Contax G2 vs Bessa R3A/R2A

[superon]

I am planning to get a RF kit, came across these 2 options. Any experience to share from those who used these above kit before.

TIA

 

[alvin]

G'day,
I am using a G1, but personally do not find it a true rangefinder... I consider it a P&S. So: no super bright viewfinder, no split image focusing (G series is autofocus after all), no self cocking (miss that), and motorized sounds all over haha

Good points I like about it is the 0.5m close focusing, very accurate parallex correction, and great CZ lenses.

Review:
http://www.photo.net/equipment/contax/g2
In progress G1 writeup

Personally, I hope to get a R3A few years down the road with a 40mm lens - I really enjoy this focal length for B&W.

Alvin

 

[XXX Boy]

I am planning to get a RF kit, came across these 2 options. Any experience to share from those who used these above kit before.

TIA

As what Alvin had said Contax G1 is not a true rangefinder, rather is it a electronics rangefinder. G1 is more like a P&S camera with excellent Carl Zeiss interchangeable lens.
If you really want to use a rangefinder, I would not recommend you to get a Bessa. It is much more worthwhile to get a 2nd hand Leica M4-2 or M4-P which is almost the same price as a new Bessa R2A/R3A (which has not much resell value whatsoever if you intend to sell it off later).

 

[hoppinghippo]

both leica and bessas have pros and cons, you need to see what kind of a shooter are you and choose the right cam accordingly. I did consider contax previously but I think its not a proper RF as has been mentioned and hence chose bessa R which I later sold to get R3A. If you're not too sure I suggest you get a bessa R to try out first.

 

[szekiat]

Go for the G2. Its cheaper 2nd hand! Or even a G1 for that matteR (even cheaper). When you hear the shutter of the bessa R series, and i've just gotten a sound recording of the R3A, you will realise that you might as well have gotten an FM3A. The Contax are a lot more discreet and offer a lot less vibrations for good low light work. the CZ lenses are also very affordable these days, on par with used voigitlandder prices. For the same money, i trust zeiss! That said, i use a leica M2. No meter, and only 3 frame lines. Only if u're half nutz like me yah...

 

[chgoh]

Go for the G2. Its cheaper 2nd hand! Or even a G1 for that matteR (even cheaper). When you hear the shutter of the bessa R series, and i've just gotten a sound recording of the R3A, you will realise that you might as well have gotten an FM3A. The Contax are a lot more discreet and offer a lot less vibrations for good low light work. the CZ lenses are also very affordable these days, on par with used voigitlandder prices. For the same money, i trust zeiss! That said, i use a leica M2. No meter, and only 3 frame lines. Only if u're half nutz like me yah...

I agree with szekiat. If you do not want to get Leica, I think the G1/2 with CZ would be a great buy, as compared to the R2/3.

If cost is a constraint, why not try the Russian cameras and lenses or one of the 70's compact rangefinders?

chgoh

 

[gtsoh]

Just my 2 cents worth.

Ever thot abt the Hasselblad Xpan. With the Xpan II out in the market, 2nd hand Xpans are now available at a good price. It is a genuine rangefinder with capability (and thus option) of shooting medium format panoramic. Or you can just stick to 35mm format at a flick of a switch. I bought an Xpan from ebay a few months ago and wow!!! ... no regrets whatsoever. Nowadays, I bring my DSLR and the Xpan when i travel.

Cheers

 

[kex]

the G2 is so well made and their lenses are really nice..

if i were to choose,i will get the G2 set anyday over the R3A..

 

[chgoh]

I am planning to get a RF kit, came across these 2 options. Any experience to share from those who used these above kit before.

TIA

I see that you have bought a G2 kit in Rnagefinderfourum.com! Good for you!

chgoh

 

[XXX Boy]

the G2 is so well made and their lenses are really nice..

if i were to choose,i will get the G2 set anyday over the R3A..

Yes agree! Contax G2 is so much better built and also have alot of nice and affordable (esp 2nd hands) Carl Zeiss lenses!
Xpan is also a good choice for travel but only thing is that Xpan system lacks lens speed...coz I normally use it in low-light condidtions.

 

[Wisp]

About the m2 with no meter..big deal .

 

[szekiat]

The xpan is too slow for low light use. Or even dim light use. I like to shoot velvia when i travel but it is kinda restrictive in winter when the sun doesn't like to raise its ugly head.Argh!!!

 

[pipefish]

Not really. You can always push film. Nowadays, film is so advanced that you can push 1 or 2 stops with minimal degradation.

I've seen Wesley (www.memphiswest.com) use a xpan at a typical dimly lit wedding dinner. I know he uses 400 speed fuji BW film.

The xpan is too slow for low light use. Or even dim light use. I like to shoot velvia when i travel but it is kinda restrictive in winter when the sun doesn't like to raise its ugly head.Argh!!!

 

[Wisp]

Slide film=> 1 stop I'll give.
2 stops = slight colour cast and grains
3 stop = don't even think about it bob.

 

[bernardsia]

Sorry to butt in. How much can one expect to pay for a mint condition Contax G2 body? I actually like to have some AF.

 

[XXX Boy]

The xpan is too slow for low light use. Or even dim light use. I like to shoot velvia when i travel but it is kinda restrictive in winter when the sun doesn't like to raise its ugly head.Argh!!!

I would say that the Xpan is a good camera in it own's right! Coz Xpan is the only camera that can shoot 35mm and real pana mode!
The designer of the Xpan must have planned this camera to be a landscape camera so no fast lens is planned (light will fall off like hell!).

 

[szekiat]

haha. I know wesley well and his photos are really excellent. In fact, it was he and kay chin that inspired me to get an xpan oh so long ago. Do note however that i do not dispute the xpan's capabilities with high speed film. Its just that i usually only carry velvia when i travel. I use the xpan with tri-x most of the time. A point to note, which i do not know if it was corrected in the xpan2, is that the xpan's meter is not very light sensitive. The range is quite restricted and under somewhat lowlight conditions, it might not meter properly. Xpan2 users might be able to elaborate on the updates.

 

[kex]

metering on my XpanII are pretty accurate i must say,had some shots exposed at ½sec and came out pretty well,been using it for 3mth+ without an external light meter.

wesley Xpan wedding shots are one of the reason y i decided to buy the Xpan,scanned some of his wedding work for a fellow Cs'er and was pretty impressed by the xpan perspective.

he shoots neopan 400 mostly..

 

[superon]

Just bought a complete Contax G2 kit after deliberating between a Bessa R3/R2A and G2.

Pic from the CZ lens are superb. Here's a sample at f2 45mm.

http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~superon/

 

[ed9119]

welcome to the club!