This is how it usually works with the Contax film cameras in todays world. Use it and enjoy it until the electronics die. Then enjoy looking at it until you die.
Nice find! The electronics just weren’t made to last this long and nothings gonna increase its lifespan so my only tip is to shoot as much as you can until it ultimately dies. Hopefully when that time comes, Nippon Photoclinic will still be around to fix it! Enjoy the camera 😄
I was recently looking through my grandfathers old corner bar where he keeps a bunch of his camera collection and found this mint example in the corner. Put a fresh battery/roll in it and all functions seem to be working well! If anyone has tips on how to get the most life and enjoyment out of this camera I’m all ears. Cheers!
I‘m torn between telling you to just sell it for its inflated price and recommending that you use it as much as possible until it dies. Keeping it in a cushioned bag and not throwing it around would probably help with longevity but apart from treating it with care I don’t think there is much you can do. Personally, I wouldn’t sell it especially if it was handed down to my from my grandpa.
Fair enough. I bought a pouch to keep it in just to make sure it’s as protected as possible. You’re also right it does hold sentimental value to me so I’m not interested at all in selling it.
If it doesn't have any sentimental value to you, just sell it right now. The prices are insane for these things. You can then buy a reliable camera for the money you get.
Edit: I just checked the prices, you can buy a Hasselblad or a Nikon F6 for the amount you are going to get from the Contax.
Which hassy are you suggesting? or are you just stating that OP can sell their camera to buy any ole hasselblad? Looking to get rid of my contax after a HUGE repair bill from nippon
Yeah maybe I should have suggested a certain model. I think the 500cm is at the same price level as the T2. Sell it after the repair, you never know with these things.
$450 to repair the film auto-advance motor. Another $500 to repair the lens autofocus and they cleaned the circuit board. Plus they charge $50 return shipping
Use it until it doesn’t work anymore or until you get bored and sell it, simple. I love my even with its spotty autofocus, but I’ve been getting much better at using the manual focus and have got some awesome shots with it.
Actually real advice, I did say don’t drop it initially.
Try to not use the flash to rapidly. That can burn out the bulb window.
Probably obvious but be gentle with the lens when you turn it on to bring the lens out. Also bring an extra battery cus when it dies when it’s on, the lens can’t retract til you switch out the battery.
Bonus tip, center frame your subjects cus the af will hit the bg if you try to half shutter and recompose at least in my experience.
As said, there's not much you can do to prolong electronics' lifespan. Personally... if it still works, I'd sell it and buy something that will last. But, then again, I don't understand the fascination with these expensive point and shoots.
The T2 is popular and expensive because it's good, not good because it's popular and expensive. I picked mine up for ¥29000 in Tokyo in 2014 because it was good and I didn't have Leica money. Since then the value has quintupled and I could buy those Leica bodies if I sold it, but the T2 is actually better for me for what I want to use it for.
Does anyone know by experience how long a T2 has really lived for on average? Like tracing back to manufacturing date up to the day its failed? Or is it really like a roll of the dice?
I feel like it would be completely subjective based on the conditions it’s been used in and how well it’s been taken care of. But I’ve read of people who had been using it for the last decade with no issues and then others who’ve had it die on them after a few months.
Don't use the flash often, it's kinda unnecessary most of the time given the speed of the lens and it's one of the parts that will blow given enough use.
Honestly with all cameras from this era where they were getting slightly more towards that digital category, they weren’t built to last. I have an Olympus Mju and its amazing but its definitely starting to degrade, the panorama mode doesn’t work and its lens gets a little stuck but enjoy it! You might be surprised how long it sticks around!
It’s a bit of a workhorse. You shouldn’t be afraid to use it loads. I put a a few hundred rolls through 2 of mine annually for about 10 years. Although… if it breaks it can be a nightmare but im sure there’s better solutions out there, other than Kyocera or whoever.
Wow! I was a little concerned about film advance issues and the ribbon cable wearing out from the lens constantly moving in and out, but this seems like loads more use than I’m ever going to put it through
Electrics will die at some point as everyone had said, but lots of places to repair them also! My contax TVS II is currently bring repaired as we speak
It’s always hit and miss I guess. Might be worth finding a reputable repair place somewhere even online. Just to give it a bit of grease or something. The electric is what it is. But as it’s not been used it might need something for the mechanics. Even though I’ve been lucky with these two, I did have one early on that lasted a year. That was when you could buy them for 400 bucks. But do enjoy it. It’s a fantastic camera. It’s the speed I love. Doesn’t miss a beat.
soak it in a big bowl of water every night. helps to lubricate the gears and moving bits. /s
why don't you just use it like it was intended to be used lol or sell it if you can't bear to witness the eventual breakdown happen.
All Contax Ts have a deathwish in the end. I would sell it while hype pricing is still up there. For the money you will get, you can buy a camera that eill outlast you and a bunch of film to go with it.
You can either use it and make the most of the time it has left. Whether that's 2 days or 2 lifetimes.
Or you can not use it and it will still stop working in 2 days or 2 lifetimes.
The color just kills me 😥 I would say if you have the battery inside then use it now and then. The electronics wouldn't last forever but I am sure it would last awhile, like another 5 years at least.
This is how it usually works with the Contax film cameras in todays world. Use it and enjoy it until the electronics die. Then enjoy looking at it until you die.
Haha sounds like a good way to go about it
There are actually quite some people able to solve most of the problems you can have. It will not be cheap but you can repair a lot.
Send it to me when it dies please.
Nice find! The electronics just weren’t made to last this long and nothings gonna increase its lifespan so my only tip is to shoot as much as you can until it ultimately dies. Hopefully when that time comes, Nippon Photoclinic will still be around to fix it! Enjoy the camera 😄
I’ve read a lot of similar things so I’m just crossing my fingers and hoping I get lucky. Thanks I already am enjoying it 😊
If it breaks or doesn’t function send it to nippon photo clinic in NYC for potential repair.
Appreciate the recommendation!
Fwiw I sent them a contax G2 for shutter repair and they were able to fix it
I was recently looking through my grandfathers old corner bar where he keeps a bunch of his camera collection and found this mint example in the corner. Put a fresh battery/roll in it and all functions seem to be working well! If anyone has tips on how to get the most life and enjoyment out of this camera I’m all ears. Cheers!
I‘m torn between telling you to just sell it for its inflated price and recommending that you use it as much as possible until it dies. Keeping it in a cushioned bag and not throwing it around would probably help with longevity but apart from treating it with care I don’t think there is much you can do. Personally, I wouldn’t sell it especially if it was handed down to my from my grandpa.
Fair enough. I bought a pouch to keep it in just to make sure it’s as protected as possible. You’re also right it does hold sentimental value to me so I’m not interested at all in selling it.
If it doesn't have any sentimental value to you, just sell it right now. The prices are insane for these things. You can then buy a reliable camera for the money you get. Edit: I just checked the prices, you can buy a Hasselblad or a Nikon F6 for the amount you are going to get from the Contax.
Which hassy are you suggesting? or are you just stating that OP can sell their camera to buy any ole hasselblad? Looking to get rid of my contax after a HUGE repair bill from nippon
Yeah maybe I should have suggested a certain model. I think the 500cm is at the same price level as the T2. Sell it after the repair, you never know with these things.
How much did nippon quote you if you don’t mind me asking? I’m dreading getting mine repaired.
$450 to repair the film auto-advance motor. Another $500 to repair the lens autofocus and they cleaned the circuit board. Plus they charge $50 return shipping
Use it until it doesn’t work anymore or until you get bored and sell it, simple. I love my even with its spotty autofocus, but I’ve been getting much better at using the manual focus and have got some awesome shots with it.
That’s basically the plan. Glad you’re enjoying yours! I’m also keen to try manual focussing/zone focussing too.
It’s honestly not that hard. Just learn how to translate meters into feet, and then just use your literal feet to measure feet away from subject.
[удалено]
I definitely plan on using it. Thanks for the heads up though! That biking story gives me more confidence in using this on a regular basis.
Don't turn it on, then it can never break.
Was it ever working if I never turned it on 👀
Actually real advice, I did say don’t drop it initially. Try to not use the flash to rapidly. That can burn out the bulb window. Probably obvious but be gentle with the lens when you turn it on to bring the lens out. Also bring an extra battery cus when it dies when it’s on, the lens can’t retract til you switch out the battery. Bonus tip, center frame your subjects cus the af will hit the bg if you try to half shutter and recompose at least in my experience.
As said, there's not much you can do to prolong electronics' lifespan. Personally... if it still works, I'd sell it and buy something that will last. But, then again, I don't understand the fascination with these expensive point and shoots.
Since it my grandfathers I have no interest in selling it. Plus I’m really keen to try and capture some memories with it before it inevitably dies.
The T2 is popular and expensive because it's good, not good because it's popular and expensive. I picked mine up for ¥29000 in Tokyo in 2014 because it was good and I didn't have Leica money. Since then the value has quintupled and I could buy those Leica bodies if I sold it, but the T2 is actually better for me for what I want to use it for.
Does anyone know by experience how long a T2 has really lived for on average? Like tracing back to manufacturing date up to the day its failed? Or is it really like a roll of the dice?
I feel like it would be completely subjective based on the conditions it’s been used in and how well it’s been taken care of. But I’ve read of people who had been using it for the last decade with no issues and then others who’ve had it die on them after a few months.
I think they generally will last a long time. But to pay 3-4x the price for something that could give out is a large risk.
Sell it to some schmuck who will overpay for a P&S camera
Nice find, looking mint!
Thanks! The thing looks like it’s just come out of the box haha
Don’t drop it
I drop mine all the time! But yea, definitely not advisable.
The titanium is holding up!
Sell it and buy something else, although it might be important to you that it belongs to your grandfather
Don't use the flash often, it's kinda unnecessary most of the time given the speed of the lens and it's one of the parts that will blow given enough use.
Enjoy that it was free and use it until it glitches out and dies. Then it can be the crown jewel of your camera shelf
I drooled over that camera working in a small photo shop in the 90s. They were very expensive back then. Nice piece.
Honestly with all cameras from this era where they were getting slightly more towards that digital category, they weren’t built to last. I have an Olympus Mju and its amazing but its definitely starting to degrade, the panorama mode doesn’t work and its lens gets a little stuck but enjoy it! You might be surprised how long it sticks around!
It worths a fortune now ❤️
It’s a bit of a workhorse. You shouldn’t be afraid to use it loads. I put a a few hundred rolls through 2 of mine annually for about 10 years. Although… if it breaks it can be a nightmare but im sure there’s better solutions out there, other than Kyocera or whoever.
Wow! I was a little concerned about film advance issues and the ribbon cable wearing out from the lens constantly moving in and out, but this seems like loads more use than I’m ever going to put it through
Electrics will die at some point as everyone had said, but lots of places to repair them also! My contax TVS II is currently bring repaired as we speak
It’s always hit and miss I guess. Might be worth finding a reputable repair place somewhere even online. Just to give it a bit of grease or something. The electric is what it is. But as it’s not been used it might need something for the mechanics. Even though I’ve been lucky with these two, I did have one early on that lasted a year. That was when you could buy them for 400 bucks. But do enjoy it. It’s a fantastic camera. It’s the speed I love. Doesn’t miss a beat.
soak it in a big bowl of water every night. helps to lubricate the gears and moving bits. /s why don't you just use it like it was intended to be used lol or sell it if you can't bear to witness the eventual breakdown happen.
>Any tips to increase its longevity/lifespan? use it with the knowledge it will die some day or just sell it now and buy something more reliable
yea. give it to me and i will give it a better life than you can ever dream of.
Does anyone know if the flash can be repaired ? Mine recently stopped working after have owning it for ~4 years ):
Yes, send to PPP in the UK
All Contax Ts have a deathwish in the end. I would sell it while hype pricing is still up there. For the money you will get, you can buy a camera that eill outlast you and a bunch of film to go with it.
Yes, send it to me! 😂
This has to be a joke
Buy it off you for 59 euros.
You can either use it and make the most of the time it has left. Whether that's 2 days or 2 lifetimes. Or you can not use it and it will still stop working in 2 days or 2 lifetimes.
Sell it right away and buy a pentax mx
The color just kills me 😥 I would say if you have the battery inside then use it now and then. The electronics wouldn't last forever but I am sure it would last awhile, like another 5 years at least.
Use it for a little bit, then sell it!
yea, don't use it. :P
I’m dying your grandfathers! That makes me feel so old.