whitecat
Lone Range(find)er
I was at Central Camera in Chicago last week and they have 2 new kits available. One is a 3 lens set and the other had the 35-70 zoom. Move quickly my fellow photographers! Did not get any pricing.
whitecat
Lone Range(find)er
I think the one with 3 lenses wes 2595.00.
uhligfd
Well-known
This is a steep price for a wonderful camera and set of 3 lenses. The equivalent Titanium silver set sells for under 1000 $ on the bay, and I paid less than that. This black body price gouging is beyond me, but go ahead everyone if you love great photography.
raid
Dad Photographer
There was a green label G1 with 28-45-90 for $625 for sale here. Why pay $2000?
fbf
Well-known
Because the black set comes with the contax case and rarer than the silver one. Collectors used to pay big money for them. Not any more? I wish there will be a digital camera or back support the G series lenses.
raid
Dad Photographer
An AF system like the G2 is never really "rare" as a collector's item [I think]. It's is an automatic camera that has no history.
raid
Dad Photographer
The only option for Contax G lenses is to convert them to M mount. In that case, buy the cheap lenses, not the black ones.
If the conversion costs $500/lens in Japan, is there a less expensive way out to convert three lenses?
Raid, talk to Dirk at Japan Exposures:
http://www.japanexposures.com/services/#lens
I had the 3 lens Contax G1 kit in the mid-90s, the lenses were superb...I'm seriously thinking of doing a conversion or two. I know another RFF member who is in the process with a 28mm, and has already done a 45mm before.
http://www.japanexposures.com/services/#lens
I had the 3 lens Contax G1 kit in the mid-90s, the lenses were superb...I'm seriously thinking of doing a conversion or two. I know another RFF member who is in the process with a 28mm, and has already done a 45mm before.
Last edited by a moderator:
fbf
Well-known
Thanks Robert.
IMHO, the lenses quality of the whole G series is beyond most of leica lenses (I know most people will probably disagree, oh, well..)
IMHO, the lenses quality of the whole G series is beyond most of leica lenses (I know most people will probably disagree, oh, well..)
I haven't used all the comparable Leica lenses, but the three lenses I had were great.
I'd really like to have the 90/2.8 Sonnar. It's cheaper to buy a used one and convert it, than it is to buy the new ZM 85/4 Tele-Tessar, and you get an extra stop, too.
There are some who believe the Zeiss produced lenses are better than the Cosina produced ZMs.
I'd really like to have the 90/2.8 Sonnar. It's cheaper to buy a used one and convert it, than it is to buy the new ZM 85/4 Tele-Tessar, and you get an extra stop, too.
There are some who believe the Zeiss produced lenses are better than the Cosina produced ZMs.
raid
Dad Photographer
I think of the G1/G2 as a temporary equipment, with the goal to make maximum use of the 28-45-90 lenses on an M camera one day.
Thanks for the link.
fbf
Well-known
Just emailed Dirk and he sent the price list... It's pretty dawn expensive conversion. I wouldn't hesitate if i have the money though.
Dan States
Established
Actually in Japan they carry quite a premium. With the strong Yen/Dollar relationship now I'll bet those kits finally get sold. The Japanese market is totally unique in what demands top dollar and what goes unloved.
Best wishes
Dan
It's not cheap, but when one considers all the work and custom machining, it's actually a lot less than one might think.
Consider that a custom machined lens adapter for M lenses to the Panasonic G1 costs $250 all by itself, has no focusing helical, doesn't require mounting of lens elements, doesn't required collimation, and doesn't come with an individual report of MTF curves
Consider that a custom machined lens adapter for M lenses to the Panasonic G1 costs $250 all by itself, has no focusing helical, doesn't require mounting of lens elements, doesn't required collimation, and doesn't come with an individual report of MTF curves
oris642
natural person
I'd like to see a conversion ring to mount my Contax G lenses on a Lumix G1! Anyone else?
Andrew Sowerby
Well-known
How do you focus Contax G lenses converted to M mount?
raid
Dad Photographer
The lens itself better be worth a lot, or else, it is a waste of money. If an M mount Zeiss lens [ZM] sells for less than $700 used, then wouldn't it be the better buy than converting a Zeiss [say] 45mm 2.0 at that price?
fbf
Well-known
exactly what I would like to know. From the message I received, the conversion would take out the contax lens shell.
MF contax G lenses
sweet~George S.
How many is enough?
Exactly what I'm thinking, raid. While I've owned a G system or two back in the day, and I think the lenses were excellent, I don't think they're worth a big $$$ layout to convert. The ZM lenses are just as good.