The Sonnar T 35 mm, F2.8 lens provides superb reproduction of contrasts and ambient light up to the edges of the frame with virtually no distortion. It also exits the excellent brightness, color reproduction, varied gradations, and attractive soft focus that are the hallmarks of Carl Zeiss lenses. In addition, the Contax T3 features a five-blade aperture diaphragm that forms an opening that is nearly a perfect circle. This system divides the area to which the distance is to be measured into five smaller blocks for improved focusing accuracy. The camera also has a distance setting type manual focus system for situations where auto focus does not function properly, such as when taking pictures through a window or of objects up in the sky on a clear day.
Manual focus is also useful for pan foucus images.
It consists of two unit assemblies that work together to produce the desired aperture setting and allow extremely fast shutter speeds. The high-performance shutter allows the user to make the most of the superior photographic depiction of the Carl Zeiss lens under a wide range of photography conditions. Such long shutter speed settings make possible a new range of photographic possibilities in dimply-lighted settings. The aperture priority auto mode is suitable for the creation of artistic photos that make the most of aperture effects, while the programmed auto mode is excellent for taking advantage of the ability of compact cameras to take pictures quickly. This permits the user to express him or herself freely through the use of exposure effects.