2006年11月14日 星期二

CONTAX TVS Panoramic photography 寬景攝影

2006.11.14

Following the previous report on the trip back to the manufacturer for the CONTAX TVS (T Vario-Sonnar), this time, I would like to share its 'Panoramic photography' function.

In the mid-1990s, 35mm film cameras sparked a small trend in 'Panoramic photography'. Cameras ranging from compact point-and-shoots like the Pentax Espio Mini to full-sized SLR cameras like the Pentax Z1-P introduced this feature. How could you capture a wide field of view like 16:9 or even wider on a 3:2 film frame? To put it simply, there wasn't any extraordinary optical technology involved. It essentially required adding movable masks within the film frame to create a smaller frame of 36mm x 16mm within the standard 36mm x 24mm frame. On the CONTAX TVS, there's a 'P' switch next to the rear viewfinder, which allows you to switch between these two modes. However, with the TVS II, due to changes in market trends and cost-saving considerations, this particular feature was no longer included.

繼上次跟各位報告CONTAX TVS (T Vario-Sonnar)的回娘家行程後,這次來分享一下她的「寬景攝影」功能。

在90年代中旬,135底片相機掀起了一股「寬景攝影」的小風潮,小如傻瓜相機(Pentax espio mini),大如單眼相機(Pentax Z1-P)都加入這個功能。那要如何在3:2的底片上呈現如16:9或更寬的視野呢?說穿了,沒什麼高超的光學技術可言,指示在底片是內加上上下兩塊可活動的隔板,將36mm x 24mm的底片阻隔成36mm x 16mm的大小就成了。CONTAX TVS 背面觀景窗旁就有一個「P」的開關,可用來切換上述2種模式。TVSII則因為這股風潮不再與節省成本的考量下取消這項特一功能。


Panoramic Mode 寬景模式 


Normal Mode 一般模式

When using the 'Wide-Angle Photography' feature, the captured area only occupies about 50% of the film frame. As a result, the 28mm wide-angle lens, which is the original focal length, feels more like a 50mm standard lens when shooting, making it a bit restrictive. Since I used RVP100 film, I mostly shot with the maximum aperture of f/3.5, leading to noticeable vignetting in the images. Stopping down to around f/5.6 helped alleviate most of the issue.

使用「寬景攝影」功能攝影時,拍攝面積約僅佔底片面積的50%,因此原本的28mm廣角鏡頭使用起來的感覺比較像是50mm標準鏡頭,拍起來有些綁手綁腳。由於底片使用的是RVP100,因此幾乎都是用最大光圈f3.5來拍攝,成像有明顯的失光現象,約f5.6可減輕大部分。


Photo 1: 自來水博物館 (CONTAX TVS, Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar 3.5-6.5/28-56mm T*)


Photo 2: 台北101百貨 (CONTAX TVS, Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar 3.5-6.5/28-56mm T*)


Photo 3: 大溪 (CONTAX TVS, Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar 3.5-6.5/28-56mm T*)

其他照片請參閱 相簿-寬景攝影測試

2006年10月27日 星期五

CONTAX TVS LCD Repair Experience 送修經驗分享

2006.10.27


My CONTAX TVS has been with me for 10 years, and when I recently took it out for photography, I noticed that the LCD display showing the number of film frames had deteriorated, showing black and red spots. The damping of the AF/MF switch had also worn out. As a result, I decided to send it back to its manufacturer, CONTAX, before the end of the warranty period, which was December 2007. I hope to have it back and working for another 10 years.

10/01: I left a message on Kyocera Japan's website customer service center inquiring if the CONTAX TVS could still be repaired.
10/02: Kyocera Japan's customer service sent an email with the address for sending the camera:

Kyocera Corporations
Okaya Service Center (camera)
3-11-1 Osachi-kohagi Okaya-shi
Nagano-ken 394-8550 JAPAN
TEL: +81 266 27 2183
FAX: +81 266 27 2208

10/04: I sent it via international express mail from the post office for NT$ 530.
10/07: Delivery failed at the Nagano-ken post office (due to Saturday closure).
10/09: Japan's Health and Sports Day (public holiday).
10/10: The Kyocera Okaya Service Center received the camera.
10/13: I received an estimate from the Kyocera Okaya Service Center via email (Focus Dialer, Frame Counter LCD):

Parts: JP$ 2,100 (Original price JP$ 3,000)
Labor: JP$ 5,600 (Original price JP$ 8,000)
Postage: JP$ 1,500
Total: JP$ 9,200

10/16: Wire transfer of JP$9,200 to Kyocera, and I sent an email agreeing to the estimate to Kyocera.

Transfer fee: NT$ 2,572
Postage/telegraph fee: NT$ 400
Total: NT$ 2,972

10/17: Kyocera replied that the camera had been scheduled for repair with an estimated turnaround time of about 2 weeks.
10/23: Kyocera completed the repair and sent it via international express mail.
10/26: I received the CONTAX TVS in like-new condition, along with 2 CR 123A batteries.
11/14: I was notified to pay a bank handling fee of JP$ 2,500 = NT$702

手邊的 CONTAX TVS 已經有10年機齡了, 最近拿出來拍照後, 卻發現顯示底片張數的LCD已經變質(出現黑點與紅點). 切換 AF/MF 轉盤開關的阻尼也失去了, 因此決定在 CONTAX TVS 的公告維修期限 2007/12 前, 送她回娘家, 希望回來後能再用個10年.

10/01 Kyocera Japan 網站客服中心留言詢問 CONTAX TVS 是否仍可維修.
10/02 Kyocera Japan 客服 e-mail 回覆送件地點:

Kyocera Corporations
Okaya Service Center (camera)
3-11-1 Osachi-kohagi Okaya-shi
Nagano-ken 394-8550 JAPAN
TEL: +81 266 27 2183
FAX: +81 266 27 2208

10/04 以郵局國際快捷郵件寄出 NT$ 530
10/07 Japan Nagano-ken 郵局投遞失敗(星期六休假)
10/09 Japan 健康體育節 休假
10/10 Kyocera Okaya Service Center 收件
10/13 Kyocera Okaya Service Center e-mail 估價單 (Focus Dailer, Frame Counter LCD)

零件: JP$ 2,100 (原價 JP$ 3,000)
工資: JP$ 5,600 (原價 JP$ 8,000)
郵資: JP$ 1,500
總計: JP$ 9,200

10/16 電匯 JP$9,200 to Kyocera / e-mail 同意維修的估價單 to Kyocera

匯款: NT$ 2,572
匯費/郵電費: NT$ 400
總計: NT$ 2,972

10/17 Kyocera 回覆已經排入維修 Turn Around Time 約2週
10/23 Kyocera 維修完成, 以國際快捷寄出
10/26 收到完好如新的 CONTAX TVS 附帶2顆 CR 123A
11/14 通知至銀行繳交匯款手續費 JP$ 2,500 =NT$702