jaap
Jaap
I like the finder of the G2 very much There's nothing in the finder except the tiny auto focus brackets,no frame lines nothing to disturb a clear view. Just a composing window in a black invironment. A disadvantage it's a bit small.
Kevin
Rainbow Bridge
I have both and recommend you buy both. They are different tools.
Keep Tri-X in the Hexar rated 320 or 400. Filters are a pain so avoid them on this camera. Also, do not drape your fingers over the meter like I used to do.
As for the G2, I would recommend the 28 and 45 lenses and a better flash unit than the standard TLA140 and TLA200. Socke has an older TLA30, I am looking for a newer TLA360.
Kevin
Keep Tri-X in the Hexar rated 320 or 400. Filters are a pain so avoid them on this camera. Also, do not drape your fingers over the meter like I used to do.
As for the G2, I would recommend the 28 and 45 lenses and a better flash unit than the standard TLA140 and TLA200. Socke has an older TLA30, I am looking for a newer TLA360.
Kevin
S
Socke
Guest
Yes, the flash. The TLA200 is nice but takes the expensive CR2 batteries. The TLA30 is cheap and swivels but is a bit big for such a small camera. The TLA360 has all the features one may want, including 2nd curtain sync, but is even bigger and very expensive 
filmfan
Well-known
BUMP for an interesting topic.
I am a big Hexar AF fan. I have owned 4 and have experience shooting it in all sorts of conditions. I have experience using an ND8 filter to compensate for ISO 400+ film outdoors, and it does *kind of* work but it won't let you reach f/2-f/4.
The other day I shot with a friend's Contax G2 and I have to say, it was a really nice camera. The viewfinder was small but that is really my only complaint about it. If you are shooting the camera in low-light, the Hexar AF will be your best bet because the shutter speed limitation mentioned above will not hinder you, but if you are looking for a camera to shoot in all light conditions with the ability to isolate focus and blur the background, the Contax G2 (1/6000 top shutter speed in A-Priority mode) is for you. Also, I am a simple lens guy-- I like 35mm for 90% of my shooting, with 28+50 filling in the rest, so the Hexar AF's fixed 35mm lens is fine with me.
This being said, I am saving for a G2 because I wont have to switch films in and out all the time to make up for the shutter speed limitation and the 35mm lens for the G2 has less distortion.
I like being able to shoot one film speed for BW and color (ISO 400) and with the Contax G2, I will be able to stick to one film speed without having to carry around low-ISO film around with me to make up for the slow shutter of the Hexar AF if say the sun comes out.
I am a big Hexar AF fan. I have owned 4 and have experience shooting it in all sorts of conditions. I have experience using an ND8 filter to compensate for ISO 400+ film outdoors, and it does *kind of* work but it won't let you reach f/2-f/4.
The other day I shot with a friend's Contax G2 and I have to say, it was a really nice camera. The viewfinder was small but that is really my only complaint about it. If you are shooting the camera in low-light, the Hexar AF will be your best bet because the shutter speed limitation mentioned above will not hinder you, but if you are looking for a camera to shoot in all light conditions with the ability to isolate focus and blur the background, the Contax G2 (1/6000 top shutter speed in A-Priority mode) is for you. Also, I am a simple lens guy-- I like 35mm for 90% of my shooting, with 28+50 filling in the rest, so the Hexar AF's fixed 35mm lens is fine with me.
This being said, I am saving for a G2 because I wont have to switch films in and out all the time to make up for the shutter speed limitation and the 35mm lens for the G2 has less distortion.
I like being able to shoot one film speed for BW and color (ISO 400) and with the Contax G2, I will be able to stick to one film speed without having to carry around low-ISO film around with me to make up for the slow shutter of the Hexar AF if say the sun comes out.
klhbeetle
Newbie
A couple years ago I purchased a Hexar AF and a Contax G2 with it's 35/2 planar (plus 21, 28, 45) within a few weeks of each other in order to test them both out. I sold the Hexar shortly thereafter. The Hexar is quieter without a doubt. Yes, the viewfinder is bigger, but when you take into account the framelines cropping the center of the frame, I'd put them at the same size. What it came down to for me was the image. The Hexar, while very sharp with fine color rendition, didn't have quite the same tonal quality to it's images. My photos looked flatter, less 3-dimensional than with the G2's 35mm Planar. Hexar photos look similar to those taken with my Contax T3, also an excellent camera/lens, but not quite as pleasing (to me) as the G2. I wonder which the OP chose?
matt_mcg2
Established
I had the G1 and the Hexar AF. I sold the G1 and kept the Hexar, which probably encapsulates my feelings. I much prefer the Hexar finder, and I disliked the Contax noise. I'd used other autofocus/autowind (SLR) type cameras of a similar vintage before so I was surprised at how noisy the Contax was by comparison.
That said, looking back, the photos I took with the Contax were excellent and for all the brilliance of the Hexar for ergonomics, if I had to pick one focal length, it'd probably 45 over 35. So, if someone had made a Hexar AF with a longer lens ...
That said, looking back, the photos I took with the Contax were excellent and for all the brilliance of the Hexar for ergonomics, if I had to pick one focal length, it'd probably 45 over 35. So, if someone had made a Hexar AF with a longer lens ...