Contax Tvs II

I was looking for a lightweight travel camera and decided to see how the TVSII stood up against an Aria with 25mm prime lens and 35-70 F3.4 Zoom. Most lenses perform best in the aperture range of 5.6-11 and it made sense that a travel camera would be used primarily in this same range. The results surprised me. There was virtually NO DIFFERENCE between comparable shots taken with the Aria and Contax TVSII. I concede that primes would have superior perfomance in low-light situations but for me a travel camera is about compromises and 95% of the time the Contax TVSII performed just as well as the Aria/25/35-70mm system. So for me, the TVSII is an excellent solution covering 28-56mm to which I can add a Contax T (38mm) for B&W. Contax T in the pocket and TVSII on the belt.

Excellent lens, especially at 5.6/8.0/11.0 Solid, quick operation. Just turn the lens and the camera is on. Custom set the camera to AF before the shutter is pressed and shutter lag is minimal. Viewfinder bright.

None

Leica Minilux Zoom. This camera had a great lens but 28mm is good for travel.

none

An awesome camera! Outstanding picture quality, contrasty, autofocus always spot on. Possibility of manual focussing comes in handy. Flash is good, not very strong of course, but excellent fill-in. Does not "bleach" subjects in close-ups, gives very natural skin tones even indoors. The camera body feels perfect, buttons/switches are self-explanatory and easy to use. Viewfinder information is good to see. I love the manual zoom, which is easy and - quiet! A really big plus. The sound of the Ricoh Gr-1s I had before drove me at times crazy. Overall the best camera I can imagine. I carry it much more often than my N90 gear and don't feel I'd compromise too much.

Lens.Ruggedness.Ergonomics.Manual Zoom.

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Nothing really similar. Nikon N90, N50, Ricoh Gr-1s, multiple cheaper P&S.

not needed.

I have wanted to buy the TVS II for a long time but it was always hard to justify paying $1100.00 for a point and shoot camera. I have owned many point and shoots over the years among numerous SLRs. You can't beat a point and shoot for portability and availability. I found the TVSII at KENMAR in E++ condition for $445. The camera is as beautiful and rugged as the Contax T2 I owned before it. I accidently had dropped my T2 from 6 1/2 feet onto a concrete side walk below and it left only minor marks on the (no dings or dents) titanium top cover. The TVS II is as easy to use as the T2, almost no buttons to push (thank goodness). I received a manual with my camera, but you really don't need it to figure out this camera. I have large hands and the TVS II fis in them perfectly. The camera has a manual zoom which makes this camera very quiet and perfect for taking pictures of kids or street scenes. My Fuji DL mini zoom (a good camera) is very noisy and would alert the subject that you are taking their picture before you want them to know. I have only shot one test roll of pictures through this camera so far but I shot it in all kinds of conditions and the pictures came out very well exposed. I loved my Contax T2, but having the 28-56mm zoom and practically the same body style, ruggedness and quality as the T2 was hard to turn down. This camera used is now a value at a good price.

Titanium body, ruggedness. Carl Zeiss 28-56mm lens beautiful camera to look at Quality f stops excepts filters and lens hood manual zoom - very quiet

View finder not as sharp as my Fuji dl mini zoom (my only complaint).

Contax T (new - when it first came out), Contax T2, Niklon L35af, Rollie 35 SE, Fuji DL mini zoom and a lot more not worth typing.

N/A

I''ve just bought this cammara from my friend - it is TVS not TVS II. Frist, I do want a cammera that I can carry together with my kids and good quality of lenses. I usually carry SLR for more over 15 years, and I think that I need some thing lower my load. Therefore, I got Contax G1 with 3 lenses (21mm/35mm/90mm) 5 yrs ago. All 3 lenses do not make me disappointed but it is seem not convenine to use comparing to Cannon EOS with 28-70mm/2.8 L. So, I need to find both small and easy. My freind offer me to use it before buying it. He wants to go for Cantax T3 with faster lense but smaller. For my first use, I has to accept the dim viewfinder and slow speed lenses. Moreover, very weak build-in flash always ruin my indoor photos. I find out that SA-1 flash accessary is worth to buy, therefore I bought one with Olymplus S-20 flash unit (guide #20). Both can solve my indoor photos and the total system is still small and better handeling with SA-1. I do not need to explain about quility of the lense because it is still Contax quality for both sharpness and color. Only one thing that you need to keep in your mind - do not shoot at 28mm with f=3.5. This is already notified in the manual, so please concern. Now, it is my favorite cammara but I need to use some faster film to maintain speed. I heard from some dealers that TVSII has some problems on switch on/off. My cammera is TVS model - so it has this problem. TVSII is more bright viewfinder. It is worth to have it, but you cannot buy the new one. If you can find a good condition used one, it is worth to buy it. If you want new one, you may go for TVSIII. Anyway, 28-56mm is better for me. Moreover, TVS & TVSII is more machanical than TVSIII. Last, you need to buy accessaries as following to enhance this cammera performance: - SA-1 flash - One auto flash -> Olympus S20 is recommended (compact with 2 AA power) - Contax UV filter Now, I put this cammera with SA-1 & Olypus Flash S20 in one belt pocket, and enjoys travelling together with taking photos.

Sharp lense for its class; Well built, solid and good looking; Small but not compact; Can use filter; Enough functions for good photo;

Slower lense - better with ISO400 film; Weak built-in flash - need SA-1 flash and exterval flash; Dim viewfinder; Not well handeling without SA-1; Quiet heavy for small cammera

Contax G1 Canon EOS with 28-70mm /2.8L

No need

A saturated len with light weight and durable body that combine to be the best of the P&S. With the aperture piority mode, you can easy beat most of the 35mm body. It is very suitable for travelling.

A saturated Zeiss len Accept filter Very accurate flash programm Feel solid and rugged

A slightly light fall off after wide open Enlargement are not hair-line sharp but acceptable. A little bit expensive.

Lecia Minilux Zoom; Nikon 35Ti

Not need