Disappointed by Contax G

LeicaFoReVer

LeicaFoReVer

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I bought this beauty 4-5 months ago. I tested it I liked it (with 45mm and 90mm lenses) and had no trouble in focusing. It did not seem difficult to me.

Recently I took it with me to the trip to Cancun and used with my leica M6. I was already disappointed by myself being able to finish only 2 rolls of film in the entire trip and now really pissed of because the roll I finished with Contax has many not-focused shots. Before the trip I had decided to used 45mm wide open to isolate the portraits from the background now I see that with that machine and autofocus it was a wrong decision. Camera and lenses are good and I tested them before including wide open...So I really dont know if the autofocus went crazy when there was not enough light or...I paid attention to focus indicator in the viewfinder and everything was ok...


So I am really frustrated. I was in love with this camera but because of the autofocus thing I want to sell it all. I never made focusing mistakes with my leica (at least that many in a single roll)...So did you have similar experiences?

By the way some shots are tack sharp and focus is spot on!

Below is an example soft focused shot: You see that there is no challange for autofocus, the subject is in the centerin front of a wall facing to me...

img374.jpg


And below is the sharp example:
img380.jpg
 
In the end I sold my system for the same reason... I hated having to do it because the lenses are stunning IMO, and the ergonomics of the camera I loved (apart from focussing obviously). I just could not get used to it after a solid year - too inconsistent. But gee, I miss those lenses!
 
Exactly I am in the same dilemma!!! Gee, I am thinking to keep the body and get a 28mm where you have bigger DOF. What do you think??
 
I shot 5 rolls of Ektar 100, all shots came out perfect on a recent trip. The auto focus is great if you take just a second for it to focus. Make sure you focus on a face for example them keep the shutter 1/2 pressed until you take the shot. Good luck the lens are of the best ever made for a rangefinder. Give it a second chance before you sell any gear. I shoot just as much with my G1 & lens as I do with my M4 & Summicrons. The lens are also great on the GF1 camera if you decide to get rid of the G body.
 
Don't sell the lenses!

Don't sell the lenses!

Just a bit of unsolicited advice. If you can condone digital, it's getting easier to adapt these lenses to digital bodies like the m4/3 and NEX. The glass is excellent and relatively inexpensive.

I use the G for film too, but tend to shoot static subjects. My spastic sons are too quick and unpredictable to catch consistently.
 
Is it possible you had it on continous auto focus? If so that could explain some of the flaky results.

I have two G2s and truly never have a problem with focusing. That stinks that you had a tough time with it, check for possible "Driver Error" (we've all done it, mine includes shooting an M with a cap on for half a roll once).
 
Last edited:
kdemas said:
Is it possible you had it on continous auto focus? Is do that could explain some of the flaky results.

I have two G2s and truly never have a problem with focusing. That stinks that you had a tough time with it, check for possible "Driver Error" (we've all done it, mine includes shooting an M with a cap on for half a roll once).
Click to expand...

It might have been in C. Is it bad to have it on C for portraits? In theory no matter the subject moves or not, it should focus in C mode...

But did you shoot the cap on in an important occasion like a vacation? 🙂

We walked so hard to capture those with my wife and we spent hours...It really made me to hate the system...Why in the hell they needed to put an autofocus on those machines..Old school manual focusing on lens would have been wonderful for those cameras...
 
The camera really does not do well in continous mode, that most likely was your issue. It will hunt to a small degree, causing the type of effect you see.

The Contax AF was quite good in single focus mode but the action tracking was, shall we say, lacking. Give it a try on S and I think you may be pleased 🙂

Kent

LeicaFoReVer said:
It might have been in C. Is it bad to have it on C for portraits? In theory no matter the subject moves or not, it should focus in C mode...

But did you shoot the cap on in an important occasion like a vacation? 🙂

We walked so hard to capture those with my wife and we spent hours...It really made me to hate the system...Why in the hell they needed to put an autofocus on those machines..Old school manual focusing on lens would have been wonderful for those cameras...
Click to expand...
 
Thanks guys I will try with S mode and wide open and several different conditions, low light etc to see...It might be C mode then...
 
I have encountered the same problem. But I have not been able to isolate the issue. I agree, it is frustrating.

I have done everything -- kept the autofocus on the proper setting, focused on the face or body for proper DOF, half-depressed shutter button, etc. etc. -- and I still get out of focus shots. Not many, but they still happen.

If possible, maybe sacrifice a cheap roll of film, and run a test roll. Try different settings on the autofocus. Keep notes of what you're trying to do on each exposure. Shoot in different light, using different subjects.

I know it seems like a hassle, but maybe you can figure out what works for you.
 
LeicaFoReVer said:
Thanks guys I will try with S mode and wide open and several different conditions, low light etc to see...It might be C mode then...
Click to expand...

I agree with the others who avoid C mode. With S mode, you select what's in focus, and then compose. It's predictable and works, assuming the camera is functioning properly. If you have the G2 make sure you lock focus with your thumb.

Good luck and don't give up! It's a great camera.
 
LeicaFoReVer said:
But did you shoot the cap on in an important occasion...
Click to expand...

The incident I thought of was Christmas Eve. Thank god someone noticed and most of the night was OK.

Just FYI... I shoot the N series as well and the continuous focus is just as finicky. These cameras do not behave like CaNikons for fast focusing and tracking, bummer but that's their weak point. On the bright side the static focus is quite good.
 
Sorry for your trouble - I don't understand however, why you would force yourself to use a camera you don't feel comfortable with, you do have an M6, right ? If you like the glass, the 45 is easily replaced with a 50/2 ZM, the 90 Sonnar with a 90/2.8 M-Hexanon (same formula).

Roland.
 
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