Contax T3 Reviews

iwong

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
2.88 of 5,
8 votes

Price Paid:  $584.00 from Adorama

Summary:How can you justify a $700 point-n-shoot camera with a fixed focal length lens to a causal consumer? You can't. But the Contax T3 was not designed to compete with consumer 28-140mm point-n-shoot zooms from the beginning. I won't mention the photo quality with those point-n-shoot zooms since I don't use any of those. But I can attest to the quality of the pictures taken by the T3. They are sharp, distortion-free, colors are vibrant and contrasty. They are as good as that taken by a decent 35mm prime lens on a SLR. Think of the $700 T3 as a 35mm/f2.8 Carl Zeiss T* AF prime lens plus a pocketable, titanium body and a built-in flash, suddenly the $700 asking price does not seem so steep anymore. Speaking of the built-in flash, yes it does produce quite a bit of redeye if you don't use the redeye-reduction mode, but due to the fast lens the background is not dark and the subjects washed out, rather everything looks very balanced. I was only using 160NC so ISO400 should produce more pleasing flash photos. The AF assist lamp is useful and all my pictures had been spot on both in terms of AF and AE. There are custom functions which allow you to customize your camera, including setting the default flash mode. There are also optional accessories where you can add external flash and filters. And then there is of course aperture-priority exposure mode and manual focus. What more can you ask for in a point-n-shoot camera?

Strengths:picture quality, fast accurate AF, good AE performance, won't break your shoulder

Weaknesses:The back opening latch is a little stiff

Similar Products Used:various Canon point-n-shoots.

Customer Service:none needed.

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
1.71 of 5,
17 votes

Price Paid:  $699.00 from B&H Photo

Summary:The T3 is everything it claims to be - super lens, compact, precision, and cool looking. The only problem is it is good for about 2-3 rolls before it goes back for repair. First T3 - froze up, battery indicator on low after one roll, flash didn't work after two rolls. Contax (NJ) "fixed it", then it had the same problems so I sent it back again. This time they replaced it. New camera had the same circuit board problems, so they fixed it again and absolutely guaranteed I wouldn't have problems again (they had it for 3 weeks). Two rolls later and it freezes up again, flash doesn't work. I am about to send it back again. They won't refund money so I either take what they have to offer or it becomes a $700 piece of junk. This is a continuing saga. I have no faith in their product or their service department. The odds of two new cameras having the same problems (and acknowledged by Contax) must be high unless there's a recall issue that they are avoiding. Anyway, if you want dependability get a disposable, if you want a great looking camera as a paperweight, this is it.

Strengths:None that I know of.

Weaknesses:It totally sucks.

Similar Products Used:Nikon 28Ti, Hexar.

Customer Service:They try to please, but what can I say about dealing with a company that sends me lousy repairs and replacement cameras.

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
2.60 of 5,
5 votes

Price Paid:  $699.00 from j&r

Summary:i splurged on t3and im glad i did. talk about razor-sharp photos. the only thing i changed was the wrist strap stinks and i attached neckstrap.it was out of stock and i had to wait 4 weeks. i initially wanted the contax tIII but i am very happy with the t3.

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
2.89 of 5,
19 votes

Price Paid:  $600.00 from HK

Summary:Performance of the Lens is excellent and focusing speed! the only positiv thing if you compare with CONTAX T2!!! The smalls wonder are species in danger of disappear...because the digital madness...the QUALITY is going....

Strengths:Only the lens and metering system!Easy pocketable...no delay, fast autofocus, Improve of electronic, but the rest down-grade?

Weaknesses:Handling, ergonomic,false ruggedness,longterm durability questionable?Bad fitting of sunshade adapter: easy to loose, plastic and metal bad fitting and bad matching,,ect....

Similar Products Used:Contax T2, Yashica T4, Rollei 35 classik, Olympus epic 35mm,Contax T the first model Leica M6,Canon elph....

Customer Service:Not use, but if it is going out of the market, wath will happend???

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.75 of 5,
8 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:This is a beautiful camera. Very stylish and compact. AF is very very accurate. The lens is very sharp and contrasty - comparable to most SLRs. The colour is very good. Distortion control is average only so not very suitable for shooting buildings and straight lines. I think it will be good for shooting negative films. However, if you are a slides shooter, there are 2 things to note:- (1) the camera tends to overexpose by at least half stop, and (2) it is easy to lose highlight details completely. With other cameras, you may still get some highlight details if you overexpose slightly. With this camera, highlight details can be washed out quite easy so it is not good for handling strong contrasty scene e.g. bright day light shots.

Strengths:Beautiful look. Compact size. Sharp lens.

Weaknesses:Black body easily to scratch. Expensive accessories.

Similar Products Used:Contax T-2 Minolta TC-1 Rollei AFM 35

Customer Service:Not required.