Stars and their cameras - Sofia Coppola

Sofia Coppola compiled her list of essentials for Self Service Magazine including her favorite camera, the Contax T3. Released by German manufacturer Kyocera just before the launch of digital cameras around 2001, the T3 camera was considered to be the perfect deluxe compact, packing all of the qualities found in single-lens reflex cameras into a minimal and lightweight titanium shell. Best of all, you need not bother with focusing because of its Zeiss lens. Sure it is 35mm, but with a high resolution scanner you can do practically anything. Professional photographers love shooting with the Contax T3 because it is a break from big cameras in big locations with elaborate set-ups.

In fact, this very camera has been used to create some of fashion’s most iconic photographs. Famous works by Terry Richardson and Juergen Teller immediately come to mind, particularly Teller's shots of Sofia for Marc Jacobs. Richardson says, “It's not about technique, it's about mystique. It's more about capturing something. Many photographers use big cameras which are very controlled. What I like about a snapshot camera is that half the time the shutter doesn't go off when you need it to. You don't capture what you see, but you capture the feeling. It's looser, it's not premeditated, and it allows for accident.” I think part of the appeal of the Contax T3 is that because you don’t have to focus on aperature or shutter speed settings you can shoot anywhere inspiration strikes instantly without sacrificing quality. This might be one of the reasons Sofia feels so strongly about her T3: "I always try other cameras and come back to this one. I know I should use a digital one, but these pictures always turn out the best." Note that if you plan to own this bad boy you may have to obsessively hunt one down on eBay because it has been discontinued since 2005. And: It's damn expensive! You will have to spend at least $650 or 500 Euros for one in good condition.