Contax T3 User manual

CONTAXT3-





    Instructionmanual . Bedienungsanleitrnn
                      @

Thank you for purchasing this Contax product. The
Contax T3 has been designed according to the basic
philosophy of providing the user with pleasure in
handling, and use, as well as the production of fine
photographs. Simple enough for casual use, it provides
the controls needed for doing justice to those special
occasions. The Contax T3 is a 35mm lens-shutter
camera equipped with both automatic and manual
focusing controls, programmed automatic and
aperture-priority automatic exposure modes, long-time
exposure mode, exposure compensation and a focus-
lock feature.
Beforeusingthis camera,pleasereadthe instructions
thoroughlyto gain a correct understandingof camerafeatures.

           In addition to its standard features,this
        camera is equipped with "Custom Functions"
         which may be set manuallyif desired.See
        page 47 for fudher details.Custo4nFunctions
         areindicated in the text by tne      mark.                  @





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Hand Strap (included accessory)
 Attachthe handstrapto the cameraas shown.





a The strap adjustercan be used for opening the battery compartment
  and manuallyrewindingthe film in the middleof a roll.


Soft Case (included accessory, leather)
Thecameracasemaybe usedwhena DataBackis attachedto
the camera.





o When carryingthe soft case on your belt, take care to avoid dropping
  the cameraduring insertionand withdrawal.

Shutter release button (P. 14)               Viewfinder illumination window
Mode dial (p. 17)                                    Viewfinder(p. 8)

AFL button (p. 32)                         Mode button (p. 17)

                                               Flash mode button (P. 16)Dial lock-release
button (p. 16, 37)
                                             Displaypanel(p. 10)

Main switch/
Aperturedial (p. 16)





                                                   Flash(p. 26)


 Camera back release                                                 SelftimerLED (p. a0) knob (p. 18)
 Autofocus window                                 Lens/Lensbarrier

 AF assistlight (P.25)                                            Light sensor


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The PictureArea FrameO, Close-up ParallaxFrame@ and Focus frame @
are alwaysvisiblein the viewfinder,but other indicatorsappear only under
the conditionsindicatedbelow, and automaticallydisappearafter 8 sec to
save battery power:
1) When the camera is turned ON.
2) With the camera is tumed on, wheneverthe shutter releasebutton is
   depressedhalfway.(Also,when the " 7  " or "AFL" buttons are
   depressed).
e Pictureareaframe
  These marks indicatethe outer borders of the image that will be
   recordedon film under normalconditions.(p.24)
@ Close-up Parallax Frame
  These marks indicatethe outer borders of the image that will be
   recordedon film when shooting at very close distances(approx.
   0.8 m - 0.35 m). When shootingclose-ups,be sure the subject
    fits within these marks.
@ Glose-up (macro)  indicator   " S "
   Lights: When camera-to-subjectdistance is between approx.
          0.8 m and 0.35 m.
   Blinks: When camera-to-subject distance is too close (outside
            of focusing range).
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(For purposes of explanation all indicators are shown here; the actual
display contents differ depending on photographic conditions.)
 @AUTO
           MFSM


9. Flash Mode (p.16,26)
                                 rr AUro'   AutomaticFlashMode'  I
  Red-EyeReductionFlashMode:" f 8o  "
                        rr(D rr   No-FlashMode:
    Fill-inflashMode:" t  "
   Night Por.traitFlashMode: " t       "                      Ho
O Display of battery capacity  (p. 13)
O tvtode Indicators and Settings (p. 38-46)
   Exposurecompensationmode:
           " E) " or " Fl" and compensationvalue
   Selftimermode: " S  " and timer setting
   Long-timemode: "LT" and shuttersetting
   Focussettingmode:" nF  " or "MF," and settingdistance
@ Exposure counter
   (alsodisplaysremainingtime for selftimerand long-time
   exposure).
                              t'CF"O Custom function mode:      and setting item
   (Example:" ltl  ") (p. 47)

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Open battery                       1^                        compartmentcover1                        Usingthe hand strap adjuster
                            as shown,turn the battery
                          compartmentcover counter-
                              clockwise,so that its "o" mark
                                      is alignedwith the "." markon
                              the camerabody.
                                    r) Insert new battery
                                             L
                      Be surethe batterypolesare
                           orientedcorrectlyas indicated
                            insidethe batterycompadment.2                     A single3V lithiumbattery(type
                     CR2)is required.
                  Q Close the battery                                          -                          compartment by
                            aligningthe "o" mark on
                           the cover with the "o"
                       mark on the camera body
                       and rotating the cover
                          clockwise.3

                           <Battery Check>
                             Afterinsertinga newbattery,
                          operatethe cameraonce;the
                           batterychargeindicator" a"
                         shouldappearin thedisplay
                                 oanel.





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<Battery Replacement>
Display of battery capacity                        The batteryshould be rePlaced
                       when the batterycharge
             Batteryis full       indicator" r---" blinksin the
  E=                        displaypanel.Turnoff the
                        camerabeforerePlacingthe
                               battery.

                                    o Photographs can still be taken
         New                                                                    battery                                                    the remaining                                    when                  batterywill       even    frlLd             oe neeoeo                                                                                     " cia"  begins                                 power                                                indicator
               shortlY                   to blink, but the battery should
   (Blinking)                         nonetheless be changed as soon
                                    as possible. lf the remaintng
        . l                                     battery power falls below a
 - n          Reolace battery         certain point, the " cl    " mark on
              as soon as             the display panel will blink and        '      t              Possible               the camera will not operate.
   (Blinking)                       o Due to individual manufacturing
                                          characteristrcs, some batteries
                               may cause the battery Power
                  -  Battery is emPtY        indicator " {a"   to blink
                                         temporarily after the battery is
                                   changed. lf this occurs
                                      immediately after changing a
                                            battery. turn the Power switch
                             OFF and then ON again, if the full
                                          battery power indicator " aa"
                                     appears when the camera is
                                        turned on again, the battery can
                                   be used without Problems.





                                              1 3

Shutter ReleaseButton

      V
                    -  t  lZ-r--llt  -            , / \
    Halfway     Fully       Halfway depressed   Fully depressed
    depressed   depressed


The shutterreleasebutton is designedto be pressedin two stages,
the "halfwaydepressed"position,and the "fullydepressed"
position.In the two positions,the shutterreleasebuttonoperates
as follows:

Halfway depressed:
Lensis focusedand lighton subjectis metered.

Fully depressed:
Lensis extendedto focusingposition,shutter released,picture
takenand the film is woundto nextframe.

*  To preventcamerashake,pressthe shutterreleasebutton
   gentlywith the pad of your indexfinger.Be sureto oservehow
   to holdthe cameracorrectlyas well (seep. 15).

        desired, the camera may be set so that the lens will extend to the@        I
      focus position when the shutter release button is in the halfwav
     depressed position (p. 47).





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Horizontalposition             Vertical position
 Q HotOyourelbowscloseto yourbodyto stabilizethe camera.
 @ UolOyourbreathas you squ€ezethe shutterreleasebutton'
 @ Don'tgraspthe cameratoo tightly,andpressthe shutterrelease
    buttongently.

Inorderto assurewell-focusedphotographs,it ts importantto
graspthe camerafirmlyand securely.Most poorlyfocused
pnotograpnsare causedby "camerashake"(movementof the
cameraduringexposure).
Inadditionto the normalhorizontalposition,the cameramay also
beheldverlically.But in both casesyou shouldtry to find the best
holdingposturefor your needs.lf possibleleanagainsta wall or a
treeetc or rest the cameraon a stablesurface.

o When shooting, be careful not to allow your fingers or camera strap to
  block the camera lens, rangefrnderwindow, light sensor, AF assist light,
   or electronic flash.
o when taking vertrcal-composition pictures, holding the camera with the
   flash at the top will help produce photographs with the most natural
   lightrng.
 Whengraspingthe camera,take care not to touch the lens
  barrel.


                                              1 5

The Main Switch/Aperture Dialis
  Main swftch / Aporture dial     used to turn the camera ON/OFF,
                         and for setting the aperture value
                       when using the aperture-priority
                            automatic exposure mode.
                     When the main switch is turned
                          from " G " to "P", the camerais
                           turned ON and readyfor use in the
                       programmedautomaticexposure
                     mode (p.23,35).By holdingthe
                                 dial lock-releasebutton depressed
                       and turningthe dialto one of the
                            aperturevaluesin the range"2.8-
       Dial lock-release button     16,"the camerawill be set for
                              aperture-priorityautomatic
                         exposure(p. 36).




                        The flash mode button is used to
   Exampledisplay during       select the flash mode.    automatic flash mode.                              Afterthe camerais switchedON,
                        eachtime you pressthe flash mode
                            buttonthe flash mode is changed
                                  in the order shown below:the
                          correspondingmode is indicated
                        on the display(p. 26).
                                                     I AutomaticFlashmodeIrt AUro"
                             z Red-eye-reductionFlastimode
                                                                               '.  AUTO
                           -E    I          "
                              No-flashmode "CD "
                          q  Fill-inFlashmode " t  "
                              9- Night PortraitFlashMode
                                                              rrr AUTO  tt
                                                                                                                                        ' @
    Flash mode button                         h.
                                  o The default flash mode (the mode
                                        set automatically when the camera is
                                     turned on) can be changed  if desired
                                             (p. 30).
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CONTAX1T3




         Mode button              ModeMode dlaldial


Usingthe mode buttonand mode dial allowsthe use of a wide
varietyof photographictechniques.For details,see p. 38-46'
Themodebuttonis usedto switchbetweenthe modesshownin
theaccompanyingtable,and the mode dial is usedto changethe
setvaluesin each mode.

  Order     Display       Mode              Settlng Contente
                   ExDosure        Compensation
         EJ or [J   compensation(p.38) value:-2EV - +2EY
                ,9      Selftimer(p. 40)    Delaytime: 10 sec or 2 sec
                           I T     Long-time         Shuttertime: 1-180sec
                   exposure@.q2)
       FIForurF                  Distance:0.4m-infinitY,AF                     :;:T*'"i"":"i"'





                                                    7 7

When the finalframe  of a
                                        roll has been exposed, the
  'AUTO               ffi        camerarewinds automaticallythe film into the
  E=                          cartridge.
                           Duringrewinding,the exposure
                             counterdisplaysdecreasing
                        numbersuntilrewindis      t               complete,at which Pointthe
                           motor stops and the exposure
                            countershowsa blinking"00".
                      When rewindis complete,open
                              the cameraback and remove
                              the film cartridge.
                   "00" blinks.
                             Never attempt to open the
                           camera back until rewindingis
                              complete.





o  After film is rewound, the camera will not operate again until the camera
  back is ooened.
o To manually rewind film mid-way through a roll, use the tip of the
   adjuster on the accessory strap (or other pointed object) to depress the
  rewind button "R". (Do not use an awl, needle, or other very sharp
   instrument).
(6ll     lf desired, the camera can be set to leave the film leader outside the
 -       film cartridge after rewind is completed (p. 47).





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<Aperture>
Theaperturein the lens controlsthe amountof light going through
thelensby becomingsmalleror larger.The size of the openingis
calledapedurevalue.The largerthe aperturevaluethe smallerthe
openrng.
<Shutterspeed>
Byvaryingthe amountof time it remainsopen, the camera's
shuttercontrolsthe amountof light reachingthe film. The lengthof
timethe shutterremainsopen is calledthe shutterspeed.
<Exposure>
"Exposure"meansto exposethe film to light.The amountof light
allowedto strikethe film is controlledby the combinationof
apedureand shutterspeed.
<Filmspeed> (lSO value)
Thefilmspeed refersto a givenfilm's sensitivityto light,measured
accordingto numericalvaluesestablishedby the International
StandardsOrganization(lSO).The smallerthe ISO value,the lower
thefilm'ssensitivityto light.
Thelargerthe ISO value,the higherthe film's sensitivityto light (the
filmis sensitiveto lower levelsof light).
<Depth-of-field>
Ingeneral,when the lens is focusedon a given subject,not only
thesubjectitself,but a cerlainarea in front of and behindthe
subjectwill also be in focus.Therangebetweenthe nearestand the
farthestpoint that is sharp is the "depth-of-field."The depth-of-
fleldon any given lens will changein the followingway:
J As the aperture is closed, the depth-of-field becomes larger, and as the
  aperture is opened, the depth-of-field becomes smaller.
? The deptn of field becomes larger as distance to the subject increases,
  smallerat closer distances.
3.The depth of field is larger behind than in front of the subject in focus.





                                             2 7

Turn the main switch from
                                                      tt   tP".
    AUro                     " @  to        m-"      t                       l|.t   lt     Thelenscamerabarrierautomaticallyis turnedon, the
                           opens,and the lensextendsto
                                        its shootingpositron.The          Display panel
                          cameraautomaticallydefaults
                                  to the followingmodes:



                                                    , P ? a l



         Main switch

l. Focusing-  automatic focus
Thecameralens automaticallyfocuses wheneverthe shutter
releasebutton is depressedhalfway
2. Exposure * Programmed automatic exposure ,,P"
Thecameraautomaticallyselectsthe optimumcombinationof
shutterspeedand aperturefor the ambient lightingconditions
Thismode is idealfor snapshots.
3. Flash mode *  automatic flash mode 't I auro"
Inthis mode,the flashfiresautomaticallywhen shootingin dark or
stronglybacklitsituations.When the shutter releasebutton is
depressedhalfway,the vieMinderdisplaywill show the " t  " mark
ifthe flashis goingto fire.
O Wheneveryoudo not Intendto usethecameraimmediately,turnoffthe
 mainswitchto preventaccidentaltrippingof theshutter




                                          23

I   Point the viewfinder's                                  ^                                 focus frame  at the       Plcture     Focus1  Area FramE  Frame          subject and depress the
                                shutter halfway.

                         The camerawill focus, and
                        when the subject is in focus,
                              the "o" markwill appearinside
                               the viewfinder,togetherwith the
                              automatrcallyselectedshutter
                            speed.
                            a  lf the " rl7" marklights,compose                     Shutter
          Close-up Sp€€d        yoursubjectinsidetheclose-up            Parallax                parallaxframebeforeshooting
         Frame                  (p 8)
                                                  I  Gently press the 2                                    -  shutter release button
                             the rest of the way to take
                            the photograph.
                             Thiscamerafocusesby means
                                 of an external,passive-type
                              multi-autofocus.As a result,
                             the subjectshouldremainin
                            focusevenif it leavesthe
                             focusingframeslightly.


     a                                                    -'l
         r

                                        r2a


     L r ' r                  J

             Multi-focus range

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) lf the " ?  " mark lights when the shutter releasebutton is depressed
 halfway,the camera's exposure meter has determinedthat the subject
 has insufficientavailablelight,and the flashwill be triggered
 automaticallywhen the shutteris released.lf the " I   " mark blinks
 quickly(4 times/sec),the subject is outside the effectiveflash operating
 range.Referto the table on page 29 and approach your subject closer
  untilthe blinkingindicatorlightssteadily.
I  lf the " {Z " mark blinks when the shutter releasebutton is depressed
 halfway,the distance between camera and subject is too close; the
 shutterwill not operatein this condition.Move fartherfrom the subject
 (minimum0.35 m) and try again.
I  lf the camerais unableto lock focus on the desiredsubject,the "o"
 indicatorwill blink rapidlyand the shutterwill not operate.Try focusing
 on anotherobject located at the same distance from the camera then,
 whilecontinuingto depressthe shutterreleasebutton halfway,train the
 cameraon the subject again and take the picture.
t  lf the "500" blinksinsidethe viewfinderdisplay,the subjectis too bright
  for the camera's automatic exposurecapabilityand will be overexposed.

Autofocus  (AF) Assist  Light
When focusing on a dim or low-contrast subject, the AF assist
light window emits a beam of infrared light to improve the
accuracy of the camera's autofocus mechanism.
The effective range of AF assist light is about 4.7 meters.

^uro  <1.Auto Flash Mode>  " +      "
  Inthismode,wheneverthe camera'slight meterdeterminesthat
  availablelight conditionswould resultin a shutterspeed slower
  than1/60sec, the flashfires automatically.
    I Whenthe flashis setto fire,the " t  " markappearsin the viewfinder.
  <2.Red-Eye-Reduction Auto Flash Mode> rt1$o   I'
  Whentakingflash photos of peopleand animalsin dark
  sunoundings,the pupilsof the subject'seyes may appearred in
  thephotographdue to the reflectionof the flash on the background
  ofthe eyes.
   r Whenthismodeis selected,the flashunitfirestwiceat an intervalof
   about0.7sec.Theshutteris trippedonlyat thetimeof thesecondflash.
   Betweenthefirstandsecflash,thefinderdisplaywillshowthe blinking
   "O"markandtheselftimerLED.Whenusingthismode,takecareto
     avoid movement  of the camera or subject between the two flashes.
  <3.No Flash Mode> "cD "
  Usethis mode when you wish to take photographswithoutflash,in
  orderto preservethe atmosphereof, for instance,idyllicsunsetsor
  interiorsubjects.Exposurewill be automaticallyset in accordance
  withthe brightnessof the subject,thus capturingthe scene's  {W
  naturalambience.                                                                                                                  iifikitis:a
I   r Wfrentaking pictures of low-light subjects,exposuretimes may be very
lE  long(maximum16 sec).Use of a tripod is stronglyrecommendedto
lI   preventcamera shake.
f fir Wnenusingthis mode,the flash mode indicalor" !   " will not appear
l&  evenif the scene is dark.
ts
lf' <+.rilt-in FlashMode>" t  "  Thismode forces the flash to fire, regardlessof the amount of
,. availablelight. In outdoor photography,portraitpicturesin bright
lr sunlightor backlightmay appearvery dark or silhouetteddue to
  thestronglight sourcesbehindor aroundthe subject.In such
       usingthe fill-inflashmode will add light to illuminatethe
     in subject,thus makingboth subjectand backgroundappear
       natural.(DaylightSynch Photography)
   Whenthe subject is in shadow and the proper shutter speed would
    ordinarilyfall below 1/60thsec, usingthe fill-inflash mode will causethe
    shutterto be set automaticallyat 1/60th sec.

                                            27

Notes about Flash Photography
I The " I  " mark in the viewfinder has the following
  meanings:
Lightedsteadily (when shutter release button is depressed
halfway):Flashwillfirewhenthe shutterreleasebuttonis pressed.
Subjectis within effective flash range.
Blinks slowly  (1 time/sec):   Flash is recharging (shutter will not operate
untilrecharging is completed).
Blinksrapidly (4 times/sec, when shutter release button is
depressedhalfway):Subjectrsoutsideeffectiveflashrange.The
distanceto subject is too far; if the picture is taken, it will be underexposed.
Eitherapproach closer to the subject or open the aperture until the blinking
indicatorlights steadily. The effective flash range is even narrower when
usingslide film, so refer to the accompanying "Effective Flash Range Table"
whenplanning your photographs.

<Etfective Flash Range> (ForStideFitm)
        --------------                          Distance  (m) 0 . 3 5 1      2 3 4                                -------
 Exposure/Aperture                       -                          l r  l r  l r  l r  l
            P                                                                    J
          F2.8
           F4
          Fs.6
          F8
            F 1 1                                                       l-l   For tSO 400 fitm
          F 1 6                                                [--l  For ISO 100 film
Whenusingthe apedurepriorityautomaticmode,the flashoutput
willchangein accordancewith the camera-to-subjectdistance.
Whenusingthe programmedauto mode "P", the flashmatic
systemis used,and the camera'saperturechangesin accordance
withthe camera-to-subjectdistance.For flash photography, we
recommend"P" mode. lf you stop down the aperture, the
effectiveflash range will be substiantiallyreduced.
I  lf you wish to take flash photographs at distances beyond the effective
  range of the  built-in flash, use the Contax flash adapter SA-2 (sold
  separately)together with the TLA200 flash unit (p. 57)

                                         29

whenthe shutterbutton is depressedhalfway,the lens is focused,
andit remainsfocusedat that distanceas long as the shutter
releasebutton is held halfwaydepressed.This functionis called
"focuslock,"and it allowsthe userto recomposethe picture
withoutchangingthe pointat whichthe lensis focused'
sometimestne maln subject may be located outside the central
focusframe of the camera; in this case' use the "focus lock"
functionto first lock the focus on the subject, then return the
camerato the desired composition and take the photograph'
1 Pointthe viewfinder's focus frame at the desired subject
 I  and depress the shutter release button halfway.
Thecameralens will focus on the subjectand "o" will appearin the
vreMinderto indicatethat focus is locked.
 r The display will show the distance at which the focus is locked. The
  distancewill continue to appear in the screen for about 2 seconds after
  the shutter is released.
 I simultaneously with focusing, the camera will also measure and set the
  exposurevalue for the picture (AE lock).
                        ,,o" indicator (4 times/second) indicates that the r A quickly flashing
  camera cannot focus properly on the current subject. In this case'
  performfocus-lock on another object located at the same distance from
   the camera before taking the picture.
 O While holding the shutter release button depressed
 L haltway,move the camera to compose the photograph as
 desired,and then press down the shutter release button fully
 totake the picture.
  I Focus lock will be released by removing your finger from the shutter
   releasebutton.
                                                               31