Autofocus G1 or G2, Different?

elmer3.5

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Hi, sold my first g1, but got another with a very bad attitude towards focusing, think it´s kaputt!

Planning to buy a third one since is very small and make great pics with those nice glasses! 28,45, 90!

Can´t decide if to go back for 250 to a g1 or upgrade for 650 to a g2, despite all the other great features of the g2 my main question is:

Is the g2 much better when focusing than the g1?

Thanks!
 
Is the g2 much better when focusing than the g1?
Thanks!

Having owned and used both a G1 and a G2 for eight years, my experience differs from the two prior posts.

The autofocus seems to work equally well on both the G1 and the G2. There is some difference in the technology but functionally they seem to work the same to me. If I were pushed to say which focuses better, I would have to pick the G1 but not by much.

FWIW, I use the G1 over the G2 almost all the time because of the slightly more compact size and lighter weight.
 
The G2 has a advantage in close distance/low light conditions, where it can make use of its active AF. At least in my samples the passive AF part was not noticeably different from the G1.
 
I had both, but sold the G1 as the G2 was more accurate with the 2,8/90

But that might not be due to the AF - my focusing reliability with the 90mm increased considerably when I lost its lens shade, which suggests that it could be more of a matter of the barrel masking part of the AF zone. The G2 has a more generous layout.
 
Most of the chatter on the net indicates that the G2 has better focusing, but that was not my experience. I the two to be pretty much the same, so sold the G2 as i like the slightly smaller G1. The G2 does give you a CAF option that the G1 does not have.

Jim Couch
 
!

!

Great answers!

Based on your experiences, the price difference and the compactness i´ll go for my third g1 body!

Thanks a lot!
 
I never experienced any shutter lag or focusing issues on G2 with any lenses. I used all the lenses except the zoom.
 
I'd pay several hundred dollars for the value focus button on the back of the G2. Having owned a G1, that's my favorite part of the G2 (and is on my Contax 645, which is nice too). That button is great for when you hand the camera to someone else and have them take a photo for you.
 
I'd pay several hundred dollars for the value focus button on the back of the G2. Having owned a G1, that's my favorite part of the G2 (and is on my Contax 645, which is nice too). That button is great for when you hand the camera to someone else and have them take a photo for you.

You know, when I first got my G2 I thought what a pointless function it was on the camera and why add it. Now, as you do, I realise it's one of the G2's best points especially bearing in mind how you should use it properly to maintain focus.

However, although I prefer the focusing of my G2 over my G1 I also feel there is no real difference in the end result over the two. Most focusing issues with the G1 do seem to be when using the 90mm lens which I do not own so it's never been a problem for me and I cannot comment on.
 
Speaking of G1s, I've stayed off today to take delivery of mine with its 45mm lens. Maybe you'll see it later. ****ing parcelforce...
 
Any difference in noise levels in autofocus? And to what sort of range does the G2 active focus work? And is either camera preferable for zone focus methods? Have considered a Gx with a 28mm for cheeky street shooting, or maybe to keep in my daily bag with a roll of slide film in it for days when the colour and light suits.
 
Any difference in noise levels in autofocus? And to what sort of range does the G2 active focus work? And is either camera preferable for zone focus methods? Have considered a Gx with a 28mm for cheeky street shooting, or maybe to keep in my daily bag with a roll of slide film in it for days when the colour and light suits.

1) No

2) Hard to define, but for me in general use much better in low light using a G2 over the G1. But, if low light photography is high on your agenda far better to spend your money on a Leica/Konica RF/Bessa & manual focus to be fair.

3) Zone focus = not as such as with a traditional MF RF camera. But there are ways of doing it if you use smaller apertures and careful where you lock focus. Forget manual focus on these cameras, it can be done but ........ (JMHO of course!)

4) G2 on a wrist strap with the 28mm fitted, low profile straight out of the bag/pocket - perfect and exactly why I love these cameras so much. :)


HTH.
 
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