The Contax T2 is a point-and-shoot film camera known for its quality. Well-known for its cult status among film enthusiasts, it has only become more fashionable after being seen in the hands of celebrities like Kendall Jenner. But is it worth the price, or is it nothing more than an over-hyped accessory? Let's find out more.
Love at First Sight?
Before my Contax T2, I mainly used my Canon AE-1 to shoot 35mm film, which soon became too bulky for everyday use. It also took a minute to adjust the settings manually before taking each photo, which sometimes meant missing the shot. Although I still loved it, I found myself shooting less and less film, so eventually, I set out to add a camera to my collection that could remedy this.
After searching online for a while I came across the Contax T2. Luckily, they are not too hard to find, and I soon ordered one off eBay. I ordered mine in black and it came in near-mint condition. When it finally arrived from Japan, I opened the box and was immediately in love.
Strengths
Premium Build
From the first touch, the T2 felt so premium— it has a durable titanium body, clicky apertures, and a smooth focus wheel. Nothing about it feels plasticky or cheap. It is reasonably lightweight and compact enough to carry and shoot with for extended periods. I instantly liked how easily it could fit into most bags, and even pockets (if you're lucky enough to have roomy ones).
Zeiss Lens
I originally bought the Contax T2 to have a high-quality camera that could quickly capture moments on 35mm film. Something that had the ease of use and size similar to a disposable but produced much higher quality images.
The Zeiss lens does just that— the images it creates are sharp and contrasty. I feel the way the sharpness of the lens pairs with the soft and vintage look of film is just so pleasing. It is not washed-out or overly soft-looking like some disposable cameras and point-and-shoots.
I truly love the quality of the Zeiss lens on this camera, and the wide focal length gives plenty of room to play for framing— it is more forgiving, especially for quick shots in small spaces. It is not too long/shallow to where autofocus becomes a nightmare, and not too wide that frames become over-crowded and you lose intimacy with subjects.
Auto Functions
I loved the auto functions, the responsive autofocus and auto-exposure were among the primary reasons I bought the camera. And even though I rarely use it, I loved that the camera had manual options as well. I had gotten used to fully manual cameras like the AE-1 and Kiev 88, so it was important to me that the camera had this flexibility. And also, I just love a good clicky aperture ring.
Flash
I love that this camera has flash. Firstly, it gives the photographer more stylistic freedom. Flash gives a totally different feel to photographs, it heightens the contrast and spotlights subjects. To me, there is something that feels so electric in images like these. Whether it's for professional/fashion shoots or shoots with friends, photos taken with flash feel so alive.
Secondly, I like it because I don't have flash on any of my other cameras. I am extremely intentional when I purchase cameras. When I add a camera to my collection, I always consider how it will balance with the cameras I already own. I don't like to accumulate cameras just for the sake of having more cameras. So now, whenever I need this look I always go to this camera. And of course, I love it for the obvious reason too— flash comes in handy in low-light situations.
Weaknesses & Things to Consider
DX Codes
One important thing to note is that the Contax T2 will automatically expose 35mm film without a DX code at ISO 100. You can use the exposure compensation function to compensate for this if the film is ISO 400. I've also read that you can scratch off the DX codes yourself, but have yet to try that myself.
Low Light & Program Mode
On this camera, f/2.8 is also program mode. This means that when shooting with a lot of available light, the camera will select smaller apertures to compensate— so even though you select "f/2.8," it is not necessarily shooting wide open.
The camera also has a warning light, "LT" in the viewfinder, that signals the camera will select a shutter lower than 1/30th to compensate for low light. If you are shooting handheld, the low shutter may make these images shaky and unusable. In these instances, you can use exposure compensation to compensate for at most 2 stops. You can change this frame to frame as well— unlike pushing/pulling, where it affects the entire roll.
Film Window (Potential for Light Leaks)
When I shot Cinestill 800T on my Contax in Taiwan, I noticed red light leaks on the film— which seems like it may be an issue with the Cinestill film itself, but it could also be from the film window on the back of the camera. I haven't had many issues with light leaks in this pattern, but it is still worth considering— especially since red light leaks usually come from the back of the film, and white is from the front. If you want to be extra cautious, you can always tape over the film window to protect it from potential light leaks.
Circular Light Leaks
Occasionally I'll notice a circular light leak on photos— which is common for cameras with retractable lenses. During the first three years of use, I never had this problem. It wasn't until more recently, the last year or two, that it started to appear. At first, I thought it might be a flare or a reflection from inside the camera, but it appears regardless of if it's in direct sunlight. For me, it is not a huge problem. It rarely shows up in my pictures, and I kind of like the unique look that it gives. It is something to be aware of if it shows up on your first test roll, though.
Auto-focus
The autofocus can be tricky if you're not used to point-and-shoots. You must first half-press the shutter with the subject center-framed to lock onto it. Then, with the shutter still half-pressed, you reframe the camera and press the shutter fully to take the picture. Although it can take some getting used to, the auto-focus is usually consistent and precise in good lighting conditions— I've had only a handful of pictures turn out blurry.
Camera Repair
Since new models of the Contax T2 are no longer produced, it may be harder to find a shop to repair them. And where you can repair it, it is likely to be expensive. When purchasing a T2, it is a good idea to buy one that has been thoroughly tested through a reputable reseller.
Price
Lastly, this camera has become ridiculously expensive. There are many other point-and-shoots out there that you can buy for a fraction of the price. For this reason, I wouldn't purchase this camera as your first 35mm film camera. I think that a fully manual camera like the Canon AE-1 is the most rewarding to start with. This way, you gain a more in-depth understanding of how cameras work as your foundation and can build from there. I think that manual cameras like the AE-1 truly make you feel more connected to the art form as well.
Specifications
Camera type | Point and shoot |
Format | 35mm film |
Lens | Fixed, Carl Zeiss T* Sonnar 38mm f/2.8 |
Shutter Speeds | 1 - 1/500s |
Minimum Focal | 1 meter or 3.28 feet |
Weight | 295g (without battery) |
Battery | 3v lithium battery (CR123A or DL123A) |
Special Features | Built-in flash, red eye reduction preflash option Exposure compensation (-/+2 ev in 0.5 ev steps) Zeiss lens Autofocus, with manual focus option Titanium body |
Conclusions
I've had my Contax T2 for over 5 years, and it is one of the most reliable and consistent cameras that I own. Its weight, auto exposure/focus, flash, and compact size make it a perfect film camera for capturing memories quickly while traveling, and it is also high enough quality that I have used it for professional shoots before as well.
The T2's quality comes at a high price, but it is also worth considering its cost per use. For me, it is my go-to camera. I am constantly using it for trips, shoots, and everyday use. I can just throw it (gently) in my bag and I'm ready to go. Because of this, it's much more worth it than if it sat on the shelf as a collector's item.
I've had a few problems with light leaks, but those are few and far between. I think the surprising imperfections I get from each roll are part of what I love about shooting film— and if you need the images to be perfect every time, digital may be a safer bet.
Overall, if you are looking for a quick and easy, introductory 35mm point-and-shoot, you can find plenty of other models cheaper than this one. I also don't believe it is the best camera for beginner film photographers, the auto-functions make it easier to become detached from the process— and that is the whole fun of shooting film! But if you are experienced and want a durable camera, with snappy auto functions, that produces sharp, high-quality images— I think you may fall in love with the Contax T2 just as I did. ◇
So well thought and written!! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, I learned a lot about light leaks!!😎
You are so talented!!!