Now that some of the initial frenzy is over, can anyone give me an objective evaluation of the T3? I am considering getting rid of my G equipment and going with the T3 and some other high-end P$S cameras. I travel quite a bit and am tired of lugging even the G2 and lenses around. Thanks.

-- Chuck Fralick (crfralick@earthlink.net), September 09, 2001

Answers

The T3 is an excellent travel camera and the optics are top shelf. I've posted a few test images at:

http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=122840

Here's my take on the camera after about four month's use:

Kudos - Outstanding optics - Small size (good ergonomics for my average size hands) - Bright viewfinder with good eye relief - Seven Custom functions plus default hold settings for flash - Quiet operation (similar to GR1), though a bit noisy at power up and power down - Excellent build quality - AF Lock button (simpler than the GR1's AF lock). AFL also appears to invoke spot AF. - Excellent metering (called 'two-part external light metering' in the manual)  - Minimal shutter lag (lens position at release can be set with a custom function) - Lens returns nice bokeh at f/2.8 - Accepts a lens hood with optional adaptor ring - Accepts filters (30.5mm) with optional adaptor ring - Accepts Contax TLA-200 flash with dedicated optional flash bracket - A joy to use

Quibbles  - Viewfinder only displays a range of shutter speeds. - Manual focusing not as simple as that on the T2 or Leica Minilux. - Flash may not be strong, but I haven't tested it yet (viewfinder does give "flash out of range" warning light, though, like GR1). - No remote shutter release or cable release is available. - A custom function to repeat self-timer mode until turned off would have been useful. - Close focusing in macro mode takes some practice; it's not really meant for macro work, so I think you need to use small apertures for adequate depth of field or back off from the closest focusing distance, which is .35m (14 inches). Using AFL for spot AF may be the way to go here. - May suffer damage if hit by nuclear weapon (I've dropped mine twice - while still in the case - and it suffered no damage.)

You can follow a T3 discussion thread on Photo.net at:

http://greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=005ic4

and there's an older thread here:

http://greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=004u2K

-- John McCormack (jpmccormac@aol.com), September 10, 2001.

I have posted some comparison shots taken with both the Yashica T4 and the Contax T3.

http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=150830

The pictures were similar shots taken in downtown Toronto with both cameras at the same time and on the same day. The Contax was in Program mode and the Yashica was used as normal. What I have found in this rather preliminary comparison is that the Yashica shots are warmer than the Contax which can give a more pleasing shot for some people. The Contax shots appear sharper across the entire field and you can see some darkening at the edges with the Yashica but it is not objectionable to me. I will add to my thoughts as I get more opportunity to compare the two cameras but, at present, I would say that users who would tend to keep the T3 in Program mode all the time may not gain much from the extra cost over the Yashica T4. Of course, those who want more control over a pocketable camera will feel contrained by the Yashica's full auto design.

-- Meryl Arbing (marbing@sympatico.ca), September 26, 2001.

I bought the T3 because it took filters. I considered the GR1s but opted for 35mm over 28mm. The Contax hood is quite inadequate being quite short so I will have a proper hood custom machined. Anyone know if the 30.5mm filter size is of standard pitch, meaning any 30.5mm filter for camcorders, etc. will work? thanks.

-- ray tai (razerx@netvigator.com), October 09, 2001.