Which wide for a G1

[OurManInTangier]

I'm looking to get a wide(r) angle for my SILVER label G1 - which I believe puts me out of the running for a 35mm unless I send it off and get the upgrade. To be honest I'm happy with the 45mm I've got and am thinking I'll just go with a 28mm. I've heard good things about the Carl Zeis Biogon T* f/2.8 - anyone got any thoughts or alternatives?

 

[jano]

The 28 is a great lens. It is a jump wider than the 35. Both lenses are great. My dad has the silver label g1, when I get a chance, I'll try and see if it works.. I would think it should?

These four from my montreal trip a couple years ago on the 28. The second two were lab scans.. I cannot find my own scanned versions, but they were super sharp and resolution is amazing. The distortion you see in the first and last were created by me.. trying to be "artistic" 😛

 

[Eugene]

I think you would like the 28mm as it is also very sharp as well.

 

[jan normandale]

yep .. 28 gets my vote too.

 

[mitspooner]

Another vote for the 28 here for great colour and B&W work. Plus it's a pretty chunk of glass.

 

[plummerl]

I will also vouch for the 28!

 

[OurManInTangier]

Sounds like the 28 is the way forward. In which case I have another question for you wise web citizens....have any of you bought from Henry's Photo store in Canada - I'm UK based and they seem to sell that lens and quite a lot less than here in the UK. Are they good? Anyone bought from overseas with them?

Once again - thanks in advance!

 

[erichard44]

Do you need another vote for the 28? It's a great lens.

 

[Magnus]

You have to get the green label first though, it won't work otherwise. I don't know if they now charge but it use to be free.

And yes the 28 is definitely a great lens.

 

[kuvvy]

Yeah the 28 is a cracker for sure.

Checkout this link:

http://www.jonathanharris.co.uk/contax.htm

He has two 28s in at the moment. Yes they might be more expensive (dealers tend to be) but his service and the quality of his gear is superb. I've dealt with him over a number of years. Bought a G2 off him in June of this year.

He only deals with Mint or near Mint stuff and all of the Contax gear I've had from him are almost indistinguishable from new.

 

[Richard Black]

I have had dealings with Henry's over the ebay and have been very happy with them. Quick service and good products.

 

[plummerl]

You have to get the green label first though, it won't work otherwise. I don't know if they now charge but it use to be free.

And yes the 28 is definitely a great lens.

I have also used Henry's (from the US) and they are fine.

Actually, the 21mm and 35mm are the only lenses that require the green label update (see the last paragraph of http://www.contaxcameras.co.uk/gseries/g1/g1features.asp).

 

[KoNickon]

No need for the "green labeling" work to use the 28 -- it was one of the original lenses offered with the G1. You'll love it. Interestingly, I recall reading reviews saying the 35 was not quite as good a lens as the other G lenses, but I haven't found that to be the case myself.

I've purchased several items from Henry's via eBay over the years, and have always found them to be quite good to deal with. Great prices and accurate descriptions.

 

[OurManInTangier]

Thanks for all the info everyone. I'll keep Harry's in mind for future reference but it seems the two 28's have been sold from there.

Kuvvy, thanks for the link to JH - those prices are actually pretty good especially considering there's far less to pay for shipping.

Also glad to have some clarification on the silver/green label compatibility of lenses. Thanks once again everyone!

Ps - Kuvvy, I've now put JH into my favourites, always good to get a new contact.

 

[jan normandale]

Sounds like the 28 is the way forward. In which case I have another question for you wise web citizens....have any of you bought from Henry's Photo store in Canada - I'm UK based and they seem to sell that lens and quite a lot less than here in the UK. Are they good? Anyone bought from overseas with them?

Once again - thanks in advance!

I live in downtown Toronto; Henry's is a large and old established photo retailer in Toronto. Probably the largest and very well known. I buy stuff there regularly.

hope that helps.

 

[Socke]

Another vote for the 28, it is nearly welded to my G1 🙂

 

[deevee]

28mm thumbs up

28mm thumbs up

the 28mm is certainly one to have w the G series; it's sharper than the 35mm and is more versatile; if one has to have only 1 lens on the G1 , the 28mm is it, me think 🙄

 

[Dougg]

Absent the green label update, the wide angle choices come down to... just the 28mm Biogon. Fortunately it's a great lens capable of producing exquisite results. This really makes shopping so much easier, doesn't it? 😀