Davide Caniatti

<a href=“https://davidecaniatti.com/post/contax-tvs-digital-shooting-with-a-2002-digital-camera/"http://google.com")" target="_blank” rel=“noopener noreferrer”>The first time I wrote about Contax TVS Digitalwas over a year ago. The discovery of this little digital camera was surprising to me. Not only does the technology of 20 years ago seem absurdly old, but above all useless. When I picked it up, I did it with an almost archaeological spirit, as if to reconstruct the functioning of a now-forgotten object. In fact, over time I realized that it is something much more: it works, and takes beautiful photos!

The 90s were undoubtedly the golden age of point & shoots. Innovations in the optical field, as the introduction of AF and the help of electronics, have helped to create iconic camera bodies even today. Among them, there is certainly the Contax TVS. The German-Japanese brand took full advantage of this trend, producing many popular models such as the T2 and, indeed, the TVS. With the advent of digital, these camera bodies were among the first to disappear, as they were intended for those rich amateurs, who went digital before professionals.

Point and shoot are always a polarizing topic among photographers. It is often difficult to define a hierarchy of their essential attributes. Someone will prefer compactness, while for someone else the design will be decisive, for others, finally, the image quality will be fundamental. Within the category, we can find two extremes: ultra-compact cameras, for example, the excellent Minox, and super-luxury point & shoot cameras. Among the latter, we will conveniently place the various Contax T, Nikon 35, and Rollei 35, machines capable of rivaling in quality and style with the best SLRs of their time.

Exactly one year ago, the first lockdown weekend began in Italy. 52 weeks later, many things have changed, while the virus is unfortunately still a constant presence. Partly out of curiosity, partly out of boredom, I then promised myself to take a camera with me every time I left the house. Looking back at these shots a year later, they appear incredibly distant, almost historical. I am happy to have grouped them for several months already because this time, of which we are now tired, will be one not too distant day seen as a unique moment in history.

I am really proud of this second little book, here you can see a small selection of the 36 photos selected. I felt almost a duty - but a pleasant one - to portray my city in such an exceptional time. All the pictures were shot on film and home-developed. Do you want a copy? Contact me!