The Contax T2 has become so trendy that arch film-fan Bellamy Hunt of Japan Camera Hunter gets over 50 requests a week from enthusiasts around the world who are determined to go retro in this digital age. As a result, and because these cameras are now almost as rare as rocking horse manure, Bellamy is no longer offering to find them for customers.
A couple of years ago, after reading some similar hype, I asked Bellamy to find me a T2. I got the reply that I think all his 50-a-week hopefuls receive. Nothing doing, sorry.
So just what is it about the T2 that grabs all the attention? Hong Kong-based Ian Wong of Digital Darkroom produced this video on what he calls “the world’s most fashionable camera.” Be that as it may, Ian makes a strong case as you can see.
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Compact fixed-lens film cameras such as those from, among others, Contax, Olympus, Yashica, Konica and Rollei were incredibly popular in their day. The digital era has fought back with newcomers, especially the Fuji X100/s/t/f and the Leica X1/2, not to mention the marvellous Leica Q. The Q, of course, shares one thing with the 35mm compact film cameras of the 20th century that the other contenders can’t match — they are all full-frame, even the Olympus ZA, another firm favourite of modern collections.
Ian put together his list of the ten best 35mm compacts in this article for DigitalRev. The Context T2 comes eighth, just behing the Olympus XA, and the Yashica T2-5 models. He took affordability into account, sensibly, and that’s probably why the Ricoh, which sells for upwards of £500 (if you can find) is not top of the pile.
There’s just something that appeals about owning a compact, high-performance camera with one focal length (usually either 28mm or 35mm), whether it be one of these film masterpieces or a later digital “replacement”. For some, though, film is where it is at, and Bellamy Hunt in Japan is in the forefront in supplying the world’s film enthusiasts.
Bellamy Hunt, incidentally, is hoping to make a new premium compact and there are whispers that it will be an analog/digital hybrid. I’ll be reporting more on his project when I get the details. But the merest mention is enough to whet the appetite
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I found my Contax T2 safely in a drawer. Inherited it from my father some time in the 80ies. After reading this article, will revive it.
I am envious!
I feature a cheaply available Rollei XF 35, which has automatic meetering and a coupled rangefinder.
And it comes with a raser sharp high speed Sonnar 2,3/40 mm lens.
I found one of the rare all metal versions, most likely made in Germany, instead of Singapore though it does not say so on its body.
The Minolta Hi- Matic 7s with its 1,8/45mm lens is also very desirable to use and delivers excellent results.
With the little Rollei 35 I never got along with; I am not good in guessing distances and my late father while promoting this camera so much, ended always up with about 30% of trashed exposures because of his also failed meetering.
Harry Machold
I had a T2 which I used as a back up to my film M cameras and as a high quality point and shoot. I know I have it somewhere in the house, but so far can only come up with the box! I do have a TVs if anyone is interested, though. These were fantastic, incredibly high quality cameras and gave fantastic results. Always liked them much better than the Leica and Nikon answer to them.
Bill
About 35 years ago I had a Rollei 35 which I sold to buy a Nikon SLR. It is in the ‘also rans’ on this list, probably because it is a quirky little thing to use. It definitely prepared me for using early Leicas with no RFs by using ‘zone focus’. I must pick up one again. It had an incredibly sharp little lens.
I will let you know if I come across a T2. I looked at an estate with a big collection of Contax gear last year which may have included a T2, but I cannot recall this for sure. I am sure it is well sold by now.
William
I have a nice Rollei 35 boxed kit, including filters and a rubber lens hood which I bought at Bievres a couole of years ago. It’s sitting here doing nothing and I haven’t even run a film through it…… I bought it intending to use it but, as you say, it is a bit quirky.