G2 vs Hexar AF

foon

foon

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I know there was a similar topic before..but I have more questions so I want you guys opinion. I want an autofocus camera because I am really slow when focusing close up with my m4.
I'm think between the hexar AF and a contax G. How is the viewfinder on g2 compare to the one on G1? I have used my friend's G1 a long time ago, and I dislike it, too small and dim. The thing I like G2 better is the faster shutter speed and easier manual operations, as well as the focusing lock on the back(I think I would prefer that than locking focusing by half pressing the shutter release). Though the hexar has a slower shutter speed, I think I can solve that issue with ND filters, and the hexar supposedly has a good viewfinder. What do you think?
 
The G2 is a little better viewfinder than the G1 you used, but the Hexar's viewfinder is light years better than the G2s finder. Not only is it bigger and brighter, but it is also placed on the very outside left edge of the camera body to make it more comfortable when you hold it against your face. I love my G2 as well, and the viewfinder is manageable and you can get used to it, but the Hexar is a joy. I also feel more comfortable with the Hexar's autofocus than the G2's. It definitely hunts less and is very accurate. Of course it doesn't have to focus a 90/2.8 wide open up close, so it's not quite a fair comparison. The focus lock button on the back of the G2 is indeed a nice feature, but using the shutter button half way down to lock the Hexar is very intuitive - gazillions of SLR users have been doing this for decades - it becomes second nature very quickly even if you haven't done it before. The Hexar is also legendary for being quiet - check out the review thread on photo.net for some really good info on it. If I had to choose only one, though, it would come down finally to whether I could live with only one focal length. If so, I'd get the Hexar, if not, the G2.
 
In my non-expert opinion - perhaps in absolute terms the G2's viewfinder is not as large or bright as some but it took me only two half-days of shooting to get used to it. It feels very natural to me now. I bought the G2 despite the many negative comments one finds online about the viewfinder, the camera's noise relative to Leica, focusing issues with the 90mm lens and I must say that not only have I not had any problems getting well-focused shots with the 90/45/35 lenses, I could not fathom ever selling this gem of a camera. It grows on you faster than you'd expect! Of course, I love my Hexar AF as well :). My suggestion - get both, I doubt you'd regret it.
 
The G2 is AF, and that makes it less important to have a really big, bright VF. Of course both are, but I think the Hexar was meant to swing both ways more than the G2.

Oh well. I tried the G2 once, I liked how fast it was, how small, etc., but I did not like lots of other things. One being he viewfinder.

Hexar all the way
 
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The G2 is a far better camera then the G1 only the viewfinder from the g2 is better and has a larger "look in". The manual overrides are better. Af is better So if the choice should be G1 or G2 go def. for the G2. But if you only want a second camera for specific needs I would go for the hexar The Hexar is more in line with the Leica M. By the way, although the viewfinder is a bit small I like the G2 viewfinder !
 
Arrgh! 2 to 2 now, that doesn't help me deciding at all, even though I was kind of expecting that. I still want to thank you for your excellent replies. I wish I could handle both camera's before buying any of them, but I don't know where there would be some I can get my hands on. Well, I still have a month's time to decide on which on to go for since I don't have the money to buy either one now, hopefully my GAS will die down a bit.
One question, does the G2's viewfinder show more than the image area and have framelines? I really like to look beyond the frame (one of the things I prefer over SLR's). If not, how does the parallex correction works?
 
The G2 and G1 viewfinder show a little less than what is on film and have no framelines. The viefinder zooms to the focal lenght used and is masked for paralax. It even zooms to show the difference in FoV when you focus from near to far.

It is as close to a SLR viewfinder as it can get on a RF :)
 
My failing eyes just forced me to make the same decision. I liked the idea of a the Hexar's stealth mode and more classic look. The G2's viewfinder and thumb focusing was a plus for me after years of SLR use. In the end, the decision was all about the optics. I wanted a complete system and Zeiss glass from 16 to 90mm was tough to beat.
 
I would agree with DC. Decide what you need lens-wise and make your choice based on that. If you want/need interchangeable lenses of diff focal lengths, there is only one choice. If you want/need only a great 35mm lens, then again, the choice is clear the other way. Good luck!
 
Hexar

Hexar

Years ago, just before they stopped making them I found a mint Hexar for like $250 and was about to buy it when a friend talked me into waiting and saving for a g2.. "gotta have a whole system"

I never did save enough for the g2 and eventually got a Konica Auto S2 to fill my "point and shoot" needs...

Well I finally got my Hexar AF a few months ago (actually that is what brought me to this forum) and I have to say I don't miss having a "system" I love the feel of the Hexar and using it, once you get past the quirks, is a dream.

The Hexar is truly my take anywhere camera and the lens is REALLY sharp.

So one more vote for the Hexar :D

Daniel
 
Hexar

Hexar

I have considered selling my Hexar (seriously) on at least two occasions but I always come back to it. If you are seriously considering a Hexar you owe it to yourself to get one. When traveling occasionally I leave my M cameras home and I love these cameras. I never regret that if I have the Hexar with me.

one more vote
 
I agree with Frank. It depends on what your needs are in terms of focal lengths. I have a G2 and love it. It's quick, the lenses are superb. You'll be used to the viewfinder within half a roll.
 
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I had a Hexar for a little while, but felt too restricted by a top speed of 1/250. Plus, the quality of my negs were just not as good as my G2 45. The viewfinder doesn't make a lot of difference to me, since with AF it's just a framing tool.
 
For me the issue is how comfortable you will be swapping back and forward between the G2 and M4. I have had a G2 for some years and think it's a great camera. Some months ago I got an M6 and I have been using it exclusively since then. Yesterday I was in Chinatown for New Year and shooting away with the M6 when I hit the end of the roll. It was very crowded and I didn't want to stop to reload so I swapped to the G2.
It felt so weird - the camera I used to love now felt completely uncomfortable in my hands. It was to do with the location of the finder - being more toward the centre than the Leica.
I am a lefty so that may have made it worse but the camera/eye/hands thing just felt wrong. In the end I put it back in the bag and reloaded the M6.
I've never used the Hexar but if the layout is more like the M's I'd go for that if you want to be able to swap back and forth without needing to "re adjust" to the feel. If that's not a problem then I'd go for the G2.
Ben
 
Good point, Ben. If you are planning on switching back and forth, the Hexar AF is very much like a Leica M.
 
Yeah, the Hexar's viewfinder is more like an M's, but the aperture ring on the lenses of the G2 are more like the M's too. The interface of the exposure system using the aperture ring and the shutter dial on manual can be used in a way on the G2 that is not much different than a Leica. The Hexar's aperture dial and exposure system is a fantastic system as well (especially the amazing Program mode), but it will always be a change from the M. So... once again, there are pros and cons both ways.
 
dgray said:
Yeah, the Hexar's viewfinder is more like an M's, but the aperture ring on the lenses of the G2 are more like the M's too. The interface of the exposure system using the aperture ring and the shutter dial on manual can be used in a way on the G2 that is not much different than a Leica. The Hexar's aperture dial and exposure system is a fantastic system as well (especially the amazing Program mode), but it will always be a change from the M. So... once again, there are pros and cons both ways.
Click to expand...
How about Hexar's manual exposure? Can I set the shutter speed and change the exposure by twisting the aperture ring? I like to use handheld meter when the lighting condition is difficult for in-camera meter.
 
When I was looking for a 35mm point and shoot, I looked at both the Contax Gs and Hexar. I bought the Hexar because of the viewfinder.

Manual exposure can be done with the Hexar. There is a dial around the shutter button to set the aperture and two buttons to change the shutter speed.

The top shutter speed for the Hexar is 1/250s. I always use 400 ISO film and have not found this to be a problem in daylight.

The Hexar meter is very good. I usually use a separate meter with my other cameras, but I don't bother with the Hexar even with slide film - but then I am just using the Hexar for snaps. The Hexar also has a spot meter.
 
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