Contax T3 vs. Nikon 35Ti

[LazyHammock]

Originally Posted by GarageBoy

How does the T3 compare to the G1/45 Planar combo?

The G1 has a rather squinty viewfinder, AF is the way to go as MF is a chore and quite pointless. The 45 Planar is the lens that first made me love Zeiss, it is stellar.
I have bought and sold 2 G2s and 2 G1s, we have a weird relationship. I love the optics but can't get along with cameras, as beautifully made as they are. Happily the Zeiss ZM lenses (50mm Planar in particular) have satisfied that need on my M3.

[njos]

Sorry to bother your post.

i need a suggestion for 'compact AF P&S' , my choice is
- Contax T2 (T3 is too expensive for me)
- Fuji Klasse W
- GR1v
- any suggestion ? (should be small enough to go under my jacket )

* i need a 'hackable ASA' ability for push/pull film, and which one is better 28mm or 35mm focal length ?

[Archiver]

Originally Posted by njos

Sorry to bother your post.

i need a suggestion for 'compact AF P&S' , my choice is
- Contax T2 (T3 is too expensive for me)
- Fuji Klasse W
- GR1v
- any suggestion ? (should be small enough to go under my jacket )

* i need a 'hackable ASA' ability for push/pull film, and which one is better 28mm or 35mm focal length ?

Lots of people love the Contax T2, although it has a 38mm focal length which is a bit closer than 35 and definitely closer than 28. If you want to capture scene and context, a camera with 28mm may be a better option.

The Klasse W is still in production (I think) and therefore would be easier to have repaired if necessary. This provides some interesting reading regarding AF speed and overall performance:

http://www.35mmc.com/04/02/2014/fuji...inal-thoughts/

In fact, that whole website has a lot of interesting articles about compact 35mm cameras, so take a bit of time to look.

The Ricoh GR1v is another excellent camera, according to others' experiences.

It sounds like you want something that will be small and concealable. I've read that the motorized film advance of the Ricoh GR1v isn't that quiet. The Contax T3 film advance is pretty quiet, so I imagine the T2 wouldn't be so bad, either.

[stillshunter]

Originally Posted by njos

Sorry to bother your post.

i need a suggestion for 'compact AF P&S' , my choice is
- Contax T2 (T3 is too expensive for me)
- Fuji Klasse W
- GR1v
- any suggestion ? (should be small enough to go under my jacket )

* i need a 'hackable ASA' ability for push/pull film, and which one is better 28mm or 35mm focal length ?

Unfortunately I've not used the exact three you have asked about but have owned - amongst many others - T3, Klasse S and GR1s. I have none of these any more, only an R3A, IIIf and mju-ii. But if I were to buy one again, it would be the Fuji Klasse without hesitation. I found the lens sharper and a better render than the GR1, and the Klasse is nicer than the T3 in use (also I think it smaller than the T2 but could be wrong). Everything you want is there and where you want it and, and this is a big AND, they are still serviceable by Fuji in Japan …something becoming more troublesome and expensive with the Contax Ts and Ricoh GR1s.

Here's some old (bad) examples from the Klasse (in my naive hands).

Dougal by stillshunter, on Flickr

sunset on lichen by stillshunter, on Flickr

…and more lack-lustre attempts can be viewed here.

Every time I write about my Klasse I realise how much I miss it. Sold it to another RFF member who still seems to shoot with it regularly - from what I see on Flickr.

So unequivocally a vote for the Klasse.

[Clark.EE]

Most if not all the Ricoh's I have had have seen, have had dodgy/unresponsive LCD displays.
Can be fixed.
But bear it in mind..........
Mju II?
Yashica T4/5?

I have a Minolta AF1 knocking around at the moment.
Any one shot with one?

[Archiver]

Funny, all this talk about the T3 has not only made me get mine out again, but has put the urge in me to find a Hexar AF! I almost bought a black version that was sitting in a shop in 2008, but I reasoned that the T3 was smaller and seemed to make the same amount of noise, so I could save money and not buy it. But the lure of a 35mm f2 lens and a viewfinder is calling again. Sigh.

[chnops]

I currently have the T3, and the lens on it is wonderful IMHO. Very pocketable, excellent for travel and discretion. Great build quality, accepts filters, I only wish it had the 'manual focus' setup of the Contax T2. An additional bonus is that they can still be serviced, which may not be the case of most other high-end compact film cameras.

I've seen wonderful images from the 35ti as well, but haven't had one in my hands yet.

[GarageBoy]

Does the T2 have an option to focus as you half press?

[Archlich]

No.

But in real life I find it shoots faster than the T3 - the distance is acquired instantly (with the active infrared beam) and the barrel, unlike the T3 which takes its time to do so, extends quickly without hesitation.

The only part the T2 is slower than the T3 is manual focusing, as the T3 pre-extends its lens after you set the distance. Again, in actual use the T2 is on par with the T3, thanks to its dedicated MF wheel which saves a lot more time than it takes to extend the lens.

[cbphoto]

Originally Posted by GarageBoy

Does the T2 have an option to focus as you half press?

Yes, it does

[easyrider]

Had a T3. Sold it. Much prefer my Rollei 35. Too much fiddling with the T3 although the lens is superb.

[richard_l]

In order of preference:

1. Minilux (in spite of the E02 curse)
2. Rollei 35 (although not really a P&S)
3. Contax T3

All three have splendid IQ.

[paapoopa]

have yet to try a nikon 35ti
but I recently got a T3,
I have no complain about the quality in terms of build of the camera and the lens.

but in terms of user experience, the thing I don't like about the T3 is the way you have to press the button and rotate the dial to turn it on, which I find is troublesome.
and, the respond on the shutter isn't as responsive .

[Kent]

Even though the T3 is an excellent cam, perhaps better than the 35Ti (in any case more compact), I'd prefer the Nikon. The analogue display just wins it for me.

[Ron (Netherlands)]

After reading this thread, i want a T3 :-)
btw I would always go for the best lens....

[analogpics]

i own both, but always seem to gravitate to the t3...maybe it's the compact size is just right for my little hands...actually, it's probably because when i shoot with flash on the 35ti, it drags the shutter (the t3 defaults to....1/60th?). i prefer the dark background instead of the mixed ambient, but that's just a personal taste i guess...also, the sonnar seems sharper i do however, prefer the layout on the 35ti better.

[GLAUMAX]

I have had both. Sold the Nikon and kept the T3.
The camera is more compact and I prefer the lens on the T3 (the Nikon is no slouch either).

[BlackXList]

Originally Posted by cbphoto

Yes, it does

No it doesnt.

It locks the AF on the half press, but actually moves the lens on the full press.

The T3 can be set to move the lens on the half press, and then just trip the shutter on full press.

That said, both are very quick responsive shooters, and you're not really going to have problems with shutter lag with either.

I bought the T3, really appreciated the half press function, but I was still curious about the T2.

I ended up with both, and I can recommend either without hesitation.

[Fixcinater]

Here is a size comparison photo between the T2 and 35TI.

[waileong]

I have the t3 and the 28ti. Picture quality is the same. But T3 can do filters, Nikon cannot.

[jsrockit]

Are any of these repairable anymore? I know the Minilux, the CM, and the Nikon Tis are not.

[MikeL]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

Are any of these repairable anymore? I know the Minilux, the CM, and the Nikon Tis are not.

Jsrockit, you sure seem to 'care' about film and film cameras. Is this how you get as many posts as you do?

[Archlich]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

Are any of these repairable anymore? I know the Minilux, the CM, and the Nikon Tis are not.

The E02 on the Minilux and CM are easily fixable. For the Nikons, limited repair could be done at least in Japan (I've experienced a 28Ti's shutter button occasionally not triggering, just like the Hexars often do). Even the TC-1 seems to be still repairable to some extent.

It really depends on what kind of repair is needed, and whether you want to send it to the manufacturer. The choice become rather limited in the later case. I really find the Fuji Klasses to be very nice (and fully repairable) cameras...but the price had gone out of the scope.

[emraphoto]

Originally Posted by Kent

Even though the T3 is an excellent cam, perhaps better than the 35Ti (in any case more compact), I'd prefer the Nikon. The analogue display just wins it for me.

I'm with you. Of all the point and shoots I tried the 35ti and original Contax T are the ones I stuck with.

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by MikeL

Jsrockit, you sure seem to 'care' about film and film cameras. Is this how you get as many posts as you do?

Huh? I didn't realize that I'm not allowed to post in these threads. I've owned a few of these cameras in the past and was asking a serious question.

[Scope79]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

Are any of these repairable anymore? I know the Minilux, the CM, and the Nikon Tis are not.

I saw a few listings at auction site for Minilux and CM repairs, guy in Portugal and also someone in Ukraine. Feedback seems to be positive from buyers...

[Tsai]

Originally Posted by Scope79

I saw a few listings at auction site for Minilux and CM repairs, guy in Portugal and also someone in Ukraine. Feedback seems to be positive from buyers...

Yeah, I've read a few things about a lovely gentleman in Portugal (Oporto) who fixes CM.

Check out this review of the CM, the owner had the error come up and got it repaired. https://deadcameras.com/tag/leica-cm-review/

I recently bought a CM on the 'bay and the seller had his serviced by said gentleman, and had heard reports that repairs were still being done (from 2 weeks ago)

Either way, beautiful camera, can't wait to put a few rolls through (pricy as hell tho!)

[jsrockit]

That's a great thing to hear... I've always loved them but thought they weren't worth buying anymore due to the issues. I used the Minilux extensively in the 90s and got the E02 error twice!!! Dropped my Contax T2 twice and got it repaired twice too. Grrrr. Bought a CM around 2010 and had errors immediately. Returned it.

[jamin-b]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

That's a great thing to hear... I've always loved them but thought they weren't worth buying anymore due to the issues. I used the Minilux extensively in the 90s and got the E02 error twice!!! Dropped my Contax T2 twice and got it repaired twice too. Grrrr. Bought a CM around 2010 and had errors immediately. Returned it.

I have used the Portuguese repairer and now once again have a fully functional minilux. I even posted his up to date contact details in a different dedicated thread if you look for it.... A bit expensive but the real deal.

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

[Huss]

There is a T3 in the classifieds w/ asking price of $1900. It has a dent on one corner.
That is insane!
35ti go for about $350

[Archlich]

Yeah the 35Ti is more feasible nowadays. Preferably with the 28Ti style flash mode lever.

I found the 35Ti/28Ti could develop the wonky shutter issue similar to the Hexar. Solution is as simple too: open it up and clean the contacts.

[randy stewart]

Originally Posted by NLewis

To answer my own question, a reviewer of both who bought the T3 specifically for its reduced shutter lag found that, even with selectable pre-focus, the T3 had a bit of lag and in the end was not significantly different than the T2 in that regard.

Apparently, neither come close to the Olympus XA and its wonderfully direct shutter control.

With that in mind, I think I'll stick to the T2 and its manual controls, although others like the T3's small size and upgraded lens.

What a peculiar comment! The XA is not an AF camera, as those being compared, and it has no direct shutter control at all. Apart from that nonsense, I too prefer the T2 over the T3 for the reasons stated. To make a selection, I bought (pre T3) both a T2 and 35Ti, did a critical lens test chart evaluation and used them for a few weeks. For its control arrangement and by a slight margin, the T2 Sonnar lens, I preferred the T2. The lens on the 35Ti is a bit sharper at its best, but over the whole range of apertures, the T2 has a more uniform image. For raw imaging, neither come close to the imaging of a Rollei 35S (40mm f2.8 Sonnar), but that (like the image challenged XA) is another story.

[RObert Budding]

P&S camera prices are nutty. So I use an olympus RD when I want small and compact. Yes, I do have to focus, but that saved me way more than $1,000.

[Huss]

Originally Posted by RObert Budding

P&S camera prices are nutty. So I use an olympus RD when I want small and compact. Yes, I do have to focus, but that saved me way more than $1,000.

Nope. The prices on the Contaxs are nutty. There are countless fantastic P&S cameras out there for under $20 as long as you stay clear of the handful of trendy ones.

[Ste_S]

Originally Posted by Huss

Nope. The prices on the Contaxs are nutty. There are countless fantastic P&S cameras out there for under $20 as long as you stay clear of the handful of trendy ones.

It's generally the premium compacts that tend to have the hipster tax.
I'd rather have something like the Canon EOS 300x with the 40mm f2.8 pancake for about £100ish, which is better in every way than most compacts whilst still also being 'compact'.... but you don't get the hipster points which is why people pay those inflated prices.

[GLAUMAX]

I have had the Nikon 35 Ti, then the 28 TI, the Contax T2 and finally the Contax T3.
For me the Contax T3 is the best (by far) compact camera I ever used.
It is so small and really pocketable with a good viewfinder, reliable auto-focus and fantastic sharp and contrasty lens.
The picture coming from my T3 are in my opinion on par with those from my Leica with a Summicron 35 ASPH.

[kiss-o-matic]

I love the T3, but the T2's controls smoke it. If only the lens were 35mm. That 38 kinda throws me off. I should get over my OCD.

Nope. The prices on the Contaxs are nutty.

I don't keep up w/ all cameras, but I had to sell my two MF cameras (New Mamiya 6 + lens & Bronica RF645 + lens) b/c they almost doubled in price than when I had bought them about 4 years prior (and I almost never used them). My CLE was on the fritz (I take it to Burning Man). Figured I could buy a new one, or take my older, worn Zeiss Ikon ZM and replace them if the desert killed another, which is likely. The Zeiss ZM is well over double what I paid for the last one (4 years ago). The CLE... is only up about 50%. Fujifilm TX-1 recently got CLA'd (thankfully). Looked at the prices of those compared to when I bought it. Guess what...

hipster tax.

I think any old camera w/ a half decent lens is going to go up in price even further. I'm wary enough of the future to spend a bit of money for a year and stick a few in the closet. They don't make them, and they will break at some point (if they haven't already). Inflation also plays a roll. Just be glad you're not Japanese (assuming you're not). Prices have gone up but the economy in general has deflated for over 20 years. :|