Can't quit my Contax G2

mrisney

mrisney

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I just went in on a 5DMKIII, with the intent of getting out of 35mm, and selling my black body Contax G2, with the full array of lenses (minus the 16mm Hologon), as I thought that 35mm FF digital has finally come to the same image quality level as film. I spent 2 years with a micro four thirds outfit, before making the leap into full frame digital. I waited for the 5D MKIII, and made myself a deal, when I got it, it would be time to sell my Contax G2 outfit.

4820922147_3c8f1484fd_z.jpg


Contax G2, 21mm Biogon, Kodak Portra 160 NC, Oregon Coast


However, looking through my images with the Contax G2, I can't do it. the 21mm is too special of a lens. The tonal ranges with film,and those Carl Ziess lenses has something, that I do not believe I will get with my 5DMKIII. Low light ? The Canon is amazing. It's sharp, the autofocus is sheer joy, it takes wonderful pictures. However, for me - going into a full frame digital, and not being a professional, I have no business buying high end gear that is such a significant amount of cash, that it is. Granted the L lenses are something special, I have had a blast with the 35mm 1.4 L USM. And there sits the Contax G2 in my bag, waiting for me to sell it on EBay (the black bodies and lenses go for a premium), however I can't let it go. It gives images with such character, extraordinary sharpness. Magnificent camera, sigh.

Has anyone faced the same dilemma ?
 
I agree with you there. The G2 is the only camera I kick myself for selling. I keep looking to buy another one but it's almost too painful reliving my mistake....
 
Actually, yes. But I pushed through and sold it. Had the same black g2 with the 21mm and 100% agree, amazing lens.

So why did I sell? Honestly, I just missed manual focusing. Not that the g2's focus bothered me and it worked flawlessly 98% of the time. I just liked having that "connection" with the photo, if you understand what I mean.

But part of me still wishes I had it. Oh well! :)
 
Was looking through some of my old scans the other day and was surprised how many of the ones I really were with the G2. I thought because I had M6 I didn't need G2. Think maybe I was wrong.
 
I know the feeling. I have a complete (no 16mm any longer) G2 Black kit with two bodies that I just can't bring myself to sell. There's something about the camera that I just love, terrific glass as well.
 
I sold my G2 with 21mm and 45mm lenses a few weeks ago, principally to help fund the Fuji GF670W I now have. I have however kept my G1 and 28mm and 90mm lenses. I would never sell them. Funnily enough I always preferred the G1 over the G2 and mostly used the 28mm and 90 lenses. I guess that's why I kept them.
 
At one point I had two G2 bodies and all the lenses incl the 16 and the zoom. I've since sold off most of it, but have kept one body, the 45, and the 21. Can't seem to part with those even though I stopped using the camera (regularly) long ago...
 
I own the G2 for the 21 and the 16 only.

Never liked the in camera VF for anything, but for the wider lenses? Fantastic.
 
I am still lagging here; I have two G1 cameras, and my lenses are not exotic for this camera. I have the excellent 45mm Planar and the 28mm plus 90mm lenses. The setbis incredibly good for wht I paid for it. The 90mm Sonnar is first class for portraits. The Biogon 28m is wide enough for what I like to take photos of.
 
G2 with 45/2 is my go-to film camera. I just went through my Aperture library and found that I had taken couple hundred shots with it. Love it. Sadly I missed the smokin' deal here awhile back on the 21 w/ VF, Bob I believe it was, from close to my old Florida stomping grounds. Oh well, another one will show up.
 
That's the one I'm keeping: G1 and 35. I didn't realize it until recently but the G1 is almost exactly the same size as a CL or CLE -- quite small and light. Yes, the viewfinder is a tunnel, but everything else is great. At the prices G1s are going for, there is no reason not to keep it.
 
I paid $675 for G1 green label plus three lenses. I forgot what I paid or the second G1.
 
That was pretty much what the price levels were. Later, the market value for such lenses went up again. The equipment looks like new, and the lenses are crystal clean and look also lik new. I bought the second body from KEH. I find that focusing is easy with the G1, but when using the 90mm lens, I have to pay more attention how I am focusing or rather where I point the lens to.
 
As Raid says the 90mm needs a bit more attention when focusing, and it can be frustrating at times, but the results are in my opinion superb. I use it a lot for street.
 
To get the best of all worlds, what about picking up a cheap m4/3 body and a Contax G-to-m4/3 adapter? If you're selling the Fuji, you'd still be in profit*.

I sold my complete-except-the-Hologon G2 outfit a few years ago to fund my Nikon D300 kit. Having used some adapted legacy MF lenses** on a Panny G2, I bitterly regret selling my gear. (I've always kinda regretted it but I regret it even more now I know I could have used the lenses with adapters).






*We've all got GAS; we're never "in profit".

**Canon FD, LTM, Minolta/Sony AF and PK mount legacy MF lenses.
 
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