Contax G1 28mm/35mm?

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vfrazz

vincent
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I'm currently using a 45mm on my green G1, and I'm thinking of buying a 28mm or 35mm for in-house photos, with preference for the 28 since 35 is fairly close to the 45. I notice, though, that 35's are selling higher than 28's, and I am wondering why that would be, since generally the wider the pricier. And would a G1 user please verify for me that the 28mm will be OK on a green G1 (searching confirms that the 35mm will be OK)?

http://www.vincentfrazzettaphotography.com
 
I think the higher price of the 35mm is because fewer were sold compared to the 28mm and there is a rarity premium. As far as I know a green-sticker G1 can use any G lens.
 
The 28mm is very common, most G1's seem to have effectively sold as a G1+28+45+90 kit, while the 35mm, which does not even work on early G1's unless they receive a firmware update, is relatively scarce, and more of them are in collector rather than user shape, which adds to the price as well.

The 35mm is as fine as all the G lenses, but it may be the only one without a unique character - it simply feels like a wider 45mm. If I had only one lens, it would be the 35mm, but alongside the 45mm and 28mm, it does not really fill a niche. I did not keep mine, even though I had the firmware upgraded for it.

IIRC green sticker G1's can use all G lenses, except for the zoom, which needs hardware support only present in the G2.

Sevo
 
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I've owned both, and sold the 35. The 28 is a fantastic, sharp, flare-resistant lens. I'm after a 21 now, but can't recommend the 28 highly enough. There was nothing "wrong" with the 35, I just prefered the way the 28 draws. Can't help with the g1 issue, but as I remember it's just the 16 and 21 that needed the mod.
 
chilohm said:
but as I remember it's just the 16 and 21 that needed the mod.
Click to expand...

21 and 35 it was - these were released years after the G1, and are unknown to the original G1 firmware (focus tables seem to be stored camera side rather than in a chip on the lens).
 
28

28

Hi, recently sold my g2 kit, used both 28 and 35, i must say 28mm is fantastic, better than my zm 28 biogon and better wide open than the 35 planar.
Both are small!
28 is cheaper also!
You can´t loose with such a lens!

Luck!
 

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Vincent . I have a 28 on my G1 ( no green sticker) and it terrific. I could not add anything to the comments that have been already posted.

I love all your photos but those of your wife were really sensitive images.
 
Ok, but....

Ok, but....

vfrazz said:
Hello Community: OK...the 28mm it will be!...many thanks for the good information (and fast!)...Vincent

http://www.vincentfrazzettaphotography.com
Click to expand...


....one thing that you should keep in mind: the 35mm is f/2, a full stop faster than the 28mm. That could be an important factor if you shoot a lot in low light.
Best of luck...I enjoyed your photos.
 
all said and I agree, the G Biogon 2,8/28 is a very good lens even wide open and a perfect partner for the 2/45
 
Hello Contax community...the 28mm just came in and is on the camera. The field of view inside the house is just surprising. I've got other cameras with wider lenses, but the G1 and the 50 have been like a familiar third eye, and this 28 is a revelation. K mentioned the one stop slower, but I am rarely more open than 5.6, so there's no problem at all.

Got the lens from eBay, and it is in like-new condition, as were my G1 body and the 50mm. I think I said in an post last year that so many of the G's are in such spectacular shape for two reasons (I speculate): 1/2 the buyers can't figure it out, and the kit goes on the shelf, and the other 1/2 are buyers who recognize the G's features and take special good care of their gear.


http://www.vincentfrazzettaphotography.com
 
Although I prefer 28, and they say (MTF curves at Photodo.com) that 35 is not as sharp, especially wide open, I love the 35 as well. For those instances when 28 is too wide and 45 too tele, 35 is a beautiful lens to have.
 
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