zone focusing - contax g2?

W

wblati

666
Local time
3:30 AM
Joined
Nov 26, 2009
Messages
83
Is it possible to zone focus on a Contax G2?

ie > set aperture to f8, manual focus distance of 2m - Will this work?
 
Last edited:
Absolutely. I've had my G2 for about a week and the biggest disappointment with it is really just the lack of a distance scale - but they're easy to make. Off the top of my head, I believe 2 meters is all you need at f/8 and 28mm to get you to infinity focus.

The one problem is that the lens is always in retracted position until you take the shot, so to minimize shutter lag, I would recommend holding the AF-lock button. That will bring the lens out to the 2 meters you've set and then you just tap the shutter and the picture is taken instantly.

Edit: I see you're using the 45mm...I'm not sure if 2 meters will get you to ininity but I'm also not sure if that was your point. Just find a proper distance scale and you'll be all set.
 
Last edited:
Online Depth Of Field Calculator!

By the way, someone who has a Contax G2 and a camcorder should make a Contax G2 video, to show off it's size, sounds, how louds the shutter and AF is etc. Very lacking from youtube! Comparing in size and stuff to a Leica would be great if possible!
 
Last edited:
Moriturii said:
By the way, someone who has a Contax G2 and a camcorder should make a Contax G2 video, to show off it's size, sounds, how louds the shutter and AF is etc. Very lacking from youtube! Comparing in size and stuff to a Leica would be great if possible!
Click to expand...

I'll try to do this. I no longer have any leicas but I'll find something to compare it to.

j j said:
The distance scale is in the viewfinder.
Click to expand...

Sure it's a distance scale, but not one that shows you what will be in focus at corresponding f-stops, like most decent lenses have written on them.
 
I discovered an article by a dude last year who had figured out zone / scale focusing on the G2 ... can't find the article, but at least I kept the important bits.

He made small stickers to put over his lenses so that he knew the DOF with each F-stop. Pretty cool. Check it out:

contaxgfocalstickers.jpg
 
keytarjunkie said:
Moriturii I made a video for ya, I don't have a Leica to compare it to so I used my Nikon. Based on images that I've seen as well as my own memory, it's basically the same size as a Leica M body.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pLRxhrHXBg
Click to expand...


Nice video.

Got a question, in MF mode, if you hold down the focus lock button and use the wheel to adjust the distance does the lens move as you move the wheel? Or does it only move to the new distance after you've released the focus lock button and pressed it again?
 
Neare said:
Nice video.

Got a question, in MF mode, if you hold down the focus lock button and use the wheel to adjust the distance does the lens move as you move the wheel? Or does it only move to the new distance after you've released the focus lock button and pressed it again?
Click to expand...

It moves as you adjust it! It's a slow, annoying process to do that and could probably wear out the motor faster than usual IMO. But yeah it works.
 
keytarjunkie said:
Moriturii I made a video for ya, I don't have a Leica to compare it to so I used my Nikon. Based on images that I've seen as well as my own memory, it's basically the same size as a Leica M body.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pLRxhrHXBg
Click to expand...

<3

I shall get one and Hexar RF and decide which one to keep.

BTW, question, if the thumb thing is set to AF-S can I focus using my thumb instead of index finger?
 
Last edited:
Moriturii said:
<3

I shall get one and Hexar RF and decide which one to keep.

BTW, question, if the thumb thing is set to AF-S can I focus using my thumb instead of index finger?
Click to expand...

That's almost always what I do. I think it's important to understand that even in manual focus mode, the lens stays in default position until you take the picture. Of course, it takes a bit of time to move, so I usually hold the AF-lock button a bit beforehand so that when I snap the picture, it's instantaneous. The AF-lock can be set to AF-C, AF-S, or AF-M and you can still use the lock button to bring the lens out to the correct position during all of those. Obviously in AF-C it will still "lock" the focus like AF-S. So what I usually do is keep it on AF-C...if I want continuous I can press the shutter halfway but 90% of the time I use the AF-lock button which is basically just AF-S.

The Hexar RF is wonderful, and it seems like the controls would be basically the same. I'd imagine you might like the Hexar better because it doesn't have the issue of a not-so-wonderful autofocus system, but on the other hand, the Contax's lenses are aaaaamazing and so much cheaper than M lenses. I would never be able to afford this wonderful Zeiss Glass if I had kept my Leica.
 
I have both the G2 and the Hexar RF, very different cameras. Interesting little bit of trivia...the RF uses the transport system and shutter mechanism of the G2.

Anyway, the G2 really is an auto-focus camera. Yes, you can manually focus but that's definitely not it's strength. If you reall want to manual focus and zone shoot the RF is probably the better choice for you. In my opinion :)

Anyway, enjoy! Two terrific cameras.

Moriturii said:
<3

I shall get one and Hexar RF and decide which one to keep.

BTW, question, if the thumb thing is set to AF-S can I focus using my thumb instead of index finger?
Click to expand...
 
which hyperfocal distance is correct?

the one in the link (http://contaxg.com/contaxuser/tables.html#hyper) - which says 10.1m or the one in photo that shows 7m - both at f8.

i use to only using a ricoh gr1 and setting it at snap mode (2m) at f8 and a leica m4-2+ 35mm ultron - f8 and aligning the focus on the lens at f8 (don know how many meters this equals to).
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom