Contax G system

[Roninman]

I bought my G1 on a trip through Hanover, New Hampshire. I had rented a small convertible and was traveling without a camera. I drove through the mountains with that camera in the passenger seat and fell in love with the images it made. I only just have the 45mm but what a lens!

 

[jmilkins]

Can you share some thoughts about shooting with the G1 compared to G2? Differences in weight? AF and shutter responsiveness? Viewfinder?

Thank you,
Robert

Robert, Bob's post (#40) nails it. Pretty similar in use. AF is last century compared to today, but I'm not using it for sports and birds in flight. If you think you would use the back AF focus button and ability to switch between MF, AF-C and AF-S, or the front wheel that aids MF then go with the G2.

If I were just getting into the joys of Contax G - while the bodies are technically excellent for their time - I'd put the difference in price in the bodies towards another G lens. Say a 28 and 45 kit. That means a cheaper orange label G1 would use both lenses. If you were considering a bigger system, or 21mm or 35mm use get the green label G1.

 

[eggsovereasy]

I have a G2 with 21/28/45/90. I mostly use the 28 and 21 and they're both fantastic. I got the G2 rather than the G1 because I like the focus button the back and the faster max shutter speed. To be honest though, I'd be happy with a G1 too.


As for the weight, it weighs less than my Nikon F3 so it seems pretty light to me.

 

[agoglanian]

I'm pretty new to the G2 myself but I've long admired them from afar. Primarily I'm an M shooter and that's not going to change but I sure do love the G2 already. I've only had mine about 2 months and unfortunately the body I have developed a focusing hiccup but fortunately Nippon Photo Clinic in NYC is still capable and more than willing to work on them. I will have my camera back shortly and I'm very much looking forward to using it and continuing to learn the system.

I initially bought the body with the 28, 45 and 90 lenses for a more than fair deal, and then acquired the 21mm via one of our members, and while I've been waiting for the body to come back I stumbled upon a like new 35mm G in the box so I picked that up too.

I definitely still have to acclimate to the focusing system, particularly with the 90mm, but I'm looking forward to spending time with each lens individually and getting to know their characteristics.

Guess I'll have to give my Leicas a break for a while 😀

 

[agoglanian]

Well at least here in the US I was able to get mine repaired by Nippon Photo Clinic. They happily service Contax cameras still 🙂

I really would like a second G2 body so I can have a backup/spare or dedicated body for the 21mm because good Lord that is a sweet lens

 

[wafflecakee]

Loved the system. The lenses are great and it made for a good travel kit. I'm switching back to an M system at the moment because I'm indecisive but I'm sure there's another in the future. I still have the 21 and I'm not having any luck selling it so I may just have to pick up another green label g1 on the cheap!

 

[FelixKH]

I just got the G1 last Tuesday from an old mentor and the 45 and 90mm from a seller on the local forum. I got poisoned after reading about the G1/G2 and was asking my mentor about them when he asked if I was really keen and he would sell me his personal G1 with the Green Label.

I just loaded a roll of film and am now on the 9th shot only. Still, have at least 29 shots to go.

 

[Ken Ford]

I lusted horribly for a black G2 kit when they were new in the late 90s, to the point that I kept an advertising slick for it taped to the inside of my credenza door at work to inspire my savings. At the time I had no RF gear at all, and it seemed the ultimate small camera for me to supplement my Nikons.

I never purchased any G system gear at all. In the early 00s I picked up a Bessa T and the Leica CL lens pair, and I was off down the M rabbit hole. I’m now heavily invested in Leica M for the second time in my life.

But... that old Contax pull is still there.

My biggest concern with buying a G in 2017 is longetivity. G1s are fairly inexpensive, but G2s are pricey. With my luck I’d pick one up and it would croak in a year or two with no repair parts available. Already I understand many cameras are showing LCD problems.

In some ways I wish I had gone G back before I started again with M. Yes, M was a comfortable old friend - but as my eyes age the G’s autofocus would be appreciated!

 

[Roel]

I have G2 and the 28 + 45 lens + nice little TLA-200 flash.

I have the system app 1 year and decided to switch the G1 i had for a G2. My main reason was that the Auto focus in lowlight was not so great. The G2 which i have for 4 months now is much better focussing in my opinion. It will nail focus in real dark situations. I feel the G2 is also a bit more responsive.

For daylight situations the G1 was great and just an bit smaller/lighter. Maybe the ideal set would be to have both bodies..

 

[Gerry M]

Maybe the ideal set would be to have both bodies..

Roel,
You are right ^^^, and I do have. 🙂

 

[Taipei-metro]

sorry wrong post

 

[johank]

Have a G2 and G1 they get almost as many shoots 28 and 90, keep the 45 in pocket with film and flash. Leitz table tripod following with spare batteries.

 

[FelixKH]

I was looking out for a G2, but the prices are crazy. Will have to look for another G1 green label then

 

[froyd]

I lusted horribly for a black G2 kit when they were new in the late 90s, to the point that I kept an advertising slick for it taped to the inside of my credenza door at work to inspire my savings. At the time I had no RF gear at all, and it seemed the ultimate small camera for me to supplement my Nikons.

I never purchased any G system gear at all. In the early 00s I picked up a Bessa T and the Leica CL lens pair, and I was off down the M rabbit hole. I’m now heavily invested in Leica M for the second time in my life.

But... that old Contax pull is still there.

My biggest concern with buying a G in 2017 is longetivity. G1s are fairly inexpensive, but G2s are pricey. With my luck I’d pick one up and it would croak in a year or two with no repair parts available. Already I understand many cameras are showing LCD problems.

In some ways I wish I had gone G back before I started again with M. Yes, M was a comfortable old friend - but as my eyes age the G’s autofocus would be appreciated!

Go for it! Like you said, the G1 is fairly affordable and will give you a very similar experience to the G2. The lenses can be re-purposed for use on mirrorless cameras so they'll still be relevant (for use by you or for resale) the day the G1 bites the dust.

I picked up a cheap G1 kit several years back, and though I mostly shoot M I cannot see myself ever selling the Contax. For me, it's the perfect family vacation camera. It's usually what I pick up when I go on trips because of the low weight and high IQ.