How does focussing work on the G1?

[mugent]

Hi,

I'm considering trying out a Contax G1, as a potential replacement for my Leica M6, mainly because I feel I have a lot of money tied up in a red dot, and I miss aperture priority.

I've read a lot about the G series, but am still a bit confused how they focus, is it just AF like an normal AF SLR, or is there more to it? I know it's a rangefinder, but I want to know how it's presented to the the user.

Is there a usable manual override?

Cheers

MT

 

[Neare]

If you do this, I would recommend getting a G2 instead of the G1. The G2 has the focus lock button on the back which will help greatly in focusing.

It focuses just like any other AF camera, however you have only the center point to work with and because it's an RF, there is no 'visual' confirmation of the focus (apart from a viewfinder LCD marking - that is 'fairly' accurate and the distance on the top plate LCD). The AF system has it's advantages and disadvantages, on one hand it can sometimes not properly lock focus when pointing at a plain surface. On the other hand it can focus in extremely low light and the AF is always extremely quick.
There is a manual mode. However, because you lack the visual confirmation it is difficult to use for on the fly changes. On the other hand it is the perfect way to shoot hyperfocally.

It's a camera you get a feel for, but it handles very differently to your M6. So make the decision with that in mind.

Here's a good article on how to use AF on the camera effectively:
http://www.botzilla.com/blog/archives/000378.html

 

[sevo]

It works like on a SLR - with both point-lock-and-shoot and dynamic tracking modes available. Manual mode is there, a bit unusual in that there is a focus wheel is on top right, so you don't turn the barrel to focus - otherwise it is quite SLR like with an in-finder LCD bar display displaying direction and amount of focusing needed.

Both AF operation and manual focusing take a bit of getting used to - it is easy to mispoint, as the focus zone does not follow the parallax compensation so that it is off centre at close distance (that offset is most significant for the 90mm).

 

[mugent]

The botzilla article is very interesting and cleared up some of my queries, thanks!

So the G1 has a focus lock, just elsewhere?

I'm mostly interested in the G1 because it's substantially less expensive than the G2, but maybe I need to reconsider?

MT

 

[Steve M.]

Why not buy an R2A? It's essentially a down scale M7 w/ AE and a higher shutter speed, and for about the same money that you'd pay for a good G1 body. All your Leica lenses should work on it too. The Contax cameras are wonderful, but they are quirky, and not everyone's cup of tea. I loved the AE part, as well as the AF, but that dark little viewfinder was too much for me. I think the Leica glass is better too, at least in my photos from the two cameras.

If I remember correctly, the G cameras lock focus by a thumb against the tab under the selector dial. Very handy.

 

[Haigh]

I have a G1 and it is good but I would Go the R2a as Steve M. has suggested above. I think you would miss the fast focussing M6 and also the viewfinder on the M6 if you bought a G1.

 

[mugent]

Good point about the VF, maybe a different RF with AE is all I need...

 

[Neare]

Good point about the VF, maybe a different RF with AE is all I need...

Then definitely take a look at the Ikon.

Though, try find a G body in a shop somewhere and ask to try it out. Who knows, you may become smitten.

 

[le vrai rdu]

Hi,

I'm considering trying out a Contax G1, as a potential replacement for my Leica M6, mainly because I feel I have a lot of money tied up in a red dot, and I miss aperture priority.

I've read a lot about the G series, but am still a bit confused how they focus, is it just AF like an normal AF SLR, or is there more to it? I know it's a rangefinder, but I want to know how it's presented to the the user.

Is there a usable manual override?

Cheers

MT

to the user point of view it is just like a AF SLR, the technlogy of the AF is not ttl but infrared active and passive. That being said you won't feel any difference as soon as you don't put your fingers on the infrared window 😀

Il like the G because of it's zoom finder, convenient from 28 to 90 mm , it has a fast AF, faster than manual focus (I didn't said hyperfocal 😀)

 

[mugent]

Has a go of a G2 in a shop today, it was nice, but not sure if I liked it enough to trade my M6, a bit too clicky/whirry for me, lovely build though. The lack of visual focus confirmation was disconcerting.
Maybe an Ikon/Bessa/Hexar RF is the way to go, I could get an M7, but I want to spend less money, not more.

MT

 

[le vrai rdu]

I found the botzilla article strange, maybe some model are difficult to focus lock just pressing halfway the shutter button, but I never needed the AF lock, the shutter button only is fine, I compose, reframe, the focus is steel on the good place

 

[vfrazz]

I've got two G1's (one in the house and one in the car), and I've used them so much that I hardly think about such things any more. In the fully automatic mode, it is just that--an auto focus. When I go manual focus, I move the dial off AF, and turn it to the estimated distance. Then I bring the camera up and trip the shutter; or I can depress the shutter button half-way, and the viewfinder indicates whether my estimate is correct or not (a series of dots)--I can then trip the shutter or make another dial adjustment. There is no rangefinder patch that you might be used to. I find it quick and simple.

I've read many complaints about the adjusting dial on the G1 accidently being moved because of where it is positioned on the camera--but it has never happened to me. I've read many complaints about out of focus images using the AF, but once I learned how to use it, it never again happened to me. I was ready to eBay my first G1, until I took the time to read, reread, and fiddle until I got it right. The reward is in using a terrific piece of equipment and fabulous glass.

ps: I haven't found any need to switch to a G2.


http://vincentfrazzettaphotography.com

 

[kuzano]

I did not have a focus problem with the G1

I did not have a focus problem with the G1

However, it's definitely a "focus in the patch--press the shutter halfway-- and recompose" operation.

Also, I was lucky enough to get a G1 with the SUPPLEMENTAL FOCUS GUIDE... a second manual which looked like the user manual, but talked specifically about focusing. I think this manual was added to the kit due to the issues many people were raising on the focus.

In actuality, I found the focus, lock and recompose not really different than all the SLR I had previously used.

I ended up not thinking highly of either the G1 or G2, but the lenses made the system. I don't think the bodies lived up to the standards of the lenses.