Contax G1...why so cheap?

I'm in the Contax G system for 6 years now, I shot street, landscape, portraits and in clubs. It just works for me.

The Planar 35 is underrated IMHO, it may not have the MTF curves of other lenses but put it in front of some HP5 or Tri-X and it performs very well, so well it is my most used lens on the G2.

Noise is not a problem for me and it makes not much of a difference if I point the camera to something where I can align two fuzzy images and hope the rangefinder is within specs or if I point the camera to something the AF finds acceptable to align two fuzzy images.

It is electronic and it needs batteries, granted, but I've never been caught out of batteries, I've been in a place where razor blades where unavailable but I found CR2 batteries there :D

Here I can buy CR2 batteries within walking distance but have to mail order developer.
 
I'm with WAYNEB, I've had both the G1 & G2 and now only have the G1. The G2 just didn't work for me with its additional bulk questionable additional features. It showed me nothing I couldn't achieve with my G1.

I am down to my G1 and 35/2 Planar and that's all I need out of that camera. Best part is, it cost me but $400 for the complete setup. If it goes tits up I can sell the lens for half that at least and I will be the better for the Contax G experience (or find another G1 body for the $200 I paid for mine and continue the march). I consider it a fine camera with an outstanding lens.

In that price range I don't look for Leica build quality but guess what? I'm getting it in end results (the photos).
 
For the uninitiated, these Contax G lenses are just outstanding especially the classic 21, 28, 45, and 90mm kit. There is a shop in Japan that convert those to M mount and people are paying crazy money to do so because these lenses are so good. The G1 and G2 bodies may take a while to get used to because while they are AF they are not EOS 1v AF. There is a process to get these cameras to respond when you need them to.
 
A bit late to the party, sorry,

I have shot more with the G system in recent years than with any other, if I want to go light, and less obtrusive, I will carry two G2's, 28mm and 90mm and perhaps a Bessa or Leica with the 12mm CV. All fit in a fairly small bag.

I started with the G1, and wondered why they called the camera a G1, perhaps they knew there was going to be a G2? I found the focusing slow, and the OOF ratio a bit too high, but reading this thread, I believe it might be more pilot error.

I had a higher ratio of good shots with the G2, and found in any kind of situation calling for fast handling, the benefits of AF, AE outweighed the disadvantages, and I did learn to confirm my focus when I had time.

I also provided a G1 and G2 with the 90 and 35 (her choice) to a friend working on her degree in fine arts in photography, she continues to use them, in addition to MF, Nikon SLR, and LF.

Neither of us seem to be able to get down to a single camera system, there are just some things we prefer to use certain cameras to do.

For candid/ street/ people work, the G2 and the 28 and 90 fill a decent niche. Exposure has always been spot on, and the limiting factor in the images was not the equipment.

I suspect that for Roger, he is so accustomed to shooting with M RF's, he is his own AF/ AE, and it would not be worth it to work to adjust to a new system which, while he could make it work, might not cover the range of his chosen subject matter and style of work regardless.

With the digital panic, and the demise of Contax, plus the supply of G cameras, and the fact that the lenses basically fit only G Contax, the prices reflect a true bargain, and anyone who chooses to buy this system will find a use for that great glass.

I have heard that, while expensive, it is possible to convert the mounts to M mount, making it a viable possibility for perhaps the 16mm.

Being better at buying than selling, I still have a G1 and two G2's, and while I will hold on to the G2's I was considering releasing the G1 to someone who would use it, and find it interesting that people in this thread have found some virtues to the G1 over the G2.

I originally bought the G2 because it would take the "Zoom", then never bought the zoom.

If someone wants to talk me out of the G1, it could be discussed, especially if I do not take the time to reflect on these virtues ;-).

Congrats to Vincent and Womby for their purchases, enjoy gloating a bit for those of us who bought the same kit at the "tourist" prices, though I could have paid more.

Now if someone would fit a nice 12mp sensor to a G body--

Regards, John
 
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Gotta add this value tip on the G1/G2

Gotta add this value tip on the G1/G2

A G1 with the three lenses it uses is a hugely undervalued buy and a great opportunity to save a huge amount of money.

I recently sold an excellent G1 with the 28, 45, and 90 mm lens. The lenses were near perfect. I sold the set for $670.

The G2 with those three lenses will often go over $1000. A Black set will hit $1500. (I watch these closely)

So, to save a bunch of money... Buy the nicest G1 with three lenses you can find and you will be in the $600 to $700 range.

Try the G1... If you don't like it or can't master it, then start looking for a G2 body only......or a G2 with one lens.

After that, you will have a G1 body you can sell with one lens for $350 or thereabouts.

The only thing the G2 offers is the ability to use the 21 and 35 millimeter lens and the zoom which often sells for robbery prices at $600-700 (No way for me-I can change lenses for much less and carrying two of these small lenses makes the zoom a stupid purchase, since overall it's not as good as the separate lenses).

In addition, the G2 gets mixed reviews on whether it's really better if you can follow the instruction in the supplemental manual for focusing the G1.

The two camera's each have a loyal following, but I am just trying here to tell you how to save a few hundred dollars, so that you can afford next months payment on your mortgage (sub-prime???)
 
I just bought a G1 a few weeks ago since I really need a AF camera to help capture those exciting moments. I tried one roll of film, it is an excellent camera regarding its price.
 
Back in the range finder world again

Back in the range finder world again

Dear all;

I got to looking for ways to get back into film after abandoning the Bessa-R.

That lead me to the Contax G1. From my first impressions, it's a really fun camera to use. Got the first few rolls back, and some of them are outstanding. I was using Fuji consumer film from Costco. The 45mm normal is really sharp, sometimes ...

There were a few issues with the autofoucs, but this would more along the line of user error.

I know this might not be quite the right place, but what color film would you all recommend using?

My scanner is a an Epson 4490, and I'm getting pretty good results. Will be posting photos in the near future.

Looking into getting the 28 and the 90 to round out the kit.

Dave
 
Roger Hicks said:
At the risk of inviting flames...

Possibly it's cheap because it's not a very good camera?

Nice lenses, yes, but I wasn't all that impressed by the G2, which is generally reckoned to be a far better camera than the G1.

Cheers,

R.
Click to expand...

I have to agree.

I purchased a G1 when I decided I needed a smaller option for certain work than my big SLR gear. Leica was always the name product by having never so much as picked up a rangefinder before I plumped for the far more affordable G1 having heard such good things about the lens system.

The lenses are excellent and if I could fit the 45mm f/2 planar onto my M6 bodies I probably would, however IMHO the bodies are far too tricky and fiddly to use. The manual focus system is just bizarre and way to loose for my liking, the AF system noisey and slow whilst the viewfinder was a nightmare. I had to constantly adjust my eye position to see everything in the finder. It lasted around a month before I bought my first M body. Which was utter bliss compared to the G1.

Simply my opinion of course:rolleyes:
 
Dirt cheap, superb lenses, and the G1/G2 systems are quite usable once you get used to them, but I return to my Leica M's for "viewfinder relief"!
 
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