any tripods to reccomend for contax T3? Is the hole at the base of

Contax T3 camera compatible with the tripods in the market?

[john_mccormack]

DOF Table:

 

<p>

 

See page 46 of the T3 manual for a depth of field table (in meters.)

There are other tables on the net for this also. Try:

http://tangentsoft.net/fcalc/

or

http://fox.nstn.ca/~hmmerk/HMbook14.html

or

http://www.outsight.com/hyperfocal.html

 

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The tripod mount is standard (1/4"-20?), so most any tripod will work.

The mount is not centered directly under the lens, which would be

ideal, but it's not too far off center. I carry a small Ultrapod II

table top tripod, which also has a Velcro strap for attaching the

tripod to a tree limb/post/chair leg/you-name-it. Works fine. I rarely

use, though, except for night shooting in LT mode. For that I use a 15

yr. old el-cheapo Slik (800G FL). Also works fine for night shooting.

 

<p>

 

As for LT mode, check a basic photography book for a range of times

and aperture settings. Most good books will have a general guide for

shooting at night under various conditions with different ISOs.

Bracket around these times, especially if using slide film. Try here

also:

 

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http://www.rosengren.net/photo/night.htm

 

<p>

 

http://www.thenocturnes.com/faq.htm

 

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http://www.photo.net/learn/

[tony1]

Well, if regards to changing film mid roll, i am thinking that using

the contax lens cover(accessory) will be very useful.

[tony1]

I am considering to get the lens protector (P). But I wonder will it

affect the performance of the lens? or it has to be remove when the

camera is being used?

 

<p>

 

Also, with regards to my previous posting on using the Lens cover to

aid in using film midroll. It will be very easy. there is no need to

set the aperture to f16 nor shine a torch to increase the shutter

speed or to put it in manual focus. Just put on the lens cover, and

just snap till the desired frame which is blank!

[tony1]

GOOD NEWS:

 

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I have started a forum at delphi.com which is a more effective way to

communicate. I will spend the next few days sorting the posting in

this forum and place it in the new forum. Hopefully new users and

experience user will find it useful!

 

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Here:

 

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http://www.delphi.com/contaxcamera/messages

 

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Just sign up if you want to post messages.Its free!

[jay_goldman]

Tony,

Thanks for trying to make the Contax T3 discussions more

organized.

However, I have an iMac. At your site, the screen has two parts

and to read the messages on the right hand side, I have to scroll

horizontally. Is there any way to limit the width of the lines? If I

reduce the font size any more, I won't be able to read the screen. At

the current setting, I really can't use the site, which I would like to

do.

[andrew_schank]

I appreciate the effort to put together a better forum for the T3,

but why do they want so much personal information in order to sign up

at Delphi? Why on earth would they need to know all that stuff

unless to eventually sell the list or names to some annoying

marketing people? I already get enough spam as it is!

[tony1]

Andrew:

 

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I understand your point of view on spamming. Hence to all who do not

want to fill in the registration form, just login in as a member that

I have created.

 

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Username: contaxt3

Password: ilovet3

 

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If you just wish to read and not post messages, you can login as

GUEST by clicking on the "Login as Guest" button.

[andrew_schank]

Tried the name and password above, but it didn't work for me.

[andrew_schank]

OK, I got in.Thanks.

[jay_goldman]

Tony;

I know you have tried to improve the discussion, but I find your

site too complicated.

On this site, which I have bookmarked, I just click, scroll and

read the latest messages.

On your site, I have to type, go through 2 or 3 screens and then

search for the latest. It just isn't set up for quick checking.

[armand]

I have a question about the ISO range of the T3. Often I use

another film speed than indicated on the film (and set by the

camera via DX code). Is there any way to over-rule this automatic

DX setting ? If possible I do NOT want to use the over/under

exposure feature for that but want to set the speed munually.

 

<p>

 

Thanks, Armand

[philip_bonner]

Here is the address of thread, re; changing (scratching out/taping

over) DX codes. http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?

msg_id=000caI

 

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Here is the address of a chart showing the codes:

http://members.aol.com/dalphotopr/dx.htm

 

<p>

 

Try going to: http://www.photo.net/ and searching on "DX" and there

are a couple dozen threads mentioning the codes.