Contax T2 @ Banqiao 435 板橋

The Banqiao 435 is a newly emerging cultural and artistic spot in New Taipei City. However, what attracts most families with children is a large area of fine white gravel sandbox, which is the main attraction for children coming here to play. After spending quite some effort finding a parking spot, as soon as I entered the park, I saw a mother holding an umbrella, enjoying watching her two siblings happily playing in the sand, shielding them from the sun. Watching these children shovel sand into the toy truck's bucket and then pour it out, repeating the same action tirelessly, they seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely. After playing for a while, the children were finally willing to wash their hands and feet and move to the shaded playground area with slides. Next time, it would be better to come earlier or after 3 p.m. for a more relaxed experience.

Photos please refer to the Banqiao 435 album.


板橋435是新北市的一個新興的藝文景點，不過最吸引一般育兒家庭的是一大片細白石子的沙坑，這才是小朋友們來這裡玩的目的。費了好一番工夫停好車，一進園區就看到媽媽撐著傘幫兩個玩沙玩得不亦樂乎的姐弟倆遮陽，看這孩子們把沙鏟入玩具卡車的車斗，再把沙倒出來，反覆做同樣的事，樂此不疲。玩了好一會，孩子們才願意清洗手腳，轉往有樹蔭的溜滑梯遊樂區移動，下次應該早一點或是下午3點後再過來比較輕鬆。

相片請連結 板橋435相簿 。


Hall - Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall 禮堂 - 中正紀念堂


After enjoying playing in the small white sand area, gently return home as it was.
開心玩完小白沙 輕輕放回原來家


Today's outdoor shooting with the CONTAX T2 was my go-to camera before entering the digital camera era. Besides taking snapshots in Taiwan, I have also been to Japan, Thailand, New Zealand, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, and other places, experiencing many battles. Perhaps because I used too much film, the rewind motor had to be repaired once. Since 2003, it has been stored in a dehumidifying box most of the time. These days, I wanted to take it out for some fresh air, but I found that sometimes when turning off the camera, the lens couldn't retract completely. Fortunately, the camera's shooting function is normal, so I still took a roll of Kodak T-MAX 400 outside. However, after developing the film, I found several frames with light leaks, precisely where the lens's outer support retracts. I suspect it might be due to aging light shielding foam or rubber, which not only caused light leaks but also jammed the lens retraction mechanism. I hope there's still a camera technician who can repair this camera.


今天外拍 CONTAX T2是我進入數位相機時代前的隨身機，除了在台灣隨拍，也到過日本、泰國、紐西蘭、義大利、荷蘭、丹麥等地，經歷過不少戰役。大概是底片拍太多了，過片馬達曾經送修過。2003年後就一直常住防潮箱，這幾天想拿出來透透氣，卻發現有時候關機時鏡頭竟然無法全部縮入，還好拍照的功能正常，所以還是外拍了一捲Kodak T-MAX 400。不過拿回沖洗後的底片後，有好幾張底片漏光，漏光的位置剛好是鏡頭縮入後的鏡身外援，猜測可能是遮光海綿或橡膠老化，不但漏光還卡住鏡頭縮入時的軌道。希望還有相機師傅能修這台相機。


Contax T2, Carl Zeiss Sonnar 2.8/38 T*




Contax T2 by Kyocera

Kyocera Contax RX and Aria

Believe that photography enthusiasts who own more than one camera and lens equipment will encounter the same problem when going out, which is what equipment to bring. It's ideal to bring all your gear to avoid any regrets, but sometimes, for the sake of convenience or quick mobility, choosing equipment to bring based on the anticipated photography needs of the day is the thought of most people. Here, I have organized past experiences and, using my equipment as an example, listed some outdoor shooting combinations for reference.

相信擁有一機一鏡以上器材的攝影同好一並會碰到相同的問題，就是出門該帶什麼器材。未免有遺珠之憾，將所有家當都帶出門當然是最好不過了。但有時會了方便或行動迅速，預測當日拍照的需求來選擇外帶的器材，應該是大部分人的想法。這裡把過去的經驗整理了一下，以我的器材為例，列出一些外拍組合供大將參考。

Travel Photography A
旅遊攝影A(28mm ~ 135mm)

Contax Aria
Carl Zeiss Distagon 2.8/28 T*
Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 3.4/35-70T*
Carl Zeiss Sonnar 2.8/135 T*
Total weight 總重: 1800

For general travel photography, the principle is lightweight equipment. For wide-angle and telephoto, D28 and S135 should be the preferred choices. As for the standard lens, I prefer using VS35-70 instead of P50. Although it sacrifices opportunities for low-light shooting, in the efficient setting of travel, a fixed-aperture standard zoom lens covering wide-angle to mid-telephoto can fulfill the need for multiple lenses. And for a lightweight body, nothing beats the Aria.

一般旅遊攝影，器材以輕便為原則，以廣角端和望遠端而言，D28 與 S135 應該是首選。至於標準鏡頭方面我習慣以 VS35-70 來代替 P50，雖然犧牲了弱光下的拍攝 機會，但是在講求效率的旅遊途中，一顆涵蓋廣角與中望遠端的定光圈標準變焦鏡頭的確能攜帶多個 鏡頭的需要。至於輕便的機身，當然非 Aria 莫屬了。

Travel Photography B
旅遊攝影B(21mm ~ 135mm)

Contax Aria
Carl Zeiss Distagon 2.8/21 T*
Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 3.4/35-70T*
Carl Zeiss Sonnar 2.8/135 T*
Total weight 總重: 2035

For architectural or historical site travel photography, D21 provides a satisfying ultra-wide-angle view with minimal distortion. Places like Italy and Kyoto, Japan, are ideal for showcasing this lens, especially for capturing the facades of churches. Before purchasing the Aria, I used to pair it with RX, a combination weighing nearly 2.4kg with three lenses, tripod, and backpack, something to consider for those with a petite stature.

建築或古蹟類的旅遊攝影，D21 可提供滿意的視角(超廣角)與 最低變形率。義大利和日本京都應該是最適合這顆鏡頭發揮的地方，尤其是一些教堂立面的拍攝， 可同時將來往人潮與主題一併納入構圖之中。在購入 Aria 之前，我都是搭配 RX 出勤，一機三鏡近 2.4KG，加上腳架和背包，少說也有 5KG，身材嬌小的人要考慮一下。

Scenic Photography A
風景攝影A(16mm ~ 200mm)

Contax RX
Zenitar Fish-Eye 16/2.8 MC
Carl Zeiss Distagon 2.8/28 T*
Carl Zeiss Planar 1.4/50 T*
Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 4/80-200T*
Total weight 總重: 2355g

A lightweight scenic photography combination, the fisheye lens provides a unique wide-angle effect for natural landscapes. The wide-angle and standard ranges are covered by the acclaimed D28 and P50, ensuring vivid scenery. For telephoto, the VS80-200 is used for techniques involving partial framing commonly used in scenic photography, easily extracting distinctive subjects from chaotic landscapes, and its macro feature (1:4) comes in handy when needed.

輕便的風景攝影組合，魚眼鏡頭所造成的超廣角效果讓自然 風景呈現不同風貌，廣角端和標準端則分別由受好評的 D28 與 P50 負責，絕對能讓景色徐徐如生。 在望遠端則利用 VS80-200 來負責風景攝影中常用到的局部取景的技巧，可以很容易的將具特色的 主題從一片雜亂無章的風景中萃取出來，而所提供的微距功能(1:4)也能適時派上用場。

 

Scenic Photography B
風景攝影B(28mm ~ 180mm)

Contax RX
Carl Zeiss Distagon 2.8/28 T*
Carl Zeiss Planar 1.4/50 T*
Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2.8/100 T*
Carl Zeiss Sonnar 2.8/180 T*
Total weight 總重: 2915g

This combination caters to high-quality scenic photography needs, with D28, P50, MP100, and S180 all being lenses known for excellent resolution and color performance. However, it comes with a greater physical cost. After purchasing VS35-70 and S135, I started opting for the "Travel Photography A" combination, as MP100 in this setup offers the possibility of macro photography, making capturing insects or close-ups of flowers a breeze.

這個組合可提供高品質的風景攝影需求，D28、P50、MP100 和 S180 均是解像力與色彩表現極佳的鏡頭，相對的也必須付出較多的體力代價。曾經帶著這樣的組合走過陽明山國家公園的幾個山頭，但是自從購入 VS35-70 和 S135 後，就開始偷懶，改帶「旅遊攝影A」。這個組合的特點在於 MP100 這鏡頭提供了微距攝影的可能性，因此昆蟲或小花小草的特寫(1:1)可說是輕而易舉。

Macro Photography
微距攝影(35mm ~ 100mm)

Contax RX
Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 3.4/35-70T*
Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2.8/100 T*
Total weight 總重: 2025g

The macro feature of VS35-70 is designed at the 35mm wide-angle end, providing a magnification ratio of 1:2.5. MP100, on the other hand, achieves a 1:1 ratio at the mid-telephoto end. Both complement each other in macro photography due to their different perspectives. As MP100 weighs 740g and the lens barrel extends approximately twice its length at maximum magnification, it requires a more stable body. Hence, I usually pair it with an RX body and a Gitzo 2 tripod.

VS35-70的Macro功能設計在35mm廣角端，可提供放大率1:2.5。MP100中望遠端放大率則達 1:1。兩者因視角不同，可拍出不同透視感的微距攝影作品，在生態攝影上相輔相成。由於 MP100 重達 740g，且使用最大放大率時鏡筒伸長約一倍，必須使用底盤較穩固的機身，因此我通常搭配 RX 機身與 Gitzo 2 號腳架使用。

Telephoto Photography
遠距攝影(50mm ~ 360mm)

Contax RX
Carl Zeiss Planar 1.4/50 T*
Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 4/80-200T*
Carl Zeiss Sonnar 2.8/135 T*
Carl Zeiss Sonnar 2.8/180 T*
Carl Zeiss Mutar II T*
Total weight 總重: 3460g

Ideal for distant nature photography subjects such as animals and birds in the zoo, distant lotus flowers in ponds, and close-ups of sunsets. The main use of MII teleconverter extends the focal lengths to 270/5.6 and 360/5.6. Although I used TT300 before, after comparing its results with S180+MII, I found no significant advantage in color saturation and resolution for TT300. Therefore, I sold it, as there was limited opportunity to use the 300mm focal length.

適合遠距離自然攝影主題，如動物園中的動物和鳥類，水池中無法接近的荷花，以及夕陽的特寫等。主要利用 MII 加倍鏡的特性，將鏡頭焦距延伸到 270/5.6 與 360/5.6。雖然以前曾用過 TT300，但是在與 S180+MII 的拍攝結果比較後，覺得在色彩飽和度和解析度上 TT300 並無明顯勝出，因此在考慮 300mm 焦距使用的機會不大後將其脫手。