Contax G2 : Any owners here?
- Thread starter darkavgr
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Okay, here are a few excellent links to websites with loads of info about this wundeful camera.
The mother of all Contax G websites.
http://www.novia.net/~jlw/contax/index.html
Great Contax G gallery.
http://www.contaxg.com/
More info about Contax cameras.
http://www.contaxinfo.com/
The mother of all Contax G websites.
http://www.novia.net/~jlw/contax/index.html
Great Contax G gallery.
http://www.contaxg.com/
More info about Contax cameras.
http://www.contaxinfo.com/
The lenses are about the only reason why you would want to own this camera. The performance of the Planar 45mm f2 is beyond description. The sharpness is simply incredible, and the bokeh is extremely smooth. The colour rendition of T* coated lenses is also another plus. The Biogon 28mm f2.8 is another great performer, and I loved it as well. If you look at the MTF ratings given by photodo, you will notice that the G lenses perform admirably, even against it's SLR siblings, and anytime comparable and far cheaper than it's Leica counterparts. You can now imagine how its performance easily stacks up against L lenses.
The G2 is a rangefinder, at least an electronic rangefinder than utilises the same triangulation technique associated with SLR cameras to focus, except that focussing is not done through the lens. Unlike the Leica M, it does not have an optical rangefinder. As such, focussing manually can be awkwared. You have to rely on a scale in the viewfinder, and a wheel on the front of the body to focus manually. When I had the camera, I almost never focus manually with this camera, and neither do I think that this camera was made for that purpose.
The body is not all that light, but it is extremely compact. I had the opportunity to travel to various places with this camera, and found it to be the perfect travel camera for those free and easy holidays. Lugging a G2 body, the TLA200 flash, and the three standard lenses, plus a few rolls of film, and maybe even a back up PnS is definitely negligible.
The main downside of this camera is the fact that it is not as versatile as an SLR, but the strength of a rangefinder is the lack of a flipping mirror and a shorter distance between the film and the lens that contributes to sharper pictures. You can't do any macro work, and you won't find anything longer than a 90mm. To me, this lack of versatility and an excellent manual focussing ability is the biggest downside of it.
Most people who have never tried this setup will downplay it as an expensive brick, an outdated camera and a lot of other unjustified reasons of which they are not qualified to pass judgement. Personally, I think that this is one set up you either love or hate. I sold mine even though I loved it, for a manual focus set up, which to me is more of a joy to use.
The G2 is a rangefinder, at least an electronic rangefinder than utilises the same triangulation technique associated with SLR cameras to focus, except that focussing is not done through the lens. Unlike the Leica M, it does not have an optical rangefinder. As such, focussing manually can be awkwared. You have to rely on a scale in the viewfinder, and a wheel on the front of the body to focus manually. When I had the camera, I almost never focus manually with this camera, and neither do I think that this camera was made for that purpose.
The body is not all that light, but it is extremely compact. I had the opportunity to travel to various places with this camera, and found it to be the perfect travel camera for those free and easy holidays. Lugging a G2 body, the TLA200 flash, and the three standard lenses, plus a few rolls of film, and maybe even a back up PnS is definitely negligible.
The main downside of this camera is the fact that it is not as versatile as an SLR, but the strength of a rangefinder is the lack of a flipping mirror and a shorter distance between the film and the lens that contributes to sharper pictures. You can't do any macro work, and you won't find anything longer than a 90mm. To me, this lack of versatility and an excellent manual focussing ability is the biggest downside of it.
Most people who have never tried this setup will downplay it as an expensive brick, an outdated camera and a lot of other unjustified reasons of which they are not qualified to pass judgement. Personally, I think that this is one set up you either love or hate. I sold mine even though I loved it, for a manual focus set up, which to me is more of a joy to use.
Thanks Parchiao for the information.
The reputation of Ziess T* lenses precede it.
I used to own a Yashica T3 which gave me beautiful pics but unfortunately lost it many years ago (think left it in an airport x-ray machine)
I already own an EOS setup but over last few mths have not used it as I find it bulky, heavy and obtrusive.
Hence want to consider an alternative and the G2 is definitely in the running. Maybe a few more questions and wd really appreciate your help :
. can I focus manually with the G2 ? I note that in front of the body there's a dial but I'm not sure what its for. Also noted from the lenses that there are 2 textured rings : 1 for the aperture and the other I presume is for focussing. Is this correct ?
. how's the reliability of the body ?
. what about focussing ? read somewhere that it takes a bit of getting used to as the focus points are a bit cryptic.
. shd I consider the G1 ?
Also the G1 has a distance dial on the right. Is this the way to manually focus ? wd be strange if it is.
thanks for your help
dark
The reputation of Ziess T* lenses precede it.
I used to own a Yashica T3 which gave me beautiful pics but unfortunately lost it many years ago (think left it in an airport x-ray machine)
I already own an EOS setup but over last few mths have not used it as I find it bulky, heavy and obtrusive.
Hence want to consider an alternative and the G2 is definitely in the running. Maybe a few more questions and wd really appreciate your help :
. can I focus manually with the G2 ? I note that in front of the body there's a dial but I'm not sure what its for. Also noted from the lenses that there are 2 textured rings : 1 for the aperture and the other I presume is for focussing. Is this correct ?
. how's the reliability of the body ?
. what about focussing ? read somewhere that it takes a bit of getting used to as the focus points are a bit cryptic.
. shd I consider the G1 ?
Also the G1 has a distance dial on the right. Is this the way to manually focus ? wd be strange if it is.
thanks for your help
dark
lavenderlilz
New Member
is Contax g2 the only autofocus rangefinder around?
Offstone definitely has a few Contax G2 users, and there are a few other G2 users lurking in this website too! Maybe you might like to get a bit closer to them, and try out their G2 before you make that decision as it is hard to describe the how the G2 works.
Pertaining to your questions, here are my opinions.
Focusing dial - I have not tried the focusing on the G1, but I have read many times over that the G2's manual focussing is a big step forward over the G1. Already, manual focusing with the G2 is wierd, so I am not too positive about the G1's manual focusing ergonomics. The dial that you see on the front of the G2 is indeed the manual focus wheel. When you switch to manual focus, all you get is a display in the viewfinder, which shows a 'how much in focus' scale that corresponds to where the camera is aiming at. When you rotate the dial, nothing happens to the lens. Only at the point in time when you press onto the shutter release button will the lens focus to that distance in which you have set. Remember that the G2 is a rangefinder, and the electronic rangefinder is found at two windows at the front of the camera. If one finger accidentally covers the window, your focusing goes off.
Focusing via the lens - Regarding the question about the two textured rings on the lens, one is for the aperture, while the other is used to mount the lens onto the camera body. The way in which G lenses are mounted onto the camera body differs from your SLRs, where the whole lens turns. In the G lens case, only the mount turns. Having said this, you cannot focus with the lens manually.
Reliability - I had two bodies before, one was a second hand and the other new. I do not remember that the two bodies performed differently. Also, I did not have any problems with the bodies. One thing to take note of. Tithes does not have a good record of providing good after sales service. If your G lenses or body breaks down, they will send you camera over to Japan to have them serviced, for a fee of course. This can take up to two months, as I have experienced with a Contax Tix.
Focusing point - To be honest, it is one of those problems that I have never experienced, but have read. I think that it is similar to a PnS. If you don't understand how to use the focus with a PnS, you will have problems with the G2 cause both cameras are somwhat similar in this aspect.
G1 - In my opinion, the G2 is better. As I have mentioned before, I have never tried the G1, but I have heard that the G2's focusing is much much faster and accurate.
As for the lavenderlilz's question, technically, I think the answer is yes.
Pertaining to your questions, here are my opinions.
Focusing dial - I have not tried the focusing on the G1, but I have read many times over that the G2's manual focussing is a big step forward over the G1. Already, manual focusing with the G2 is wierd, so I am not too positive about the G1's manual focusing ergonomics. The dial that you see on the front of the G2 is indeed the manual focus wheel. When you switch to manual focus, all you get is a display in the viewfinder, which shows a 'how much in focus' scale that corresponds to where the camera is aiming at. When you rotate the dial, nothing happens to the lens. Only at the point in time when you press onto the shutter release button will the lens focus to that distance in which you have set. Remember that the G2 is a rangefinder, and the electronic rangefinder is found at two windows at the front of the camera. If one finger accidentally covers the window, your focusing goes off.
Focusing via the lens - Regarding the question about the two textured rings on the lens, one is for the aperture, while the other is used to mount the lens onto the camera body. The way in which G lenses are mounted onto the camera body differs from your SLRs, where the whole lens turns. In the G lens case, only the mount turns. Having said this, you cannot focus with the lens manually.
Reliability - I had two bodies before, one was a second hand and the other new. I do not remember that the two bodies performed differently. Also, I did not have any problems with the bodies. One thing to take note of. Tithes does not have a good record of providing good after sales service. If your G lenses or body breaks down, they will send you camera over to Japan to have them serviced, for a fee of course. This can take up to two months, as I have experienced with a Contax Tix.
Focusing point - To be honest, it is one of those problems that I have never experienced, but have read. I think that it is similar to a PnS. If you don't understand how to use the focus with a PnS, you will have problems with the G2 cause both cameras are somwhat similar in this aspect.
G1 - In my opinion, the G2 is better. As I have mentioned before, I have never tried the G1, but I have heard that the G2's focusing is much much faster and accurate.
As for the lavenderlilz's question, technically, I think the answer is yes.
Thanks Parchiao...you've been very helpful.
I'm seriously considering either a Voightlander R system or the G2.
I'm looking for a simple light and unobtrusive camera w interchangeble lenses.
I think cost is about the same for an Voight R w 3 lenses as a 2nd hand G2 w 3 lenses (just under 2 grand)
I'm leaning towards the G2 cos of :
. better build (titanium vs plastic)
. I'm a bit more comfortable w AF, than to fumble a bit w manual focus err..skill not so good la ! :-( but of cos want the option to be able to MF
. Ziess lenses.. I find the Voight lenses very Japanese (like Canon Ls) hence want to try something different (I'm being subjective here)
I've an offer for a G1 w 45mm Planar lens for about $800.
Have not met up met up to fiddle w it yet. Doing my homework.
Yes..I've read that the G2 is much better esp in the AF area etc
will appreciate any other inputs..
thanks...dark
I'm seriously considering either a Voightlander R system or the G2.
I'm looking for a simple light and unobtrusive camera w interchangeble lenses.
I think cost is about the same for an Voight R w 3 lenses as a 2nd hand G2 w 3 lenses (just under 2 grand)
I'm leaning towards the G2 cos of :
. better build (titanium vs plastic)
. I'm a bit more comfortable w AF, than to fumble a bit w manual focus err..skill not so good la ! :-( but of cos want the option to be able to MF
. Ziess lenses.. I find the Voight lenses very Japanese (like Canon Ls) hence want to try something different (I'm being subjective here)
I've an offer for a G1 w 45mm Planar lens for about $800.
Have not met up met up to fiddle w it yet. Doing my homework.
Yes..I've read that the G2 is much better esp in the AF area etc
will appreciate any other inputs..
thanks...dark
All said, I think that if you agree with all of the following points, a Contax G2 could be your kind of camera.
1. You want super duper sharp pictures with beautiful bokeh.
2. You don't use manual focus.
3. You want a light set up i.e < 1.5kg for body + lenses + flash.
4. You only do snapshots.
5. You don't need the versatility.
6. You generally do your photography with wide angled lenses.
7. You want to experience for yourself what you have been missing all this while.
And the choice of getting a G2 over a G1 (make sure that the body has a green label for it to work with the 21mm and 35mm lenses)
1. You need the 90mm.
2. You need fast auto focus.
3. You need to focus in the dark.
4. You need the Vario Sonnar 35-70mm zoom.
1. You want super duper sharp pictures with beautiful bokeh.
2. You don't use manual focus.
3. You want a light set up i.e < 1.5kg for body + lenses + flash.
4. You only do snapshots.
5. You don't need the versatility.
6. You generally do your photography with wide angled lenses.
7. You want to experience for yourself what you have been missing all this while.
And the choice of getting a G2 over a G1 (make sure that the body has a green label for it to work with the 21mm and 35mm lenses)
1. You need the 90mm.
2. You need fast auto focus.
3. You need to focus in the dark.
4. You need the Vario Sonnar 35-70mm zoom.
I'm a G2 user too. It's a great system, but different from SLR if that's what you're using now. I'm use to zoom lens, so the G2 prime lenses really make me crazy with all the lens changing. I decide that I will drop a lens one day, so I bought another G2 body to cut down on lens changing (yah... stupidly rich me). Also the viewfinder is quite sucky, even my Ricoh GR1V is 1000 times better. You also cannot see the perspective effect of wide angle or telephoto, just the angle of view.
But the lenses is very good. Very sharp and natural colours. I got the G2 because of the better focusing. I think there are quite a few Contax G2 users here... let us know what you want to find out and we'll definitely helpt you!
But the lenses is very good. Very sharp and natural colours. I got the G2 because of the better focusing. I think there are quite a few Contax G2 users here... let us know what you want to find out and we'll definitely helpt you!
Here is one place that is definitely cheaper than getting it in Singapore.
www.hksupplies.com
Alternatively, you might want to try TCW as the may bring in grey market ones. There is one more shop in Chinatown (can't seem to remember the name of the place) that sells Contax G stuff too.
Sometimes a good deal for an excellent condition G2 pops up here and on offstone, but that is pretty rare. Alternatively, eBay is one place that you get a regular supply of G2s and 45mm lenses (all types of conditions).
www.hksupplies.com
Alternatively, you might want to try TCW as the may bring in grey market ones. There is one more shop in Chinatown (can't seem to remember the name of the place) that sells Contax G stuff too.
Sometimes a good deal for an excellent condition G2 pops up here and on offstone, but that is pretty rare. Alternatively, eBay is one place that you get a regular supply of G2s and 45mm lenses (all types of conditions).
I'm not too sure of a brand new G2 pricing, but a second-hand G2 in good condition can fetch about $1100-1200, and a 45mm lens would probably cost about $350. So I guess a new G2 with 45mm cost about $1800? You can get pretty good deals on second-hand G2 sets, cuz most of us treat our Contax G2 very nicely... :bsmilie:
Look around for good deals... new can be quite ex leh...
Look around for good deals... new can be quite ex leh...
robinowyong
New Member
Considering to let go my Contax G2 system.
It consist of :
G2 body
28mm F2.8 Biogon T
45mm F2.0 Planar T
90mm F2.8 Sonnar T
TLA200 Flash
Cable release
3 pcs Contax UV filters
Bought in 1997 hardly used but well kept in dry cabinet
It consist of :
G2 body
28mm F2.8 Biogon T
45mm F2.0 Planar T
90mm F2.8 Sonnar T
TLA200 Flash
Cable release
3 pcs Contax UV filters
Bought in 1997 hardly used but well kept in dry cabinet
robinowyong
New Member
I bought the whole system from MS Color at $4300 in 1997 July.
I am willing to it go at $2800.
I am willing to it go at $2800.
robinowyong
New Member
No, I have not given up yet. It is that the camera have lying around in my dry cabinet for 5 yrs and only use less then 10 times. I may pass it to my kids. Anyway this camera are meant for people who love to take street pictures at waist level.
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