How tough is the G2?

[steamer]

I often read how Leica owners pound nails or split logs with their M2s, but how does the Contax G2 stack up?

I'm going on a trip across Mongolia in a regular van, the kind people drive in the city. There will be mostly no roads and from past experience I know that everything shakes and jounces around like crazy. I'm reluctantly leaving the Bessa R2S at home because of supposed issues with the rangefinder going out when it get jangled.

Is the G2 up to this kind of abuse?

 

[Cron]

last year I made a two-day Jeep-Safari on really bad, stony and dusty roads and got no problems with my G2

 

[steamer]

Thanks Cron,
I know I want to take mine with me, so that was good to hear.

 

[uhligfd]

I have had the G2 now for 160 rolls of 36 exposure film, about 3 years. I can see no markings/scratches on the titanium body, despite me banging the body occasionally etc. It seems indestructible.

Mind also that the rangefinding is not done by smoke and mirrors as in a Leica or Bessa. Its measuring is much more robust and immune (so it seems) to bangs and roughness.

 

[ethics_gradient]

I'm reluctantly leaving the Bessa R2S at home because of supposed issues with the rangefinder going out when it get jangled.

I'm going to have my R3A RF alignment adjusted, the tech says he puts a drop of Lock-Tite on the adjustment screw when he's done to keep it from getting jarred loose again. Might be worth considering, especially for the long run.

 

[Bob Michaels]

I hesitate to list what my G1 and G2 bodies went through in the six years I used them. Only because some day I may want to sell them and would hate for a prospective purchaser learn what a hard life they led. I will just say they never, ever ceased working.

 

[steamer]

Thanks uhligfd and Bob, the news all sounds good, so the G2 is going to Mongolia with 28-45-90 lenses. ethics gradient, thanks for the tip on the lock-tite.

 

[Cron]

nevertheless I would recommand a second body whether it is a G2 or G1. Selling after this journey in nearly the same condition as bought should be no problem without loss of money. You need not changing lenses so often and this keeps dust away from electronic.
And don't forget some spare batteries.
Regards

by the way ........ nice flickR, contacted

 

[steamer]

I'm pretty broke and have a Super Ikonta A out for a 200 dollar overhaul/CLA, but I just found a g1 with bleeding film counter for 125 bucks, might go have a look at it next week. I guess if it's just the film counter could be OK.