Contax G1

These cameras are high on my list. How does G2 differs from G1? how do both differ from M6 in size and ergonomics?
 
You're confusing facts with your opinion. I didn't badmouth anything about it other than the 90mm focus failure isue that I and apparently hundreds of others have had with the sysytem. Reread my comment- : "Very well made system and fine performance except..." The "except" is the aforementioned 90mm lens focus failures. Those failures are a fact. It's a good thing that you and others have not experienced those failures, but don't kill me for stating my experience with the system. And I resent you calling my opinion absurd. It basically IS a point and shoot with interchangable lenses. It is NOT a true rangefinder in the usual sense of the word.

And tell us all, why does YOUR choice of what you choose to shoot with say plenty?

DEcevR said:
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.
Click to expand...
 
George S. said:
You're confusing facts with your opinion. I didn't badmouth anything about it other than the 90mm focus failure isue that I and apparently hundreds of others have had with the sysytem.
Click to expand...
On my G1 the 90 is a bit problematic, but I still haven't had my G1 upgraded with the newer ROM. So yes, the G1 may have had some problems focusing a 90 at f2.8.

And I resent you calling my opinion absurd. It basically IS a point and shoot with interchangable lenses. It is NOT a true rangefinder in the usual sense of the word.
Click to expand...

This depends a bit on your native language. A rangefinder is a device to measure distances, isn't it? I had a rangefinder on my 100mm guns back then when I was in the navy.
In Germany we call cameras with one window for framing, focusing and, possibly, lightmeter "Messsucherkameras", roughly translated measuring finder cameras. A Barnak is not a Messsucherkamera but a Contax G is.

The Contax G focuses by triangulation like a Contax II did, with the difference that the image is not evaluated by a human eye but by a phase detection sensor. This can be more accurate and it can be faster, but it must not in all circumstances.

One can call the Contax G a P&S since you can point it and shoot, and why not? I don't think this is prejorative, the camera does not come in your way, you concentrate on framing or the "decisive moment" or whatever, not on which direction to turn the focus ring, which direction to turn the aperture ring and you don't have to take the camera from your eye to change the shutterspeed.

For perfect focus on the tip of the third eyelash from the left, I'd take a Viewcamera and a 4x loupe :)
 
I just ordered a backup G1

I just ordered a backup G1

I've been hemming and hawwing about getting a backup G1 for a while. I've got the 28/45/90 set, so I've been keeping an eye on KEH's silver label prices. Last night I noticed they had dropped the EX grade from $225 to $199, and decided that was my cue to go for it. Must have been the last one, cuz it's not listed now :p. Just hope it doesn't have any problems like the one mabelsound returned.
 
here are a couple of shots from my new G1
I don't find the AF an issue at all. I can plant the [ ] right where I want the focus to land and no problem.
 

Attachments

  • contax1.jpg
    contax1.jpg
    116.2 KB · Views: 0
My replacement G1 from KEH came today, and it's MUCH nicer than the broken one I sent back. I'm very excited. An RFFer sold me a 45 and a 90 for a knock-down price, and I'm delighted to have my old rig back in action.

Honestly, this camera IS a point and shoot. I mean, almost EVERY film point and shoot is a rangefinder, technically speaking. This just happens to be perhaps the finest point and shoot camera ever made. When I think "rangefinder," I think of a camera with a rangefinder on it, that you can actually use. Here, all the rangefinding is going on without you. But it is an undeniably amazing camera.

I love to look at the G1...a beautiful piece of technology.
 
Jerry Thirsty said:
I've been hemming and hawwing about getting a backup G1 for a while. I've got the 28/45/90 set, so I've been keeping an eye on KEH's silver label prices. Last night I noticed they had dropped the EX grade from $225 to $199, and decided that was my cue to go for it. Must have been the last one, cuz it's not listed now :p. Just hope it doesn't have any problems like the one mabelsound returned.
Click to expand...

I hope it ISN'T the one mabelsound returned!
 
Congrats, mabelsound, on getting the nicer replacement G1! These are indeed lovely cameras, and priced so very attractively now. I also bought one from KEH a few years ago, essentially as a way to use the 21mm Biogon... which I figured was the least expensive route to a fast high-quality 21 lens.

And mine too had mechanical troubles, film winding issues, so it went back. But I liked the system well enough by that point I paid a bit extra and got the G2 instead of a replacement G1. I do prefer the G2 controls, and use the focus lock button a lot.

And, yeah, additional lenses inevitably arrived, and a "backup" G2 body too... Hooked! I see some similarity in usage between this system and the Fuji GA645, both very automated but with extremely high quality.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom