Can't quit my Contax G2

digitalintrigue said:
As long as you know what the system is looking for AF isn't a problem. What lens will you be shooting with primarily?
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Just the 28mm and 45mm for the foreseeable future I think. I manage well with my x100 - in fact I really like the AF on that camera, so perhaps I can manage with the G1 too...
 
PMCC said:
This comment piques my interest. Can you explain, briefly?
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Peter,

You need to fill the autofocus bracket and realize that repeating horizontal lines can cause it problems. Easily cured by tilting it a bit.

Great article on properly focusing the G2 here:

http://www.botzilla.com/blog/archives/000378.html

I have never had real problems with it at all. Only the 90 can require a bit more attention.
 
Thanks Kent! How about the G1? Same same or different? When I used the G1 I couldn't break the code for consistent focusing with the 90mm.
 
The G1 doesn't have the button on the back, and doesn't have an IR focus system for use in darkness at close distances, but with the 28 and 45 focus is really not a problem. It does have an AF assist light.

Filling the brackets and watch for horizontals are still the keys, along with the usual other potential troubles (areas with little contrast) and pay attention to the distance scale in the viewfinder...also make sure to keep the RF windows clean and unblocked with fingers...

Check out this comparison:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHCP-UL-rOg

Also refer to page 108-114 in the G2 manual: http://global.kyocera.com/prdct/optical/support/manual/g2_eng.pdf
 
PMCC said:
Thanks Kent! How about the G1? Same same or different? When I used the G1 I couldn't break the code for consistent focusing with the 90mm.
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The G2 focuses better than the G1, no question. It has both active and passive autofocus, the G1 doesn't. The G2 can even focus in complete darkness for closer subjects.

Both don't like horizontal lines or very low contrast scenes.
 
The point about keeping the auto-focus windows clean, really clean, is very true. It makes a huge difference.
 
Thanks gents, I'll check it out. Always thought the G lenses were dynamite. Kent, I'm going to try to make it to American Bull.
 
PMCC said:
Thanks gents, I'll check it out. Always thought the G lenses were dynamite. Kent, I'm going to try to make it to American Bull.
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Excellent Peter! I might have the G2 with me so you can play with it a bit if you like.
 
Well, just bought a green label G1 + 45mm from KEH. Going to see how I go with that, I'll undoubtably pick up a G2 down the track as well. Thanks digitalintrigue and everyone else for the advice!
 
And the G1 is delivered! On first impression it's like the great grandaddy of my x100. Almost exactly the same size - maybe slightly bigger in a few dimensions. 45mm f2 planar is super sweet and small. Slapped on a b+w 007 clear filter and a gordy strap and it looks super.

Just loaded a roll of Across 100 to shoot tomorrow to/from work, but just walking around without film the AF seems to be more than adequate. I noticed the red assistance grid going off a few times in darker areas, but I gotta say it's pretty slick with its AF. Seems to be about the same speed as my old 5d, maybe very slightly quicker than my x100, but much noisier. Finder isn't as small as people make it out to be really - not as nice as a leica or bessa, but considering its design parameters, I think it's really good.
The whole outfit does feel very 90's, but in a good way.

I got a feeling I'm going to LOVE the little 45mm - I tend to fall into the 40ish FOV very naturally... Now... To get a nice leather strap and one of those 28mm biogons!
 
It happens.

With me it's my Leica Digilux 2 which I can't let go. Would never sell it (unless I'd get into serious financial trouble).
 
You should check out a NEX camera for a digital option for your G lenses. The crop factor is only 1.5x, so it essentially bumps each lens up one slot, which isn't too bad. I love the G 35, 45 and 90 on my NEX-7. The 45, in particular, is amazing on the NEX-7.
 
..you have to decide for yourself where the greater emphasis lies, for me I have always shot film, I love having a tactile negative, and the tonal range is as yet still light years ahead of any digital camera on the consumer market today.
However, I found myself buying a digital camera 6 months ago and realizing that all the goodness of film did not outweigh the need to use a darkroom to produce the images and the satisfaction of having a real super high quality negative over the pretty good quality of digital and the immediacy of the results. Im about to travel and i need to have instand accountability for my client and the difficulty of some of the shots i will be taking in strenuous conditions made me realize that whilst the very important parts of this job will be committed to film, the rest of it will be buried on a HDD and will live in by backpack.
 
So I just returned a borrowed Contax G2 + Biogon 28mm in black.
It was simply the nicest camera I have ever used, and I have owned Leica M6, Hexar AF, Voigtlander Bessa, and all sorts of other SLRs.
 
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