G1 + 90mm. Issues?

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I'm thinking of adding the 90mm to my G1 setup. Any issues with this combination? Focusing/metering/etc?

 

[Cron]

I have a 2,8/90 in use together now with a G2, formerly with a G1. Never had any problems with focussing, meters in both cameras work perfect with this lens (and I normally use slide film). G1 focusses not so quick like the G2 with this lens, but very accurate even in low light situations. So I can recommand this combo.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Terrific! It's quite a surprise how affordable this lens is.

 

[awilder]

I had less luck with the 90 on my G1 although when focus is spot on with the 90 Sonnar, I tested it to be as sharp or sharper the the current 90/2.8 Elmarit-M, the sharpest 90/2.8 in current production. I sent my G1 back three times to Kyrocea for calibration before they got it close but it's was never quite as accurate as the 90/2.8 Elmarit-M on my M camera. I've read of other people having focusing issues with the G1 and the 90 on their user group forum but I understand the G2 is much better at focusing the 90.

 

[joachim]

no issues

no issues

I'm thinking of adding the 90mm to my G1 setup. Any issues with this combination? Focusing/metering/etc?

I use it for years on my G1. No issues concerning focus accuracy with reasonably static subjects. Though the camera is not up to track a walker moving towards the camera in AF-C mode, but neither is any manual focusing rangefinder camera since it lacks the AF 😀

You might want to check that you body is reasonably aligned. I tried a few bodies when buying mine new in 2001. Many gave different readings for subjects which were not orthogonal in the rangefinder, that is cutting the in finder brakets, like

[ / ] or [ \ ]

my body gives the same distance reading in either case (to the cm). I could well imagine that bodies giving different readings have problems getting the 90 correct.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Well, I just bought one from KEH, with caps and case, EX+ condition, for $119. Wow! On eBay they go for twice that. Will report.

 

[foto_fool]

I have the 90mm Sonnar as part of my G1 kit. I have never had any focus or metering problems with it. Though there is enough echatter about issues with this lens on the G1 to be aware of.

Even though I don't have these problems with my kit I wonder if, when there is a problem, it is always with the body. Might the particular lens not be the source of the trouble?

 

[joachim]

Even though I don't have these problems with my kit I wonder if, when there is a problem, it is always with the body. Might the particular lens not be the source of the trouble?

I just remembered one more thing. The very first batch(es?) of G1 had faulty look-up tables for the 90. This got fixed in later versions. (Reported e.g. in Amateur Photographer.) The look-up tables are needed to translate measured distance into rotations of the drive shaft. As far as I know, all green stickered bodies have this fix. I do not know about the silver stickered one. All G2 should be fine as well.

As I wrote earlier, I personally do not have any issues.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Good, I've got the green sticker...

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Well, took the 90mm out for a shoot yesterday, and so far I am having no focusing problems at all. It works as smoothly as the 28mm, which is to say pretty smoothly. I'll post images once I finish the roll (Neopan 1600).

KEH, as usual, understated the excellence of its condition. It looks like new to me.