Contax T3 - User Comments, Discussion (PART 2)

[ron_buchanan]

<a

href="http://www.cgmh.org.tw/intr/intr3/c2350/test/other/Photozone/pho

toreview/RolleiQZ35W.htm">http://www.cgmh.org.tw/intr/intr3/c2350/test

/other/Photozone/photoreview/RolleiQZ35W.htm</a>

[nikitatuan_nguyen]

Thanks fellas...

[nikitatuan_nguyen]

I'm looking for a polarizer for both my T3 and Rollei 35S (same

size). Just curious... do polarizers for digital cameras work on film

format cameras?

 

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TIA,

[jibby_ang]

I recently got myself a T3 (Black finish '70 years') and equipped it

with a CONTAX adapter and a KENLOCK UV filter/protector.

I've used Fuji 200 and Kodak Max 1800 films. Any input as to the best

all-around film I could use?

[nikitatuan_nguyen]

Jibby,

 

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My favorite all-around color films... Fuji Superia 400, Fuji Reala

100, and recently I've tried Agfa 100 & 400.

[nikitatuan_nguyen]

CLARIFICATION: I meant to say Agfa "Vista" 100 & 400. This series is

a recent release.

[john_mccormack]

Jibby,

 

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Re: Film. I also like Reala 100 for an all-around film in good light.

Fuji NPC 160 is also quite nice. I haven't tried the Vista 400 or 800

but have heard many good comments about them. For B&W I prefer the C-

41 emulsion B&W Kodak T-400 CN. See some examples with the films I

use at:

 

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http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=122840

[john_mccormack]

Niki,

 

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The polarizer for a digital camera should work with your film

cameras; the effect is the same. Since the T3 is a rangefinder and

does not use a phase detection AF system like an SLR, you should be

able to use a linear (cheaper) filter on the T3. Definitely worth a

try.

 

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John McCormack

[jibby_ang]

Thanks so much for the film info. What I forgot to mention is the

KENLOCK filter/protector that I got for my T3. Is it a good one for

value or are there others better than the one I have now? The one

from Contax is a bit steep here (HK). Thanks again!

[philip_bonner]

Popular Photography has listed it's top P&S cameras with a small

revierw and a star rating for each camera. The reviews are in .pdf

format.

 

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The T3 got the most stars with the Konica Hexar Silver a half a star

behind. The reviewers repeated their assessment that the T3 has the

best lens of any P&S tested.

 

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http://www.popphoto.com/pdfs/1201/top_cameras/35mm_ps/contax_t3.pdf

 

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I've found Kodak Portra 400VC to be a great film for portraiture,

especially in bright, sunny conditions and general outdoors use.

[philip_bonner]

Here's the main page for the Popular Photography 2001 camera ratings

including the following summary of the T3:

 

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"Finally, conspicuous kudos to the gorgeously finished, supersharp,

and pocketable, pricey Contax T3, one of the prettiest new point-and-

shoots in years."

 

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http://www.popphoto.com/Camera/ArticleDisplay.asp?ArticleID=118

 

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Looks like we got a winner!

[nikitatuan_nguyen]

Jibby -

 

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I've never heard of Kenlock filters, so I have no idea of the

quality. As a guideline, I generally use German brand filters for

German lenses and Japanese filters for Japanese lenses. So Contax,

Heliopan and B+W filters are probably best for your T3's Zeiss glass.

[tommy_cahill]

Finally got my T3 back from Contax,with film take up spool replaced

under warranty.They still do not acknowledge that they may have a

design flaw / weakness with using only one sprocket for film

tension.However the camera is operating perfectly so happy days are

here again!!This is easily the best compact camera that I have ever

had the pleasure of owning!The Contax T3 has just won "Best Compact

Camera Of The Year 2001/2" in the UK magazine Amateur Photographer,a

highly regarded weekly publication,who test cameras quite extensivly

and publish excellent unbiased reports on most photographic

equipment.When will Contax bring out a digital version of the T3???

[philip_bonner]

It's a good feeling to get them back in-hand once again.

[john_mccormack]

Re: MOVING THIS DISCUSSION TO ANOTHER LIST SERVER

 

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Some weeks ago there was talk about moving this discussion to a list

server. Yahoo! groups and Topica.com are ones I'm familiar with, but

I'm sure there are other sites. Is there still interest in doing

this? I am willing to set and administer the list but only if there

is sufficient interest. Let me know here or by off-list email. Thanks.

[philip_bonner]

Hi John,

 

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I'd follow it and contribute.

[nikitatuan_nguyen]

John,

 

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I too would follow it. Also, I think if we can imitate some of the

traits of the Contax G site, i.e. posting photos so to induce more

regular visitation. The T3, although a P&S camera, can capture some

wonderful images.

[ccrevasse]

There was another T3 site set up several months ago which had some

initial activity. It was here: http://www.delphi.com/n/main.asp?

webtag=contaxcamera&nav=messages. (John, I think I recall that you

visited that site.) However, that site slowly dwindled away, until

now I can't even pull it up anymore. I don't know if a T3 site can

be sustained, although I'd like to see one.

[ming_ting]

I'd follow and contribute. I was thinking of making one myself.

Perhaps we can have one for all T- users? I know contaximages

already kind of imcompasses the T line but it would be nice

to have a separate forum and a place where we can post pictures

and such?

[heikki_nurkkala]

It would be nice to have a specific forum for T3. (Not a massive

file like this) And on my mind there could also be place for

photos!

I'd follow.

Heikki Nurkkala

[jim_frimmel]

Count me in.

[kwen_wan2]

sorry guys I was supposed to be knocking up a T3 forum, but

been swamped by work. Unfortunately there can't be an area to

post photos as that takes up too much bandwidth which I can't

fund. (even with advertising) But my intention is to be completely

advertising free like this area. Banner ads are out. Though I am

thinking maybe not be T3 specific now, maybe more broad

pro-sumer emphasis, encompassing Minilux, TC1 etc and

pro-sumer digital cameras e.g. like Canon G2.

[kwen_wan2]

I discovered photo.net's review of the T3:

http://www.photo.net/contax/t3

 

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the reviewer didn't think it was so great over the T2.

It's focusing problems were highlighted. The focusing on the T3

has to be learnt and is not quite point and shoot as an active

system and I found out the hard way that the T3 has an unusually

wide focus area which is not depicted by the autofocus target

area in the viewfinder. Once mastered however the camera

returns in good stunning results.

[ron_buchanan]

I'd watch (and occasionally particpate in) an T3 newgroup. Between

Topica & Yahoo, I'd choose Topica, but either way I'd join.

[john_mccormack]

Update: MOVING THIS DISCUSSION TO ANOTHER LIST SERVER

 

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I have received a few responses to the idea of starting a T3 User

Mailing List. Two people voted in favor of using Topica.com and one

suggested using a list like the Contax G mailing list. Another

suggested a general one-for-all T user group. Nobody (including

myself) was strongly in favor of using Yahoo! groups, as the web

listings are full of ads and pop-ups. Topica also has its problems,

mainly with unsubscribing people and moving mail slowly for digest

readers. In general, Topica.com does a good job but does not permit

attachments or image galleries.

 

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Another possibility is the T users group on the BestStuff.com forums.

Dante Stella administers the new (3/20/02) T users group and you can

view it at:

 

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http://www.beststuff.com/forums/read.php?f=20&i=39&t=38

 

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Beststuff.com is fairly new but the photo groups are supported by the

work of Bob Shell of Shutterbug magazine, so they may be around for a

while. Beststuff.com does not support image galleries as far as I

know.

 

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The Contax G user site also maintains a non-contax G users page at

http://not.contaxg.com/

 

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It's a great site and allows image uploading and discussions (via the

photography mailing list). Glen Campbell runs the photography mailing

list associated with that site. Does anyone subscribe to this list?

For more info. go to:

 

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http://broadpool.com/mailman/listinfo/photography

 

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At this time I am leaning toward something like the non-Contax G site

or Beststuff.com T forum.

 

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I hope I haven't added to the confusion but I think it's wise to look

around before setting up a list that may flounder in the long run.

 

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Let me know what you think.

 

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John McCormack