Contax T3 Review

Overall Rating

The Contax T3 has a 35/f2.8 Zeiss lens, Aperture Priority, fast shutter speed, compact design, bright viewfinder for a P&S, High eye-point for glasses wearers, fantastic build quality, custom programable functions, EV -1!! to 18!!!, close focus down to .35m, +/- 2 EV Exposure compensation in 1/3 OR 1/2 steps, easily fits into a pocket and so you always have it with you.Accessory flash bracket allows use of the Contax TLA200 flash and a remote cable release
This is the camera that ALL other compact 35mm cameras will be measured against.

Flash is weak for ISO 100 speed film but fine with 400.
It is expensive (but worth it).
Some people say they have trouble seeing the bright lines in the viewfinder.
Shutter speeds are only visible in the viewfinder in ranges rather than actual speeds. You will know that you are between 1/250th and 1/500th but not exactly what the speed is. You get used to it.

The T3's fantastic 35/f.28 Zeiss lens is much improved over the Contax T2 (38/f2.8) or the Yashica T4 Super (35/f3.5). One of the problems with the Yashica T4 was that, under certain ligting conditions, you will get vignetting at the corners. The T3's new shutter design almost eliminates light fall-off at the corners. Also, the camera has full Aperture priority and a top shutter speed of 1/1250th.
The custom functions allow for changing the default values of the camera. For example, some cameras have significant lag after pressing the shutter because the camera must move the lens to the focus point before the shutter clicks. The Contax T3 can be set to move the lens to the focal point when the shutter release is half-pressed thus eliminating shutter-lag almost completely.
It is a fantastic existing light camera with a long shutter speed of up to 3 minutes and I am amazed that I can hold it as steady as I can.
All of this technology is packed into a completely pocketable unit that will go anywhere you do. Did I mention that it takes fantastic pictures?