AnalogDB

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AnalogDB

CONTAX TVS

  • 27 photos

The Contax TVS is a premium 35mm compact zoom camera introduced by Kyocera under the Contax brand in 1994, during a period of intense competition in the luxury compact camera market. Notable for its titanium body, the TVS features a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 28-56mm f/3.5–6.5 zoom lens, providing high-quality optics and a versatile focal range suitable for everyday, travel, and street photography. The camera offers a blend of manual controls—including physical dials for exposure compensation and focus, and an aperture ring on the lens—alongside electronic LCD displays showing key settings in both the viewfinder and on the camera top plate. Autofocus operation is fast and accurate, with manual focus options available; exposure metering is center-weighted, with a spot meter in manual mode and an override dial allowing up to ±5 stops of compensation. The TVS is powered by a single CR123 battery and accepts 30.5mm filters (metering is not TTL, so exposure compensation may be needed when using filters). Distinctive for its tactile zoom control (via a physical lens barrel tab, which also serves as the on/off switch), the TVS balances electronic features with user-friendly ergonomics. The overall build is robust at just over 400 grams loaded, and it includes practical details such as a traditional lens cap, a panoramic mode, and a bright viewfinder with parallax compensation. Image quality is recognized for high contrast, low distortion, and accurate color rendition, with best sharpness found at mid-zoom and moderate apertures. Reliability concerns are noted, particularly regarding the internal ribbon cable connecting the lens—an electronic point of failure common to Contax compacts of this era, which may be challenging to repair due to age and complexity. The Contax TVS remains a notable example of high-end compact film camera design, valued for its combination of portability, precise controls, and optical performance.

CONTAX G1
CONTAX G2
CONTAX T2
CONTAX 645
CONTAX T3
CONTAX 139 QUARTZ
CONTAX ARIA
CONTAX RX
CONTAX RTS
CONTAX T
CONTAX S2
CONTAX IIIA
Snow-capped mountains rise above a rocky, snow-dusted landscape under a cloudy sky.
A long bar is lit by a row of red globe lights hanging from the ceiling, with people sitting and standing along its length.
A man wearing large white wings and a red jacket looks over his shoulder at a small black bird perched on an orange object under a bright blue sky.
A woman with a sunflower-print top and tattooed arms sits at a wooden table outdoors, looking to her right.
Several koi fish with open mouths are visible in dark water, with one turtle partially visible at the bottom.
A marching band performs on a football field at night in a stadium filled with spectators.
A hillside town with white buildings and a blue-domed church is bustling with people on a sunny day.
A woman in a trench coat stands in a convenience store aisle, looking towards the camera while holding a refrigerator door open.
Children play on a grassy area next to a body of water and a large brutalist building.
A woman wearing a cowboy hat, plaid shirt, and red cowboy boots sits in a chair on a grassy lawn.
Two women are relaxing on a blue patterned blanket on the grass, one holding a can and making a peace sign.
A boat travels on a river surrounded by tall buildings, one of which displays a large American flag.
A woman in a dress holds a drink and a paper airplane in the street with other people and vehicles.
A dense forest of bare trees and fallen logs covers a leaf-strewn ground.
A man and a woman dance energetically in front of a band at a wedding reception.
A snowstorm blankets a forest of evergreen trees.
A framed poster of Catalina Island hangs on a wall inside a boat, with the ocean visible through a window.
A man with a mustache and glasses stands on a city street holding a paper bag, with a cyclist and buildings in the background.
A woman wearing a red sweatshirt and cowboy boots stands in a dry, grassy field with mountains in the background.
The White House is visible behind a fountain and a green lawn.
A dirt path leads into a hazy, golden-hued forest with tall trees and a fence.
A red cabin sits on a grassy hill overlooking a white sand beach and the ocean under a cloudy sky.
A large, modern building with a glass and metal grid structure is visible, with a Starbucks Coffee sign on a lower level.
A rocky beach with waves crashing on the shore is shown next to a large, green, tree-covered cliff.
A couple poses for a photo at a wedding reception.
A group of skiers stands on a snowy mountain ridge with a vast mountain range in the background.
A striped sofa sits in a room with a large window and a painting on the wall.

thats all folks, go take some pictures...

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