philip_bonner Posted January 15, 2002 Share Posted January 15, 2002 And I was hoping that my sprocket problem was a one-of-a-kind, one time, problem. Looks like we may have discovered a weak spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip_bonner Posted January 15, 2002 Share Posted January 15, 2002 Been experimenting with taking flash photos using the TL 200 wired to the T3 through the off camera cord and SR-2 bracket. Have great results with portraits using normal flash sync speeds aiming the flash offset high and wide of the subject. Also good results obtained in LT (Long Time) mode firing the flash as a fill. With the T3 flash set to no flash, the camera chooses the LT exposure time and the TL 200 will still fire. Results were slightly overexposed. Does anyone know if I can use the exposure compensation adjustment for LT shots? <p> Pardon me for asking this again. This was asked before but I did not understand whether the answer was a "yes" the exposure comp works in LT mode or a "no" the exposure comp does not work under LT mode. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fernando_collalti Posted January 16, 2002 Share Posted January 16, 2002 Phil...TommyI was thinking of buying the T3 this week (my shop/supplier still as3 T3s after the xmas period - I know him pretty well and he told me that they sold around 20 pieces from november to december). Now, after reading all the great posting I was pretty convinced togo and buy my new T3... but then I've read the problems thatboth of you had with the film "sprocket" breaking down... Sowhat should I do????I posses a CONTAX G2 with 28, 45 and 90 mm and I'm really happy with it but I want a "quality" P&S camera to be always with me...Do you think I should wait and see if Contax becomes aware of this problem, or these things never happen? Thanks. - Milan, Italy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwen_wan1 Posted January 16, 2002 Share Posted January 16, 2002 Phil a crude form of compensation for LT shots would be to cover the light sensor with a density filter and calculate the exposure depending what density, density filter you used.2x 4x etc. <p> To go the other way, to underexpose you put the density filter over the lens. <p> But I thought the compensation dial worked for LT? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j.martin Posted January 16, 2002 Share Posted January 16, 2002 Fernando, although I have only had the T3 since the end of October i used it extensively in Bolivia, and my advice is to buy the T3 rather than wait for Contax to acknowledge, let alone fix, any problem. Fortunately, I have not had the problem--yet. And hopefully never will. I had a loading problem with my T2 shortly after I bought it and had to send it in to Contax for repairs, never had any problem after it was repaired, and did not hesitate to buy the T3 after reading the glowing reports, many of them by contributors to this posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron_buchanan Posted January 17, 2002 Share Posted January 17, 2002 Fernando, I have to concur with J. Martin. I've used my T3 extensively since I bought it in August and have yet to have any problem. If there were any other P&S that came even remotely close to it in terms of features, useability and performance, I might reconsider. But as things stand, there really is no competition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip_bonner Posted January 17, 2002 Share Posted January 17, 2002 I believe that a company with the reputation of Contax will identify the weakness, install redesigned/stronger ones on new T3's and respond to those that go bad by replacing the defective ones with the stronger redesigned one. <p> I'll send an email to Contax about the recurring reports here which seem to indicate an inherrent weakness. If it is an inherent weakness, I would imagine that it would already be reflected in repair requests. <p> Anyone have a good email address for Contax? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip_bonner Posted January 17, 2002 Share Posted January 17, 2002 I sent a message to Contax about the possible take-up spool sprocket weakness and included copies of all the related posts from this board. <p> I would treat this problem as a "toothing" problem which all new equipment is prone. I believe Contax will design and provide a permanent remedy to the problem for those who have trouble with it. <p> Overall, the camera has proven to me to be a great photographic tool that fulfills the P&S role better than anything else out there, i.e; it's design lends itself to ease of carry and quick P&S applications. Due to the quality of the photos that it renders I do not feel that I am compromsing image quality by using it instead of my SLR ficed foal lenght lenses. <p> To the contrary, the T3 lense has given equal contrast/color/resolution performance, and has less flare and vignetting than my Canon 50mm f1.4 - my baseline for quality/sharpness. <p> I've already reported about the wide latitude that the camera's built-in features and accessories afford the user - virtually most of the exposure control of an slr and dedicatred flash but in a much more handy "point and shootable" package. <p> I have confidence that the take-up spool problem will be researched and corrected. It should not be considered a major flaw and is not indicative of the overall quality that I have found when constantly using the T3. <p> BUT, we'll see how Contax handles it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwen_wan2 Posted January 17, 2002 Share Posted January 17, 2002 This thread and the content is possibly the most useful Contax T3 resource on the web, however, it getting a bit long! Over 200kb. Somebody suggested an alternative forum but required registration. <p> I'm a web designer and can knock up a quality forum board just for Contax T3 with zero registration or spam or advertising. Would it be of use?..if so, what categories should be set up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikitatuan_nguyen Posted January 18, 2002 Share Posted January 18, 2002 Kwen, <p> I'm not familiar with web design, what hardware and amount of work it may require. Beside this T3 thread, I also follow the Contax G Pages http://www.contaxg.com/ and Minolta Users' Group http://camerasystems.info/showlist.jsp?forum=4&nocookies=1 <p> It would be awesome if T3 users have a webpage like the Contax G. If not, the format for the Minolta Users' Group is great start. It makes it easier to browse through the various subject-matter. We should encourage people to start posting pictures, which brings them back to learn and share their experiences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron_buchanan Posted January 18, 2002 Share Posted January 18, 2002 Kwen, I think it would be great to have a site such as the Contax G site mentioned by Niki (though that site seems a bit cluttered to my eyes). I'll give some thought to what categories I'd like to see... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip_bonner Posted January 18, 2002 Share Posted January 18, 2002 I have a feeling that this thread will have a limited life. I have learned to get the most from my T3 from the experiences posted by others here. <p> Also, if problems arise with the T3, the combined voices of everyone in a T3 Group could speak with Contax with far more force of authority than just an individual. <p> Great idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwen_wan2 Posted January 18, 2002 Share Posted January 18, 2002 Great to see there is a response, otherwise there would not be much point in setting up a board ; ) <p> The beauty of this board is that it isn't moderated (I think its not anyway) yet the personalities on this board all have great integrity. No friction, no bad language, self moderating : ) <p> As there will be no advertising banners : ) the hosting will be funded out of my own pocket. <p> I will draw up a short list for the categories distilled from the content of this board and your suggestions. <p> This one will be for the users, not driven by any commerical concern. Need to think of a domain name too... Will it be OK for a .co.uk name? e.g. contax-t.co.uk ? I thought T3 would be too specific e.g. if there is a T5 launch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ming_ting Posted January 19, 2002 Share Posted January 19, 2002 I'd visit the site! Look forward to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_mccormack Posted January 19, 2002 Share Posted January 19, 2002 I think a Contax "T" user group site is a good idea. The more non-commercial the better. An alternative might one of the Yahoo or Topica groups. I belong to groups on those sites and they are run pretty well - no spam and minimum advertising. <p> http://groups.yahoo.com/ <p> http://www.topica.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigee Posted January 23, 2002 Share Posted January 23, 2002 Just shot my first role and the pictures are awesome. My question is regarding the noise of the shutter releasing. My camera seems to "crunch" when I shoot rather than the usual "click and whirl". Since the shutter is in the lens I wonderif tere is less dampening than an average P&S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwen_wan2 Posted January 25, 2002 Share Posted January 25, 2002 Craigee, glad that you are pleased with the results of the lens! <p> Strange, it appears that the T3 has almost too types of build. Some people's T3 is fairly quiet like mine, and others are quite noisy, noisy enough to prompt people to post a question is it that noisy? <p> Unless some people are more critical than others.T3 is much quieter than my other cameras T4, 35Ti, Contax G1 and Pentax MZ1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r_fossum Posted January 26, 2002 Share Posted January 26, 2002 My initial impressions of this camera after 10 rolls of film ( this review does not posess the depth of more experienced users since its still in its infancy and I havent taken advantage of all it has to offer ) <p> My first few rolls were black and white. I purchased the B plus W yellow filter and the contax filter adapter. Since, I dont currently use the darkroom I have my Black white contact printed.However, based on my results with color slide film any enlargements are going to be a pleasure. <p> My Chromes were shot with fuji sensia bought at walmart. The chromes possesed a clarity that only one 35mm lens I have ever used does and thats the 95 dollar made in china plastic af 50mm 1.8 nikkor ( a damn sharp lens that looks like a pheonix or vivitar! ) <p> Most of the time I am using a program mode with this camera. Since I was shooting slides I would often take advantage of the easy to use exposure compensation function that no other point and shoot camera posseses to my knowledge. Experienced photographers will love this feature as it enables tweaking of exposure in third stops. <p> I'm not thrilled with the the focusing distance option that is in meters and not ft ( americentric I geuss but I always appreciate my primes having distance information on the lens in ft. ) Not a big deal though since its supposed to be a point and shoot right? <p> I have had a small problem that has neccesitated sending the camera back to kyocera temporarily. There is a small transluscent black band running thru the upper left hand corner of all my horizontal shots. Its not a huge deal as most printing I do would allow for a crop given the sizes I enlarge to. However, having paid half the GNP for the camera I expect perfection. I will update on what experiences I have with Kyocera warranty. <p> One last comment from my limited use: I dont really see the Zeiss mystique with this lens. Sharp as hell for sure and astounding for a package this small but I still do not see any differences in tonality between this and my sharpest nikkor prime ( my untrained NONZEISS eye perhaps? ). However, the razor shop optics have tweaked my interest in the contax g2 as its a more versatile camera with seemingly affordable lenses of varying focal lenghts. <p> In conclusion, a real gem. The best part is the beautiful charcoal grey titanium finish !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikitatuan_nguyen Posted January 27, 2002 Share Posted January 27, 2002 Robert, <p> If you're shooting only B&W and using only sharpness as the measuring stick, then Zeiss optics isn't really necessary. Both pro series Nikkor and Canon optics are quite sharp, but if other factors (shadow details, color rendition for color films) are taken into effect, then Zeiss is superior in my opinion... <p> btw, what B&W do you use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r_fossum Posted January 28, 2002 Share Posted January 28, 2002 Hi niki, <p> I use tri-x for Black and White and occasionally tmax 400. <p> I bought the camera mainly because I can take it everywhere with me and its insconspicous. <p> Still dont see differing color rendition with the zeiss yet. Only 10 rolls total to date. When I bought the camera I wanted something that would equal my 50mm nikon chinese plastic prime. The t3 does this ( perhaps exceeds it but I cant tell from my analysis intially ). Further shooting will give me more information. Not ready to trade in my current MF system for a blad ( not that I could if I wanted to anyways so this is fantasy ) <p> A beautiful little camera if one can afford it. <p> RF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
efrank Posted January 29, 2002 Share Posted January 29, 2002 I enjoy using this camera, but find that at times I wish the filter ring was always on my T3. Problem is, I use the case that came with the camera, so I have to remove the ring everytime I stow it. Any opinions on leaving the ring on the camera when putting it in the case? (No filter or shade.) Am I leaving myself open to problems due to pressure exterted by the leather case on the barrel of the lens? <p> The only reason this is an issue is that I find that I must attach the filter adapter separately before screwing on a filter or the shade. If the adapter is attached to a filter/shade, I cant get the adapter to lock on the lens. I'm only interested in doing this for the sheer convenience of it...if only the case wasn't quite so snug. <p> Thanks, Eliott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikitatuan_nguyen Posted January 29, 2002 Share Posted January 29, 2002 I have the same concern. Contax has the other case for $85 that has a neck strap and allows filter, hood and cap. What is this called... predatory marketing??? ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip_bonner Posted January 31, 2002 Share Posted January 31, 2002 I have the ever ready case. Use both the belt and the ever ready depending on shooting/activity. This weekend was in the mountains. Very cold, snowy weather. Kept the T3 protected inside my jacket hanging around my neck from straps of ever ready case with cover removed. For a walk in the park on a nice day I'll jut use the hip belt case. Nothing is faster and more convenient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip_bonner Posted February 1, 2002 Share Posted February 1, 2002 Still no Contax answer to my query whether the single sprocket film take-up/winding spool is a common/frequently requested T3 warranty repair item. Contax is usually very responsive. Therefore, their non- answers, in lieu of a denial or an acknowledgment of problem, could be viewed as an begrudging admission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armand Posted February 7, 2002 Share Posted February 7, 2002 I read quite some suggestions about films that give good results in the T3. Personally I really like the Kodachrome 64 slide film, but I haven't tried it in the T3 yet. The film is hard to get here.. Has anyone tried it in his/her T3 ? <p> Thanks, Armand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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