MJFerron
Member
Just got my first photos back from the lab and I am impressed. Here's a brief rundown of how things went. My G2 and 45 F2 were purchased used from Adorama. Both were in great shape and were shipped quick. The build and finish are superb and the heft of this little camera surprised me. I downloaded a manual from the Contax site so I wouldn't be guessing.
I was worried about the "so called" quirky, noisy autofocus as I'm use to modern Nikons including the rocket fast F100 and D2h. Well the G2 might not win an AF race with the latest DSLR's but it's fast enough and locks quick with no hunting. My hearing is not quite what it once was but the AF sure didn't sound noisy to me. I loaded a roll of Fuji Superior 100 for my first test roll only because I had it laying around and could get same day processing at the local lab. 24 of 25 shots were razor sharp. I blame myself for the one that wasn't. Both the color and contrast were impressive.
The metering was right on for most shots. I just used the auto setting with no compensation. A few shots looked a bit overexposed. I'll have to keep my eye on that. Also the viewfinder size is not bad at all. I read a lot of complaints about it and though the front opening is small the view inside looks ok. Besides you're not using it to focus, only frame so I don't see it being a big deal.
I did a lot of research before buying this camera and noticed the reviews varied greatly in opinion. My take is anyone having trouble with the autofocus are just not use to AF or they're use to working with a camera set up to focus in closest subject priority. I always use the center sensor on my Nikons to lock focus and then re-compose so the Af operation was similar and familiar to me.
Overall I think this is a great camera to use, hold and yes even look at.
Mike
I was worried about the "so called" quirky, noisy autofocus as I'm use to modern Nikons including the rocket fast F100 and D2h. Well the G2 might not win an AF race with the latest DSLR's but it's fast enough and locks quick with no hunting. My hearing is not quite what it once was but the AF sure didn't sound noisy to me. I loaded a roll of Fuji Superior 100 for my first test roll only because I had it laying around and could get same day processing at the local lab. 24 of 25 shots were razor sharp. I blame myself for the one that wasn't. Both the color and contrast were impressive.
The metering was right on for most shots. I just used the auto setting with no compensation. A few shots looked a bit overexposed. I'll have to keep my eye on that. Also the viewfinder size is not bad at all. I read a lot of complaints about it and though the front opening is small the view inside looks ok. Besides you're not using it to focus, only frame so I don't see it being a big deal.
I did a lot of research before buying this camera and noticed the reviews varied greatly in opinion. My take is anyone having trouble with the autofocus are just not use to AF or they're use to working with a camera set up to focus in closest subject priority. I always use the center sensor on my Nikons to lock focus and then re-compose so the Af operation was similar and familiar to me.
Overall I think this is a great camera to use, hold and yes even look at.
Mike
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nickchew
Guest
Yes, I love it too.
Did you get the black or the champagne coloured one?
Nick
Did you get the black or the champagne coloured one?
Nick
MJFerron
Member
champagne and it looks good. the black could tempt me though.
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nickchew
Guest
The only problem with the black is that the 35mm, 21mm and 16mm are only in champagne, and I really like the 21mm.
Black their is a black set with the 28, 45 and 90 in a contax hard case that looks .... really good...
Nick
Black their is a black set with the 28, 45 and 90 in a contax hard case that looks .... really good...
Nick
The black looks good for sure, but it's said to be a black lacquer, which strikes me as less durable... true? I'd think a black chrome would be preferable...
jdos2
Well-known
Both of mine needed AF adjustment by the shop in NJ.
Both then worked fine afterwards- at least the AF did. The Black (latest) one then needed to go back for the TTL functionality that was broken... The one before had other trouble.
It seems that if they don't have problems to begin with, they are outstanding cameras. I simply loved the look of the lenses, and the AF (after repair) was very accurate and did just what I told it to do.
I seem to have a very bad track record with used cameras, though- the sick ones always find me, for very high prices, in some instances.
Both then worked fine afterwards- at least the AF did. The Black (latest) one then needed to go back for the TTL functionality that was broken... The one before had other trouble.
It seems that if they don't have problems to begin with, they are outstanding cameras. I simply loved the look of the lenses, and the AF (after repair) was very accurate and did just what I told it to do.
I seem to have a very bad track record with used cameras, though- the sick ones always find me, for very high prices, in some instances.
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nickchew
Guest
I have some problems with AF, mainly because there is no visual confirmation of the focussing subject. I regularly miss about 5% of the times. Mostly when subject is off centre and for some reason I must have accidentally released the hold on the focus OR the AF mode was accidentally turned to CAF (continuous) rather than SAF(single).
But you are right, when the AF works it is wonderful. I don't trust my eyes to manually focus a 90mm on a rangefinder. I only use the G2 when I shoot 90mm.
Nick
But you are right, when the AF works it is wonderful. I don't trust my eyes to manually focus a 90mm on a rangefinder. I only use the G2 when I shoot 90mm.
Nick
kbg32
neo-romanticist
nickchew said:
Not true. I have both the 35 and 21 in black. The 16, well there is so little chrome on it, it's almost black.
RObert Budding
D'oh!
Nick, Focusing longer lenses with a rangefinder isn't that bad. I use both a Zeiss 85/2.0 Sonnar and a 135/4.0 Sonnar on my Contax IIIa. I just take my time and focus carefully - and test my focus by over and under shooting until I' happy with the focus. That, and I had a custom diopter adjustment lens made for my rangefinder.
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nickchew
Guest
Yeh I know that there are people who can focus more than a 75mm on a rangefinder, but I just can't achieve enough consistency myself.
kbg32...dam... does that mean I got to get another set in black? ;-)
Nick
kbg32...dam... does that mean I got to get another set in black? ;-)
Nick
JimDE
Member
G2 is my goto camera when I need superior results
G2 is my goto camera when I need superior results
I have had my G2 with the 28/45/90 and the 200 flash for a couple of years now. If I want "WOW" pictures I always grab the G2 with Velvia 50 or 100F slide film (it is the only camera I take on vacations). I own several digital cameras (KM A1, KM 7D, OLY 8080) and many 35mm slr's which are excellent for an image but you just can't beat the G2's Zeiss lens with a color positive film scanned image at 52 megapixels run through Photoshop CS when you want to impress yourself and others with a digital image. Yeah getting slides processed is a slow process anymore and you are looked at like a dinosaur when you drop the film off at a Ritz camera for processing but they quickly change their opinion when they see the results.
I have had NO issues with the G2 which I can't say for the KM 7D and I am sure you will enjoy your G2 more and more with each shot as I have. A rangefinder is to photography as a longbow is to todays archery: traditional photography! It will make you think. prepare, and slow down which will add the enjoyment for the resulting image.
Have fun.....
G2 is my goto camera when I need superior results
I have had my G2 with the 28/45/90 and the 200 flash for a couple of years now. If I want "WOW" pictures I always grab the G2 with Velvia 50 or 100F slide film (it is the only camera I take on vacations). I own several digital cameras (KM A1, KM 7D, OLY 8080) and many 35mm slr's which are excellent for an image but you just can't beat the G2's Zeiss lens with a color positive film scanned image at 52 megapixels run through Photoshop CS when you want to impress yourself and others with a digital image. Yeah getting slides processed is a slow process anymore and you are looked at like a dinosaur when you drop the film off at a Ritz camera for processing but they quickly change their opinion when they see the results.
I have had NO issues with the G2 which I can't say for the KM 7D and I am sure you will enjoy your G2 more and more with each shot as I have. A rangefinder is to photography as a longbow is to todays archery: traditional photography! It will make you think. prepare, and slow down which will add the enjoyment for the resulting image.
Have fun.....
You could consider Ritz a dinosaur for even offering film services... Makes me think of a modern take on an old Groucho Marx joke... "I wouldn't take my film to a lab so out of date as to offer film processing!" Self-defeating of course; let's all be happy dinosaurs...JimDE said:
But I don't know that the Contax G2 fits comfortably among traditional rangefinders... as a bow, wouldn't it be more the compound type rather than a yew longbow?
JimDE
Member
Doug, Lets say the G2 being a rangefinder is traditional photography but among other RF's it would be like a Bamboo/carbon limbed reflex/deflex longbow compared to English Yew "D" longbows. Compounds would be the high megapixel dSLR's in photography.
I'm sure everyone here has gotten "the look" from young sales clerks behind the counter of different photographic supply stores. When I see that look I quickly look over my shoulders to see if the Ice Age is returning to make me extinct
Compounds would be the high megapixel dSLR's in photography.I'm sure everyone here has gotten "the look" from young sales clerks behind the counter of different photographic supply stores. When I see that look I quickly look over my shoulders to see if the Ice Age is returning to make me extinct
MJFerron
Member
Jim I have some Velvia 50 in the camera now. I have to purchase mailers from A&I for my E6 processing as my local lab stopped doing it last year. When I pick up my D70 now it feels like a chunky piece of plastic after using the G2. Then again I don't have an 80-200 2.8 for the Contax.
kdemas
Enjoy Life.
I have the 21mm in black but I have never known of anyone who had a 35 in black. I wonder if that was part of a promotional kit, Japan only possibly? If anyone is thinking of selling a black 35mm let me know, I'll be happy to make an offer
Kent
Kent