Contax RTS III

Advantages: Optical and build quality, size and features.
Disadvantages: AE and AF lock cannot be set independently.

...The last, best and smallest picture taker of the TVS series. The optics are much improved from the previous models incorporating 2 aspheric and an extra low dispersion glass element. The optics are so good that performance is near optimal wide open and stopping down mainly improves corner light falloff. AF is very accurate especially in the spot mode. Like it's sibling, the T3, there is no electronic rangefinder for manual focus assist, just manual focus settings. The biggest failing related to this is that unlike the T3, you can't independently lock AE and AF settings but intead they are linked together on the TVS III. The T3 gives you the additional option to lock focus with a special spot AF hold button and then lock exposure with the shutter button. This allows for recomposition of the shot without losing desired focus or exposure... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Very solid construction, excellent quality Zeiss lenses, excellent value
Disadvantages: It is fiddly to load the film, no TTL flash metering or DX film sensing

...I have used Prakticas for about 16 years now, and they are wonderful cameras. Seek one out in your local camera shop. A drawback with the more "modern" Praktica cameras is their obscure bayonet lenses. These are fantastic quality lenses and are exceptionally good value for money, but are hard to find. The B series cameras are similarly great, but are scarce. A short history of Praktica: Before the break up of Germany into East and West - the Carl Zeiss factory made some of the best cameras in the world. They are still doing so under the Contax name - check out how expensive Contax cameras are! In the East, the cameras were called Praktica, and they are just as good but a fraction of the price. This camera has no add ons - just centre-weighted metering and it is completely manual. It is also fairly heavy and chunky - but feels good... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Lenses, Build, Feel
Disadvantages: Viewfinder, Flash, Auto focus, noise

...I was excited about this camera. I wanted a light system that I could take anywere and I had read many good things about the lenses and build quality. I sold by Nikon N90s and most of my lenses to buy the G2 with 45mm and flash. I also purchased the 28mm and the 90mm and got a $700 rebate from Contax. Great deal! I wanted to love this camera- I really did. And there was much to love- superb lenses. fantistic build, great feel. But after using it for about two years, there were two things I could not get used to. The viewfinder was terrible- small and dark. I expected more for a camera the size of the G2- perhaps the view similar to a Leica M. It was more like the view that a point and shoot would have. The second problem was the flash. I was used to the wonerful fill flash Nikon produces, so the limits of the TLA 200 were... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful