Size, build, controlability, focus confirmation in metres, aperture priority. Probably the best in its class.

Price, features, 35mm focal length, poor confirmation of photo taken.

Yes, it is a jewel of a camera and takes pictures to match. It even meters accurate enough for slides, and compensation is easy if you don't think that it will. However, it is very expensive, and when compared to a similar priced SLR it doesn't do anything quite as well. OK, it is not an SLR, but while I accept that in some ways it still underperforms in focusing speed, noise and features. There is only one Program mode- why? The view finder gives speeds, but they do not represent what they say- 30 means about 1/90??? The metering works, but why isn't it better? This is an expensive camera. Why cannot Canon or Minolta make a P&S with over-rides?
That all said, most of the controls are easy to use and logical- it works. I'd prefer a 40mm focal length, but thats just me- I liked the good old 50mm.

Similar Products Used:

Olympus Stylus

Zeiss lens
Minimal lightfall off
Compact
Decent flash, with ability to add an external flash
Ability to use filters
Overall body / finish
Decent price

Inability to really know what shutter speed you're working at

Poor manual focus design

1. For the average, actually discriminating photographer who wants a good point and shoot--> this is a decent choice d/t reasons listed above.
2. The only reason I don't "love" this camera is because as a discriminating photographer, I want to be able to know exactly what shutter speed I'm shooting at (a very basic piece of information)... this camera for some odd reason doesn't give you that info. It only gives a ballpark shutter speed. I spoke with Contax and apparently this has been the design on all of the T series cameras. The TVS does tell you the exact shutter speed and the manual focus system is much better than the T3--but this isn't as bothersome as the shutter speed issue.
3. Since I have a TVS II, why did I buy the T3? The TVS II is bigger, heavier, the flash isn't that good, and there's noticable light fall off, esp at 28 mm. The T3 in comparison is much more compact, lighter, it has a better lens than the TVS II or TVS III (fixed focal length is better than a zoom), it has a better flash (or at least it seems so) and basically takes better pictures. If you're using it as a good quality point and shoot, in general shooting enviornments, this should be a good choice.

Customer Service

Good, very good.

Similar Products Used:

Contax TVS II
Various other point and shoots

Size, quality

None

If your used to high quality photograhpy but getting tired of carrying around a bulky SLR this is a good alternative. For a camera this size it offers a good deal of flexibility. I have used this camera with Supra 800 under a variety of lighting conditions and in all the available modes... this is an awesome combination. With the faster shutter speeds you get good exposures in bright daylight, and in dimly lit rooms using night portrait ( a mode that allows for fill flash with slower shutter speeds) you get a nice sense of the ambient lighting with fill flash. Also, using 800 speed film gives the tiny flash a very respectable range. Auto focus and exposure work well, and photos are tack sharp.

This camera feels very good in your hands, very solid. The shutter release takes some getting used to, it is very easy to release the shutter when trying to "half depress". The viewfinder is a bit cramped, but this is not a major drawback in my opinion. Taking advantage of the aperture priority mode with fill-flash you get beautiful close-ups with nice "out of focus" background.

There is also a lens protector to that engages automatically when the camera is turned off, no lens cap to lose. It also comes with a very nice perfectly fitting leather case that has a convenient belt loop, making it very easy to carry. While pricey, I feel it is a good value for your photo dollar.

OK, it would be nice to have a bigger viewfinder, a few more options for program mode, a stronger flash, easier to see macro finder and a 35-500mm f4.0 lens. But remember, were talking about a camera thats about the size of a bar of soap! For the size of this camera the options are great! I love my F5, but many a photo op has been missed because I didn't have my camera with me because of the convenience factor. The T3 is so easy to carry, I hope that doesn't happen again. And with the quality of the photos, no one will ever know I didn't use my F5.

Customer Service

Not yet

Similar Products Used:

First P&S. Nikon F5, F100.

- Zeiss lens
- Small size
- Easy to use, without over complicated
- Reliable in metering / focusing / build
- Expansion possibility

- Lack of a positive response after taking each frame
- price
- accessories slow in releasing

T3 a very good day to day camera given its quality and size. I put my T3 in the waist pouch and carry it around on my belt which I hardly notice from its weight or size (my mobile phone is heavier and more bulky). The point is I always have a camera ready.

I 've got a few rolls of film off the T3, as expected, colour is superb, good details, no more dark edges, focusing and metering is more accurate, flash fill in effect is good. I would award 85 points to the T3 out of 100 points from a medium format / top quality SLR.

Who should buy?
Someone, like me, fan of Contax and Zeiss would like to capture my day-to-day event on camera, for example family outings, hiking trips, special functions, that perfect sunset on the way home from work, etc... Not all the time I can carry my Aria (although it is very small for a SLR) around with me with better picture quality results, but I can capture the shot with at least 85% confidence of what a perfect camera could do.

Yes T3 is expensive but is expected from a good quality point & shoot camera. Use the T3 as a daily camera, it is tough enough, over time it is worth your while. I have seen some arguement that the same price could buy a good quality slr. Correct, but slrs are bulky and what good is the expensive perfect camera which is stored in the capboard because it is too bulky to carry around. Of course, with the same price, there must be hundreds of other point & shoot cameras on the market, but I like the colour and sharpness with Zeiss. It is personal and I felt the premium is worth it.

T3 is long overdue (10 years from T2) and all its features are pretty much standard for current point and shoot cameras. The lack of programs, for example portrait / sport / .... does not bother me as I usually find them not very useful anyway and could be compensated with appeture priority mode.

T3 has a 35mm lens which can not suit all purposes. Again, after considering picture quality, size and durability I am happy with it.

To me, the subject of a photo is the most important aspect in my day-to-day photography, perfect details is second. In the back of my mind the T3 will help me in capturing that moment with confidence. It is also a good backup camera.

Finally, my wife can also use the T3 with ease, basically of the improvement of auto flash from T2.

To be fair, T3 can not replace slrs, but given its size and sophisticated built quality, it makes daily photograph fun and imaginative.

No regrets in buying the T3. Hope you guys out there share my view. In the worse case if T3 is not your camera, sell it, it holds fairly good second hand value.

Customer Service

Fortunately none so far.

Similar Products Used:

T2, Leica z2x, Canon, Aria (28 - 70mm), Nikon, Bronica.

Excellent Lens
Aperture Priority
Exposure Compensation
Bulb Mode

Very Expensive!!

This is this is a serious camera if you are looking for excellent results!In my opinion this new Zeiss Sonnar lens is better than the Leica Summicron 35mmF2 that i previously owned-the photos prove it!I traded a Ricoh GR1S in for the Contax-the Ricoh`s results do not live up to the hype.I am a mountaineer so every ounce counts-the Contax is both extremely small and lightweght,it will fit comfortably into a LowePro AF MICRO Pouch and hang off your pack or harness.
The auto focus has worked perfectly 100% of the time-unlike the Ricoh.All settings can be memorised by the camera,so when switching on,i normally have the flash off,infinity set(or manual distance),film leader out,etc.This is the only compact camera since my XA that will allow me do all this!!and a cracking lens!
Don`t be fooled by the small flash-it is surprisingly powerful and fills the frame adequatly.Although quite new,and not widely advertised yet,i have no doubt that this camera is destined to become a classic and maybe shake up some of the other manufacturers into making cameras with decent manual over-ride facilities for photographers.This camera was designed by a photographer for a photographer,not a bean counter!
If you need manual focus,it has it-even confirms distance!
if you need exposure compensation,it has it-and keeps it after switch off!
Bulb mode?no problem,just dial in the required no. of seconds you want the shutter open (max 180 Secs)and away you go!
Tripod mounted?reduce camera shake?-just dial in 2 Secs or 10 Secs and press shutter release!
Aperture Priority?no problem!-set dial for 2.8to16
on one dial-easy!
Don`t like flash automatically coming on when you switch on the camera?-no problem,just customise settings for flash off!and it will stay off until
you want it!
Flash not powerful enough for you?bolt on bracket available to allow Contax TLA200 flash gun be used,with full control!
Filters?-uses 30.5mm via special adaptor similar to TVS11!
Hood required?-uses TVS11 hood!!
Longer focal length?-you`ve got the wrong camera!!
If you don`t need any or all of the above,just switch the camera to programme and enjoy the party!!
It may be expensive,but it is worth it.
This camera is not much bigger than an Olympus MJU11,but has every facility a photographer needs bar interchangable lens!
Go ahead,be a devil and buy one-when you see the photo results you`ll know what i mean.
(Try fitting an M6 or Minilux into your pocket!!!

Customer Service

No experience

Similar Products Used:

Olympus XA,Rollei 35S,Leica M6,Olympus Mju 11,Ricoh GR1S,Various other P&S

CZ lens
manual capabilities
small size
excellent construction
customizable functions

hard to "close focus".
confusing shutter speed readouts.

Well I can't add much to the excellent overview by Tommy and the others except to say that I agree with their endorsements as well as their criticisms. I used to own the Nikon 35 Ti (I gave it away to friend) and there just is no comparison between the two. The T3 prints and slides are just so much richer and sharper. I can only compare this point and shoot to my slr (Nikon F 100 with prime lens!) and my G1 (45, 28 and 90 mm primes) for picture quality. I all ready take this camera everywhere I go, it's the perfect "street shooter" as it is so quiet. This camera is worth the price and please note I am NOT a rich guy! If you are serious and love photography, this camera is for you.

Customer Service

not used.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 35 Ti

Auto focusing

Manual focusing

I still don't like it's focusing. I like manual focus compact cameras with AE. Minox GT is ok, but craftmanship sucks. If T3 has manual focusing, it will be the best one.

Customer Service

None yet

Similar Products Used:

Contax T2 Ricoh GR1 Minox GT

*Small
*Memorizes flash setting and other custom functions
*Relatively quiet
*Availablility of accessories (filters!)
*Can't accidentally go into aperture-priority mode (as you often can with the Minilux)

Can't auto-exposure lock independently of focusing
Manual focusing a little unwieldy
Camera lens motor is noisy when you turn it on

Manual focusing is a little tricky, but the the auto-focus lock feature is great-- simply focus on something at the same distance as your manual-focused subject and you're fine. Can even remember the manual focus distance until you shut off the camera (custom fuction).

Am now using this in lieu of the Minilux. They are neck-and-neck of course, but I favor the T3 b/c it is lighter, smaller, and slightly quieter.

The only pet peeve I have with this camera is the it is rather loud when you turn it on-- about as loud as the Minilux. The lens opens and retracts with a long chirpy whirrrr sound. You can't help but announce to everyone in the room that you have a camera!

Customer Service

n/a

Similar Products Used:

Leica Minilux

sharpness

sometimes a bit slow getting to next frame

I am not much of a photographer, but this camera makes me look good most of the time. It is just too sharp and precise to describe. I would buy another one at the price, but no more since it is not a zoom. And, using it is like driving a Mercedes--fast enough, reliable (very) and substantial.

Similar Products Used:

None

Small. I can carry it with me easily. Very easy to obtain good photos, even for a casual photographer like myself.

Expensive. Also, the lens barrel brushes against my right fingers sometimes when I'm trying to focus. This "weakness" is my grip on the camera. This is day 2 and roll 3 of film with this camera, so it's bound to get better.

This camera makes my mediocre skill level look great. I received the T3 camera yesterday at noon, popped a battery into it and leafed through the manual during lunch, and then had to go shoot some photos for work in the afternoon. Not yet familiar with the T3, I brought my Minolta zoom APS camera and the T3, and shot nearly identical takes of my subject with both cameras. What a difference! I was shooting in bright sunshine with regular 'ol Kodak Gold 200 film in both cameras, but the T3 produced far crisper, more colorful prints. One photo from the Minolta was badly over-exposed right in the center of the frame, the exact same shot from the same distance away a few seconds later from the T3 came out balanced and clear. The other thing this amateur notices right away is that a much larger area of my subject was in focus with the T3 than the Minolta; more detail was visible in more depths of field. Certainly some of the print quality has to do with the inherent superiority of 35mm to APS format, but the color saturation is also noticeably different. While I eagerly look forward to learning how to use the various settings on the T3, especially flash-fill and AP mode, I feel confident that I can get a decent, usable shot quickly just by, well . . . pointing and shooting. Since I need a camera for work and for play, the T3 is already worth every penny to me. I've had occasion to use it twice today for work, and there it was, ready to go in my pocket.

Customer Service

not used yet

Similar Products Used:

Minolta Vectis zoom P&S