The Contax T is an amazing little film camera. However, the clamshell design is dependent on a little plastic housing to keep the latch together. Replacement parts are nonexistent and if this fails, the camera is essentially unusable.

This 3d printed part is meant to replace the external housing of the latch, allowing the camera to close tightly again. The piece fits well, however any sort of light leak from the housing will fog your film. The part may need some sanding or a small sliver of gaffer’s tape to completely seal.

I’ve replaced the latch on my Contax T with this piece and it still required a small sliver of gaffers tape, but now it shoots great and I only know the the 5mm square of tape is there when I open up the camera. The second photo shows where I placed the small piece of tape, which solved all light leaks. The third photo highlights the gap where light can get through.

I’ve debated making a newer iteration but the piece is so small, I think it is at the limit of functional printing with extruded filament, rather than mold injection like the OEM part.

In regard to printing, I do not have access to a 3d printer so have utilized services such as Shapeways or Xometry, with ABS fused deposition modeling. Resin prints did not have enough rigidity to work. I have not tried making this from metal.

Please let me know your experience!