Focus help for new Contax G2 user

[FlavorPhoto]

Hello everyone,

I just picked up a used G2 outfit from KEH camera in Atlanta. After salivating over it for months, Santa finally came and brought it for Christmas. All good cheer aside, I've hit a major snag.

The autofocus. Now, the cameras that I usually use are a Canon Digital Rebel and Canon EOS Elan II. Both of these have fast, reliable AF systems that work well even in low light. With the G2, I'm having an impossible time trying to focus in a fairly bright indoor setting. When I aim it at something with a strong vertical, like a door frame, it zips right into focus. However, when I point it at a face or body part, it doesn't move and just blinks in the viewfinder. One of the things that attracted me was the close focusing ability to 0.5m. If I hold out my hand all the way (around 0.7m) and try to focus on my fingers, I get nada. If I hold up a lens cap in that extended hand, it might grab the focus after a few tries. With either of the Canon cameras, the focus is achived quickly on any part of my hand.

I bought the G2 as a reliable way to employ Zeiss glass in portrait and fashion shoots. If the camera can't focus on skin or faces, then my people shots won't turn out too well! I didn't read anything about this proving a problem, so (hopefully) it's just my particular body acting funky and I can change it out under warranty.

Any suggestions? Has anyone else experienced this problem? Can your G2 focus on faces and hands? For reference, I bought a G2 chrome body and a 35/2 lens.

Thanks,
FlavorPhoto

 

[jlw]

I don't own a G2 now, but I used to have one and did a lot of photography with it. I never had trouble focusing on faces, hands, etc., as long as the detail area was large enough to fill the AF brackets. (Failure to fill the brackets with a focusable area of the subject is one common cause of 'focus failures' on a G2.)

My subjective opinion was that the G2's AF system outperformed those of the SLR cameras I owned at that time (a Minolta Maxxum 9xi and later a Maxxum 9) in both speed and accuracy.

Focusing under indoor light shouldn't be a problem because the G2 has a hybrid AF system: it uses an infrared beam to get the approximate range, and then fine-tunes the setting using a CCD detector.

So if you're sure you're using correct focusing technique (filling the brackets with a focusable detail) and if you've got a warranty, I'd say you should tell KEH to replace it or fix it.

 

[furcafe]

Following what jlw posted, I would also emphasize careful placement of the focus brackets. In fact, I often tell new G2 users to treat the focus brackets like the focus patch on a traditional optical RF. Another mistake that G2 newbies, particularly those not used to RFs, sometimes make is holding the camera in such a way that they block or obscure the RF windows that the camera needs to focus (analogous to blocking the RF window on a regular RF); for similar reasons, you should also remember to keep those windows clean.

 

[FlavorPhoto]

Thanks for your help! The EOS Elan only has three small AF sensors, so I'm used to the center - lock focus - recompose routine. I think that there is definitely something wrong with the body. I'm not going to give up yet, and thank god I got it from a place with a return policy.

Cheers,
FlavorPhoto

 

[jdos2]

Mine locks on just about anything- but the the CAS mode, in the dark, will lock and then immediately unlock if it's too dark to work- the IR isn't continous, and that's the expected behavior.

First thin: Make sure the RF windows are clean- and I do mean CLEAN. A single fingerprint can affect operation of the AF sensors.

Here's the Thing: The G2 focuses best if there's a contrast change of any time along the top edge (might be slightly different on your camera) of the AF brackets- the line for AF is very thin (about 1/2 the height of the brackets) and as wide of those brackets. Find where yours focuses by using a stump or other object where focus indications will be obvious and SAF around until you have a good idea where the camera's AF opticals are located. Once you do that, you'll be much more assured where you are focusing, and know where you have to point the camera to focus.

If you are STILL having trouble, send it back, or expect to pay $155 to Kyocera to have it fixed. I decided to keep mine, the images are simply wonderful (as you already know!) and sent it to NJ, turnaround time was 10 days. It was worth it.

 

[Socke]

Sometimes it is tricky to find a spot where the G2 focuses on.

This is done with the 45mm planar at F2 and 1/60th on TriX at ISO1600. So not much light. I focused on the right eye and recomposed but Mike is not a pro model and can't sit still -)

 

[Rick Waldroup]

I shot a G system for several years and the funky autofocus was precisely the reason I sold the system and went back to a manual focus rangefinder camera (Bessa). I loved the Contax G system (those wonderful Zeiss lenses are top notch), but the autofocus drove me crazy. However, saying that, if you can learn to master the autofocus, there is not a better lightweight rangefinder system around. I have shot many, many keepers with my G's and sometimes I really miss them when I am not fast enough on focusing manually and miss a shot. Having said all that, I hope you really enjoy the camera, it just turned out not to be my cup of tea.

 

[mojojones]

FlavorPhoto,

All I can say is don’t give up. I had the same problem when I first got my G2 a couple years ago. The G2 was my first autofocus camera and I was having quite a bit of trouble getting it. I was so frustrated that I went out and bought a Leica CL just so I’d have something to focus. But after several hundred rolls, it got a whole lot better. It almost seems like the camera has “broken in” and focuses better on it’s own, but it’s probably that my technique is better. One tip I’d give is to put it on manual focus and use the focus button on the back to set the focus. Point at what you want to focus on, press and hold the button, then frame and shoot. And be sure to watch out for those flashing brackets that indicate no focus (don’t be fooled when you hear the lens move, it will go to the last focus point even if it's not getting the RF focus). You have to be deliberate, just like with manual focus, but when you are, it works. And this way you get the added bonus of quicker shutter response (the lens is already at focus position).

I’ve got to echo that the lenses are worth the effort. I just picked up a M6 and a couple lenses, and the Zeiss glass matches or bests the Leica lenses, particularly in color rendition. (OK, this is not meant to start a feud - I just love the warmth of the Zeiss lenses.)

It is frustrating, if the camera were just as it is but with manual focus, it would be the perfect system, but it is very nice and worth the investment of time and money.

Congratulations and good luck,

 

[Thomas]

Yes thats right, use the focus button on the back and make sure it is not set on CAF. And play with the Manual focus too !
It is realy a great Camera but anyone who did use a SLR before, need some time learning how to get the focus to the right point. Some people say the G2 is the worst Rangefinder u can get and go back to their M Leica.
But if u had a G2 first and used it with good results and then a Leica M, then u know why the did develop the Autofocus G1 & G2 it is so easier and faster than any other RF Cam. Have u ever changed Film on a M7, 4 that u realy need time and make sure u dont dropp any parts in the mud.

 

[Natalia]

It is frustrating, if the camera were just as it is but with manual focus, it would be the perfect system, but it is very nice and worth the investment of time and money.

I thought G2 had manual focus as well...or am I mistaken?

 

[jdos2]

It does. And it works.