Contax G1 or G2???

[XXX Boy]

Is Contax still produce G1 nowadays? And what price is a Contax G1 and G2. And a Contax 90mm f2.8?

 

[Parchiao]

The Contax G1 was replaced by the G2 a long time ago. You might like to check out eBay for some indicative prices. If you are willing, check out www.hksupplies.com for a G2 package, which may come up to about USD1,520. If you want to buy the G because of the 90mm lens, I would suggest that you go for the G2 instead.

 

[XXX Boy]

The Contax G1 was replaced by the G2 a long time ago. You might like to check out eBay for some indicative prices. If you are willing, check out www.hksupplies.com for a G2 package, which may come up to about USD1,520. If you want to buy the G because of the 90mm lens, I would suggest that you go for the G2 instead.

Do you know the price of a local new G2 and a 90mm f2.8 lens? I am consider to get one.
Or do you find Leica 90mm f2.8 is a better bet if I get one used one (since I already owned a Leica M6)?

 

[Parchiao]

Not really. I find buying Contax in Singapore to be very expensive. so I always get them off eBay or directly from Hong Kong. The Camera Workshop should offer better prices brand new, and they should probably be grey. I saw that they have a second hand 90mm f2.8 sitting on the shelf too. Can't comment on the Leica 90mm Elmarit cause I have never used one. One thing to take note of about the G 90mm, but this is just my experience, and it may differ from others. Before you even buy the G 90mm, make sure that you try it out with the G2 and focus at all possible angles i.e. tilt the camera clockwise/anti-clockwise, upwards, downwards etc. You may hear hear the internal elements rubbing against each other.

 

[XXX Boy]

Not really. I find buying Contax in Singapore to be very expensive. so I always get them off eBay or directly from Hong Kong. The Camera Workshop should offer better prices brand new, and they should probably be grey. I saw that they have a second hand 90mm f2.8 sitting on the shelf too. Can't comment on the Leica 90mm Elmarit cause I have never used one. One thing to take note of about the G 90mm, but this is just my experience, and it may differ from others. Before you even buy the G 90mm, make sure that you try it out with the G2 and focus at all possible angles i.e. tilt the camera clockwise/anti-clockwise, upwards, downwards etc. You may hear hear the internal elements rubbing against each other.

Thanks alot! It is a well-known fact that Contax body's electronics is not really reliable as those of Nikon, Canon and Minoltas!
But I really like the tone and color of the Carl Zeiss lens very much! And if I am not wrong to get a 2nd hand Contax 90mm f2.8 is much much cheaper than a 2nd hand Leica 90 Elmarit!
The Contax T3's 35mm Sonnar had convinced me of the quality of Zeiss lens! :lovegrin:

 

[Parchiao]

If you ever get the G2, and only if you like it, no harm going for the Planar 45mm and Biogon 28mm. The Planar is really really something special. :heart: My wife does not like the $$ I spend on Contax, but when she saw the mediocre photos taken (by me) with the Planar/Reala, she could not agree more that it was the sharpest and more $$ worthwhile photos she ever saw.

 

[XXX Boy]

If you ever get the G2, and only if you like it, no harm going for the Planar 45mm and Biogon 28mm. The Planar is really really something special. :heart: My wife does not like the $$ I spend on Contax, but when she saw the mediocre photos taken (by me) with the Planar/Reala, she could not agree more that it was the sharpest and more $$ worthwhile photos she ever saw.

Yes, I do believe that the Contax Planar 45mm and Biogon 28mm are great lenses! :thumbsup:
But I already owned a Contax T3 with 35mm Sonnar and a Leica M6 with 50'cron. :sweat:
For the 28mm is out lor....I don't like to use a 28mm, it is too wide for my snap-shot shooting style. I would prefer a 35mm instead. :sweat:
For the 45mm is also out...coz I already owned a Leica 50'cron.
I'm looking just hunting for a 90! :thumbsup:

 

[Parchiao]

Only if you like the G2 that much lah. :lovegrin: I read and infer from the internet that a large majority of people who own the Leica M and the Contax G2 keep the Leica M and sell off the G2. This is probably because the G2 is too much of a PnS rather than a rangefinder, so makes photography a little/lot less fun.

 

[pascalc]

Spoilt for choice... ;p

Happy hunting

 

[XXX Boy]

Only if you like the G2 that much lah. :lovegrin: I read and infer from the internet that a large majority of people who own the Leica M and the Contax G2 keep the Leica M and sell off the G2. This is probably because the G2 is too much of a PnS rather than a rangefinder, so makes photography a little/lot less fun.

I don't think if I purchase the Contax G2, I will sell it off.
Contax G2 to me is like a Contax T-series with interchangable lenses! Haha...and to me it is a joy using them.
I would prefer a Contax G1 becoz it is slightly smaller and looks nicer too! But it is sad to find out that Contax don't manufacture them anymore...and I really hate the idea of buying a Contax 2nd hand (thanks to its 'great' electronics). ;p
I like using those P&S and rangefinder because it is small, light-weight and easy to carry with me anywhere. And there is also no mirror black-outs and have to strain the eye by hunting the edges of the viewfinder. The frame-line on the P&S and rangefinder is great for a bespected guy like me! :lovegrin:

 

[kex]

couldn't agree more that Carl zeiss lens are superb~!
alot of my frds dun believe those sharp and brilliant slides are taken with that little T3.

 

[XXX Boy]

couldn't agree more that Carl zeiss lens are superb~!
alot of my frds dun believe those sharp and brilliant slides are taken with that little T3.

T3 indeed comes with a very good lens! It even can surpass some of the SLR prime lens! But somehow, I find it a little too small! But once fixed with a SA-2, it becomes very comfortable to use. :lovegrin:

 

[kex]

after reading ur post,i become really tempted to get the G system~!
Do u know how much does a used G2 and a 35mm f2 cost ?

 

[XXX Boy]

after reading ur post,i become really tempted to get the G system~!
Do u know how much does a used G2 and a 35mm f2 cost ?

I saw some 2nd hand Contax G1 going for $500-600, the lens would cost around $400-500. All depends on condition.
I myself also very tempted to get myself a G1 or a G2 with a 90mm f2.8 lens! Believe me, you will never be disappointed with Zeiss glass! :thumbsup:

 

[Parchiao]

I read that the 35/2 is not any better than the T3, and this claim seems to be consistent in most posts when comparing the T3 with the Planar 35/2. Try out the Planar 45/2.8 first, I can assure you that you will fall in love :lovegrin: with this wunderful lens.

 

[kex]

G1$500+35mmf2$400-T3$500=$400+-
hmm..
any idea how much the 90mm cost ?

 

[kex]

dun really like the 45mm view,abit too long for my liking..
The G2 camera looks really sexy though..if only it comes with a built in fill,it will be perfect..

 

[XXX Boy]

dun really like the 45mm view,abit too long for my liking..
The G2 camera looks really sexy though..if only it comes with a built in fill,it will be perfect..

It does not comes with a built-in flash. If you need to use a flash then you have to purchase a Contax TLA200 (made specially for G-series camera) which cost around $400.
The G-series 35mm f2 is not a better lens then the one on Contax T3, which I found alot of people taking about that. But I can't really comment on that as I myself never owned a G-series 35mm f2. If you intend to use a 35mm f2 on the Contax G1, you have to look up for the 'green' sticker inside the film chamber. If the sticker is 'silver', you need to have it modify at Contax service center before you can use this 35mm f2 lens.
I have no idea of how much does a 90mm f2.8 cost, I am personally hunting for one too! Don't snatch away from me hor! :blah:

 

[kex]

It does not comes with a built-in flash. You have to buy yourself a Contax TLA200 (made specially for G-series camera) which cost around $400.
I have no idea of how much does a 90mm f2.8 cost, I am personally hunting for one too! Don't snatch away from me hor! :blah:

eh.. have u ever tried B&W film on ur T3 ?wonder how it compares with leica glass fames for producing amazing tone for B&W :think:

 

[XXX Boy]

eh.. have u ever tried B&W film on ur T3 ?wonder how it compares with leica glass fames for producing amazing tone for B&W :think:

I had shot B&W using my T3 before. It tends to give a sharper contrast as compared to my 30-years old Leica 50 Summicron lens. But the tonality produced by T3 is very very good. The white area and the dark area still have the abiltity to show detail!