Disappointed by Contax G

[klaz]

I've been using G1/45 for about 9 months. Shooting locally every week and did couple overseas trip with it. This is my first RF and I've been shooting Canon DSLRs with some primes for few years. The G1/45 AF speed is pretty fast and simple to use. Center point AF and recompose. For street stuff, I think it's very adequate in terms of speeds, weight and quality. I think I got over 90% on focus pictures if I shoot at f/2. I don't use the MF at all because it's confusing to me. I always use AF. It takes some practice but once you get it, it's a gem.

For street photo, I guess people used to do it in f/8 or even higher + high speed film to make sure most of the objects are in focus. Because you don't even have a chance to view it thru the VF otherwise people will notice you. I'm getting the 28mm and will see how it goes!

 

[nonot]

I've been using G1/45 for about 9 months. Shooting locally every week and did couple overseas trip with it. This is my first RF and I've been shooting Canon DSLRs with some primes for few years. The G1/45 AF speed is pretty fast and simple to use. Center point AF and recompose. For street stuff, I think it's very adequate in terms of speeds, weight and quality. I think I got over 90% on focus pictures if I shoot at f/2. I don't use the MF at all because it's confusing to me. I always use AF. It takes some practice but once you get it, it's a gem.

For street photo, I guess people used to do it in f/8 or even higher + high speed film to make sure most of the objects are in focus. Because you don't even have a chance to view it thru the VF otherwise people will notice you. I'm getting the 28mm and will see how it goes!

Apparently you're in the minority of users who've come to grips with the focus of the G Series 😉 Enjoy it, it's an amazing little system, and the 28 is great, but the 21 is something else!

 

[AndySig]

I think there's really two camps on the Contax G (1&2) experience, the ones that love it and the ones that love it with a caveat which made them get rid of it.

I like when people claim that they have more out of focus shots with a G1 than they do with their Leica M - and I would probably admit that myself, but for every 10 missed opportunities TO shoot my leica, I probably had one or two with the G2.

I've had a total of about 3 out of focus shots in many rolls of film taken with my G2. I average about two shots a roll with my M4 where I forget to take lens cap off! Operator error in both cases but I could argue from those figures that the G2 makes me use it more reliably.

 

[jazzwave]

Nothing wrong with G focussing system if u get the "healthy" one.Recently I got G1(green sticker)+45/2 , loaded with Ektar 100 (5 rolls). Focussing is perfect, sharp, only 5% missed focus due to low ligt and speed too slow 1/15sc to capture moving object.

Still dreaming to have G2, because the color is black.....😀

 

[Elmar Lang]

Being myself a Contax fan, I've a Contax G too (actually, received as a birthday present from a group of friends).

I admit that it's a wonderful piece of optical technology; a true masterpiece (and an expensive toy!) when it appeared on the market.

But I need to say that the pleasure of taking pictures with a ContaxII/IIa/Kiev camera (with Zeiss Jena/Opton/Jupiter lenses), is a true pleasure, for those not missing an autofocus.

Best wishes,

E.L.

 

[j.scooter]

Last week I jumped in with both feet. On an impulse I bought the G system that was in the classifieds. On Monday I will pick up a G2 21,28,45 and 90.

I am a bit nervous because I have never even held a Contax G and with everything that has been written in this thread and many others, the G is polarizing, either you love it or you hate it. That and I have been spoiled by the viewfinder and other very nice things of the now sold Zeiss Ikon.

Starting on Monday I will have a better idea on which side of the fence I am on regarding the Contax G.

 

[j j]

Good luck j.scooter. I hope you like it. And prices are on the up so little danger of it being an expensive mistake.

I think the key to the G series is to work with its qualities and not fight against its shortcomings. It is not like other cameras. For a start, the viewfinder is a framing tool and not for focusing, so comparison with the Ikon or Leica M is futile on that score.

But just like those equally excellent cameras, concentrate during the first few rolls and learn how it wants to be used and it becomes second nature.

I pause every time I pick up my G2 and smile to myself. My absolute favourite camera.

 

[kbg32]

Contax stopped making them at exactly the same time they quit making a FF DSLR.

Kyocera revived the Contax back in 1975. In 2005 they announced that they would stop production on all Contax models.

 

[sevo]

Kyocera revived the Contax back in 1975.

Almost. That was Yashica, Kyocera did not buy them until 1983.

 

[chopsteeks]

I own both Contax G1 and G2 with 21mm, 28mm, 35mm, 45mm and 90mm lenses.

Perhaps I am just lucky, but after a few rolls on learning how the camera operates.....never have any issues with AF unless it is an operator error...

I have a few times accidentally forgot to reset the AF button on......

Take time in learning how the AF works....then the lenses will not disappoint you...

Good luck j.scooter. I hope you like it. And prices are on the up so little danger of it being an expensive mistake.

I think the key to the G series is to work with its qualities and not fight against its shortcomings. It is not like other cameras. For a start, the viewfinder is a framing tool and not for focusing, so comparison with the Ikon or Leica M is futile on that score.

But just like those equally excellent cameras, concentrate during the first few rolls and learn how it wants to be used and it becomes second nature.

I pause every time I pick up my G2 and smile to myself. My absolute favourite camera.

 

[mretina]

I have had G1, with 45, 90, 28 and 21mm for almost one year. I shoot with many other cameras, but I must say that this is the one that I shoot with most pleasure and it is an amazing system producing amazing quality images. Particularly chromes with 21mm and 45mm I think have few equals in film and digital. Even more so if you consider the price you can get one. Had occasional focusing issues, and still have a couple of out of focus pictures per roll with the 90mm not focused at infinity (but I have the same problems with my screw mount elmarit).

To be honest if I need to shoot bokeh portraits or low light b&w street or my son's basketball game this is not the camera I would take anyway.... It is great when you need outdoor sharp images: business or leisure trips, walks, when you wish to travel light or you are with other people not so keen on pausing for photos and you wish to take ultra high quality pictures on a point and shoot mode and simply every time you want to shoot light and do not want to have to fiddle with the rangefinder or the meter but you want to retain the pleasure to carry the extra lens in your pocket and get 10x the quality of your beloved XA/Minox. I actually think that the G1 serves better for this purpose than the G2 (that I do not own) as it is more compact (and cheaper).

 

[steveclem]

In the article by Marcus Ehrenfried the author mentions getting the 'green sticker' upgrade and, more importantly to me, addressing the sloppy focusing wheel. Does anyone know offhand if this service is still available after all these years?

Steve

Article

 

[n5jrn]

Autofocus is what it is, and unfortunately it tends to not be compatible with good manual focus support (even autofocus SLR's with optical finders end up having smaller and dimmer finders than manual-focus era SLR's). If it doesn't suit your style, unload the Contax and shoot happily with your Leica.

Not every camera suits every photographer, and there's nothing wrong with choosing the tool that best suits you.

 

[sevo]

In the article by Marcus Ehrenfried the author mentions getting the 'green sticker' upgrade and, more importantly to me, addressing the sloppy focusing wheel. Does anyone know offhand if this service is still available after all these years?

The firmware upgrade ought to be still possible in any country/region where the service company formerly contracted by Kyocera still exists and has not deleted its files and tossed its manuals - a few have gone under or lost the capability, but most still seem to be existent.

And any camera technician capable of using screwdrivers and flexing a washer should be able to tighten the focus wheel. No need to go to the (former) official service for that - even good camera stores with their own technician can do it. With a decent set of micro screwdrivers and the absolute minimum of precision mechanics skills, it is a trivial DIY job.

 

[steveclem]

Thanks Sevo. I asked because a cursory glance didn't reveal any screws on the focus wheel and I wasn't willing to start fiddling with it until I knew more.

 

[JeffL]

Thanks Sevo. I asked because a cursory glance didn't reveal any screws on the focus wheel and I wasn't willing to start fiddling with it until I knew more.

Check the TOCAD site. I believe they still service Contax G (or at least G2). They send them to Japan. I sent my RTS 3 and was very happy with the service.

 

[steveclem]

Yep, Kyocera got back to me, £75 all in for the upgrade. Hmm, don't need the 21mm that much, considering they're not exactly falling off the trees here, more interested in the focal mechanism, it's a camera that just 'feels' right. Noisy, clunky AF and miniature viewfinder aside it's a lovely ,ergonomic piece and I think I;m getting a passion for film again.

 

[stnolan]

Just got my g2 with 45 and couldn't be happier and it's a great compliment to my M6 as it allows me to shoot differently for different situations. First two rolls look fantastic on portra 400 and a total of two oof shots total....user error