Talk me out of Contax G or Konica Hexar RFs

[tsiklonaut]

All my film-life I've shot medium or large format but just lately I've been tempted to get a RF 35mm camera (oops! 😀). Firstly I always wanted a high-tech 35mm camera for certain documenting works (with modern built-in metering and fast film advance) and partly because I run drum scanners, hence I can get reasonably decent digitized "analog juice" out of smaller film areas.

Leicas are out of my price range. They seem to be too much of a clihé-cameras. Although there is actually one place I'd fancy some oldschool Leicas and that would be less than -20C winter shootings where full mechanical mechanisms have a distinct advantage over their electronic counterparts. But those shooting are rare for me.

So my eyes have landed on Contax G (G2 if I can get it cheap) or Konica Hexar to cover travelling documentation needs.

Are they worthy cameras for travelling documentation work? (for arty-farty shoots I'll still use a MF camera anyways) Or are they too much high-tec even for fast shootings?

I like the "less-is-more" philosphy (still don't recommend me too much Leica please!) so the question would be how does Contax or Konica fair in manual action and focussing, is it too much knob- or menu messing?

How good are they in low temperatures? Will they work down to -20C with their batteries or it'll be a huge problem to shoot in low temperatures?

All intel highly welcomed!

Margus

 

[Richard G]

The Hexar seems very worthy but I think less repairable than some equivalents. The G2 is autofocus. Philip Wilson on photo.net has had the G2 in Canadian mountains and liked it.

 

[Thardy]

Here's a link .
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109300

 

[L Collins]

Can't go wrong with a G2 and the superb lenses, all at least the equal of Leica optics 5 to 10 times the price. IMO, the best bargain in 35mm you'll find. Great documentary camera. Never any problems in cold weather. Pass on the G1 and get the G2; the AF is much better on the G2. People claim to like the G1 because it's "smaller" than the G2, but frankly the difference is so marginal as to be non-existent. As for manual focusing, forget it.

As for the Hexar, I've had two along the way, both with constant rangefinder alignment problems.

 

[tsiklonaut]

Thanks to everybody, that's some really good info. I'd do love to prefer the Hexar since I like more rare things but looks like it's not made for the more rough going. G1 or G2 seems like the right way to go.

 

[Vobluda]

You will feel sorry when they die. And they will more and more..

 

[Waus]

Nothing lasts forever...
I own a Contax G2 with 28/45/90 lenses (lusting for the 21mm...)and really love it! (for cold weather shooting I would recommend a Nikon FM(2)....)

 

[Gary Sandhu]

If you're not set on a rangefinder I recommended a nikon F3 - cheaper body and lenses and tougher with all the automation and a back up mechanical 1/60 (?) shutter speed.
I have a hexar and wouldn't trust it in the cold.
I don't have a contax g; but even their lenses are dependent on electronics.

 

[Peter_S]

I have used a G2 for quite a while, in the winter and also in the Tien Shan mountains (Kyrgyzstan). They are awesome cameras (and my, those lenses) quick, when you got used to the AF, yet simple. They are, in my experience, more robust than Ms, but tend to stop working when it is cold. I do miss mine a lot and may switch back to them

 

[mfogiel]

If you are not hooked on very fast glass, then the Bessas are first rate choices. Again - if you want mechanical, you can get the RxM versions. The R3x with a 50/2 or 50/2.5 and the R4x with the 28/3.5 or 25/4 will be first rate choices for compact cameras with focusing more than precise enough. you can fix a misaligned Rf with a screwdriver by yourself. A one body-lens alternative, would be the R3x with 40/1.4 or one of the 40/2 Leica/Minolta alternatives. Check the cameras before buying if you wear glasses.

 

[Ansel]

I would go with the Bessa range also. Best value for money, and lots of flexibility if you want to upgrade later on. Contax is a dead end.

 

[Robert Lai]

Nikon F3 without the motor drive will also fade away around 0C. Due to battery weakness in the cold, not due to the camera. With NiCd packs in the motor drive, you can work at -20C. However, the entire rig weighs so much, you may wonder why you just didn't use the medium format camera in the first place.

I also use the Bessa R, which works fine in very cold weather. It has a built in meter.

A LTM Leica such as a IIF or IIIF will work in any degree of cold weather. They are small little cameras also.

 

[GaryLH]

I have used both.. The contax g2 lenses were just as good as their Leica counterparts IMHO. The af is fast enough for me. People used to complain about the viewfinder but I never had any problems w/ it. I had occasional af misses on the 90.. Maybe one or two shots per roll. The contax lenses have a different look then the Leica at the time, but the new aspherics from Leica tend to now look about the same to me..

I liked the Konica rf better then the m6 or mp.. I had the m6.. Just like the handling of the rf better. But my favorite camera was the Leica/Minolta CL. If u don't plan to use longer then 90 on CL and ok w/ a 90f4 for your tele lense, this is really a good compact camera setup. My version of the Konica 50f2 was actually better then the Leica sumicron I owned at the time.

I really don't think u can go wrong with your two choices.

For me, these days when I shoot film, it tends to be one of my medium format folders like the voigtlander perkeo 2 or Bessa 2. The perkeo is so small I can put it in my back jean pocket.

Gary

 

[GaryLH]

Thanks to everybody, that's some really good info. I'd do love to prefer the Hexar since I like more rare things but looks like it's not made for the more rough going. G1 or G2 seems like the right way to go.

If u get a g1, look for one w/ a green sticker on the inside of the back.. It is an indication of modification at factory to support lenses that were not available when the g1 was first released. Off the top of my head I cannot remember what the additional lenses were since I had a pair of g2s.

Gary

 

[L Collins]

If u get a g1, look for one w/ a green sticker on the inside of the back.. It is an indication of modification at factory to support lenses that were not available when the g1 was first released. Off the top of my head I cannot remember what the additional lenses were since I had a pair of g2s.

Gary

the 21 and 35.

 

[akptc]

I know an experienced photojournalist for a major newspaper who would not be caught dead w/out his G2 kit. His backup film camera is a Nikon F-something.

For me, G2 has always meant fast AF and stunning IQ.

 

[Pope_P]

I love the look, feel and results produced with my Contax G2, especially with the 21 + 45mm lenses. I prefer shooting with the viewfinder for the 21mm lens (much brighter than the on-camera viewfinder). Some of my favourite pictures were captured with this camera. See here: http://www.paulpopephotography.co.uk/blog/tag/contax-g2/

 

[Maiku]

The one camera I truly regret selling is the Konica RF. I have had the G2. It is a wonderful camera, as are the lenses, but the Konica was better in my opinion because it is manual focus. I felt more connected to my photographic experience than I did with any other camera.

 

[j j]

Margus: I use a G2 and 28/45/90. Talk you out of it? Why would I want to do that? It's my favourite camera.

The G series has truly superb lenses as (almost) everyone says and although prices have risen in the last few years they are still a relative bargain.

The camera fits your need for not too much knob-twiddling. The shutter button and the large and easily turned exposure compensation dial are all I need to use. It has DX coding and auto loading (you just pull the film across and close the door) so no fiddling there.

There is only one AF point so you need to focus and recompose. I have not used mine in severe cold so I can't help you there.

This website contains camera & lens specifications http://www.contaxcameras.co.uk

Paul: welcome to RFF and I enjoyed your pics.

 

[mryung2000]

I own G2 with 28/45/90 lens, I also own a G1 as spare body.

You can find sample photos in my blog: http://vintagecamerayungyungsir.blogspot.hk/2013/08/blog-post.html

Hexar is one of my favorite camera, here is my blog: http://vintagecamerayungyungsir.blogspot.hk/2011/11/m-konica-hexar-af.html