Film cameras
Contax T VS III User manual
User manual for Contax T VS III. 62 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Contax
- Model / document
- Contax T VS III
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 62
- File size
- 3.4 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Find a term, then jump to its page in the original PDF. Image-only pages may not be searchable; check the PDF for exact wording and diagrams.
Page 2 · Read text
Thank you for your purchase of the CONTAX Wir danken lhnen, daB Sie sich ftir eine I
Tvs lll. CONTAXTvs lll entschieden haben. (
Based on the CONTAX philosophy of Diese Kleinbild-Kompaktkameraist ein t
producing a "camera, Ergebnisder CONTAX-philosophie,,eine I
which is pleasurableto own, to use and takes Kamera zu schaffen, deren Besitz Freude t
an excellent photograph", macht und exzellenteAufnahmen erm6glicht.,, i
this 35mm lens-shuttercamera is extremely Die Tvs lll ist mit einem v6llig neuen a
simple to use. Zoomobjektiv ausgestattet, erlaubt die F
The camera features a newly designed automatische und manuelle Fokussierung a
retractable zoom lens. The focusing system is sowie die Belichtungsfunktionenprogramm- c
switchable between auto focus or manual, and und Zeitautomatik. p
the exposure control system e
offers aperture-priority auto exposure and Vor der Verwendungder KameralesenSie bitte
programmed auto exposure. sorgfiltigdieseAnleitung. L
vl
Beforeusingthe camera,be sureto readthis
instructionmanualcarefully.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 2Page 3 · Read text
3.Takinspicture ..................eo COntgntS 4. Takingoutthe film:.........,... ...............102
QuickGuideto Shooting ..... 16 Shooting Techniques
N a m e o f P a r t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ' ' . . . . . . . ' ' ' ' . . . ' ' ' ' ' . . . ' ' 2 o 1 ' F o c u s L o c k . . . . . . . ' . . . .
Preparations before Taking Pictures 2. AperturePriorityAutoExposure(Av) "......'.......""114
1. Loadingthe Battery .........26 3. ExposureCompensation..................---'-.---.'---.'-----122
<BatteryReplacement> 4. FlashPhotography:................... ........130
2. Frontcover .......... ...........36 <1' Auto-flashMode>
3. Concerningthe main powerswitch <2. Red-eyeReductionAuto{lash Mode>
and/orfocusingdial. ............ ............40 <3' Flash-offMode>
4. DiopterAdjustment ..........42 <4' Fill-inFlashMode>
5. Displayin the viewfinder.............. ........44 <5' Nightscene PortraitMode>
6. Displaypanel and ApertureDisplayLcD ...............52 <EffectiveRangeof the Built-inFlash>
<Home Position> 7. How to Pressthe ShutterReleaseButton ..............58
8. Set up and Printingthe Dateand Time ...................62 5. shootingwiththe self-timer: "'-----.----152
9. Loadingthe Film: ............74 6. ManualFocusishooting "'................160
10. Holdingthe camera ......80 <Depthof Fieldrable>
11. Basicphotographicconcepts ...........83 7' custom Functions """"' 166
Basic procedures for Taking Pictures <Listof custom Functions>
1. Turnthe Main powerswitchto "AF" .......................gg <settingthe custom Function>
. 2. Choosethe subjectsize(ZoominS)........................94
4View original page 3Page 4 · Read text
Camera Care and Precautions: o This camera containshigh-voltagecircuits.In case
O Fingerprintsand dirt on the lens and other parts of malfunction,never try to disassembleit by
yourselfbecauseit is dangerous. can adverselyaffectthe accuracyof the camera. lf
a lf you are going to use the camera for important _ they are soiled,cleanthem lightlywith lens
cleaningtissuemoistenedwith cleaningfluid.That events such as an overseastrip or wedding
is enough in most cases. ceremony,check to make sure it operatescorrectly
To removedust, blow off with a blower or dust off or make test exposuresbeforehand.lt is arso
with a lens brush. recommendedto bring a spare batterywith you.
O To clean the camera body, wipe off with a soft O The camera is a precisioninstrument.Do not drop
cloth. Never use organicsolventssuch as Denzene it and avoid intenseshock.
and thinner.
O After shootingon a beach or in a dusty place,clean <Using the Camera in Cold Weather>
the camerathoroughly.Salt air can cause lf you are usingthe camerain cold weather,keep it
corrosion,and sand and dust can adverselvaffect insideyour clothingto warm it up.
the cameramechanism. As the temperaturedrops,the batteryperformancewill
O lf the camera is suddenlybroughtinto a warm room be temporarilyreducedand the cameramay not
from the outsidewhere it is cold, the lens mav be operate.However,the battery performancereturnsto
clouded. normalat ordinarytemperature.
The cloudinesswill disappearaftera while,but
avoid suddentemperaturechanges if possible.
1 0
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-,i.:i:,.,)$ J-'ar,;View original page 4Page 5 · Read text
<When camera does not operate> Kamerapflegeund Vorsichtshinweise:
It occurs,though rarely,that the camera does not O Fingerabdrrickeund Schmutzauf dem Objektivund
operatedue to strongexternalelectricity.In this case, anderenTeilenkonnendie Leistungder Kamera
turnoff the main switch again and take out the battery. beeintrachtigen.EntfernenSie Verschmutzungen
Turnon and off the main switchand then reloadthe durch leichtesAbwischenmit einem Blatt
batteryafter the displayon display panel disappears. Objektivreinigungspapier,das mit etwas
Also,re-setdate and time. Reinigungsfltjssigkeitangefeuchtetist. Staub mit
einem Blasepinselentfernen.
<Camera Storage> o Zum Reinigendes KameragehAusesreibenSie es
O Keep the camera away from heat, moistureand mit einemweichenTuch ab. VerwendenSie auf
dust and store it in an airy place. keinen Fall organischeLosungsmittelwie Benzol
Do not store it in a wardrobedrawer containing oder Farbverdunner.
mothballsor in a laboratorvwhich handles a ReinigenSie die Kameranach Aufnahmenam
chemicals. Meer oder an einemstaubigenOrt sorgfdltig.
O Do not leave the camera and film for a long time in SalzhaltigeLuft kann Korrosionverursachen,und
hot places.(on a beach in summer,in a closed car die Mechanikder Kamerakann durch Eindrinoen
under direct sunlight,etc.) becausethe camera, von Sand und Staub beschddigtwerden.
film and batterymay be adverselyaffected. o Wenn die Kameravon einem kaltenan einen
warmen Ort gebrachtwird, kann das Objektivglas
beschlagen.DieserBeschlagverdunstetnach
einigerZeit, doch solltenpl6tzliche
Temperaturwechselmdglichstvermiedenwerden.11View original page 5Page 9 · Read text
O Exposurecompensationdial @ ApertureButtonB (Page114) @ Select Button (Page 59)
(Page 122) @ ApertureDisplayLCD (Page @ Tripod Socket (Page 152)
@ VieMinder (Page 44) 114) @ Set Button (Page 59)
/v? \ Self-timerLED (Page 152) @ FrontCover(Page36) @ Manual Rewind Button
@ LightSensor @ Lens (Page 102)
Battery Compartment/ \!, FocusingWindow @ LensBarrel o
@ AF-assistBeam Emitter @ Flash(Page130) Cover (Page 26)
(Page 98) @ DisplayPanel(Page52) @ Film Check Window
Release Button @ ViewfinderEyepiece(Page @ Camera Back Releaseo Shutter
(Page 58) 44) Knob (Page 74)
@ Zooming Button (Page 94) @ DiopterAdjustmentDial (Page @ Film Tip Mark (Page 74)
@ Dial Lock Release Button 42) @ Spool (Page 74)
(Page 160) @ FlashModeButton(Page130) @ Film Chamber (Page 74)
@ Main Power Switch and @ CameraBack @ DX Contact (Page74)
Focusing Dial (Page 40) @ StrapLug (Page196) @ Film Guides (Page74)
@ Strap Lug (Page 196) @ Self-timerButton(Page152)
@ Aperture Button A (Page @ DateButton(Page59)
114) www.orphancameras.comView original page 9Page 10 · Read text
n r|r| u)^l
O Open the battery @ LoaO the battery in the battery <Battery Check>
compartment cover by compartment with the plus(+) Afterthebatteryis loaded,turnon the
turning it with a coin in the and minus(-) ends correctly camera.Then," " (oisotavot $
direction of the arrow. placed as illustrated, then RemainingBatteryCapacity)appearsin
replace the cover. thedisplaypanel.
Use one 3V lithiumbattery(CRl23 or DLl23A) / Eine 3 V-Lithiumbatterie(CR123
oder DL123A)veMenden. / Utilisezune pile lithium3V (CRl23 ou DL123A)/
26 Utiliceuna pila de litio de 3V (CRl23 o DL123A)View original page 10Page 12 · Read text
<Battery Precautions> o The camera does not operateif the batteryis
O Generally,the batteryperformanceis temporarily loadedwith "+" and "-" ends wrong.
reducedby low temperature.lf you are taking The 3V lithiumbattery(CR123Aor DL123A)can not
picturesin cold weather,keep the camerawarm by be recharged.
puttingit insideyour jacket and taking it out only a Keep the batteryout of reach of children.
when it is needed.The batteryperformance
reducedby low temperaturereturnsto normal at an
ordinarytemperature.
O lf the (+) and (-) poles of the batteryare soiledwith
sweat or grease,poor contactwill result.Wipe both
poles clean with a dry cloth before use.
O lf you are going on a long trip, bring a spare new
batterywith you.
O Never put the batteryin fire and do not recharge,
short,disassembleor heat it becauseit is
dangerous.
32View original page 12Page 13 · Read text
<Precautions for front cover and during
operation of lens barrel>
O When the front cover or lens barrel is operating,do
not force it to stop.
O lf you put pressureon the tip of the lens by
accidentor turn the main power switchto " e " =
"AF" while in a camera case, it may rattlefor
approx. 1 to 6 seconds.This is not a malfunction,
but it works to protectthe inner mechanism. At that
time, if the lens is stuck,try the following: <Precautions for Opening and Closing the
e Turn the main power switchto "@ " once. Front Cover>
@ Turn the main power switchto "AF" again after O Openingand closingthe front cover must be done a while.
through"@" <+ "AF" of main power switch. - lf the lens does not returnwith the first try,
lf you force the cover to open by hand or try to repeatO and @ severaltimes.Then, the push it closed by hand, it may cause malfunctionor protectionmechanismwill be releasedand
damage. returnto normalcondition.
O Do not put extremeforce to the tip of front cover or
36 the tip of lens barrel lt may cause malfunctionor
www.orphancameras.com damage.View original page 13Page 14 · Read text
Entriegelungsknopf
Main PowerSwitchand/or FocusingDial HauptschalteruncUoderFokussierrad
Use main powerswitchand/orfocusingdial for on/off Hauptschalterund/oderFokussierradzum Ein-/
switchof camera'spower and manual focus Ausschaltender KamerafOrmanuellesFokussieren
shooting(Page160).When you changefrom @ " to verwenden.(Seite161).Wenn Sie von @ " auf "AF"
"AF",then the cameracan be set to'Full Automatic wechseln,kann die Kameraauf ,Vollautomatische
ShootingMode'(Page88). Also, when pressingthe'Dial Funktion'eingestelltwerden(Seite89). AuBerdemkann
Lock ReleaseButton'andsetting "infinity- 0.5",then - durch Drrlckendes Entriegelungsknopfesund
'Manual FocusShootingMode'can be set. Einstellenvon "Unendlichbis 0,5" - die Funktion
ManuelleFokussierungeingestelltwerden.40View original page 14Page 15 · Read text
Viewlinder Sucher
Diopter Adjustment Dioptrieneinstellknopf
Dial
This camerahas a built-indiopteradjustment Diese Kamerahat eine integrierte
unit.To adjustthe viewfindereyepieceto your Dioptrieneinstellung.
eyesight,turn the diopteradjustingdial untilthe Zum Einstellendes Sucherokularsauf lhr
focusframe in the viewfinderappearssharp and Sehvermogenden Knopfdrehen,bis der
clear.The adjustablerange is from +2 to -3.5 Fokussierrahmenim Sucherscharfund deutlich
diopters. erscheint.Der einstellbareBereichreichtvon +2
bis -3,5 Dioptrien.
42
www.orphancameras.comView original page 15Page 17 · Read text
@ Focusing Indicator(also Distance lndicator) @ rlasn mark:
<Whensetting to Auto Focusing> Lighted: Readyto fire the flash.
Delayedblinks(Twiceper second):The flash is Lightedor blinks accordingto the resultsof focusing.
charging.
*---':'- 5. 5-2. 2-1. 1: - 0.5 blinks =:J anO Quickofblinks(Fourrange of flashtimesshooting.per second):(lf theWarningsubjectisout J:10.5either 1- 0.5blinks too close, it will be'Over Exposed.And if the
one of them is subjectis too far, it will be'Under Exposed'.)
lighted. O StrutterSpeed:
'1000'means 1/1000secondsas to the displayof Focus within Too close to Not possible 'Shutterre Speed'and'15' means 1/15seconds.
the distance sublect. Make to focus When two shutterspeeds displayat the same time,
range of distance more it means that the shutterspeed is in-between.
display than 0.5m. Also, if 'LT' is lit, it means that the shutterspeed is
between1/10 sec. and 16 sec.
And if it blinks,it means that there is a deviation
<When setting at Manual Focus> from the exposurecontrolrange. lt will be'Under
Eitherone of - : 5, 5- 2,2- 1, 1- 0.5 is lighted Exposed'.'1000'blinks, Also, if this meansdeviationfrom the accordingto the settingvalue. exposurecontrolrange. lt will be'Over Exposed'.
45
www.orphancameras.comView original page 17Page 18 · Read text
Displayin the viewfinderis indicatedwhen the followingoperation L'atfichagedans le viseur est activ6dans les cas suivants.ll
isperformed.The displaywill go off automaticallyafter 8 seconds. disparaitautomatiquementaprds 8 secondes.Cette temporisation
Thisdesignof displayin the viewfinderis to save the battery. d'affichage6conomisel'6nergie.
1)Whenmainswithturnedto'AF' 1) Quandon d6placel'intenupteurprincipalsur'AF'
2)Withmain power switch to 'AF', it displaysby pressingthe 2) LorsqueI'interrupteurprincipalest d6jd sur'AF', l'affichage
shutterreleasebutton halfwaydown. Also, ij you operatethe r6apparaitlorsquele d6clencheurest enfonc6d mi-course.
buttonsduringdisplay,the displayis postponedfor another8 Si une commandeest manipul6een cours d'affichage,la
sec0nos. temporisationest repouss6ede I secondes.
DieAnzeigeim Suchererfolgt,wenn die folgendenVorgdnge Para visualizarla informaci6nen el visor, se debe realizarla
durchgeftihrtwerden.Die Anzeige erlischtautomatischnach 8 operaci6ndescritaa continuaci6n.La informaci6nse apagard
Sekunden.um die Batteriezu schonen. autometicamenteal cabo de 8 segundosa fin de no gastar
1) Wennder Hauptschalterauf ',AF'gestelltwird excesivamentela oila.
2) Wenn in dieser Positionder Ausloserleichtgedrucktwird. 1) Girar el bot6n de encendido/apagadoa la posici6n'AF'
WennSie ferner Einstelltastenwdhrendder AnzeigedrLlcken, 2) Pulsarel disparadorhasta la mitad para obtenerla informaci6n
wirddie Anzeigeum weitere8 Sekundenverlangert. en el visor.
Si toca cualquierbot6n con la informaci6nen el visor, 6sta se
mantendradurante8 segundosmds.
51View original page 18Page 19 · Read text
@ Sef-timer Display(10secondsor 2 seconds)
(Page 152)
ffimlrfiffiIr @ exposure Counter, Date and Time,
Exposure Compensation Value, Manual
Focusing Set-up Distance, Self-timer
counter, Each display of Custom Function
@ ftash Mode Mark (Page 130)
AutoFlashmode " f,o '' +H.HtrH;HHwww.butkus.us Red-eyereductionflashmode "g6r' "
uO " Flash-offmode
O Oate Mark (Page 62) Fill-inflash mode " U "
Y.M.D(Year,Month,Date),D.H.M(Day,Hour, Night Scene Portraitmode "S1gt "
Minute),M.D.Y(Month,Day, Year),D.M.Y(Day,
Month,Year)
@ Spot Focus Display
It is displayedwhen focus range is spot focus.
(Page 166, 178)
@ Oisplay of Remaining Battery Capacity
52 (Page 28)
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<Aperture Display LCD> <Blendenanzeige-LCD>
O " P " (seite91,181)
@ " P "(Page 90, 180) Wird angezeigt,wenn die Belichtungsfunktion
When exposuremode is "Programmautomatik"eingestelltist.
set' ProgramAuto',is @ glendenskala (Seite 1 15, 181) displayed.
Wird angezeigt,wenn die Belichtungsfunktion
@ eperture Scale (Page "Zeitautomatik"eingestelltist.
1 1 4 , 1 9 0 ) @ glendenwert (Seite 1 15)
This scale displayswhen Die Anzeigedes Blendenwertesist der Wert bei
AperturePriorityAuto is 30 mm (Weitwinkel).
set. Der tatsdchlicheBlendenwertbei 60 mm (Tele) @ eperture Value (Page 114) wird auf Seite 1 19 angegeben.
The displayof aperturevalue is the value at
30mm(wide-angleside).Actualaperturevalue at @ " G r T "
GOmm(telephotoside) is indicatedon Page 1 18. Dies ist der tatsdchlicheBlendenwertbei 60 mm
(Tele),wenn der Blendenwertvon F3,7 bei 30 mm @ " G . 7 " eingestelltist (Weitwinkel).
This is actualaperturevalue at 60mm(telephoto
side)when set with actualaperturevalue of F3.7 at
30mm(wide-angleside).
56View original page 20Page 21 · Read text
Press the shufter release button halfway:
This works for Focusingand ExposureMetering.
Press the shutter release button fully:
Lens movesto the focusingposition,trips the shutterfor
shooting.Afterthat,the film is winding.
* Pressthe shutterreleasebuttonlightlywith the pad
Presstheshutterreleasebuttonfully of your indexfingerto preventcamerashake.Also,
pleasereferto 'Holdingthe Camera'(Page80).
The operationof the shutterreleasebuttonhas two O Focusingpositioncanbe changedwhenpressingthe
steps.To pressdown to one step, is called'Pressthe shutterreleasebuttonhalfwaydown.
shutterreleasebutton halfway'.And to press down from
one step to secondstep, is called'Pressthe shutter
releasebuttonfully'.Shutterreleasebuttonworks for the
followingfunctions.
58
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@ @ @
. l - =ru ml=M l%,1
@ Press select button and the number blinks a As to settingthe time,when 'Minute'blinks,press
which you want to set. selectbuttonsimultaneouslywith the time signalto
set the correcttime, startingfrom "00" seconds.
Date and time displayto be set is turned off after 8
@ Press set button and set correct number. secondsand switchto exoosurecounterwith date
mark displayonly. 'Time', 'Date' and@ Wnen finish setting press The displaywith blinkingchangeto date mark and
select button until the blinking of number the displayof exposurecounterif it leavesas it is
turns off. for approx.60sec.This can be set to the numberof
the displayof the blinkingvalue.Correctionof date
63 and time must be finishedwhile blinking.
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<Printing the Date and Time>
This cameracan printdate or time automaticallywhile
takingpictures.
O Press the date button and choose the date
mode.
Each time you press the date button,the dating
mode switchesin the followingorder: (No printing)
= Month-Day-Year.= Day-Month-Year= Year-
Month-Day+ Day-Hour-Minute.Set your desired
mode. PrintingPosition
O Settingdate and time displaydisappearsafter o The positionof printingis in the bottom right
appox.Ssec. and switchesto exposurecounter corner. lf the backgroundof printingpositionis
with date mark displayonly. Press the date button brightlike whiteor yellow, it may be difficultto
if you desireto check the contentsof printing. read the number.
o lf you do not want to print the date or time, set -----
--- and shoot. @ Depress the shutter release button to
Last frame which has been taken beyond
shoot and date or time will print. prescribedframes, it may not printed correctly70
according to the mechanism of this camera.View original page 24Page 25 · Read text
Tho film tip mark / Symbol for Filmanfangsposition/
Repere pour I'amorc€ / Marca para la punta de la
p€llcula
Spool /
Filmaufwickelspule/ Film Guide / Filmt0hrung/
Bobine r6ceptrice/ Bails de guidage / Gulas pan
Bobina la pellcula
Open the camera back by pushing down the camera The film tip shouldbe pulledout as far as the orange"1"markand
back release knob in the direction of the arrow. placedon the spool. Place the film insidethe upper and lower film
z Load DX-coded lilms and set the film tip to the mark "1". guides and take care that it does not curl up
The film cassette is inserled slantwise in the film
chamber.
74
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Close the camera back securely.
Turn the main power switch to "AF"(main power switch lf the main power switch is otf ' film does not @'the
is'ON'), then the film advances automaticallyand stops advance automatically.
when the exposurecounter shows "01".
76View original page 26Page 27 · Read text
lf the exposure counter blinks at "00", the film is not Wenn der Bildzdhlerbei "00" blinkt,wird der Film nicht
advancing properly. Open the camera back and reload richtig transportiert. Die Kamerartlckseiteoffnen und den
the film. Film erneuteinlegen.
Wenn Sie DX-codiertenFilm benutzen,stelltdie Kamera lf you are using DX-coded film, the camera
automatischdie Film-emptindlichkeitein. Wenn Sie nicht automaticallysets its film speed. lf you are using non-
Dx-codiertenFilm benutzen.wird die Film-empfindlichkeit
DX-coded film, the film speed is automaticallyset to automatischauf ISO 100 eingestellt.
tso 100. Daraufachten,die DX-Kontaktenichtzu bertlhrenoder zu
o Take care not to touch or soil the DX contacts. verschmutzen.
a Always load and unload film in subdued light. Den Film stets bei geddmpftemLichteinlegenund
o When loading film for the first time, be sure to remove entnehmen.
the protective sheet in the camera's picture area frame. Beim erstmaligenEinlegeneines Films unbedingtdas
Schutzpapierin der Filmfuhrungentfernen.
78
www.orphancameras.comView original page 27Related documents and language editions
From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.