derek_bem

If you bought T3 for $700, you now own a great P&S. If you are

reading this list because you are still uncertain -- have a look at

soon to be released Rollei Prego 30 (around $200), and ask yourself

this question: isn't T3 terribly overpriced? Is it three and a half

times better then Rollei?

<p>

http://www.photographyreview.com/tradeshow/pma_01/General/general3.sht

ml

"Even in normal operation (lens extension after pressing shutter 1/2

way) the T3 responds very quickly."

<p>

Sorry, John, it appears that I did not make myself clear. In NORMAL

operation T3 has noticable, measurable shutter lag, and it normal

operation T3 DOES NOT offer an option of instant shutter release.

<p>

I know that 'shutter lag can be dealt with in several ways on the T3'

but my point is: for $700 this should be solved in a more elegant

way, as $200 Z90W demonstrates.

I agree with Charles, portability is very important. So is quality.

But so is speed of using the camera: I press, click it goes. Yes,

selecting a P&S is always a compromise, and two out of three

(portability, speed, quality), or even one out of three is perfectly

acceptable in a $150 P&S.

<p>

However we have here a $700 equipment which is the result of many

years of model evolution. This means that it should be judged using

stricter criteria: how well it implements all three requirements, or

even: has it pushed the standards a bit further?

<p>

So what has happened here -- the T3 designers 'forgot' about 'no

shutter lag' option, which can be found even on some $190 P&S's? Or

did marketting assumed that labels 'new', 'Contax' and 'Carl Zeiss'

will sell the camera anyway, so why bother?

<p>

Yes, T3 is intriguing, it is very nice, very well build. And with a

price tag, say $250 I can forgive it the shutter lag. For $700 I can

not forgive it anything.

Re he shutter lag: sorry, can not agree with the view that "T3 has

coped with this problem better than any design on a P&S". The shutter

lag problem has been solved in many better P&S cameras years ago.

Just one example: Canon Sure Shot Z90w (below $200) and its Real Time

Release option of 0.02sec...

<p>

For me the very basic requirement for P&S camera is: grab it, press

the shutter release, expect to hear 'click'. Only once I know that

the camera can 'click when I press' I am showing interest in lens,

build quality, manual overrides, etc, etc. But if I wait with my

finger pressed for the shutter to fire, what good is superb Carl

Zeiss lens? The end effect of using $10 disposable camera and a $700

camera with shuter lag is too often the same: a photograph goes to

the rubbish bin.

<p>

On the other hand, if single seconds do not count, if you enlarge

your prints to poster size and expect them to be razor sharp -- why

not get a bit larger, fully manual rangefinder or SLR and a good hand

held spot meter? Or even mid format gear?