Contax T3 or Rollei AFM35

[ivor_quaggin1]

Not a strictly Leica question, but many of us seem to use a point

and shoot camera on occasion. I was about to supplement my

R cameras with a Contax T3 which has had great reviews. Now

along comes the Rollei AFM35 with similar features but a slightly

larger body, which appeals to me. Has anyone had any

experience with this camera yet?

[jackflesher]

What about the Minilux?

[richard palmer]

What about the Ricoh GR1

[andrew_schank]

Why not buy one of each? Seriously, any of the better P&S cameras

are capable shooters, and there is no clear "the best" one. I do

have experience with the Contax T3, and its lens compares favorably

with the best Leica lenses I own, and that is a huge compliment.It is

fully useable at f2.8, and there is none of the annoying corner light

fall off that just about every other P&S camera I've used exhibits at

one setting or another.

 

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Here's the specs on the Rollei

http://www.rollei.de/en/produkte/index.html.

 

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Only problem with Rollei is their infamous customer service-they have

a bad reputation even taking care of their medium format customers.

What price is that thing selling for?

[wgpinc]

I like the little Yashica T4. The Zeiss lens is excellent and you

can have one for way under $200. Pentax and Olympus make some very

nice little point and shoot zooms that take great pictures. Cheers.

[ivor_quaggin1]

Since the whole reason to have Leica is for the lenses, I guess

that is the important question I would like to have some input on

re the Rollei. There is no doubt the Minilux qualifies but

although it is the same length as the Rollei it is 6mm higher and

thicker and 80gms. heavier. I find it just a bit bulky for a P&S. My

interest in Rollei stems from having both a Rollei 35 with Zeiss

Tessar and a 35SE, both gone alas and also my current P&S, a

Rollei Prego70 with Schneider lens, also a very good P&S but

totally automatic and therefore often frustrating.

 

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Thanks for your comment, Andrew - I was not aware of Rollei's

reputation or lack thereof in the service area. The list price is

$1,199Cdn, which translates into about $760US, but the street

price will doubtless be lower. Bad service talk makes me

nervous though.

[andrew_schank]

Maybe I was being too harsh on Rollei Service, but there was a lot of

talk over at "medium format digest" of problems people were having,

although some of it involved gray market cameras. My only experience

was trying to get a strap for my Prego 90 that was missing in the

package, and they took my address and must have forgotten about me

the minute I hung up the phone as I never got anything from them.

 

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Anybody out there have an opposite experience, where they thought

Rollei service was the best on the planet? That's one of the

problems wiht the web, that you hear more of the bad experiences than

the good and you start to think quality controll and customer service

no longer exist. After reading some of the threads here about

problems people have with new Leica equipment, you could the

impression the new stuff is no good, which really isn't the case.

[fredlee70x7]

Hi Ivor,

 

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Where do you see this Rollei AFM35 on retail in Canada? I live in

Calgary and haven't seen one yet.

 

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Fred

[david_killick]

How about a Leica mini 3? The smallest and cheapest Leica you can buy

by far but still a great performer.

[ivor_quaggin1]

Guess what. I just looked at the Fuji Klasse on the pophoto.com

site and it is identical to the new Rollei AFM35. I suppose I

shouldn't be surprised in these days of outsourcing but it makes

me wonder who is actually making the thing. Maybe I will head

for the minilux after all, at least Leica's reputation is behind it

even if it is made elsewhere. Thanks to everyone who

contributed.

[jay_goldman]

Get the T3. I am about to get one. Tt has all kinds of good

controls. Control on the minilux is very very minimal and it can't

save any of your settings. It is also big and heavy. The viewfinder

on the minilux is like looking through a tunnel.

I've owned or played with most of the high end P&S's. The T3

looks better than all of them.

[godfrey]

I haven't seen the Rollei AFM35 in person yet, but I would

personally go with a Contax T3 anyway. I have the similar Contax

Tix and never cease to be impressed by its superb lens. The T3

is nearly the same size, with a newer lens design ... and the

photos I've seen from it are just outstanding.

 

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Looking at the web page for the Rollei AFM35, it looks like a

good camera with the additional feature of automated exposure

bracketing, but it seems a little larger.

 

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Godfrey

[alex_k]

Get the T3. I've used the camera, and the results are unbelievable.

[Robin Smith]

Give me the Minilux anyday, the T3 is just too small for my hands.

Smaller cameras (particularly AF ones) are difficult for me to hand

hold. The added heft of the Minilux and length of the body is a plus.

The Contax T2 qualifies too, but I prefer the Minilux as you can at

least get a greater than 1/250 sec shutter speed in real situations.

[alfie_wang]

My favorite point and shoots in the desired order:

 

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1) Leica Minilux-- you gotta support the brand you love best!

2) Leica z2x-- if you need the cheapest substitute with a dope lens.

3) Yashica T4-- weatherproof although please don't dunk in my demo...

hahaha.

4) Nikon Nice Touch 3--cheap good workhorse

5) Leica Mini series-- 1 , 2, or 3-- easy to lose so be careful!!!

6) Pentax PC330-- for cheapie backup on the P and S side of things.

[chris_tremlett2]

I've used the following to supplement my slr kit: yashica T4 (ok but

only just ok), Ricoh GR1s (lovely to use, but over-hyped - mine had

noticeable corner light fall off, Contax T3 (mine's for sale -

contact me if interested!), Leica minilux (just acquired,first

results are encouraging- no light noticeable fall-off, good shadow

detail and hand holdable. My preference?(1) Leica, (2) Ricoh

[greg_mendez]

I was comparing the Contax T3 and The Rollei AFM35.(Klasse in Japan)

I like the idea of a three shot bracketing that the Rollie AFM35

is capable of doing.

Let's face it, both lenses are great!

Pop Photo in there March 2002 issue give the Rollie AFM lens a better

rating in resolution over the Contax T3.

I like the 38mm lens of the Rollei AFM35 over the 35mm of the Contax

T3.

The truth is, the Contax T3 is a well built machine.

The Rollei is a magnesium aluminum that covers a plastic interior,

although there are metal rollers, plate, and rails in the Rollei.

Im not too keen on small size cameras.

I enjoy exposure lock. The T3 has this feature and to my knowledge

the Rollie AFM35 does not have it.

Im at a cross road. What do you think?

[vincent__g._peacock]

Ivor-

 

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If you have not made a decision yet. I have the Rollei AFM35 and

the T3. I like them both. The T3 is smaller. The AFM35 is cooler

and a great design. In any event take a look at some images with

both at this site uder my name.

 

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http://www.contaximages.com/document.php?id=768

http://www.contaximages.com/document.php?id=985

http://www.contaximages.com/document.php?id=986

http://www.contaximages.com/document.php?id=990

 

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You cannot go wrong with either camera. You can get the Rollei for

about $550US and the T3 for about $570US if you look hard in the

marketplace. Good luck!

[mk_chan]

I bought T3 for nearly a month. I think it's also over-hyped. It's a nice compact camera with lots of control. But unlike some reviewer, I would not say "Unbelievable". It is not that sharp and details in dark shadow can't be seen. That's not what I expect but many users says good lens can show details in dark area even under strong back lit. And they said T3, Minilux and GR1 can do it. I am no expert anyway. May be my expectation is really too high for the money I paid, I am not too impressed.

[berth_westman3]

If we talk posh p&s I have owned Nikon 35ti, Contax T2 and T, Ricoh GR1 and GR1v and Konica Hexar. Mu opinion is that the "feel" for the camera are more intersting than if the camera in this division is good or not. They are all very good, and capable of making pictures in comparasion with SLR prime lenses. You must decide which function you rate highest and decide from this. Fuji/Rollei is a bit bigger than Contax-Ricoh and the Hexar is not pocketable (almost, anyhow...). My decision from the above owned cameras has made me stay with a Konica Hexar Silver (for the quitness and handling mostly) and a Contax T (for the size and quitness). All have delivered very good pictures if I have handled them right. Good luck in finding the "ultimate" p&s!

[david_dailey]

Actually, here's another data point. Since 1966 I have had three

Rollei 35's, and a Rollei Prego 90, and a Rollei AFM. I have had

the light meters repaired twice on the old 35's, with good

customer service... and (in '97?) dropped the Prego. I sent it to

Rollei US, and they repaired it twice for free! I told them the

accident was my fault, but still got fast good service. Anecdotal

evidence is the least reliable, statistically... so take this good

report for what you will.

 

Best-

Dave Dailey (slide film guy)

Contax T2, T3, Rollei's as above, Minilux, Minilux zoom, two

GR-1's, Nikon 35Ti. I am a P&S nut, and carry them motorcycling

& rock & mtn climbing.