froyd
Veteran
Two months into my Contax G1 experiment I was still debating whether to stick with it or go back to a manual focus RF, like the Bessa R2a that preceded the Contax. Much as I like the feel of the camera and its beautiful construction, I was not able to get consistent results with it. I had far less keepers per roll than I typically had with my SLR or with the dearly departed R2a. You've heard all the dislikes before, so no sense listing them here, but I would add that the process of shooting was less fun that I had hoped it to be. Strange because I had often read descriptions of G1/G2 users describing their cameras as "liberating".
I felt the G1 encouraged me to rush into things without double checking exposure, and the whole concept of focusing without precise visual confirmation caused me more anxiety than I would have expected, reducing my enjoyment.
Last week I loaded up a roll of XP2, snapped on the magical 28, set the exposure to AE and did not stress too much about locking focus, checking the readout on top of the camera, relocking focus "just in case", wondering why the reading on top of the camera had changed slightly even though the subject and I were in the same spot, etc...
The result? As nearly perfect roll as I have had in 15 years of photography with 28 keepers out of 36.
Looks like I'm finally getting the hang of it and I'll be holding on to the G for a little longer!
Here is one picture to celebrate: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=134118&ppuser=6408
I felt the G1 encouraged me to rush into things without double checking exposure, and the whole concept of focusing without precise visual confirmation caused me more anxiety than I would have expected, reducing my enjoyment.
Last week I loaded up a roll of XP2, snapped on the magical 28, set the exposure to AE and did not stress too much about locking focus, checking the readout on top of the camera, relocking focus "just in case", wondering why the reading on top of the camera had changed slightly even though the subject and I were in the same spot, etc...
The result? As nearly perfect roll as I have had in 15 years of photography with 28 keepers out of 36.
Looks like I'm finally getting the hang of it and I'll be holding on to the G for a little longer!
Here is one picture to celebrate: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=134118&ppuser=6408
Lance
Established
Good one. I just bought a G2 and just developed my first roll. I love my Leica M6 but wanted something no nonsense with auto exposure and focus. Was looking for a T3 but found a great deal for the G2.
Exposure is excellent but I have not had a chance to check focus yet. Focusing definitely needs some getting used to, as you mentioned. But I guess it's a matter of trusting it the way you would a compact. I check the little display all the time, but think I'm going to stop now.
Exposure is excellent but I have not had a chance to check focus yet. Focusing definitely needs some getting used to, as you mentioned. But I guess it's a matter of trusting it the way you would a compact. I check the little display all the time, but think I'm going to stop now.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
That's a teriffic photo ... and I like the look of the Ilford C41.
I find auto focus a little scary and rarely use it on my D700 or N90s Nikons.
I find auto focus a little scary and rarely use it on my D700 or N90s Nikons.
Haigh
Gary Haigh
Lovely shot. I bought a G1 as I needed AE for twilight shots and I can't read the meter on the M4. I'll hammer it on our trip to Venice Italy in October this year. I find every camera takes a little getting used to anyway.