Contax on Classifieds

T

tedwhite

Guest
It seems there is a lot of G1 and G2 stuff suddenly in our classified section. Is there something wrong with these cameras? Or are their owners moving up to - what?

Ted
 
I think I started the Contax postings last night!

Moving on to something that would help with the job.
 
Best bargains

Best bargains

Considering what others here are paying for Zeiss lenses in M mount, the Contax G lenses on used dealer's shelves and on ebay must be considered the real bargain of the time. At least here in the UK. You can have a mint Biogon 28/2.8 for £160 from a dealer with waranty and on ebay UK these go for £130 or so. Even new-old-stock go for about £200. Consider the pricing for a ZM Biogon 28/2.8. If you are happy with Film, according to the Zeiss graphs, the G version is better. It seems to me they had to do some compromises in the ZM designs to get a longer exit pupil to allow for (future) digital sensors. In contrast, the G version seems to be optimised for film and film only.

Still one has to be happy with the concept of the Contax G cameras to enjoy these lenses thoroughly :)
 
suzums said:
I think I started the Contax postings last night!

Moving on to something that would help with the job.
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Suzums, I'm not sure what you mean by "something that would help with the job"; can you elaborate?

Thanks!/ScottGee1
 
My feeling about the G series is simply this, if you can get one w/o focusing problems, they are the sharpest RF lenses ever made and I'm a big Leica fan. My early experience with the G1 wasn't good only because of RF accuracy but I think that was solved with the G2. Because the lenses are so sharp, I found they were less forgiving of focus errors than less corrected lenses.
 
awilder said:
My feeling about the G series is simply this, if you can get one w/o focusing problems, they are the sharpest RF lenses ever made and I'm a big Leica fan. My early experience with the G1 wasn't good only because of RF accuracy but I think that was solved with the G2. Because the lenses are so sharp, I found they were less forgiving of focus errors than less corrected lenses.
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Uh, whoa! While I agree with your statement about the quality of the 'G' lenses, I'm concerned that your comments about the bodies might leave people with the impression that ALL the G1 bodies couldn't focus correctly. I've had three and NONE have had focusing "problems" even with the 90mm lens wide open and close-up.

Is it important to learn how to use the G1's focusing system? Absolutely! My theory is that a lot of G users shoot quickly. The AF of the G cameras allows that but it is necessary to get the focus point just where you want it to be. Then you'll get the results you expect.

YMMV/ScottGee1
 
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I'd imagine the appearance of most things today is the result of the shift to digital. There is little question that the CZ lenses on the G's are superb lenses.
If I didn't have too much equipment already, I'd be very tempted by a nice cosmetically challenged and cheap G2. Good advise might be to consider it a fortuitous time to buy, rather than question and loose out.

Harry
 
I sold my G1 to a member here and I've just put my black 90mm and TLA 140 flash up for auction. My mint G2 and 28mm will be next. Need to go as I need the cash to purchase a laptop. Everytime I handle the G2 I am loathe to sell it but it hasn't been used much lately. Still have my Hexar Silver though.
 
I've had a great G2 kit in the classifieds here and on 'the' auction site for awhile now with no takers, which surprised me. The G2 is a superb camera. With the increasing demand for digital w/ paying jobs (I use a D200) and less free time to enjoy street photography, the G2 has been sitting in my closet, an M7 being my every day camera at this point. Hating to see cameras sit and not be used, I thought the G2 would do well in someone else's hands. Guess not, as it hasn't been close to being sold. :)
 
I took my G2 out this morning to take some pics of my daughter on her way to school and am 99.99% certain that they will come out in focus and perfectly exposed - they always do as long as I point the lens in the right direction :). I know a PJ who has been using his 2 G2 kits professionally for many years. He told me he'd never risk being without his G2 outfit.
 
I have a love/hate relationship with the G systems. I have owned a G1 with 28, 45 and 90 lenses which I sold. I later bought a G2 with the same lenses which I sold at the end of last year.
Optically the system is fantastic, the b+w negs were a pleasure to print. On the other hand I really didn't like the automation of the body.
As another poster said, the lenses are one of the best bargains out there.
Nick
 
Since my post yesterday my TLA flash sold at auction and I ended up selling him my G2 and 28mm. So apart from my black 90mm I am almost an ex-G user!
 
kuvvy said:
Since my post yesterday my TLA flash sold at auction and I ended up selling him my G2 and 28mm. So apart from my black 90mm I am almost an ex-G user!
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My condolences on your loss.

;)

ScottGee1
 
Maybe mine was a fluke or just an early model but it went back to Kyrocera 2 or 3X before they got the focus close to accurate yet it was never exactly spot on even after they were done with it. Just my own experience, but other periodic complaints and revelations of design bugs I've read over the years and as recently as here: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36936about focus issues with the 90 and the G1 hasn't changed my mind. I assumed that the total redesign of the focus system in the G2 addressed some of the issues.
 
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