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Here we go - the famous Contax T2. I was one of the lucky ones and picked up a Contax T2 before they became one of the most sought after point-and-shoot 35 mm cameras out there (thanks a lot, Kendall Jenner)! I think I paid about $500 for one in near mint condition, but now they’re going for anywhere from $750-2000 depending on the condition. The question is -
Is it Worth All of the Hype?
The Contax T2 has a lot of amazing features that many of my other 35 mm point-and-shoot cameras do not have. It has a sturdy and beautiful titanium body, a SUPER sharp and crisp Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 38 mm f/2.8 lens and features such as aperture priority, flash, exposure compensation and manual and automatic focus controls. It has many of the features you’d expect in a larger, professional camera, but is small enough to fit in your pocket. When it first came out in the 1990s, it was created to appeal to the professional and luxury camera market. And personally, I have yet to come across a 35 mm film camera that can create images as sharp as the ones I’ve gotten with the Contax T2. It makes sense that once the secret was out, this camera blew up. There’s a reason all of these celebrities are using this camera and it’s because they want the best and this is it. It automatically makes everything look high fashion and amazing because of the sharp lens. Plus it’s small and inconspicuous, yet beautiful to look at.
But is it Worth the Expensive Price Tag?
Personally, the Contax T2 is a missing a key function that I NEED in a camera - a multiple exposure function. While, yes, you can rewind the film and shoot over the images you’ve already taken, I prefer to have more control over my multiple exposures. Because of this, I don’t end up using the camera very often. It’s just a personal preference that I’ve discovered about myself as a photographer over the years. However, my Contax T2 was having a bit of trouble at one point with the battery connections and would occasionally lock up in the middle of taking a photo. Because of this, I’d shut down and restart the camera and it would accidentally shoot over the same frame, causing accidental double exposures. I’ve included a few of these images below. However, they were not planned and don’t necessarily count as a positive attribute of the camera. Since then, I’ve figured out a loophole for stopping the camera from freezing mid-shot, by pushing down the shutter button very slowly but firmly. I’ve been meaning to send my Contax T2 off for service, but when I discovered that it was a minimum of $400 to repair it, I decided to hold off for the moment (Nippon Photoclinic was the only professional camera repair store I could find that I would trust with my Contax T2). Plus, I don’t really mind these accidental double exposures. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the Contax T2 is expensive to repair. The camera itself isn’t getting any younger either, as they were initially released in the early 1990s and are now around 30 years old. The reality is, if you DO want to try this camera out, it’s better to do it sooner rather than later. They aren’t going to last forever and in today’s world, they’re probably just going to get MORE expensive. If you’re desperate to try it out, I recommend keeping an eye on the Ebay listings for a few weeks to get an idea of the price point they’re going for. Sometimes, one will pop up that might fly under the radar and end up getting yourself a good deal. You can also set a price watch on Amazon and watch for fluctuations in price. KEH camera also gets them in every once in a while and have a thorough testing and rating system for their used items.
Would I Purchase a Contax T2 Today?
Probably not. It’s an incredible camera but without a multiple exposure function, it’s hard for me to justify spending that much money on a camera I just wouldn’t use very often. However, I am glad that I had the chance to experience the camera because it is pretty amazing. I love how sharp the photographs are and I especially love how small and easy it is to travel with. It packs a lot into a tiny little camera body. Plus, the titanium body is truly beautiful and makes the camera feel and look expensive when you’re holding it in your hand. As a Japanese camera brand, you can expect attention to detail and quality. Even the protective camera case it comes with feels soft and amazing in your hands. I’ve considered selling my Contax T2 many times, since I don’t get around to using it very often. Even with the battery issues I’ve been having, I could still probably sell it for more than I purchased it for. But there really is something special about the Contax T2 so I’m finding it hard to let it go. If you have the money and are willing to invest, you won’t be disappointed by the camera quality and sharpness of the photographs. Just make sure you get one that doesn’t have any previously known issues and that comes from a reputable seller. I think the Contax T2 is worth all of the hype, as long as you’re not breaking the bank to purchase it. Sure, there are other high end 35 mm cameras out there that are more affordable, but I have yet to come across one that beats the quality of the Contax T2.
Where Can I Buy a Contax T2?
KEH Camera
I’ve included a few of my favorite images I’ve taken over the years with my Contax T2. I also posted a review on my YouTube channel, so be sure to check that out too!
Feel free to leave any questions or comments below. Thanks so much for stopping by!
<3 Myles Katherine
(click to enlarge images)
