RE: [Rollei] T4 vs Rollei 35 vs Minox?? Why not?

["Jorge M. Treviño" <jtrevino]

I'd venture to sugest the Contax T3 as a yet better option.

On the plus side:

Very sharp and well corrected six element lens, Carl Zeiss Sonnar 35/2.8.
Ability to set aperture manually.
Ability to set focus manually.
Distance indication on the LCD display.
Close up focusing to 0.4 m.
Close-up focusing indicator in the viewfinder.
Accurate AF, even close up and wide open.
Easy fix of AF and AE.
Exposure compensation +/- 2 stops.
Defaults to ISO100 if magazine not DX.
Small, fits shirt pocket comfortably.
Bright viewfinder with good albada lines with parallax correction marks.
Approximate shutter speed indicator in the viewfinder.
Several custom functions for leader out, retention of adjustments etc.
Currently in production.

On the minus side:

Pricey.
Setting focus manually requires fumbling with a push button and a small
knob. Not fast nor intuitive.
Focus done in steps, not continous (although that doesn't seem to matter for
accuracy)
Internal flash weak.
Dedicated external flash pricey and requires special adapter although that
enables using 3d party flash guns.
Use of filters requires pricey adapter, odd filter size.
(again) Defaults to ISO 100 if magazine not DX. :-)

I could never effectively use a Rollei 35 nor a Minox for candids --fared
much better with a IIIf with a collapsible Elmar 50/3.5 or 35/3.5 even if
it's not exactly pocket sized. The Contax T3 is fast becoming my everyday
choice due to its versatile array of features, superb lens and small size.

- --Jorge.

- ----- Original Message -----
From: Stephen J Dunn <bicycle55  >
To: rollei <rollei  
Sent: Saturday, February 09, 2002 1:04 PM
Subject: [Rollei] T4 vs Rollei 35 vs Minox?? Why not?


> Why not also include a discussion of a comprise between the Rollei and
> the T4:  The Minox GT-E 35mm camera.  Just like the others it uses full
> frame 35mm film..
>
> Specifications:
>
> Hot shoe on top of camera; insertion of flash foot sets the camera to
> 1/125 shutter speed.  Lightweight plastic body and much smaller than the
> T4.  Easily fits in a pocket.
>
> Currently in production
>
> Lens MC Minoxar f/2.8  35mm; made in Germany.  Between the lens shutter.
>  T4 is a little slower at f/3.5
>
> The Minox has manual f stops from f/2.8 to f/16.  Nothing to set on the
> Yashica T4--it even reads the film speed from the bar codes.
>
> Auto exposure:  You set the f/stop and the camera sets the shutter speed.
>
> Exposure needle in the viewfinder indicates the shutter speed to be set
> by the camera:  up to 1/500 second max speed.  T4 has a max speed of
> 1/700th sec but no indication of what setting has been selected by the
> camera
>
> Minox camera capable of using ASA 25 - 1600 film.  T4 limited to nothing
> slower than ASA 50.
>
> Minox can use slip on filters with integral rubber lens hoods available
> from Minox -- Great for black and white.  Can't use anything with the T4.
>
> Dual stroke film advance with the Minox.
>
> Manual guess focusing on the Minox like the Rollei.
>
> Self timer on the Minox
>
> The Minox has a 2X exposure compensation switch
>
>
>     Well now that you've got an idea of the setup, there's always the
> comparison between the Minox and the Rollei:  You can't select both the
> f/stop and shutter speed on the Minox as you can on the Rollei is the
> frequent criticism.  Well, actually you can get there from here:  First
> set your f/stop.  Then adjust the ASA setting dial on the camera to get
> the shutter speed you want.  It always provides the required setting I'm
> looking for in any particular shot.  I agree it does add a cumbersome
> aspect to the shutter time selection but it does allow for user selected
> speeds and stops.
>
>     What about the limitation of the 125th shutter speed when using a
> flash?  Well, there's a little probe in the hot shoe that's moved when a
> flash is inserted into it and that triggers the selected 125 speed.  I
> have an auxiliary hot shoe with a cut off corner.  When inserted into
> the hot shoe, it transmits the signal to the flash but allows for my
> selection of an f stop and shutter speed as noted above.  Works fine.
>  If the 125th speed is OK for the shot I just don't use the extra piece
> for the flash.
>
>     The lens is as sharp as you could ever hope for and gives great
> contrast.
>
>     I hope this adds a little to the mix.  BTW, I have the Minox GT-E
> and the ML (an older model) and the T4.  Alas, no Rollei.
>
>
> Steve Dunn
>
>

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