Who has problems with G1 autofocus, and who doesn't? (Poll)

Who has problems with G1 autofocus, and who doesn't? (Poll)

  • I use the 90mm and DO have focusing issues.

    Votes: 1 2.4%

  • I use the 90mm and DON'T have focusing issues.

    Votes: 10 23.8%

  • I use the 45mm and DO have focusing issues.

    Votes: 6 14.3%

  • I use the 45mm and DON'T have focusing issues.

    Votes: 8 19.0%

  • I use any other lens and DO have focusing issues.

    Votes: 2 4.8%

  • I use any other lens and DON'T have focusing issues.

    Votes: 15 35.7%
  • Total voters
    42
jaredangle

jaredangle

Photojournalist
Local time
11:30 AM
Joined
Apr 11, 2010
Messages
554
Just trying to figure out what's what with the bad reputation for the G1's autofocus capabilities. I've been using mine constantly for some time now and rarely miss focus with the 45mm, and I've been using it exclusively for street and photojournalism, basically spur of the moment grab-shots.
 
By a stupid mistake I have checked wrong option - actually I DON'T have any problems with focusing.
I use mostly 45mm lens - say 80% pictures are taken with this lens. I don't remember a single OOF frame.
The remaining 20% are 28mm and 90mm - no focus problems till today.
I have shot roughly 50 - 60 rolls with this camera.
 
...I believe that you have to seriously study the operation of this fine camera in order to get the most from it...I have two bodies (one in the house; one in the car), with two lenses (28/45). I photo the full range of distances, and I have to say that I've not produced a single frame with the subject out of focus because of the camera....simple as that...

Google: "fastest thumb in the west" for a terrific site about G camera focusing ...


www.vincentfrazzettaphotography.com
 
The G's focusing is just a computer program really, it does what it does. Most focus issues with the G's come down to user error. The 90mm is obviously more sensitive to the focus range, you just need to understand how it works to use it. Using (short)tele-lenses on rangefinders is always tricky business anyway.
 
I don't have a problem focusing ANY G lens. Where's option for that?
Or, what if I have problems focusing with 90 but no problem with 45 - which one do I choose?
 
I use 21, 35, 45 and 90 on my G1. Neither of these lenses has any error. I think the reputation comes from the early samples, when they had a problem in the firmware (wrong values in the look up table to translate distance into truns of the screw). These early samples included most of the review samples for the magazins. The problem was discussed in AP at the time. They fixed that at some point. Green sticker G1 will not suffer here. Don't know whether some or all silver sticker G1s are troubled.
 
Allegedly the G2 was better than the G1, but I still had problems (to varying degrees) with everything I tried on a G2 except the 21mm. .

Yes, autofocus can be faster than manual focus. But it can never be as fast as pre-focusing, and if the camera doesn't actually focus where you want, it doesn't matter how fast it does it.

Cheers,

R.
 
Had the green sticker with 35mm and 90mm. Never any problems focusing, didn't get and out of focus shots. Seemed to work well in a variety of lighting situations too.

Wish I hadn't sold mine (stupid Leica!! *shakes fist*) wish the lenses hadn't gone in up price because of digital.

Will buy another outfit sooner or later.
 
Add me to the list of those who have no focus problems with the 21mm, 28mm, 35mm, 45mm and 90mm lenses. One must understand how the autofocus works and use it accordingly. Then it works very well with all lenses. It is not complex but also is not just push the shutter and it all happens magically.

This is with both the G1 and G2 bodies. The G1 seems to focus just as well as the G2 for me. I actually use the G1 more since it is a bit lighter.
 
Dear Jan,

I suspect it's your personality and mine. I'll swear that some mechanisms are psychotropic, in the sense that they do what you expect them to (or not to)...

Cheers,

R.
 
Roger Hicks said:
Dear Jan,

I suspect it's your personality and mine. I'll swear that some mechanisms are psychotropic, in the sense that they do what you expect them to (or not to)...

Cheers,

R.
Click to expand...

Roger: I think you are very close. The autofocus ability is purely subjective. Those of us who like the camera will conclude that the autofocus works very well for us. Those who actually prefer a different system for whatever reason will conclude that the autofocus, working exactly the same, has problems. I am not the least bit surprised that someone like you who has been manually focusing cameras since the days when the earth was still cooling would find the autofocus inadequate.
 
I owned both G1 & G2 and 28/45/90 and never had any focus issues with either myself.

In the early day's I did but that was simply user error in failing to understand the AF system and certainly something in my case I couldn't blame the G1 for. I made sure I read the manual from cover to cover after my first 2 rolls and bingo. Boy do I miss my Contax G system at times!

(I do realise though that many have had genuine focus issues with these cameras especially with the 90mm)
 
Bob Michaels said:
Those of us who like the camera will conclude that the autofocus works very well for us.
Click to expand...

I'm sure that's right Bob. When I first got my G2 I was ultra careful due to all the chat about focus issues and checked the distance readout for every shot. Didn't have a problem in my first few rolls. Got cocky/less careful and missed a shot (yep, just one!). After that reminder I found my happy medium and have not missed focus since. All because I like the camera and want to use it.

For me there is a parallel in Leica film loading. I really don't wish to do the Leica baseplate juggle. If I loved Leicas like other people do, I would happily get used to it as others do and wouldn't have an issue with it.
 
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