Group: Moderator
Post: 2,033 (561 liked)
Join date: April 2014
Status: Long, long time Contax and Yashica user; glad to be here and hope to contribute.
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on May 14, 2021 11:56:22 GMT
Posted: May 14, 2021 11:56:22 GMT
Probably the most under-appreciated, and thus undervalued, of the Contax compact cameras is the Tvs. Tvs TLA140 SA-1Yet, it is one of the most versatile of the bunch with its superb 28-56mm Vario-Sonnar T* lens and its unique panoramic feature. While you can expect to pay well in excess of £1500 for a double-tooth Contax T3, you can buy the Tvs for less than the price of a Yashica T-zoom. With a range of auto and manual functions, it is easy to use and delivers images of exceptional quality. OK, the prime lens found on the T2, T3, etc. will outdo the zoom for edge-to-edge sharpness but you'd have to look very hard indeed to spot any slight drop in IQ. It's pictured above with the Contax TLA140, familiar to users of the G-series rangefinders, and the SA-1 Flash Adapter to boost the flash output of the camera. Pictured below is the Tvs alongside the Tvs-Digital which is more compact than its analogue elder brother and offers a 35-105mm zoom range. The styling of the latter shows its heritage from the Tvs. Contax Tvs _ Tvs-DIGITALThose 'titanium bricks' are cameras you either love or hate; few people seem indifferent once they've handled one.
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Group: Member
Post: 26 (6 liked)
Join date: January 2022
Status: old digital compact enthusiast, owns several kyoceras
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on Apr 7, 2022 19:01:21 GMT
Last Edit: Apr 7, 2022 19:25:02 GMT by sofi
Thank you for this review. I just got my copy of the TVS Digital today—I got incredibly lucky with an auction from Germany. I'm definitely in the former camp. The more time I spend with it, the more I like it. It might even be my favourite of Kyocera's digicams! I managed to upgrade the firmware to v1.05. I was also delighted to learn that the camera uses an NP-120 battery which seems to be plentiful in supply. These batteries can also be charged rapidly with a Fujifilm BC-65N fast charger for anyone who doesn't want to wait the 6+ hours it takes to charge the TVS Digital.
Now if only I could find a nice case for such a large camera...
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Group: Moderator
Post: 2,033 (561 liked)
Join date: April 2014
Status: Long, long time Contax and Yashica user; glad to be here and hope to contribute.
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on Apr 8, 2022 9:09:05 GMT
Posted: Apr 8, 2022 9:09:05 GMT
Thank you for this review. I just got my copy of the TVS Digital today—I got incredibly lucky with an auction from Germany. I'm definitely in the former camp. The more time I spend with it, the more I like it. It might even be my favourite of Kyocera's digicams! I managed to upgrade the firmware to v1.05. I was also delighted to learn that the camera uses an NP-120 battery which seems to be plentiful in supply. These batteries can also be charged rapidly with a Fujifilm BC-65N fast charger for anyone who doesn't want to wait the 6+ hours it takes to charge the TVS Digital. Now if only I could find a nice case for such a large camera... Hello sofi, I'm so pleased to hear that you are enjoying the fabulous Contax 'titanium brick'. My only irritant with the TVS-D is that, when compared with the SL300RT, i4R or U4R, it takes a few extra moments before it's ready to shoot. Don't forget that it can be used tethered to the AC-71L/AC-73L power adapters when indoors if all your batteries fail. I see on the UK Ebay site there is a listing (eBay item number:255162921560) for the Contax leather case for the T2/TVSIII; it looks as if he is only shipping to the UK but it might be worth checking with him. The TVS-D should fit inside any case made for the TVSIII as its overall dimensions are very similar, though it may not have the internal pocket for the remote control that is provided with the TVS-D's case. The usual case for the TVSIII is actually a soft leather case and I use it on a few of my TVS-Ds. If you continue to have problems finding a matching Contax case, send me a private message as before.
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Group: Member
Post: 26 (6 liked)
Join date: January 2022
Status: old digital compact enthusiast, owns several kyoceras
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on Apr 9, 2022 6:04:55 GMT
Posted: Apr 9, 2022 6:04:55 GMT
Hello Graham,
Good point about the power adapters! I also found success with running it off a DC 5V to USB cable plugged into a 2.1A power brick (disclaimer: do this at your own risk), so it's also able to be run portably if needed.
I'll check eBay for the listings, but I'm going out to the camera store today to find something to use in the interim. I need some bags anyway, since I lost one last week. Interestingly, this copy also didn't come with the original strap or the remote either—perhaps that's why it was so cheap.
I'm going to give the camera a proper test today, also. Maybe I'll have something to share here!
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Group: Moderator
Post: 2,033 (561 liked)
Join date: April 2014
Status: Long, long time Contax and Yashica user; glad to be here and hope to contribute.
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on Apr 9, 2022 17:14:45 GMT
Posted: Apr 9, 2022 17:14:45 GMT
Hello Graham, Good point about the power adapters! I also found success with running it off a DC 5V to USB cable plugged into a 2.1A power brick (disclaimer: do this at your own risk), so it's also able to be run portably if needed. I'll check eBay for the listings, but I'm going out to the camera store today to find something to use in the interim. I need some bags anyway, since I lost one last week. Interestingly, this copy also didn't come with the original strap or the remote either—perhaps that's why it was so cheap. I'm going to give the camera a proper test today, also. Maybe I'll have something to share here! You often see Contax TVS-D remote switches being sold on Ebay and they cost just a few Euros as many people have no idea whether they work, or indeed, with which cameras they should operate. I've bought quite a few over recent years and they were all dead. Thankfully, it is actually very easy to replace their battery as you can peel back the top cover to reveal the simple circuitry and battery housing. The batteries are easy to find and it takes only about 5 minutes to change the cell and reseal the top - the glue on all the remotes I bought was still tacky and so allowed the tops to be easily re-attached.
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