Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/08/11
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Here is a partial translation by an on-line translator: Two noble-compact the Topklasse: Leica mini lux zoom shot and Contax Tvs III. They look similar, address themselves to the same buyer category, but give it differences in the technical configuration. Who looks a noble-compact up in such a way specified, no large selection has. Only few manufacturers dare it to build expensive cameras for comparatively small series. Both test cameras originate from traditional camera kameraschmieden with probably-sounding names: Leica (mini lux zoom shot) and Contax (Tvs III). These have a direct community with their two-fold zooms at least. Leica mini lux zoom shot, which automatic already when touching one cannot extract oneself from the fascination. It is somewhat sharp-edged, but that finish from solid titanium is not to compare with metalized plastic. Although tough titanium belongs to the light metals, the Leica mini lux zoom shot almost brings 400g on the balance. If one opens the rear wall for inserting the film, becomes clearly why. Here metal prevails forwards, where precision and stability require it. Best camera technique with high gloss film guidance. The Vario Elmar zoom shot objective (1:3,5 6,5/35 70 mm) was developed in Solms. For the focusing both an active infrared autofocus and manual selection are available (starting from 70 cm in nine locking positions). The trip indicates a genuine pressure point, at the same time can that zoom shot comfortably with the thumb infinitely variable (!) be operated. Not particularly largely the sucherbild, but however brightly, is clearly and eyeglass suited. The leuchtpunkte for sharpness and lightning sit correctly, left from the Sucherokular. The exposure control exclusively takes place via program automatic, which in the middle-stresses measurement integral. Exposure and AF measured values stored with. Corrections of ± 2 EV can be input (0.5 EV levels). With the verschlusszeiten of 1 to 1/250s associate to " B " and " T " for night photographs (the lit LC display shows the time to 99 s). in combination with seven lightning functions arise delightful possibilities for stand accommodations, with which optional external lightning " CF " (code number 20 / ISO 100) become these meaningfully completed. Exposure corrections, lightning operating modes and the " T"-function leave themselves individually or combine to store, and are available also after switching off again. Besides a link for cable remote releases is available. Together with the manual focusing the mini lux are zoom shot, although automatically, prepared for series accommodations with identical adjustments in the best way. Contax Tvs III, the versatile in relation to the Leica mini lux zoom shot is somewhat smaller the Contax Tvs III and works owing to the fine roundnesses more elegantly. Which was said with the comparison model about type of housing (titanium), stability and the precision of the film guidance, applies also here. Impressing, and so far still with no zoom seen, the complete absence of lateral play is in driven out Telestellung. The objective is protected with switched off camera with a flap, which reminds strongly of old bellow cameras. One, with something fantasy, can use these even as sun visor. It takes the Sucherfenster off in closed status also, why " times fast by the Sucher do not look " is possible. Is just as impossible it logical-proves to photograph with closed cover. The Sucher is larger substantially than with the Leica, not quite so bright, but from exzellenter quality. The sucherbild is good inclusive Sucheranzeigen also with eyeglasses to over-look, a diopter correction is inserted. Information about verschlusszeit, lightning readiness, AF, exposure correction (± 2 EV in 1/3 or 1/2 EV levels) and manual focusing is inserted. The zoom, a Vario Sonnar of Carl Zeiss, operates within the range of 30-60 mm (luminous intensity 1:3,7 6.7) in five levels and has thereby at comparable luminous intensity a visibly larger view. The passive multi-autofocus will supported with few light by a AF Hilfslicht, via individual function can to Spot AF be switched. Displayed when manual focusing will the adjusted distance in the Sucher roughly, on the LC display accurately, and can via individual function be also fixed. As used for the Contax t-series, consists the trip of an artificial sapphire. The trip operates almost somewhat too softly, during the tests went off some shots too early. The exposure control offers a program automatic or alternatively an automatic timer with screen preselection, the display is inserted in form of a mini LCD in the flap. Six individual functions for personal adjustments are exclusive. These concern: Rewind the film, a focusing when touching lightly the trip (for short response time), Spot Autofokus, focal length preference with the power-on, distance storage and exposure correction levels. Likewise exclusively those is alternatively data recording without a special rear wall. The data are installation-cleared in the case of the film feed of a LED line (the elegant principle is not new actually, it for the first time applied with the Nikon 35 Ti). Contact with a product brings tester driving closer first usually begins with the operating instruction. Therefore this is not insignificant for the image of a label. Leica supplies for the simple mini lux zoom shot a 110seitiges document to five languages. Nevertheless, it offers swinging out index pictures, is by page arranged and well illustrated. Different with the Contax Tvs III, there there is almost 200 pages, the languages for each paragraph are sequentially arranged, which ausufert to the annoying Seitensuch Marathon. The cameras show completely different picture. Here basically praise is announced. The Leica mini lux zoom shot is simple and clearly conceived, the traditional quality seems formally seizablly, trips and zoomhebel sits perfectly, however could the sucherbild be larger. The Contax Tvs III is more fastidious and is situated more pleasantly in the hand. The trip has my opinion one too " spongelike " pressure point and is habituation needy. The same applies to the relatively small zoom shot keys, which one, with which eye at the Sucher finds, not at first attempt. The large sucherbild and the Sucheranzeigen are exemplary. The LCD is large, but does not light up. In the practice practice with identical filmmaterial (Kodak E100 VS), which both cameras expose approximately directly, with certain motives tends the Tvs III showed up however too more plentifully, the mini lux zoom shot to rather limited exposure. During the subjective evaluation of the sharpness (all test accommodations starting from stand) it became critical, because the quality of both objectives is situated very highly. With the comparison with different picture angles and distances the Vario Elmar of the Leica with the somewhat longer focal length shifted itself easily into the foreground. Sharpness and contrast worked, particularly with distances starting from approximately five meters, " more knackiger ", which probably not only the easy Unterbelichtung is to be charged. **time-out** result the Contax Tvs III be a charming and somewhat playful camera with a zoom shot, which more possibility for the ambitionierten user offer, while the Leica lux zoom shot simple precision with unencumbered automatic connect and the whole with a protrude objective crown. Marcel Siegenthaler © 1999 FOTOintern 19/99 - ----- Original Message ----- From: "tmlee" <clairetm@singnet.com.sg> To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> Sent: Friday, August 11, 2000 7:19 PM Subject: [Leica] ......... Minilux Zoom vs TVS III....... > Can someone translate it into English ?.... > > Peace > TMLee > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Pascal <cyberdog@attglobal.net> > To: LUG <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> > Date: Thursday, August 10, 2000 5:25 AM > Subject: [Leica] Leica Minilux Zoom vs Contax TVS III > > > >Battle of the titans: > > > >http://www.fotoline.ch/FOTOintern/99-19/titan-kompakt.htm > > > >Pascal > > >