Contax Archives

March 24, 2019

The Contax TVS is the Best Contax Compact to Buy Right Now

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/contax-tvs-review-3-of-7.jpg?fit=2800%2C1575&ssl=1 2800 1575 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 March 24, 2019 June 14, 2021

Popular opinion on the Contax TVS says that its sluggish aperture and softer zoom lens make it a third-rate camera. The choir sings that the TVS is the compact Contax that you buy, only if…

James Tocchio
19

March 13, 2019

I Called the Contax T2 Overrated, This Reader Disagreed

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/contax-t2-samples-15-of-17.jpg?fit=2800%2C1575&ssl=1 2800 1575 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 March 13, 2019 June 14, 2021

Every Friday, I end the workweek by posting an Ask Me Anything on the site’s Instagram stories. Through these AMAs, readers of the site and customers of the shop get a chance to yell at…

James Tocchio
21

January 14, 2019

Which Contax T Series Camera Should You Buy?

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/contax-T-guide-1.jpg?fit=2800%2C1575&ssl=1 2800 1575 Josh Solomon Josh Solomon https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/kodak-ektachrome-samples-josh-9-of-9.jpg?fit=96%2C64&ssl=1 January 14, 2019 June 14, 2021

In 1984, Zeiss’ Contax brand partnered with Yashica to make the Contax T cameras, a series of luxury compact cameras aimed at moneyed enthusiasts. The cameras were small jewels of photographic design and technology, and…

Josh Solomon
19

June 1, 2018

Contax IIa – Zeiss Ikon’s Best Classic Rangefinder Reviewed

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/contax-ii-a-review-5.jpg?fit=2400%2C1350&ssl=1 2400 1350 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 June 1, 2018 November 4, 2023

James reviews one of the prettiest and most storied German rangefinder film cameras ever made, the Contax IIa.

James Tocchio
52

April 23, 2018

Some Alternatives to Those Over-Priced Compact Point and Shoots

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/olympus-mju-ii-alternatives-1.jpg?fit=2200%2C1237&ssl=1 2200 1237 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 April 23, 2018 June 6, 2020

The Mju II, Contax T series, and Yashica T4 and T5s are some of the priciest (we might say over-priced) point and shoots. Here are some alternatives.

James Tocchio
50

April 13, 2018

Carl Zeiss G Mount 28mm F/2.8 Biogon Lens Review

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/contax-g-28mm-review-product-photos-3.jpg?fit=2200%2C1238&ssl=1 2200 1238 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 April 13, 2018 June 14, 2021

We review the Contax G mount 28mm Biogon for the Contax G series rangefinder film cameras and adaptable mirrorless digital cameras.

James Tocchio
12

January 19, 2018

Contax G2 Camera Review – The Anti-Rangefinder That’s in a Class of Its Own

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Contax-G2-camera-review-product-photos-12.jpg?fit=2200%2C1238&ssl=1 2200 1238 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 January 19, 2018 June 14, 2021

The Contax G2 is like no other rangefinder on Earth. In fact, its technological ethos employs certain tricks that are outright heresy to diehard fans of the classic rangefinder; it runs on batteries, its manual…

James Tocchio
29

October 27, 2017

A Week Away with the Contax T – a Perfect Travel and Street Rangefinder Camera

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Contax-T-product-photos-10.jpg?fit=2000%2C1125&ssl=1 2000 1125 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 October 27, 2017 June 14, 2021

Three film cameras; ten rolls of film. That’s what I packed for a recent week away. Among these cameras was the Contax T, an unbelievably compact 35mm film rangefinder that somehow marries luxurious excess to…

James Tocchio
12

August 13, 2017

Carl Zeiss 45mm F/2 Planar in Contax G Mount Review – an Almost Perfect Legacy Lens

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/contax-planar-45mm-F2-product-photos-8.jpg?fit=4000%2C2250&ssl=1 4000 2250 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 August 13, 2017 June 14, 2021

The Carl Zeiss Contax G Mount Planar 45mm F/2 prime lens is, without bluster, amazing. It’s helped me make some of my favorite images in years. It’s also irritating. Never before have I used such…

James Tocchio
25

April 4, 2017

Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm F/1.4 C/Y Mount – Lens Review

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Zeiss-Planar-50mm-1.4-bproduct-photos-1.jpg?fit=2000%2C1125&ssl=1 2000 1125 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 April 4, 2017 June 14, 2021

Today’s lens review isn’t going to change the way you take photos, and if you’re already shooting a fast fifty don’t expect to be surprised. Today’s lens review, while certainly worth reading (don’t you dare),…

James Tocchio
27

February 13, 2016

Contax 139 Quartz – Camera Review

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/contax-139-quartz-review-8-of-11-e1471610836949.jpg?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=1 1280 720 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 February 13, 2016 June 5, 2021

I recently found myself the reluctant owner of a Contax 139 Quartz 35mm SLR, a camera about which I knew little and for which I cared even less. After all, if this rebranded, electronic Yashica…

James Tocchio
81

August 17, 2015

5 Best Point and Shoot Film Cameras – Part 2

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/leica-minilux-point-and-shoot-35mm-film-camera-2-e1471213890288.jpg?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=1 1280 720 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 August 17, 2015 July 31, 2022

A while back, we published a rather popular list of some of our favorite point-and-shoot film cameras. We made it pretty clear that our list was just a small sampling of the amazing machines out there. Even…

James Tocchio
25

October 18, 2014

5 Best Travel Cameras – Film Edition

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/best-travel-cameras-9.jpg?fit=2027%2C1181&ssl=1 2027 1181 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 October 18, 2014 June 11, 2020

One of the greatest joys in life is travel, and one of the greatest joys in travel is taking pictures. Whether you’re looking to populate an album with touristy shots of famous landmarks, or taking…

James Tocchio
15