- CONTAX SL300R T* -

When I started to dreaming the large Jupiter photo with as low additional cost as possible, this camera was only the way at this moment.

As camera, this Contax SL300R T*  is so small body with too small sized CCD as 320Mpixels. Automatically that mean tight latitude. So, do not have any hope with result. Zeiss lens or brand name Contax is just badge. (Contax was great German camera maker but now it's made in Japan by Kyocera since so long ago)

What I needed is fast and lot of continuity shooting. This camera "enables full-memory, consecutive shooting at around 3.5 frames/second" mean possible to take the pictures until memory limit dependant on how big SD card use as same as several of models of digital camera which made by Kyocera.

Kyocera has Brand name Contax with camera or optical technology by Yashica. But at digital camera, this CCD technology (graphic process engine) comes from NuCore tech, U.S.A. What is sacrificed for endless continuity shooting? Resolution!! I found this after I've got this camera. Contax SL300R T* has only 72 pixel/inch for width or height. (example: Nikon E5000 has 300 pixels for each) So, this camera is not serious digital camera. This is still video gear as same as digital picture devices in early times (like Quick Take). If you are looking for digital camera to get printed out at commercial level like magazine or newspaper, I do not advice to choice Contax SL300R T*.

Another bad point as camera is "no screw hole for tripod" and "no remote control for shutter". However, this is funny point, this camera comes with 28mm filter adapter. (photo left: front cover of the lens is removable then possible to attach the filter adapter =  included) This filter adapter is possible to attach to the Kyocera's 4Mpix model too but it is not included (and I have no idea they sale the filter adapter only or not). Anyway, it was time to get Jupiter as best season (a night with good seeing is limited) and no other choice at this moment. So it was very hard to spend money to this camera but no choice, if I'd like to get result in large format.

I asked to Kyocera customer service about several things and it is included about remote control. Their answer was "then we put 2second self timer in". Let's think about slow shutter to taking picture of fireworks. Can you shoot 2 seconds advance for best timing?? No way!! I felt Kyocera did not know about photograph even they own Yashica or Contax today. (Actually used be I had Contax SLR with several lenses. It was so good lenses but body was too bad especially electric control thing. Exposure control was down to incorrect soon and battery operation model eats battery so much - only 30 minutes was limit for battery life. So I switched SLR system to Canon and I'm so happy with Canon.)

	Contax SL300R T*	Kyocera Finecam M410R	Nikon E5000	Nikon E5400	Minolta A2	Minolta Z2	Casio EXILIM EX-P600	...and almost any other digicam	Video/Webcam
endless shooting as still camera	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Video	VGA Endless	VGA Endless	QVGA	QVGA	VGA	SVGA	VGA Endless	QVGA	QVGA or VGA
Filter screw	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes or No	Yes
Tripod	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes or No	Yes
Cable release	No	No	Electric	Electric	Electric	No	Infrared	Yes or No	Yes or No
remarks	body shape possible to make the attachment for cable release.	body shape impossible to make the attachment for the cable relase	Electric remote release USB is not stable because poor connector quality.	Front filter diameter is not same with E5000. No experience to use with telescope.	Zoom lens extend the tube without any lock system.	SVGA movie is interesting but No remote control.	To attach the filter,  needs special tube which available for Canon conversion lenses.	No camera is possible to shoot pictures until card's limit.	So small picture.

Some of the super compact digital camera like Casio EXILIM did not had screw for tripod. However, at latest model, they add it, already. This mean they has ear to listen from users which Kyocera does not. Maybe end users are not in their view because OEM business is too big.

However, this explaining does no help to me. I need some way to push shutter button. So, I made it myself. One of the photo accessory maker Etsumi makes remote shutter adapter at 1400yen. It is very simple. Just use current cable release with velcro band. But, I can not use this one with Contax SL300R T* because it cut off the screen view and control switch. So, I puzzled about it and finally find a kind of easiest way to make. Use PC card slot cover panel and cable release. Fit by string then attach it to the camera body by rubber band. For protect fancy Contax body, I found one of the pen sack which leaved from dozen of souvenir ball point pen.

Let you see the pictures. Vent the card slot cover then wrapped by ball point pen sack which has Brand name "Pierre Cardin" on it. First model was used wari-bashi (chop stick) for between shutter button and cable release. It replaces with hot melt bar at second model.

 

Needless to say, camera user does not have to do the things like this. If camera maker just makes hole with screw, we can use current cable release. If not or maybe some of the difficult reason is available like because electric shutter, then add the plug is enough to give the electric "switch" with cable. Who said camera did not need any remote release like this even has the filter adapter?? Too stupid. Because if camera maker does their job good, then we do not have to make this kind of tool by our self.

Anyway, finally I could attach this camera to the telescope with TeleVue's digital camera adapter 28mm (which I already had for Nikon E5000 or E4500) and body is so light weight then no problem for plastic filter adapter part.

With 256MB SD card, I could take more than 1800 shots = 6 units of Jupiter - 300 shots per 2 minutes as one unit. Will you try? Well, dependant on you. ToUcam or digital still camera. Usually, digital camera can use to take pictures of anything else. But at this case, to use to the other things, better to choice different camera if you are not big fan for German Brand name.

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