The Contax TVS III was introduced in 1999 as a third generation continuation of the 1994 released TVS 35mm compact zoom camera. The T* series cameras, first released in 1984 made use of a titanium body which offered a significantly elevated look and feel to many other cameras of the time. Its titanium body wasn’t actually a Contax concept but rather came from the desk of Ferdinand Porsche, designer of the Porsche 911, via his newly founded Porsche Design Group venture. The collaboration between the two manufacturers began around 1972 with a top secret project to design a new SLR camera. Porsche being world renowned for their robust, user friendly and iconic automotive designs were engaged by Contax to reimagine what the user experience of an SLR camera could be. The successful project resulted in the release of the Contax RTS, a professional SLR camera with many world firsts to its name, however perhaps the more interesting collaboration was what would follow in 1984; the T* series.

The T* series would begin its journey donning a futuristic titanium bodied design with elegant bevelling, pocket sized dimensions and a futuristic lens flap. While this early model was incredibly compact, there were a few compromises made to achieve this, for example, there is no film advance motor, and to load the camera you must remove the lower body shell; let’s call it unique. This design had all but disappeared following its first emergence, returning only for the third generation of the TVS (III). This example is the rarer black body, featuring a Carl Zeiss T* Vario Sonnar 30-60mm f/3.7-6.7 lens. While the zoom range seems unimpressive compared to other models of Olympus from the era, what it actually offers is flexibility between everyday shooting and portraiture, something most snapshots would struggle with. 

Lens: Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar 30-60mm f/3.7-6.7
Diaphragm: 7 blades
ISO Range: Auto DX coding ISO 25 - 5000
Speeds: 16s - 1/1000th
Focus: Auto / Manual
Shutter Count: Digital LCD
Exposure Comp: +/- 2 stops
Multiple Exposure: No
Battery: CR123
Dimensions: 118 x 36.5 x 63.5mm (WxDxH)
Weight: 311g

This camera is offered in the box with manual, neck strap and leather Contax branded pouch. Shipping costs determined based on location, import fees are the responsibility of the buyer and will not be covered by Select / co. Shipping from the UK / EU possible.