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Although the Contax Tvs ii was first released in 1998, it remains a popular and relevant camera among film photographers today. In fact, many photographers consider it to be one of the best compact film cameras ever made. Here are some reasons why the Contax Tvs ii is still worth discussing in 2023:
The Contax Tvs ii is equipped with a high-quality Carl Zeiss lens that produces sharp, vivid images with great color rendition. The lens is a major reason why the camera remains popular among photographers today.
In recent years, film photography has experienced a resurgence in popularity. Many photographers are rediscovering the joys of shooting with film, and the Contax Tvs ii is a great camera for those who want to experiment with film photography.
Its titanium body is durable and lightweight, and the camera's mechanical components are designed to withstand years of use.
The Contax Tvs ii has a classic design that many photographers find appealing. Its understated, minimalist look is timeless and won't go out of style.
Although the Contax Tvs ii is no longer in production, it is still widely available on the secondary market. This means that photographers can easily find and purchase the camera if they want to add it to their collection.
Understanding the different controls and settings on the camera is essential for getting the most out of it. Here are some of the key controls and settings on the Contax Tvs II:
The focusing dial: Set to “AF” mark in order to assign the camera to auto focus and 0.5m to infinity for manual focusing
The aperture dial is situated on the lens and is dialed in independently of the zoom dial. Set the aperture to P for full Auto and from 3.5 to 16 for Aperture Priority
The zoom dial is situated next to the aperture dial. When you zoom in the lens will expand and when you zoom out, the lens will retract.
The shutter button is situated on the right side of the top plate. Half press the button for autofocus while the dial is set to AF.
Frame counter window is situated next to the shutter button
Below the shutter button there is a timer toggle that will take the picture after exactly 10 seconds when the shutter button is fully pressed.
On the left side of the top plate there is a flash button, that when clicked will change the flash mode shown in the window next to it.
Below the flash window there is an exposure compensation dial
The viewfinder on the Contax Tvs II is bright and clear, and provides a 85% coverage of the image frame.
The camera came with different back covers like a databack, that prints the date the picture was taken on your photo, or a panorama back that lets you take panorama shots. All databack come with a little window to remind you which film stock you are currently using.
On the bottom plate there is a mount for your tripod, a battery compartment and a forced rewind button if you wish to rewind the film inside the case before you take all the shots. When you take all the shots, the camera will automatically rewind the film for you, no need to use the rewind button.
Now that we know the basic controls of the camera, I am going to present you with a few tips and tricks I’ve gathered during my years of using this hidden gem:
In order to view the focal length you are currently using, with the camera open, half-press the shutter button and look at the frame counter window next to it.
Let’s be honest, you seldom use the flash and it can be annoying to have the flash turned on as default every time you turn on the camera. There is a special function to change the default behavior of the flash.
With the camera turned on, press and hold the flash mode button for 3 seconds until the flash mode starts blinking
Remove the finger and press it again, toggling the flash mode until you arrive at Flash mode turned off
When the display remains with steady light, the camera will keep this mode every time you switch the camera on
Have a go and test this. Turn the camera off and back on again. What mode does it show?
3. Make sure your camera doesn’t focus when you press the shutter button halfway. This can help minimize the strain on the internal mechanisms when you keep trying to focus, but don’t actually take a picture. This is how you do it:
With the camera turned on, press and hold the flash mode button for 3 seconds until the exposure counter shows either “0” or “1”
When the number blinks, push down on the self-timer and push it up again. Every time you repeat this cycle, the number will change. Keep it on “0”.
This way, you only need to half press the shutter button to focus lock and exposure lock, all while nothing moves inside, extending both the battery and the camera’s lifespan.
4. Speaking of focus and exposure lock, when you half press the shutter button, the camera will lock both focus and exposure, regardless of your setting done with the help of the previous tip. Don’t forget that you can use the manual focus dial. When the dial is set to a value other than “AF”, half-pressing the shutter button will only lock exposure. This way you can have your desired focus and exposure, while recomposing away from your subject in challenging light conditions at your heart’s content. Even if this camera was designed to be fully automatic, believe me, it doesn’t have to be.
5. You can help yourself with an external light meter to spot meter your subject. In the viewfinder, you can always read the shutter speed being used, in real time. You can spot meter your subject and then use the exposure compensation dial to match the setting on your external light meter. Just remember to set the aperture manually on the camera.
While understanding the various controls and settings on the Contax Tvs II is essential for shooting with this camera, it's equally important to practice and experiment with different techniques to find the ones that work best for you. Whether you're new to film photography or have years of experience, there's always something new to learn and explore with the Contax Tvs II.
So, I encourage you to take the time to try out the tips and techniques discussed in this article. Experiment with different lighting conditions, films, and settings to see how they affect your images. Take note of what works and what doesn't, and make adjustments accordingly.
Don't be afraid to make mistakes, as they can often lead to unexpected and creative results. Film photography is a medium that requires patience and practice, but the rewards can be truly satisfying.
By practicing and experimenting with different shooting techniques, you'll not only improve your skills as a photographer, but you'll also gain a deeper appreciation for the Contax Tvs II and the art of film photography.
So, grab your Contax Tvs II, load up your favorite film, and start shooting! I can't wait to see the amazing results you'll achieve.
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