T series spec list (T, T2, T3)

Colors/Special Editions:

Original Contax T (designed by Porshe) was released in black and silver. No special editions.

Contax T2 was released in black and silver as well. There was Contax 60th year anniversary special edition in which T2 was black with gold parts and included wooden box. It was brought to my attention that there was also a platinum version of T2 released. In 1997 special edition of silver T2 was made when Great Britain handed over Hong Kong colony to China. There was also a T2 that was totally gold.

Contax T3 was released in black and silver. There was also silver and black Contax 70th year anniversary models which were basically the same except for the special engraving and deluxe leather half case.

  T T2 T3
Type 35 MF compact with Aperture Priority Mode and detachable Flash 35mm AF compact with auto exposure and flash 35mm fully automatic lens-shutter auto focus camera with built-in flash (custom functions list)
Negative size 24 x 36 mm 24 x 36 mm 24 x 36 mm
Lens Carl Zeiss T* Sonnar 38mm/F2.8 5 elements in 4 groups Carl Zeiss T* Sonnar f2.8/38mm 5 elements in 4 groups Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm f2.8 (6 elements in 4 groups)
Aperture range 2.8-16 (DOF chart for f8) 2.8-16 2.8-16
Focussing range 1 m to infinity (manual/split image type) 0.7 m to infinity 1.1 ft. to infinity
Shutter Between-the-lens shutter, electromagnetic control Between-the-lens shutter, electronic control for aperture priority (Av) and programmed (P) auto exposure. Electronic release Double between-the-lens type
Shutter speeds 8 -1/500s 8 -1/500s At "P" setting: 16 seconds - 1/1200 second (1/500 second at open aperture f2.8). LT setting: 1 - 180 seconds
Metering system Aperture priority with SPD cell External SPD, centre-weighted average with AE lock Two-part external light meter with SPD element
Metering range EV 0 - 17 EV 3 - 17 (ISO 100) EV1 - EV18 (ISO 100)
Exposure compensation + 1.5 EV only for backlight +/-2 EV in 1/5 EVsteps +/- 2 EV (in 1/3 EV steps). Can be sent to _ EV steps in custom functions
DX range No automatic film settings, manual setting range ISO 25 - 1000 ISO 25 - 5000, non-DX film = ISO 100 ISO 25 - 5000. Non-DX film automatically sets to ISO 100
Focussing Manual focusing, split image type Automatic or manual focusing from 0.7 m to infinity External Passive auto focus with AF assist light and focus lock function. Can be set to manual focus by mode button
Viewfinder 0.75x (approximately) combined viewfinder/rangefinder Bright frame Reverse Galilean viewfinder. Magnification ratio 0.5x. Viewfinder coverage: 85% of actual picture area (at 3 meters)
Viewfinder projected framelines,digital shutter speed readout, it is not paralex correct for close focusing, 4 exposure LEDs, self timer LED and flash ready LED Display Focussing frame picture area frame shutter speeds, exposure compensation marks, focus indicators, flash mark, programme (P) mark Picture area frame, close-up frame, macro indicator, focus frame, exposure compensation indicator, focus display, flash indicator, shutter speed
Flash Separate unit T14 (runs on two AAs), when attached camera exposure sensor becomes flash sensor, flash temperature equivalent to daylight Built in with anti red eye feature Built-in; flashmatic and guide-number control.
Flashrange Guide # 14 with ISO100 0.7-3m with lSO100. recycling time approx. 3.5 s (with new battery at normal temperature) 1.1 ft. to 7.5 ft. (ISO 100); recycle time: About 3.5 seconds (at normal temperature with new battery; in accordance with Contax testing standards)
Selftimer Electronic, with10s delay, Electronic, with10s delay, cancellable, red LEDsignal Electronic, with10s delay, cancellable, red LEDsignal
Film loading Manual Auto loading and advance to frame no. 1 Auto loading and advance to frame no. 1
Film transport Manual, thumb/lever winding mechanism, midroll rewind possible, 120 degree setting angle, 10 degree rest Automatic wind/rewind with auto stop, midroll rewind possible Automatic wind/rewind with auto stop, midroll rewind possible
Camera back Removable for film loading using release knob. Not exchangeable. Swing up pressure plate. With ceramic film pressure plate, exchangeable for data back With ceramic film pressure plate, exchangeable for data back
Battery MS76 silver batteries or two LR44 1 x3 volt lithium battery (CR123A or DL123A) 1 x3 volt lithium battery (CR2)
Dimensions 98 x 66.5 x 32.5 mm 119 x 66 x 33 mm 4.1" (W) x 2.5" (H) x 1.2" (D)
Weight 270g (w/o battery) 295 g (w/o battery) 8.2 oz. (without battery)

Contax T3 Custom functions:
1. Film leader status after rewind (leader in/leader out)
2. Lens extension time (lens extension on shutter release/on focus lock)
3. Exposure compensation hold time (1 frame only/until camera is turned off/until setting is canceled)
4. Exposure compensation steps (1/3 EV/1/2 EV)
5. AFL button function (focus lock only/focus and AE lock)
6. Focus lock hold time (AFL button) (1 frame only/until camera is turned off)
7. Manual focus hold time (until camera is turned off/until setting is canceled).