Contax T3 - User Comments, Discussion (PART 2)

[ron_buchanan2]

Awhile back I asked if anyone knew of a good source for 30.5mm

filters. At the time they were special order items from B&H, but

they seem to be stocking them now (at least the standard B&W ones).

[art_katsapis]

I have a question and didn't know how to ask it, sorry.

I had a T2 for years and, sadly, recently lost it on a vacation. I

am now faced with the decision of replacing it with a T3 or a TVS or

TVS-II (I don't like the idea of an elecronic zoom on the TVS-III).

So... any comments or suggestions on which I should do would be

appreciated. I've enjoyed reading this thread of comments. Thanks

to all who have contributed.

art

[john_mccormack]

Re: TVS II or T3

 

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Tough choice, Art. I agree that the TVS II (if you can find one) is a

better choice than the TVS III. Both the TVS II and T3 are great -

with advantages in both camps:

 

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28mm is nice on the TVS II and the manual focusing is easier. Camera

is larger overall, of course.

 

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The lens is slower on the II but not hateful.

 

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Custom functions on the T3 are a big plus, IMO. The faster lens is

great and does focus pretty close. Zoom with your feet.

 

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If you liked the T2 I think you'll like the T3, esp. the size.

 

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Hope this helps.

[nikitatuan_nguyen]

Art,

 

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If you're considering a "fixed" lens, T3 all the way. Must say I

still admire the aesthetics on the T2 better, but the pocket-size and

features of the T3 and its lens are best in its league, imo.

 

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If a zoom lens is what you're after, I would also consider the Leica

Minilux Zoom. Although with fewer features than the TVS2, the Leica

lens is a better performer. Leica flash is also better too.

[philip_bonner]

My wife and I have both the Leica Minilux Zoom and the T3. Both

deliver superb results. The T3 shots may have a slight edge of

crispness/sharpness while the Minilux Zoom shots, particulalry in

skin tones of portrait shots, have a certain glow about them which

render them equally appealing. I guess this is the "Leica look." Both

cameras have a solid, high quality feel.

[kwen_wan1]

Geessz this thread has grown since I've last visited it!

Now I've got broadband I managed to upload some largish

scans for non T3 owners (but must have broadband!) to see the

qualities of this gorgeous T3 lens.

 

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http://mailroom.worldonline.co.uk/street.jpg

http://mailroom.worldonline.co.uk/crisps.jpg

http://mailroom.worldonline.co.uk/slide.jpg

[ming_ting]

Quick question all,

 

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What do you use to scan your prints/negatives? I'm looking for a good

but not too expensive way to scan? I have a old flatbed scanner.

I was looking at hte EPson 2450 flatbed photo scanner as an upgrade.

Any other suggestions? Thanks!

[kwen_wan1]

my scans above are scanned in at the print lab to CDROM, but

I'm thinking of getting a Nikon 4000 ED which is supposedly one

of the best film scanners or it's little brother the IV with less

resolution...however I haven't seen any sharp scans from these

as samples on the web. All seem a bit fuzzy?! Though are

perhaps too expensive for most people..however whats the point

of taking razor sharp images from the T3 if you digitise them at

poor quality ?...well my thinking.

 

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A flatbed scanner is at best a compromise to scan 35mm film, it

just doesn't have enough resolution and doesn't have the optics.

OK for prints. Something from Agfa or Epson should be OK.

[nikitatuan_nguyen]

Kwen - Let me guess. You're using Fuji Reala, right?

[kwen_wan1]

Niki, half right...Fuji but Fuji Superia neg ISO 200

[nick_recob]

Kwen,

 

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Thanks for the scans:

http://mailroom.worldonline.co.uk/street.jpg

http://mailroom.worldonline.co.uk/crisps.jpg

http://mailroom.worldonline.co.uk/slide.jpg

 

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They are all VERY nice! I for one, wouldn't complain if you submitted

more!

 

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Happy Holidays!

[kwen_wan1]

Once I got used to the T3 focusing, acknowledged the weak

flash and found the correct lab capable to process the film the

results are outstanding. I would crown it the best lens on an

autofocus compact., better than any zoom lens and subjectively

anyway, almost embrasses my Contax G lenses! Infact there is

not much in it! Dare I say the T3 is a touch sharper?

 

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The price is expensive in relation to other compact cameras but

in relationship to exotic lenses it is a positive bargain for almost

if not the same performance.

 

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The scans from this particular lab are outstanding too, (not all

transfers to CDROM are the same) but to really appreicate the

contrast, colour and sharpness you do need to be viewing on a

suitable high end monitor or TFT. Preferably a new generation

high contrast FD Trinitron flavour. (I have two Diamondtrons and

my Plus 91 just kills off the Pro 900U for sharpness and contrast

especially with FPM fine picture mode enabled!)

 

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If they could come up with a T3M (manual) that would be the

icing on the cake.

[ming_ting]

I really do like the street picture and I agree on my Diamondtron

2040U it is very very nice! I've seen some pretty sharp pictures

taken with the T3, but I think my biggest problem is still lighting.

I think so far my G2 still takes a lil sharper picture, but it is

probably I'm still learning to get enough lighting for the T3.

[nikitatuan_nguyen]

Great pics! Took my laptop 5 minutes to download each, but great

stuff.

 

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I've also compared T3 pics against G 45mm/2.0 - the sharpest of the

series... it's hard to tell the difference!

[ming_ting]

Niki,

 

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Get faster internet access!!!!! Hey post some of your pictures.

I want to see! I'll try to post my pictures as soon as I get a

better scanner. What resolution do you all scan at?

[kwen_wan1]

For screen viewing is not so much resolution its more pixels,

just make sure you have enough pixels for the size you require.

 

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if you want a fairly full frame picture standard 15 inch screen is

640 x 480 pixels and this should fit other screens.

 

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I made mine larger and didn't compress the jpg much to show

off the quality of the T3 lens, if you just want to show off the

photography it can be smaller so it downloads quicker for 56k

users. (the more compression the more fuzzy and less sharp the

image will be)

[bruce_harrison1]

Hey folks ..... I recently finished a roll with my T3 and it rewound

the film as normal. When I powered it off the lens only retracted

about 2/3 of the way and it is frozen. The display has all the normal

icons that are there when powered on, the film counter is flashing

zero as it should when empty, the lens is extended about 1/4" or so

and the lens cover is fully open. When I power on/off the display

remains constant and the lens doesn't move at all and the camera

motor makes three quick noises as if it is attempting to cycle the

lens. I bought the camera in late March when it was first released

and have only shot 20-25 rolls with it. Have any of you fellow T3

fans heard of this problem?

[nikitatuan_nguyen]

The next time I visit my Silicon-groomed cousin, I'll have him scan a

few pics. I'm still lagging behind the time... no cell phone, no

pager, no voicemail, no scanner, no fax, just dial-up access...

 

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...but I have my T3. ;-)

 

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Niki

=======================================

 

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Niki,

 

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Get faster internet access!!!!! Hey post some of your pictures. I

want to see! I'll try to post my pictures as soon as I get a better

scanner. What resolution do you all scan at?

 

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-- Ming Ting (saiyans@hotmail.com), December 31, 2001.

[nikitatuan_nguyen]

Bruce,

 

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The lens motor maybe dead or malfunctioning. I would call up Contax

service and ask what to do.

 

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I'm sure you can remove the film from the chamber since it's rewound.

 

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Good luck,

[nick_recob]

Bruce,

 

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Try taking the battery out and waiting a second and then reinserting

it. If this doesn't clear the problem, you'll need to send it in (I

hope you purchased the Contax USA model with the 3 year warranty!).

If you did, let us know how your experience went getting it serviced.

Good luck with it.

[tommy_cahill]

I have had a Contax T3 since March 2000.Since then it has taken 60+

rolls of film and travelled extensively through Alps etc with no

problems.Photo quality equals and sometimes betters my previous Leica

M6 + 35mm Summicron.However film failed to load last week and

internal examination of camera film chamber showed that the little

sprocket on the film take up spool had broken off.I was naturally

very disappointed and have sent the camera back to Contax Agent for

repair under warranty.My question is -Has anybody else had this

problem?This camera has not had any abuse.I was shocked to see that

Contax have only placed ONE sprocket on this drum?All pf the film

tension relies on this?If it breaks,which it apparently will,the

camera is rendered useless.Even the most basic P+S cameras have

several sprockets to catch the film perforations.

[kwen_wan1]

The Contax T3 was only released in 2001?

You have the T2?

[philip_bonner]

I had the same problem with the take-up spool losing the sprocket and

failing to wind film. Contax fixed it under warranty.

[tommy_cahill]

APOLOGIES-I BOUGHT MY T3 IN MARCH 2001(TYPING ERROR!!!)GLAD TO HEAR I

AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THE T3.ALTHOUGH

EXTREMELY VERY HAPPY WITH THIS CAMERA, I FEEL THAT CONTAX SHOULD

REDESIGN THIS PART OF THE TAKE-UP SPOOL AS POTENTIALLY EVERY T3 CAN

AND WILL FAIL IN THIS DEPARTMENT.SURELY A CAMERA THIS EXPENSIVE AND

WITH THIS PEDIGREE WOULD HAVE HAD A BETTER SYSTEM THAN ONE PALTRY

SPROCKET??

[nikitatuan_nguyen]

Didn't even notice that till you brought it up. I guess they don't

have RECALLS in the camera manufacturing business. ;-)