A Call for Comments: Contax P & S's

RattyMouse · Feb 26, 2014

I'm interested in hearing from those who use Contax P & S's. There are various models out there, all rather pricey so I'm a bit nervous buying gear that old for that amount of money. Comments from users about the various models are solicited! Any models to avoid? Any considered the best?

Alan Gales · Feb 26, 2014

Go to Ken Rockwell's site and do a search for Contax. He has information on the G system cameras that you may be interested in.

RattyMouse · Feb 26, 2014

Alan Gales said:
Go to Ken Rockwell's site and do a search for Contax. He has information on the G system cameras that you may be interested in.

Hi Alan,

As good as the G cameras are, I need something much smaller. The G cameras are much too large for my p & s needs.

TheFlyingCamera · Feb 26, 2014

If you want good & cheap, try a Yashica T4. Has a really nice Zeiss T* lens, points, shoots, produces great negatives. Only downside is the flash is pretty weak.

Richard S. (rich815) · Feb 26, 2014

Contax T2. Awesome camera. I love mine so much I bought a second one (grey, first one is silver) just for when one eventually konks out.

Mallard Lake GGP SF commute ContaxT2-blk 38f2-8Sonnar Tmax100 Rodinal1-50 11min30sec 20C 30secAg2x 2013-05 VSmac 4000 Scan-130524-0001 by rich8155 (Richard
Sintchak), on Flickr

SF Commute ContaxT2 Sonnar Tri-X(1600) DD-X 1-4 14min 20C 1minAg 01-2008 VS 4000 Scan-080119-0022 A by rich8155 (Richard Sintchak), on Flickr

IloveTLRs · Feb 27, 2014

I had a Contax TVS several years ago. It had focus problems in that everything appeared okay, but pictures would be hopelessly out of focus - this happened for a few frames per roll. It forced me to sell it - but when it did work, it took beautiful photos - especially color.

I also had a Contax T2 and can mirror the comments above - fantastic. The lens is a killer.

Also, while not a P&S, the best I had was a Contax T, which is an AE-priority rangefinder, though it is smaller than the other two. Excellent exposure system and a lens to die for. They always seemed extremely difficult to find, and always expensive.

elekm · Feb 27, 2014

I have a Contax TVS, which worked fine until it stopped working one day. Powers on but won't focus and won't take a photo.

Later, the dog chewed on the rubber covering.

mgb74 · Feb 27, 2014

Not specifically related to Contax, but every time I get and use an AF, Auto advance P&S, I end up putting it away because I don't like the noise. I go back to an 80s RF or to my Rollei. Just my opinion about what works for me, but consider the noise factor in a "modern" P&S.

benjiboy · Feb 27, 2014

I wouldn't spend a lot of money on a P&S camera because it would hurt to think for that price I could get a proper camera, like when I look at the price of high end digital S.L.R's I think "I'm not playing that, I could buy a used Hasselblad outfit for that price".

Richard S. (rich815) · Feb 27, 2014

benjiboy said:
I wouldn't spend a lot of money on a P&S camera because it would hurt to think for that price I could get a proper camera, like when I look at the price of high end digital S.L.R's I think "I'm not playing that, I could buy a used Hasselblad outfit for that price".

You know of any "proper" cameras that are small and pocketable which it seems is what the OP wants?

What's is "proper" anyway? My T2 is sulking....

NZed · Feb 28, 2014

Richard Sintchak (rich815) said:
You know of any "proper" cameras that are small and pocketable which it seems is what the OP wants?

What's is "proper" anyway? My T2 is sulking....

A true proper Point and Shoot? Then it has to be the Olympus Mju II. True point and shoot. Cant be any simpler.

But if OP wants a contax and doesnt mind paying that much, the T2 is his best bet. More of a premium point and shoot with aperture control and $300+.

GarageBoy · Mar 3, 2014

Seems to be a very popular market (high end film P&S)
A T2 which cost 1/3 of what a Nikon F5 sold new is now selling for the same price as the latter used
The T2 does have a gorgeous lens tacked on it

blockend · Mar 3, 2014

GarageBoy said:
Seems to be a very popular market (high end film P&S)
A T2 which cost 1/3 of what a Nikon F5 sold new is now selling for the same price as the latter used
The T2 does have a gorgeous lens tacked on it

People no longer want to carry heavy metal cameras to obtain similar results to one they could slip in a shirt pocket. The downside is most point and shoots were not built to last, although lightly used ones can still do the job.

Dismayed · Mar 4, 2014

I had a Contax T2 that would leak light when the lens motor extended the lens. Great lens. Too bad the body was flawed. I sold it on eBay, not as mint, but with full disclosure of the flaw.

A Call for Comments: Contax P & S's

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