Contax T2

[@fab4foxes]

I have a T2 that I carried with me before digital. On September 11, 2001 I worked in the building that is now the Google NYC Headquarters, my office windows looked out on with the World Trade Center. I had several rolls of color negative with me and shot them all as the buildings burned and collapsed. Seven months later I had the camera with me in the delivery room as my wife gave birth to our twins. From witnessing the worst tragedy to the best moments of my life that Contax was there. True story.

[@-shakir5152]

Woah i need to see the pic now pleasee

[@kimyongun5471]

One twins collapse, and another born... Spectacular.. Is there any way where you can share the photos?

[@kalebzamudio2298]

@@-shakir5152 of his wife giving birth?

[@-shakir5152]

@@kalebzamudio2298 what?

[@lewisgilbert1120]

Can you share the photos

[@HaiderMatrix]

I feel like at this point the pool picture is just an inside joke for this channel. I laughed so hard when you climbed that fence for like the BILLIONTH time.

[@jankubat2694]

One day, there will be a statue of Jason striking his iconic "now imma climb this fence to shoot" powerstance.

[@madebymiguel]

i searched for this comment the second i saw him climbing

[@MiracleWinchester]

It's one of the earliest memories I have of this channel 😂

[@BraeHunziker]

Jason clearly still in denial that this is actually Baxter’s channel. It’s time to accept what has been true all these years my friend.

[@grainydaysss]

I needed to hear this

[@tazchars8857]

its all about barkster...it has to be.

[@obscura6205]

You two need a collab! Pentax 6x7 BROS

[@DogsandFilm]

Baxter's Appearences: -First 2:17 -Second 2:58 -Third 3:02 -Fourth 17:00

[@tejsurya]

Thanks for the info!!

[@theflyingbrit6345]

Username checks out

[@AlisterMalcolm]

You pulled out a scented candle and everything, what a romantic

[@l.s.11]

Yeah, I smelled it too.

[@RahimX]

Lenard Stipkovic bro i cant smell it i have covid what it smell like

[@ipokefan4]

You should try the “Shoot Portra at Box Speed” challenge next!

[@vikmanphotography7984]

Or the 'go on holiday without needing a liver transplant' challenge

[@kingsamvisuals]

@@vikmanphotography7984 sounds about right

[@Barzyz01]

agreed, it is almost painful!

[@wolz71]

Jason: putting some HP5 in his camera Also Jason: getting up at 5:30 AM to see the colorful sunrise and shoot it in black and white Joke aside, great new video!

[@twuuwttwu]

i had the same thought haha

[@nathanielphoto]

Lmao for real

[@theflyingbrit6345]

Is it just me or does the rollie 35 feel like the precursor to the contax

[@natty1115]

Another day, another stop at that pool

[@KaisuiSTFC]

I'm happy every time that depressed Ryan Gosling uploads a video. :)

[@randallstewart175]

Concerning the T2's inability to directly select its 2.8 aperture in aperture preferred metering mode: As noted in the video, apertures of 4.0 or smaller can be directly selected with the camera then selecting the shutter speed. If you select the 2.8 aperture, the camera switches to program mode and then selects both aperture and speed per its auto-exposure program. First, the program mode selects 2.8 until the light is so bright that its fastest shutter speed would still over-expose, then it starts reducing aperture to maintain exposure, so you usually getting 2.8 until it is no longer workable. Additionally, you can lock the aperture at 2.8 by selecting a flash mode. In daylight, the flash output is so whimpy that it will usually have no effect on overall exposure, and the metering will still select a good shutter speed, in effect trying to "fill flash" a daylight exposure balance.

[@Mmxxaamm]

Some other excellent alternatives to this camera (same or lower price) are: Minolta TC-1, Olympus mju-II, Obviously the Yashica (t4/t5/super), Rollei 35s, Contax TVS, Fuji Klasse, Leica C1, and the Rollei AFM35

[@amitdavidov9142]

Ricoh gr1 also

[@Mmxxaamm]

@@amitdavidov9142 Sadly I can not recommend the Ricoh series. They are extremely prone to fail and have LCD problems, and there’s virtually no shop in the world that can work on them anymore since their specific spare parts are very, very hard to find. All the cameras mentioned above will have similar issues, but after much research I found you can repair most of them and all of those models have much better and solid builds than the Ricoh.

[@itsjustpizza]

Nikon 35ti anyone?

[@Mmxxaamm]

@@itsjustpizza Yep that one too

[@hyppyrotta71]

Leica Minilux is also pretty darn great, but obviously I am biased since I own one. The ability to use the 40mm f 2.4 actually in f 2.4 in aperture priority is pretty great advantage over the contax t2. And the lens is actually pretty sharp and has super nice circular bokeh.

[@LouderPictures]

I still don’t think I need any other 35mm camera than my AE-1, but I must admit that Contax T2 is beautiful

[@AK46_]

I’m a sucker for the T2 but I can’t justify spending 600-700 for a point and shoot when I can just buy a medium format camera, I went with it’s cheaper sibling the contax TVS it looks amazing

[@fakename287]

@@AK46_ where the hell are you guys finding them for 6-700? All I can find are *MINT CONDITION* *FROM JAPAN* for like 3000

[@peterc3619]

@@fakename287 and they’re about to go up again since Kendall Jenner brought the damn camera with her to met gala these past days

[@randallstewart1224]

@@fakename287 I bought mine in the late 1990s, when I decided that I should buy a point-n-shoot camera for trips. (I had bought a Oly XA, which is a piece of trash, both mechanically and optically.) I was undecided between a Nikon 35Ti and the Contax T2, so I bought one of each (about $400 each in mint condition). I tested the lenses on real film exposures with lens test charts, and I used them a bit to get used to them. I keep the T2 and sold the Nikon for a slight profit. In terms of lens resolution, the Nikon 35Ti actually can give the best results at its optimum lens setting, but overall, the Sonnar in the T2 gives sharper images at more apertures, IMO more important for a P-n-S camera. Ergonomically, the T2 is simpler and far easier to use than the 35Ti, which has many bells and whistles not on the T2, but of the sort you'll never actually use. Its basic controls just suck. (And I am a confirmed Nikon system user since 1962, and in went in assuming I'd keep the 35Ti.)

[@neilabraham4429]

I click for the photography, but I stay for the humor. Dude is hilarious!

[@RichardDavidLive]

Ironically, Kendall Jenner's value has been steadily going down since her appearance on Jimmy Fallon's show.

[@drverano1918]

isn't she one of the highest paid models in the world rn?

[@gewglesux]

It's not her.. it's being on Fallon that will drop your popularity. Kendall is pretty cool.

[@fakename287]

@@civilianfrfr lmao imagine thinking "value" is based solely on your salary

[@lizalvarez428]

@@gewglesux can you explain to me why going on Fallon it decreases your popularity?

[@gewglesux]

@@lizalvarez428 Because he's just not a very funny person.. He's quite fake and if you can believe it or not he's less on funny now than he was SNL.

[@nateeames6826]

Why doesn't anyone ever mention the original Olympus XA as a great point and shoot option? It's super compact, shoots in aperture priority, has ISO selection, manual focus, +1.5 exposure compensation (though you can always change the ISO mid-role to compensate to whatever you want), and a super sharp f2.8 35mm lens. Oh, and it's like $80. Seriously underrated camera.

[@noamoster6417]

because its a rangefinder

[@b.brauner7500]

The Contax TVS is a great alternative and very underrated. I got both and while I prefer the T2 because of the extra stop of light and its sexynes, the TVS is worth every dime

[@benjhaisch]

I also took mine out in a rainy day in Canada... thought it was toast, but took the battery out and let it sit for awhile. Been fine ever since.

[@mattkaufman5531]

Just waiting for the day someone is selling one who doesn’t know what the internet is.

[@Derginator]

Facebook marketplace is good for that and stolen items so be cautious for obviously stolen gear

[@Mmxxaamm]

"The best p&s camera you'll always try to justify buying"... you just perfectly described by last two months

[@christianbentley3584]

Happy Thanksgiving Jason. Hope you have a semi-ok, passive aggressive, monotone sarcasm filled day.

[@NerveSpartan]

when he cut the contax t2 cake, I'm like thats it have my like

[@josephstitt137]

Lost it at the cake meme

[@Liberty0x]

"This is my channel. This isn't his channel" Keep telling yourself that man.

[@mohit-ng6sw]

the compositions of all your pictures are just great. love them all

[@danielgourdikian7263]

no baxter in the first 5 seconds, gonna have to dislike

[@grainydaysss]

Fair

[@BlackMantius]

Just discovered this channel. I laughed. Like actually, with real noise and everything. Thanks I love it here.

[@William_Oh]

Thanksgiving was going to suck as usual this year, but then you shared a video and my day turned from sorrow to joy. Thanks Jason!

[@lucarondon]

my girlfriend owns a t2 and I own a Nikon 35ti and I must say I am highly impressed at your ability to load film on the t2 with only one hand

[@Linkinbassist]

We all came for a brief glimpse of Baxter. Let's not kid ourselves.

[@tomwestbrook]

I used to lust for one of them T2’s, but used the $200 for a Mamiya 7 instead. No regrets.

[@armando.velazquez]

Funny I was just thinking of you in a non creepy way 😂😂 by far favorite film camera channel.

[@Joe951ZX]

just bought an Olympus XA2 to carry it in my pocket around Milan. It's my third film camera since August and yes, it's GAS baby!

[@JamieMPhoto]

I owned two T4s, but sold both. They were great but I just never used them, which is what I think would happen with a T2. Yet, I'm tempted.

[@danieldijo]

Best $5 thrift store purchase I have ever made.

[@thegrayyernaut]

I don't think I have seen a comment talking about how good the VFX for the cake cutting intro is.

[@filmhowyalike]

Another alternative that no one ever talks about, but has also become equally as pricey is the Klasse W. It has a super sharp f2.8 28mm (!) lens, manual iso selection (& DX), 1/1000th shutter speed & great ergonomics.

[@constantinhartmann3053]

Just a great video! I discovered your channel recently and I am impressed, well informed, entertained and inspired! Keep going!

[@trajtemberg]

Great review. You can almost feel the prices rising again.

[@derekhackert4585]

My t2 felt like a liability/ expensive brick that was always on the verge of breaking. Nice pictures but better to sell it before expensive brick turned into a brick brick.

[@CraigKeIly]

Came from recommended section and you got a new sub :D Loved the humor and the technical knowledge

[@june5430]

u should check out the nikon L35AF. i had that camera for about a year and it’s been amazing

[@eagereyes]

The Yashica T5 is a great little camera, I had one back in the 90s. If you don't need/want autofocus, the Olympus XA is hard to beat. Super compact and very well-designed little rangefinder camera. Make sure you get one where the film transport works, though. But last I checked, those were a lot less overhyped and overpriced than the T2.

[@rafkelezebest]

Dude you’re mullet is gorgeous. Makes me wish I still has mine

[@jokerberlin964]

Fab review - liked the outdoor session in Utah. Way to do such reviews dude!

[@yosefco]

your videos reminds me - why i love photography

[@randallstewart175]

By most of the measures being considered, a superior purchase would be a Konica Hxar AF. Better lens, better user controls, but a bit larger too. Unhappily, it costs a lot more these days than in the past but still about 35% less than the T2. If you want to go maximum imaging with full user control, find a really nice Rollei 35SE for about 40% the cost of the T2. In the mean time, I'll hold on to my T2.

[@fatsamurai869]

I was able to get the gold collectors edition at 12:56 for like $950 two years ago and it’s one of my favorite cameras I’ve ever owned

[@LocalSkaterInTown]

havent came this fast since my girlfriend left me

[@ethanwunder3788]

This man is the word “Deadpan” personified

[@tjeerdintveen1852]

It’s like X-Pan, but funnier

[@messsucher]

2:25 *Jason climbing on that fence of that swimming pool for the 2641th time*

[@musicdude1546]

Your videos deliver a vibe!! Great

[@mostlyvintagecameras4323]

I had one of these when they first came out and it was one of the best cameras I've ever owned. Really is a great lens.

[@matthiasbrenner5479]

Great great pictures! You were killing it with those early morning ones especially!

[@calebtitus6367]

your style is impeccable

[@filmbyhari]

What a majestic landscape!

[@jmbaug1229]

The B&W photos are 🔥 Thanks for your review !

[@Barzyz01]

great video, however, my Olympus Stylus 120 which took a swim on the Galveston, TX beach humbly smirks and chuckles.

[@actionimagesphotography]

Well that made me smile on a completely crummy day, thanks.

[@MarcS4R]

thumbs uo for Grainydays, i have a cheapo alternative to my Contax that i take along to parties : the Yashica T3.

[@emulsionvhs69]

My miata was built in 1991 lmao so 2 good things that happened that year

[@itsjustpizza]

Happiest. Car. Ever. You better hang onto it, because NA's seem to be going to same way as these film point & shoots. Sadly, I won't be following my own advice much longer :(

[@emulsionvhs69]

@@itsjustpizza I know I want to, it’s having some engine issues right now unfortunately though but I miss the damn thing

[@DRandR1productionz]

don't get me wrong its an amazing camera and when I finally got mine I was over the moon got it for a steal at £400 but honestly I much prefer the contax G series I feel the images are a lot better personally and I never would consider buying the T2 for £800+ like im seeing right now

[@crimsonnights2102]

At last after all this years (just 1 year). Now you have a review at last of this luxurios camera just like the Nikon F6. And also to those who comments Baxter is the main character ( i dont know if this dog have a certain charateristics , we don't know if one day his an alien disguised as a dog and annihilates us). I agree.

[@AdamWilkoszarski]

This camara is totaly different beast when you use quality lab and quality scans. Still cool results with a flatbed.

[@shaydjohnson8700]

I can hardly notice the difference between a shot on my Contax vs my YashicaT2... but the feeling of shooting on the contax makes all the difference IMHO.

[@JustinDuBois1]

What/where’s this campsite? Damn it’s beautiful.

[@welcobro821]

This man just contributed to the want/overpricing of this camera!

[@Shrek_Has_Covid19]

contax g1 is still cheap

[@thehandoftheartist6536]

I love my T2... got it before that price hike and I'll never sell it! Goes everywhere with me

[@camerachica73]

T2 was too heavy to carry around the whole time, which is what I wanted it for. Just picked up a T3 which is compact, beautiful and you can select f2.8, but it's even more crazy expensive and I'm shit shared to take it outside.

[@Thefury06484]

I got the standard champagne colored one complete in the box with a spare data back for 260$ in late 2015. Now it’s silly how much these go for, it’s a banger tho.

[@crysistec]

the joke the cake the pro mist filter owww i love this chanel

[@photog1529]

I do like your choice of bourbon...convinces me you're a man of distinction.

[@CHRISTOPH-B]

Wow dude, these pictures are awesome! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😳

[@joeplonsker633]

Great camera. Bought one for $200 off Craigslist a few years ago, but eventually sold it to get funds for a rangefinder. If anyone's on the fence about getting one, look up the original Contax T (same lens, no autofocus, weird door hinge contraption on the front).

[@terancepickles]

Everyone says that these are so expensive, but unless you want a 99% minty one you can find one at a reasonable price. I love mine, I've carried it every day for a year (unless it's a downpour) and I paid under 4,000 rmb (under 600 usd). Just gotta keep looking. 👍

[@bigboi146]

I'd love to buy the print of the accord at 3:26 it was my first car. heck it's even my profile pic!

[@aristoioannidis7490]

Very versatile camera. Kudos to you. After this, there is no way I can muster over $1K to buy it.

[@rbonacic]

Came for the camera stayed for the pictures subscribed for sass 😃

[@brandonburridge]

the mask / mullet combo goes hard

[@davidhunt9692]

Actually you can force the contax T2 to use 2.8 but you have to give up AF and us Manual focus- saves contax from getting the blame on missing the shot

[@oluismoreira]

I bought my t2 for 200 euros 4 years ago. It has been broken for almost two years. Last week I sent it to the UK for servicing and they just sent me an email with the estimate: 580£. I’ll have to pass.

[@john_murch]

Why pass? You would have a fully serviced (as new) camera for the price of a comparable (not yet broken) T2. Just a thought...

[@oluismoreira]

@@john_murch Thought about it but decided not to do it. I'll probably sell it for parts and get a much cheaper Yashica T4. The lens on it is also very good, I don't need the aperture priority mode since most of the times I left it on auto on the Contax and the main reason being I want a p&s camera to carry around mostly everyday and I don't want to be too concerned about the small fortune I'd lose if it breaks. My contax fell from my backpack (while the backpack was laying on the ground) and the on/off dial got stiff. I kept using it until eventually when turning it on it got loose and the camera never turned on again. I thought it was just the dial that snapped but they told me they would have to replace the main PCB. It was a small (15cm high) drop, I think the camera overreacted. Specially when is constantly praised for it's built quality. That being said, it was one of my favourite cameras to carry around and shoot with.

[@louford1952]

@@oluismoreira Fototech in Warsaw just repaired my G2 and TVS for decent money

[@oluismoreira]

@@louford1952 what was the issue with yours? Also if you don’t mind telling, how much was it? Can you provide a contact so I can reach out to them? Thanks

[@louford1952]

@@oluismoreira Hi Luis, shutter was broken on the G2 and the on/off button was broken on the tvs (i think a cable had ripped. You should get in touch with them about price. I think I paid around €400 for fixing and shipping kzbin.info/www/bejne/rn6vi6Bth6iNrNk

[@AryankalEL]

Best Contax T2 review with a twist of humour. Keep up the good work mate!

[@maxwellwellmax878]

A few years ago I got a Brand new Contax N1 with the Kit lens when B&H was getting rid of all the analog stuff, damn it i got the wrong Contax lol.

[@tonyzhao5373]

that cake is awesone

[@chrisbruinsma4384]

So thankful for this channel

[@LuisMartinez-fr6kd]

Film cameras are the beanie babies of our generation

[@videosuperhighway7655]

Lol good point.

[@ianboard544]

I've had one of these since it came out. I had a G1 and a T2. I sold the G1 and don't regret that, but kept the T2. There is something 'right' about the design.

[@FotoPirata]

Oh great! Baxter's channel is finally reviewing the Contax T2

[@obsidian00]

You know…I haven’t picked up a film camera since my K1000 got stolen back in 1996!!! That being said, thanks to YOU…I feel the call back to film!

[@fakename287]

god, I just looked them up again after a while and all of the titanium black ones are floating around the 2-3k USD mark while every other colorway is still sub-1000 I wonder why...

[@StrangelyIronic]

Prob could have bought a Leica M10 or M11 with all the rolls that went through that T2 lol. It's always depressing when I realize how much money film leaches away...at least I process and scan/enlarge for prints...but then there was the cost of building a darkroom when I built my workshop...well at least it's a business expense in the eyes of the IRS. The great thing about film is that it really just comes down to having a solid lens and a solid roll of film (or not if you want that look). Everything in between isn't really that important as long as it doesn't leak light and the shutter works. The compacts of the film days could rival a Leica if the glass was good enough, which it wasn't, that defeats the point of a cheap compact, but the idea is there and is pretty close with the more serious compacts.

[@jordhon]

mmmmmmmm some amazing photos in this vid!

[@thegenius203]

Liking cause of your sense of humor, I love it

[@BrunoBelcastro]

Great review and amazing photos Jason!

[@shademanirvanipour6870]

I used to have one one of these contax compact cameras few years ago and the flash stopped working because it picked up a DUST inside and to got it fixed in London would had cost me over £100.00 or so and it had to be SENT out of Uk to Germany so I decided I get ride of this camera

[@GoodBaleadaMusic]

I couldn't stop watching that. That was fun.

[@michaelsherck5099]

Nice review, thanks. All things considered, I think I'll keep my Konica Big Mini.

[@erichung9043]

A good alternative is a Contax T (1st gen) or better yet the original Contax IIa rangefinder.

[@JimmyKristanto]

omg the meme cracks me up but most importantly the it drives me to keep shooting again!

[@amplifierheadache]

I remember looking at a T2 three years ago, and I couldn't justify spending $230 on a point and shoot, fastforward to now and I am kicking myself quite a bit, but I picked up the Kyorcera TD and that has a Zeiss 35mm 3.5 and it only cost me $70 so I think I'm doing ok. Also I enjoy my Olympus Stylus and XA so my compact needs are well covered, I even picked up a Rollei 35 B. Also Baxter doesn't need to take your channel if he is obviously your overlord.

[@SteveMillerhuntingforfood]

All that electronics and the price scares me too. I'll just stay with my Olympus XA. I do throw it into my pocket and camera bag. Not too worried cause it's only $220.