G1 system finally here!

[froyd]

Thanks for those who answered the G System Questions thread last week.

Yesterday I received my G1 kit (28,45,90) and got to play with it for the afternoon. Today I took my test roll to Costco and I look forward to see the results. I played with all three lenses and I'll be curious to see if my shots with the 90mm are indeed more likely to be OoF than the ones from the other lenses.

In any case, despite all my research and having fondled a G1 several years ago at B&H, I was surprised by the beauty of the camera, it's small size (supposedly it's not smaller than my old R2a, but it appears smaller). I was also pleasantly surprised that I did not totally hate the viewfinder. I think in time I will be able to live with it quite nicely. I find it's easier to see if I don't squash my eye quite so closely against as I did on the Bessa.

I will post some of the test pictures tonight.

In the meantime can somebody tell me what it means if the shutter speed reading inside the viewfinder is flashing? I can't remember if I had a roll loaded when I noticed the flashing, and I'm wondering if it's a reminder that the camera is empty. Today, with a roll of film in the camera, I cannot replicate the behavior.

What's everybody's favorite scale focusing trick/tool? I like this one:

http://www.photowithmonkey.com/drupal/node/83

but I was looking for other approaches as well.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Wow... I only got to have two Planars, the 35 and the 45mm with my G1. It was a next to perfect camera... and sometimes I regret having sold it, but then...

Congratulations on your system! 🙂 Nicely done! Let's see who knows more tricks. I never used any with my own G1...

 

[froyd]

shots

shots

So, the first roll went only so-so. Test subjects were my kids, so it's hard for me to be impartial but it looks like I messed up the exposure more often than I messed up the focus. I think I've accidentally locked the exposure and did not notice for several shot because the over/under exposure is pretty severe on some frames.

No big problems with the 90. Some less than sharp shots as the sun went down, but I think that was to be attributed to low shutter speeds and camera shake.

No big problems with the 45 or 28 either, but a couple of out of focus frames with each lens where I could have sworn I had taken my time to focus accurately.

In any case. still looking forward for your input on DoF scales etc other than the one mentioned above.

Cheers

 

[Papa Smurf]

Congrats on the G1 outfit.

Congrats on the G1 outfit.

Congrats on the G1 outfit. I really enjoy mine. It has become my carry camera for daily use.

Your kids are really beautiful. You deserve to brag a lot!

The shutter speed indicator blinks during AE Lock operation , page 94 of the Contax G1 manual. Possible over and under exposures are indicated by blinking triangles (up or down) only if the AE Lock is not engaged, page 84.

If memory serves me, you did not get a manual. Go to Butkus.org for a downloadable manual. There are two manuals, the supplement is about focusing tricks and is very helpful if you get focusing errors. I fumbled a bit in the beginning, but after reading the supplemental manual, I figured out my errors and I have had very few OOF images since. And by the way, the G1 will focus the 90mm just as well as the other lenses. The 90mm's narrower depth of field makes it mandatory that you understand just where you camera's focusing cells are located in the little rectangle. 🙁

FYI, the G1 has three custom functions, they (1) AE lock via main switch or shutter release button, (2) Order of over and under exposure compensation during ABC operation, (3)End of film rewind tail out or in.

 

[Haigh]

Congrats on the G1. I bought mine with those same lenses and love to pick up the camera as it feels so good in my hands. Have fun!

 

[jarski]

wish G-system has future in digital era too, it has all that's needed to become popular for both amateurs and pro's.
it seems that Kyocera owns G-system patents, while not interested to continue in camera business, so its mainly waiting game at the moment 🙁

 

[mpve]

Congrats on the system! You definitely will like it very much but need to get used to the metering and AF tricks. I can recommend reading the tips and tricks book as proposed earlier in this thread.