Contax G1 Viewfinder

[vegas]

Hi,

I recently bought a wonderful contax G1. I'm very happy with it.
I noticed that in the viewfinder, which i find a bit dim, the green led indicator for exposure and focusing distance flickers a bit, quite regularly. I wonder if any of you have some thoughts about the matter. Is it faulty or needs repair?

I would much appreciate it.

Once I have played good enough with it ill share some opinions about it.

Thanks. 🙂

 

[Mjd-djm]

It's a great camera, especially with the 45mm lens. I regret selling mine. I certainly don't remember any flickering, but I could be wrong.

 

[Gerry M]

My G1, the exposure number blinks. My G2, the exposure number remains constant.

 

[kknox]

They are not real bright viewfinders. I just lived with mine. Great camera for the money.

 

[vegas]

Thanks for the thoughts. I was thinking it could be a problem. As per the dim viewfinder, oh well, I think K.Knox is right. you just have to live with it.

I have shoot 4 rolls already but couldn't check any results as the local developer lab is close for holidays.. I should have waited to see the results of the first two rolls to see if I needed to readjust things.. but couldn't help it.. is so fun to shoot with it..

Ill share some thoughts once I process the films.

Thanks

 

[Scapevision]

if it blinks you've had an optical eye camera mod installed from factory

 

[vegas]

Thanks Scapevision, but is that a good or bad thing.

 

[johank]

The good Your Camera will take the 21 mm too. Great Camera and lovely results.

 

[crsantin]

No flickering in the viewfinder but my film counter blinks. It's a wonderful camera and the 45mm lens is probably my favourite lens ever. It gives wonderful results. I have too many cameras and my G1 kit doesn't get used the way it should. None of my cameras do.

 

[Bolo Kukus]

Haze was a problem with the viewfinders of three of my four G1s. I own four - I had five, but sold one to a friend who need it for a 45mm lens he picked up cheaply. He loves the combo and now shoots regularly with it. So yet another convert.

I've had the three professionally cleaned, as the G1 viewfinder is easily dismantled by any good camera service center (I don't recommend you try to do it yourself) and the cleaning is quickly done. Cost will vary. The improvement will be immediately visible.

As for blinking/flickering LEDs, two of my G1s do it and the other two don't. This is rather a mystery to me, but I prefer to leave well enough alone for now.

Otherwise, I've found G1s rarely need servicing. One of mine developed a problem with the rewind, every now and then it refuses to wind the film back and I have to activate the rewind manually (with a satay stick). After a while it goes back to normal function. Again, a mystery, but as usual I've left it to its own. If it ever breaks down, according to my repair person, the camera will be unrepairable, as no spare parts are to be had.

G1s are 1990s technology and now somewhat long in the tooth and need to be given more careful handling. Otherwise, they continue to work well and I hope mine will give me many more years of service.

 

[Steve M.]

The itty bitty and dark viewfinder is why I sold mine. It doesn't give you anywhere near full coverage either, which resulted in some pics being ruined due to unintentional cropping. As for there being no bright viewfinders, my Contaflex viewfinder is very bright, same on the Nikon n8008s, and my Leicaflex SL has one of the best viewfinders in photography. It's like looking through a beautiful, bright, picture window. I agree, the Contax lenses are excellent, especially the 90, but that viewfinder ruined too many of my shots to keep the camera.

The flickering lights in the viewfinder are normal if I remember correctly. Do you have the camera's manual? It helps a lot, especially with understanding how the camera focuses.

 

[Bolo Kukus]

Sorry, Steve (#11), but your info is incorrect. G1 viewfinders were designed to show the true image, everything. Check the manual.

Yours may have been out of alignment and would have needed adjusting. Apparently this was a common problem with well used G1s. None of mine have this 'fault' and I am always satisfied that what I see in the viewfinder will be what I get in my images.

As for other G1 problems, well... old gear syndrome.

 

[eggsovereasy]

the green led indicator for exposure and focusing distance flickers a bit, quite regularly.

I don't have a G1, but my G2's viewfinder leds flicker a little when the shutter fires.

 

[vegas]

Thanks for the answers and thoughts guys..

The blinking persists, but certainly doesn't affect shooting at all.. been using it extensively for the last three months and its giving me fantastic results.

Its a lovely little camera. its fast, good viewfinder coverage (its good cos in the actual picture you always get more frame, in case you missed something in the first place) good colors and contrast, particularly with portra 400, very good exposure reading in auto with its centered weighted metering, good battery life and of course amazing set of lenses. I have the 28, which I use the most due to the nature of my project, 45, outstanding sharpness and DOF and the mighty 90, which doesn't get used as much as it deserves but certainly good portrait lens too.

All in all very happy with this little titanium jewel. A joy to use.

 

[sepiareverb]

Sorry, Steve (#11), but your info is incorrect. G1 viewfinders were designed to show the true image, everything. Check the manual...

Actually Steve is correct. The Viewfinder in the camera shows 90% of the image, according to the G1 Manual p.194.

The viewfinder is the weakest part of these cameras. Why it was designed to show 90% when it is a zoom finder is beyond me.

 

[Steevo]

Contax G1 ABC Mode

Contax G1 ABC Mode

I believe that if the Contax G film counter is blinking, it indicates that the automatic exposure bracketing compensation is engaged.....it's the setting located under the shutter speed dial....the one that says "+/- .05 and +/- 1"

See page 98 of the manual.

SW

 

[FelixKH]

I believe that if the Contax G film counter is blinking, it indicates that the automatic exposure bracketing compensation is engaged.....it's the setting located under the shutter speed dial....the one that says "+/- .05 and +/- 1"

See page 98 of the manual.

SW

Yes, my G1 works like this too.