Re: [Leica] Small pocket able camera

["Rei Shinozuka" <shino@panix.com>]

the T3 is the second pocket camera i've ever owned which can--within the
limitations of its fixed, moderate-aperture lens--substitute 
for a system camera like an M.  the first was the original T.  the T3
uses technology appropriately and intelligently, does not patronize the 
user, and gives first-class results.

- -rei

p.s. your wife is as shrewd as generous.


> From: "Roger Bunting" <rlbunting@ameritech.net>
> 
> I received a Contax T3 recently from my spouse. She was trying to give me a
> way out of carrying a bag of gear on business trips. I had been using a
> Olympus Stylus Epic 35mm f2.8 len for a backup to either a M6 with 35mm
> ASPH/50mm Lux or a F3 system. On a recent trip she raised an eyebrow when I
> picked up the Domke 803, so I secumbed and just took the T3. She even made
> me agree to use it as a P&S the first three days. She was going along and
> didn't want me fooling with settings or manuals (you really don't need one
> after the first reading).
> 
> Results were excellent from the T3 and I'm embarrased to say that for this
> type of work I may not need all the other stuff. Boy do I feel naked without
> the bag. I will need some place to put the Palm, Cell Phone, etc... But the
> T3 offers felxibility that just isn't available in other small compact
> cameras. A few weeks ago it was the only thing I took to the Chicago Air and
> Water show. I know only a 35mm lens, but good crowd shots and some great
> flyover shots. Set the exposure system to auto with -2ev comp, fixed focused
> on infinity - minimal shutter lag - and some fun shots. I don't have a hood
> for the lens so I did encounter flare.
> 
> I have a couple of passable photos taken in dark wine cellars when in Napa
> Valley. These must have been about 2-3 second autoexposures. Camera was
> perched on a railing for the shot - shutter tripped with the 2-second self
> timer - need a little more comp in the flat light but still learning the
> meter on this one. It's not as intuitive for me as the M6 meter.
> 
> Think I'll still keep the Epic as it is a good camera to hand to a
> friend/fellow-tourist to take a snap that includes you in the picture. I
> also like the spot mode on that camera, especially for night pictures.
> 
> The results from the T3 are making me re-evaluate how I'm going to allot my
> photography time and travel gear. My M6 is not seeing much action right now,
> and I'm going through some withdrawal, but even for street photos you can
> set the T3 to f8 at 5meters, no focus lag, autoexposure and grab shots till
> the battery runs out :-).
> 
> Regards
> Roger
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