Contax G1

ranger

ranger

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Just arrived from Shueido camera (Taiwan I think) Oh my God, what a beautiful specimen. This thing is immaculate. Has the Planar 45/2 on it. I just ran a roll through her for a test run. I like the way it handles. Don't mind the 'focus' noise. Viewfinder is small but no problem. I'll see how the pictures come out. Not a plastic feeling camera. It has heft to it.
Fun Fun Fun! 🙂🙂
 
Watch out Ranger - I started with just one lens and a body in the G system....but they get ya! Such incredible value these days....

Enjoy it and the wonderful Zeiss 45mm.
 
I had to send mine back to KEH but should have a new one Wednesday. Beautiful camera--one of my favorites, in terms of appearance, ever made.

I did shoot a couple of rolls with the 45 Planar before the camera went back, and WOW, that lens is sharp as hell.
 
Hmmmm

Hmmmm

jmilkins said:
Watch out Ranger - I started with just one lens and a body in the G system....but they get ya! Such incredible value these days....

Enjoy it and the wonderful Zeiss 45mm.
Click to expand...

I started the same way, too. Now I have the three original lens for the G1 plus a couple of flashes, several filters, well just a lot of gadgets to make my pictures better (yea right!). Everything fits in a Tamrac backpack that goes with me whenever I am out and about. It is a real shame that this fine camera and lens system was not accepted by the public. It gives credence to the saying that the consumer public is fickle at best. Quality of the product certainly did not count for much in the G1's case. :bang:
 
I wish you much enjoyment, but the shortcomings must be mentioned... I owned the G1 and G2 kit. Very well made system and fine performance EXCEPT for the 90mm lens being unable to quickly focus, and a lot of times was not able to focus at all. Very frustrating. Not good considering the original cost. I lost confidence and interest in the system. Not a real rangefinder experience after all, it amounts to basically a very expensive interchangable lens point and shoot. [flame suit ON]
 
Papa Smurf, mine is a G2 w/4 lenses in a med Tamrac B/P and it is my goto camera with Fuji Velvia 100F film when I absolutely want the best IQ I can get.

As I have stated many times the Contax G's IMO are the most undervalued high quality camera system out there.
 
George S. said:
... basically a very expensive interchangable lens point and shoot. [flame suit ON]
Click to expand...

Isn't a DSLR on Auto the same thing?

I have no problem focusing with the 90mm...




And it IS FUN FUN FUN.


The reason for non-acceptance of the G system was mostly psychological...(no verification of correct focus)

But that's fine by me because low demand means low price!
 
Last edited:
Semushkin said:
May I ask why?
Click to expand...

Sure, it was a G1...sold as EX, but the shutter stuck and was visible in about 20% of frames. I think it was only sticking at high speeds. Also, every half dozen or so shots, it would advance an extra frame, which is a new one, to me.

I've had focus frustrations, too, and sold my first G1 kit many months ago. But it didn't take long to want it back.
 
everyone has a right to their opinions but mine varies greatly from the above I have had my G2, 90, 45, 28, and recently purchased 21mm for several years and any focus issue I have experienced (which are extremely few) were my fault not equipment. True, it does not function like a true rangefinder but it handles and delivers IQ on par with the perceived BEST of the rangefinders.

I have read others who have had focus issues with 90mm and the G1 so I have been very aware to this issue but for 100's of roles of film I have yet to experience this issue.

To catagorize it as an expensive P&S with it's exceptional IQ and build Quality is obsurd. I agree it's not a traditional RF but IMO it is better with all of a RF's handling and quality issues with none of their short comings. I have owned and sold several Leica's but they will have to pry my G2 out of my cold dead hands 😉

As I stated we all are entitled to our opinions and I can afford any camera I want ... I shoot a G2 and that say's plenty.
 
They are great cameras... I sold mine, however, when I got my Leicas. Felt bad having such a great camera system (just two lenses, a 35 and a 45) on the shelf, not getting any use. Mind you, I don't miss them... but I won't badmouth the system either. In short, VERY good stuff! 🙂
 
George S. said:
Not a real rangefinder experience after all, it amounts to basically a very expensive interchangable lens point and shoot. [flame suit ON]
Click to expand...

Yeah! And what a point and shoot! I took snapshots in bars which are as good as others portrait sessions 🙂, only it took me two or three seconds to get the shot and the others need hours to set up lighting.

How I love the TTL flash and the AF 😀
 
mabelsound said:


"[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]The 45mm has a tiny bit of barrel distortion. That's too bad, because this should have been a great lens."

Ay caramba!
[/FONT]
Click to expand...

Yes, Ken is too much sometimes, contradicts himself at others, but is fun to read occasionally. Politically incorrect too, which is good!
 
Ya, well. It was color film I ran through so I'll get it processed tomorrow and scan some (boring test) images to see what kind of IQ it produces. I already know the first few are blown cause I thought the DX mode reads the ASA (but you have to set it to auto DX mode first!) Should have some images for you tomorrow.
 
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