Help cure my Contax G fever!

[stallion409]

I am just now getting into film (I know, totally late to the party) and I have become totally obsessed with the idea of the Contax G1/G2.

My first film camera purchase was the Instax 210 for no other reason than the novelty of instant exposure, but I tend to shoot sparingly with it as the film is a little expensive. Next I bought the Canon AE1-P so I could burn through some cheap 35mm film, but I really hate having to focus it manually and the glass just isn't that great (28mm 2.8).

The Contax G system seems to promise everything I want in a film camera. The problem is, it looks like the minimum investment for a Contax G series body + lens is going to be around $600 and I just can't swing that at the moment.

I'm hoping you fine folks can point me in the right direction in terms of a cheaper alternative! I'm looking to spend $300 or less (asking a lot, I know).

Image quality is the highest priority. I realize the Zeiss lenses (and their accompanying price tag) are probably the biggest contributors to the image quality. What's the next step down? I don't have to have interchangeable lenses so long as the focal range is 50mm max (28mm ideally). Auto focus or extremely easy manual focus would be my second priority. Compactness isn't a huge concern. I don't mind full manual controls but aperture priority would be a plus.

At the end of the day I just want to be able to produce images like the ones I see from the Contax G, at half the cost. I can deal with just about anything else. If something like this exists I know you guys will know what it is! Thanks in advance for your guidance!

 

[KoNickon]

Well, I have a G1 with 28,35,45 and 90 (+ flash) but I'd want to sell it all at once. But other than that, looking for a camera with a 28 doesn't give you a lot of options, and in fact the ones I think of are point and shoot cameras rather than true rangefinders. I'm hard pressed to think of a manual focus rangefinder camera and 28mm lens combination for under $300, since there are only a few (expensive) RF cameras with 28mm framelines to begin with.

Tops among the p&s cameras has to be the Ricoh GR1; these can be had for under $300, I think. The camera provides a lot of exposure control, but it's still autofocus. There's also the Nikon 28Ti, but those seem to be rather rare and thus pricey.

If you are willing to consider the 35mm focal length or a little longer, you have a lot more options. I think of the Yashica T4, another p&s but with a terrific Zeiss lens. Or you could consider the Olympus XA, a true rangefinder. The XA goes for well under $100 here on RfF. Others, like the Contax T/T2/T3, may be hard to find for under $300. The T is a true manual focus rangefinder. Again, great Zeiss lenses.

You might consider a Rollei 35 -- zone focusing but a classic camera with a Tessar or, even better, a Sonnar. Focal length of these is 40mm. I forget offhand, but I think the Canonet G III Q17 has a 40/1.7. These are very nice cameras and well under $100; both these and most of the Rolleis take the 625 battery, though, so you will need to work around that (not too hard).

There are a lot of choices if you go up to 45mm, and the one I think of immediately is the Yashica Electro 35. It too takes an odd battery size, but there are plenty of workarounds for it (yashicaguy.com offers an adaptor). It also has some internal quirks that need to be working properly (search RfF for references to the Pad of Death), but these are fine cameras -- the lens is first rate and the metering is really good.

Others will have some good suggestions, I'm sure.

 

[rbelyell]

respectfully disagree on price of starter kit : G1 cam $100 or less. 28mm zeiss biogon $350. ive done it within the last year at these prices. i ended up very disappointed in the system. turns out i really dont like autofocus for film. but you can do it for about $450.
tony

 

[jultou]

I do have a G2 since maybe 3-4 months. It is a very good system and the Zeiss lenses are extremely sharp.

Maybe you could look for a G1+45mm lens? It will be more that $300 but not as much as $600.

Canonet would be a good cheaper alternative. You can have vey good pictures from the Canonet but of course it as lot less features.

 

[thejameskendall]

see if you can test out the focusing before you buy it - that's what cured my GAS.

 

[Frontman]

The G system is very nice, and is a great value, you get a lot of camera and lens for your money.

If you could live with a 35mm lens, the Konica Hexae AF is a great camera.

 

[stallion409]

KoNickon - I'm sorry I have caused some confusion with my phrasing regarding the focal range - I'm just looking to something between 28mm and 50mm, with a preference towards wider. 35mm is totally acceptable! I will look into the cameras you have suggested. A buddy of mine has Electro you mentioned and really likes it.

 

[rbelyell]

well, if you dont like my $450 idea of G1+zeiss biogon 28/2.8, here's another film idea: konica tc or tc-x+hexanon ar 28/3.5, total cost under $100! if anyone tells you that you can beat the quality of this pairing for 4xs the price, theyre lying. i do think the G pairing beats it, but at over 4xs price! so there ya' go.
tony

ps, you can add the konica ar 57/1.4, one of the best normals ever, for an additional $80! personally, i put this lens up against any zeiss 50 ever made, and ive had a few of them.

 

[tempest68]

Does it have to be small or would you consider an SLR? My first film camera in over a decade is a Canon EOS 3. The AF is blazing fast (smokes my 5D II). I've never calibrated it, but it has an "eye control" focus option where the focus point is picked based on where you are looking. You could find one for around $175-$250 range. Then add the Canon 50mm f1.8 for around 100 or the new Canon 40mm f2.8 for $150.

 

[ferider]

Play with a Hexar AF and see if you like it.

 

[kzphoto]

This always cures my Contax G GAS: http://www.japanexposures.com/lens/

 

[Classique]

I also can recommend Hexar AF! I think it has faster autofocus than the G1 system and the lens is phenomenal.

 

[v_roma]

Another vote for the Hexar AF. Worth a try. 35mm focal lenght, fast AF, and a great lens in my opinion.