G pros and cons

[daveywaugh]

I have been doing of research into the G1 and G2 over the past week or so, as I have an opportunity to purchase a kit (both bodies and 28,45,90). No chance to fondle first, so a bit of risk 🙂 Anyway I trust the advice from all you helpful RRF folks...

I am after a 35mm to complement my Hasselblad. Previously I have shot Nikon 35mm but have 'lost' most of the kit due to damage and robbery so have an 'opportunity' to start again. I like the idea of something more automated, quick, compact... I was thinking of an F100 with a couple of primes (well it's kind of compact) but have always liked the idea of the G series. I might shoot the odd wedding again in the future, so would like something relatively quiet and stealth.

The only consistently negative things I her about the G series are:

Can be noisy
Somewhat slow to AF (mainly G1?)
Lenses are sharp but bokeh is a bit harsh

For the people using this stuff, how true are those comments? I don't expect Leica M quiet, or F6 autofocus speed of course... but in real use, how is it? I find my Zeiss 80mm on the Blad fantastic but wouldn't rave about it's bokeh either... I assume the 45mm would exhibit similar properties?

Sorry for the "should I buy" thread but I really need a bit of honest advice.

Thanks very much,

David

 

[splitimageview]

Can be noisy? --- Noisier than a Leica? Yes. Annoying or distracting? No.

Somewhat slow to AF? --- IMHO, no. There is no way I can manually focus an RF as fast with the same accuracy. Unlike an AF SLR, it won't hunt...it just goes directly to the focus point, the nature of the electronic RF.

Lenses: I find them fantastic, sharp, great color, and I like the bokeh. Search flickr.

I've owned and used many Leicas, Konica Hexar RF, Zeiss Ikon, Nikon RF, and many SLRs. I'd rather shoot with the G2 than any of the others.

 

[andredossantos]

I had a G1 and never noticed anything "harsh" about the OOF areas. I liked the camera and while it's autofocus is a bit finnicky I would choose the focus point then press the shutter halfway for focus lock, then recompose. It didn't bother me but YMMV.

The viewfinder is also a bit small. Again, YMMV.

The best part of the system is the lenses. The 45mm is simply great IMHO.

 

[jasonhupe]

The little Titan G

The little Titan G

Not sure why I feel the need to chime in on this one, but having owned a G1 for six years and using it quite a bit, it still has a soft spot in my heart. I really like this camera, used it with the 21,35, and 45. My biggest gripe with the whole system is the viewfinder, very small and dim, like viewing the world through a tunnel. This is compared to an M. The focus was always fast enough and the noise never an issue. I used the camera mainly as an advanced point-n-shoot with some amazing lens. I always preferred my manual focus Contax SLR cameras and viewfinder to the G.
I sold off my lens when I began having electronical problems with the camera and began playing with digital. Those SLR lens are expensive and HUGE. I crave the days where I could carry my whole kit in a small waist bag instead of a suitcase now. Once I got around the viewfinder issue I can not complain about the system or the images it produced over the years.
The camera is very solid as well. Built to last, and the metal finish ages well. Good luck if you go for it. If you love "mechanical" cameras like the M, this might not be for you. I found I loved winding the film and manual focus and the whole process of that. With this camera, its point, press, and click.

 

[splitimageview]

The viewfinder isn't in the same brightness league as a Leica or especially the Zeiss Ikon but it also is parallax corrected and no frameline nonsense to distract. And no tiny frame for 90mm, the viewfinder zooms. Loading and auto-rewind can't be beat. I don't use the 2fps or 4fps much but they are there if needed, get the G1 body for less than the cost of a Motor M. 😉

 

[Bob Michaels]

noisy? well it does have auto film advance via an electronic motor so it is not as quiet as ratcheting a lever but certainly not what I would call noisy.

slow to focus? I was say that it at least as fast as most of us can manually focus. Now I am suspect that someone who has shot 20,000 rolls of film in a manual focus RF might beat it in a race by a hair, but not us mere mortals.

boken? I shot one for many years but I am one of those that worry about what is in focus, not what is not.

 

[Phantomas]

Viewfinder is probably the worst feature of this camera. It's tiny and I find miself constantly aligning my eye to see properly though it.
Yes, it a little noisy, but nothing terrible, still no SLR mirror slap. The most annoing "noise" is not shutter though, it's the lens focusing, probably because I'm not used to such phenomena on any other camera.
Focus can hunt sometimes, especially on 90mm Sonnar.

Most important thing you need to remember - G1/2 gives you access to it's native Zeiss glass - and it's amazing, amazing, AMAZING! The 45mm is said to be one of the sharpest RF lenses out there.

I fully recommend getting into this camera.

 

[Merkin]

If your only need for stealth is for weddings, I am not sure that you really need to worry about stealth. People are used to photographers at weddings, it is expected. People forget you are even there, even with flash popping every few seconds and a loud SLR mirror flapping about.


One thing I have always wondered about the G1 and G2- it obviously has a manual focus mode, but how do you know if it is in focus or not with no RF patch, no distance scale on the lens, and no TTL viewing?

 

[splitimageview]

For manual focus there is an LCD scale in the viewfinder. I see no point, just leave it on AF.

 

[lewis44]

Viewfinder is probably the worst feature of this camera. It's tiny and I find miself constantly aligning my eye to see properly though it.

I second this comment. "Tunnel Vision" I never got used to it, especially with glasses. There is a Diopter adjustment and additional diopters were available, but I finally gave up.
I thought everything else was great. Lenses are the Best. If I could have got past the viewfinder issue, I'd still have it today

 

[steamer]

What is everybody shooting with? I never feel like the G2 viewfinder is a problem, but then I use Contax IIa and all kinds of little point and shoots like Contax T-T2, Konica Big Mini, and old medium format Super Ikontas etc. So I don't have a problem with the viewfinder. It's no stealth camera, but I think it sounds noisier than it is because it is close to your face. The lenses are great and once you get used to focusing it seldom screws up.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I had an outfit for a year, on loan from Contax, and yes, it delivered superb results when it focused, which was 99% of the time. But even 1% hunting is one shot in every three rolls, and you never know which one it is going to be. I'd go for manual focus (real manual focus, not an electronic pre-set) every time.

The 'tunnel vision' didn't worry me that much but the deep-set eyepiece did. In hot weather, sweat would condense on the eyepiece (as with any other camera) but it was hard to wipe clean.

Cheers,

R.

 

[splitimageview]

The viewfinder doesn't compare to a Leica M in terms of brightness, no question. But I find it plenty bright enough. Considering I can focus and shoot no problem with tiny peepholes in Barnacks, the Contax is world's better by comparison. 🙂 I don't wear glasses, luckily.

99% is much better results than I ever get with a manual focus RF.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

In general, the AF is pretty reliable on both cameras, and is especially effective on the G2. The viewfinder size and brightness would bother me if I actually had to focus with it, but because I use the AF, it's just for framing. It works well.

The feel of these cameras is superb, and the lenses just kill. The 45 is a miracle.

 

[Papa Smurf]

A G1 user's opinons.

A G1 user's opinons.

The focus problems are bunk. It can be finicky as stated by others, but it is accurate and very fast when you learn how it wants the scene presented. Even the 90mm will focus quickly and accurately, much faster than I can focus any of my SLRs.

The shutter is noisier than the Leica, but not annoying so. The camera is so unobtrusive to use that most people do not even give me a second look. I assume that they think that I am some qeek with a cheap point and shoot so what harm can I do?

The lenses are the sharpest that I have ever used. The legendary Canon 50mm f/1.4 for my A1 is not any better. I have found that the lens choices for the G1 silver label to be just what I would choose if I had unlimited choices. And the bokeh is a very personal issue, IMHO, so only you can decide that by looking at pictures on Flicker or elsewhere.

The viewfinder is adequate and the auto parallax shift is a real blessing. I especially like the lack of clutter of multiple frame lines. It presents just the info that one needs in an intelligent and easy to read manner.

I am very pleased with my G1 and it has become my favorite carry camera. It and its accessories are in a backpack that I take with me whenever I am out and about. I hope that these comments are helpful as I know how agonizing these decisions can become. At the moment I am going through a period of re-evaluation of my photography and the equipment that I really need! Best wishes on making an intelligent decision.

 

[Paddy C]

I shot a G2 (with the three lenses you mention as well as the 21) for a year. It went on four trips.

The G cameras (and lenses) could be the best value in film photography.

However...

If they were about the same price as used Leica gear, I doubt many people would care about the system. My feeling is that a large part of the appeal is the price.

The lenses are great and I don't think there's anything wrong at all with the bokeh.

The auto focus is fast enough.

The 90 will not focus dependably. I don't care what anyone says to defend this lens, it will hunt and lock on to the wrong thing in any tricky situation.

I never had a problem with the viewfinder and I wear glasses. I wouldn't worry about it.

The auto focus mechanism is noisy. But probably not more so than most auto focus cameras. I found it annoying, but then it's the only camera I've ever used with auto focus.

One of the problems with auto focus on this camera, is that you can never be 100% sure if you are focused on what you want to be focused on. Most of the time this isn't an issue, but there are occasions where I missed shots because the DoF was narrow and I had locked just off of where I wanted to be. This, IMO, is the beauty of a true rangefinder.

I sold mine because I didn't like being stuck with auto focus. The lens line up, though outstanding in quality, is limited. And the camera is completely electronic with, to my knowledge, no way to service it if it breaks or malfunctions.

My feeling was that I would be better off investing in M-mount glass. Far more flexible.

Having said all that, it is a neat piece of kit.

 

[elmer3.5]

Focus

Focus

Hi, i think the focus issue is the main problem on g1.
If i try to select at full aperture a subject, many times i end focusing on anything else.
With a manual rangefinder, i can focus on the head, eyes, whatever i want, but with the g1 when i do that, i end focusing on the back wall or mountains owe 😀

Beside focus, the camera is quick, lightwieght, small and the 28 2.8 is incredible!
Changing rolls in the middle is easy as i do it a lot.

The price is very convenient!

Bye!

 

[wayneb]

I'm a big G fan - but I do agree with the comments on the viewfinder. It makes the world dark and tiny, of course your photos will look awesome in comparison. I have added voigtlander accessory viewfinders (28mm and 50mm) to my G rig. Obviously the framelines aren't 100% accurate, but for scenes focused at infinity, they work really well.

Oh yes, and through the magic of flickr, all the photos I've posted using the contax G - http://www.flickr.com/photos/bremser/tags/contaxg1/

 

[sevo]

Hi, i think the focus issue is the main problem on g1.
If i try to select at full aperture a subject, many times i end focusing on anything else.

The G series has a measuring zone so narrow that you can hardly miss it if you spot focus like on a RF. Just don't treat it as if it had the large area multi-zone AF approach of point-and-shoots and cheap SLRs. And make sure you do not have a misaligned AF mechanism or finder, or you are screwed - that narrow-angle approach does not have much margin for misalignment...

 

[splitimageview]

Always keep an eye on the indicator in the viewfinder. If it's focusing on the background instead of the subject, you'll be able to tell from this scale. My impression is most focusing errors are simply because the user isn't paying attention to how the camera really works.