A Super short Review of the Contax T Rangefinder

[raytoei@gmail.com]

A Super short Review of the Contax T Rangefinder

The Contax T is the first of the premium compact
T series cameras from Contax/Kyocera.

First introduced in 1984, the Contax T is a true
rangefinder unlike the subsequent models (T2, T3 and TvS)
where were more of a premium Point & Shoot cameras.

This camera isn't very well known now because it is quite rare,
but in the hey-days it was used by celebrated photographers
HCB and Costa Manos.

Here is a picture of famous fashion photographer Mario Testino using
a well-used black Contax T. Next to him is Mariah Carey.
My silver contaxt T is in the foreground with the attached flash.




Comparison with the other Compact RFs

I find the Contax T fascinating, it is as-if the designers
took the best bits from the other great compacts and crammed it
into this camera with enhancements:

* RF patch is diamond-shaped (Yashica-GSN/Minolta Hi-matic)

* Form factor is similar to the Minox 35, Rollei 35, Olympus XA

* Flash Attachment is similar to the XA but unlike the Oly A11 flash
which is underpowered with a GN of 10, the Contax T flash T14 has a
GN of 14m (2xAA batteries vs 1 for the XA)

* Aperture Priority similar to the Minox and XA

* The Cover flips like the Minox 35.

* Film advance lever like the Minox but is a single-stroke lever unlike the double
found on the Minox.

* Film loading like the Rollei 35

* The ISO reaches a max of 1000 versus the 800 for the XA, Minox

(to be contined...)

[raytoei@gmail.com]

Using the Contax T

Well, this thing is small but heavy. How heavy ? I think if i loop
the Camera strap around my neck, I risk slapping myself into unconsciousness
from the Contax T if I attempt to run.

But just like the XA is a bit too light, and the Rollei 35 is a bit too heavy,
the heaviness of the Contax T is offset by the nicely done thumb grip on the camera,
the risk of the camera slipping is quite small.

A more irritating issue is the camera cover, it is a bit unnatural to walk around for street
photography with the cover flipped opened unlike the XA which slides open easily and
unobstrusely.

However, I complain too much. This Sonnar 38/f2.8 camera is a beautiful camera
and it takes beautiful pictues, even if my Contax T RF patch is a bit mis-aligned at f2.8.

Here are some pictures of beautiful people:










All captured on the Contax-T mostly at f2.8. Film is the self-rolled Ilford XP-2.

Fin. Thanks for viewing.

raytoei

[JMQ]

Yes Raytoei, the Contax T is a beautiful all-metal camera with decent exposure control. I'd add that it has a super quiet shutter, and without the flash, is quite a compact camera for its day. I bought one in 1984, and used it for many years until I dropped it. Bought 2 more in in the late 1990s. I have both the chrome and black models, which are sadly shelf-queens these days. BTW, Dante Stella has a great review on the Contax T on his site.

[Murchu]

Now, this is my kind of review. Short, sweet, to the point, and with as much emphasis on pictures as text. I like it - well done

[rbelyell]

nice description. i love mine as it is truly pocketable, but has a wonderful lens. i read cartier-bresson was a huge fan.

[GaryLH]

Originally Posted by rbelyell

nice description. i love mine as it is truly pocketable, but has a wonderful lens. i read cartier-bresson was a huge fan.

+1

My all time favorite pocket rf camera...

Gary

[ChrisPlatt]

The Contax T is my "special occasion" pocket 35.

Chris

[Bob]

I fell in love with the "T" when it first came out.
Bought a chrome one in LA when it was first available. Later I bought a black one. Both complete with flash.

I still have both, and treat them with respect. The black one is still like new.
The build quality is second to none, and the shutter is super quite.

To bad it is so tough to get them serviced. I'm constantly on the look out for good qualified service technicians. Just in case

I envy those who have one, you know what you've got

[kdemas]

Loved my Ts, I had a black and silver one. The only thing I didn't like was the film loading, PITA.

Great camera.

[raid]

I love using the T2. It is "95% as good" as the older T.

[raid]

Would you today buy a T over a later model?
The market value of a T can vary a lot.

[JMQ]

Originally Posted by raid

Would you today buy a T over a later model?
The market value of a T can vary a lot.

Dear Raid,
Absolutely! The T is all manual -- ok, aperture preferred, but you can do exposure compensation. The RF is "real", and focus is manual. It size (w/o the detachable flash) is about a pack of cigarettes.

[GaryLH]

Originally Posted by raid

Would you today buy a T over a later model?
The market value of a T can vary a lot.

In a heartbeat, if i were to do it over again now. I have two of them as well.. One black and the other is chrome. Every once in awhile I am tempted to buy a third one.

Gary

[Highway 61]

Originally Posted by raytoei@gmail.com

Here is a picture of famous fashion photographer Mario Testino using a well-used black Contax T.

Rather looks to be a black TVS III.

I have owned two Contax T cameras, both got a defective CPU eventually, making them totally useless and unrepairable.

Very disappointing and overrated compact 35mm camera, but for its lens. The camera inwards are all plastic ; the film advance mechanism is clumsy (frequent frames overlapping) ; the RF base is so short that it's more of a marketing tip than a useful tool in the field.

The all-mechanical Rollei 35 is a much more serious camera...

[GaryLH]

Originally Posted by Highway 61

Rather looks to be a black TVS III.

I have owned two Contax T cameras, both got a defective CPU eventually, making them totally useless and unrepairable.

Very disappointing and overrated compact 35mm camera, but for its lens. The camera inwards are all plastic ; the film advance mechanism is clumsy (frequent frames overlapping) ; the RF base is so short that it's more of a marketing tip than a useful tool in the field.

The all-mechanical Rollei 35 is a much more serious camera...

Sorry to hear about your problems. I guess I have been lucky with both of mine.

Bought my first brand new when they first came out and the second one about three years later. So far not a single problem with either of them... Knock on wood

I had the Rollei 35s as well both the Sonnar and Tessar. I liked the Contax much better. They both take great pictures and at end of the day that all that really counts.

Gary

[raid]

The T2 has the same lens as the T. It is a great street camera with its AF for quick shots.

[dexdog]

I used to have one of these cameras. Great shooters, much better/more functional/easier to use than the various Minox compacts, and sleeker than the compact Rollei 35s. Mine was ripped off at a youth hostel in Australia. I loved my Rollei 35SE, but the Contax T was way cooler. Lost the 35SE when a 7 foot deep trench collapsed on me while doing field work.

[Rico]

The Contax T is a great street machine: unnoticed, shutter instantaneous and silent. Film loading is at least as easy as my Barnack.

[raytoei@gmail.com]

Rico,

you are right, the LTM barnack cameras are quite finicky in terms of film loading. Didn't have any problems with film loading, even with self-rolled film.

raytoei