Wow! The G2 has ignited a fire...

[Joseph S]

Hey guys

I've been lurking here for a bit, and wanted to introduce myself as well as share my new-found addiction for the Contax G1 and G2's. Help! I'm out of control!!!!!

I've been shooting professionally for almost 25 years, mostly 4x5 and 8x10 for commercial and advertising purposes, as well as using various 6x6 and 6x7 systems. The last 4 years have been exclusively digital, with the usual post production issues.

In May this year, I spent 10 days in St. Petersburg, Russia enjoying the sites and managing to get pickpocketed despite my best efforts (I swear gypsies have magical powers). A friend and I met a Russian photographer there who ended up giving me some old Russian RF's - Zorki, FED, etc., as a gift. When I got back I loaded them up with black and white and went shooting the "old fashioned way" - man what a blast after burning through digital! Scanning the film and looking at grain again sparked a deep, old flame. What is it about film that seems more eternal than digital? I don't know but images I produce on film seem to have an importance that digital doesn't share. Must be the instant capture instant delete of digital that makes it seem less permanent...

Upon returning from Russia I decided a small discreet rangefinder would be the way to go for the future. I was telling my friend about the G1 I'd played with a few years before and how that seemed to be the perfect setup. Lo and behold, a couple days later a mint black G2 with 28, 45, 90 and accesories popped up locally for $1000 and I bought it. It was love at first site and I haven't looked back. The seller really struggled with letting it go, and I now understand why. The lenses, build quality and system design are simply superb. The images are spectacularly sharp and beautiful. I can honestly say I've never enjoyed a camera as much, and I own or have owned Sinar, Rollei 6008, Hasselblad, RZ, Bronica, Canon and Nikon gear of all flavors. What is it about these Contax cameras that is so addicting? I guess it's that the parts all add up to much more than the whole...

Since then I've bought more G1 and G2 gear (mint at great prices) and each time I've watched the owner struggle with letting their systems go. Somehow I know they'll end up buying another one again. There is something special about the G1 and G2 systems, and with current prices, I think they are a steal. As to Contax's future and repairs, I'm not concerned. I'm enjoying shooting these right now and that's what's important to me. Prices are reasonable and one can pick up a couple of mint G1/G2 bodies for spares for less than the price of a prosumer digital camera - which will be worth absolutely zilch in a couple of years.

For those considering the Contax, just do it. I absolutely love shooting with them, and am rediscovering a lot of what I lost in shooting digital for clients... the slower, contemplative, "shoot less but better" philosophy I used to live by. Somehow that gets overridden in the digital age. I'm not knocking digital - I'd love a 12mp G2 😎 and instant imaging is irreplaceable in ad/commercial work, but for my personal shooting rediscovering film has been a blast.

Forgive my ramble, just enjoying shooting film again and loving the Contax G1/G2 system! Now, if I can just stop the habit of looking at the camera back after each frame! LOL

JS

 

[Socke]

Hi Joseph,

I'm an amateur and I bought my first Contax G2 after I had a Canon Powershot G1. I used Yashica and Contax SLRs before.
Since I got my G2 it is my most used camera and I'm less tempted by digital for my travel shooting.
Ok, less so when I buy film or chemistry 🙂

Oh, and welcome to the nuthouse!

 

[anaanda]

I used to shoot with a G1 back when it came out. I loved that camera. That was my first "rangefinder" although not one in a pure sense but one none the less. I recently bought a Leica M6 and 50 summicron Leica. I am going to try that out. If I don't like it I think I will go back to the G2 or give the Bessa R2M/R2A a try. I have shot with Mamiya 6, Xpan, Hexar, and still haven't found my camera. If you like automation and great lenses the G2 is great camera and in my opinion will be a true classic in the years to come....

 

[kmack]

Welcome back to the darkside. 😀

 

[keoj]

I too am a long time Contax SLR user that moved over the G2 about a year ago. This camera is such a steal it should be a crime. I've also own Leica gear in my past and to be blunt, the Leica gear is a little better but for the quality/$$$$ the G2 blows it away. Good choice!

 

[Adam Muir]

addicted

addicted

I got my first G2 with 45mm about 3 years ago, I have played with all sorts but keep going back to it for personal shooting, now have 2 G2 bodies, TLA 30, 28 , 35 , 45 , 90. want the 21 and 16 but not that rich yet.
I think I need a pocket camera and seriously looking at the original Contax T, think there is something special about it !
I have never had to get any repairs done on my G2 Kit, but service is available still which is great.
I thought about a digital pocket camera but aside from the Epson RD-1 (maybe) they all piss me off, the Epson is not really a pocket fit and the rest are missing RAW or viewfinders or external flash connection, still waiting for someone to come out with a pocket digi with AV, viewfinder, RAW, external flash, fast lens, high res and little else with not to many buttons, may be a long wait!

The G2 motivates me to get a B&W darkroom or a dedicated film scanner or both!

FILM IS MAGIC!

 

[Adam Muir]

I almost forgot,

GRAIN = ROUND

PIXEL = SQUARE

 

[SolaresLarrave]

The Contax gear is fascinatingly simple (despite it's bells and whistles): you push the buttons and the camera does what you tell it to do. And the TTL flash is a joy! And, should you ever wonder, the cameras and glass are pretty resilient... perhaps not at professional level, but still, titanium puts up with a lot.

I sold mine (I had a small G1 setup). I don't regret it; quite the opposite, because I know the current owner is using it a lot more than I did these last two years. However, before falling for Leicas, my Contax G1 was my third hand.

So, don't worry, we all understand your enthusiasm. Welcome to the forum, Joseph! 😀

 

[kully]

Adam, you may want to consider the Canon G5 or G6 (or the older G3 even). You can shove it in a coat / combat trouser pocket.

I was seriously considering a G2 on sale in the classifieds last month, but my experiences with AF in the past put me off and I got an F80 instead. Has anyone compared the AF speed of the G2 with that of a SLR like the F80+prime?

 

[charlesfoto]

Having used the G2 since its inception, I can still feel the enthusiam you are feeling now. I recently agonized(and posted here) about selling my G2s for a Leica. Having owned Nikons, Mamiya 645 & 7II, I couldn't bear to part with the Gs, so Iwound up selling the Nikons and a Mamiya, am now a very contented photographer with two G2s, 28-45-90 and a Leica M6TTL w/ 50/2 Summicron....can't get much better than that! Good luck with your G!!

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Welcome Joseph, enthusiasm is encouraged here 🙂

 

[Joseph S]

Thanks guys! At least I know I've found a place where my addiction will not only be accepted but encouraged as well 😀 This forum has been great to hang around - lots of information and a group of courteous and classy folks is hard to beat.

I think the "rangefinder camera" in general has rekindled my love for black and white, as well as the G2 specifically. I've even bought some tanks and reels and processing equipment again LOL - same stuff I sold a few years ago. Having a scanner to input the film right into my digital workflow has made shooting film again much more practical and I'm enjoying the scanning process - reminds me in an odd way of spending time in the darkroom... the process is rewarding in itself.

OK, I admit it... it isn't just Contax... most rangefinders call to me when I pass by. Leica, Konica, Epson RD1, etc. They're just plain addicting 😉

Charles, I agree - tough to beat that combo for sure. I think you made the right decision 🙂
Tom - I wish I was there!
Socke - ditto on the film costs - it's good for keeping me picky about shots now - sort of a "pre-editor"
Thanks to everyone else for the welcome and comments!

Joseph

 

[John]

Welcome to the Forum. I've been shooting with the G2 for 4 years and couldn't be happier. I am also dabbling with a Leica M3 to experience the manual aspect and lens variety. I don't think many observers know much about either one, but they both look expensive compared to a point and shoot or consumer digital. 🙂

 

[steve garza]

I've been planning to trade in my black G2

I've been planning to trade in my black G2

Hey guys

I've been lurking here for a bit, and wanted to introduce myself as well as share my new-found addiction for the Contax G1 and G2's. Help! I'm out of control!!!!!

I've been shooting professionally for almost 25 years, mostly 4x5 and 8x10 for commercial and advertising purposes, as well as using various 6x6 and 6x7 systems. The last 4 years have been exclusively digital, with the usual post production issues.

In May this year, I spent 10 days in St. Petersburg, Russia enjoying the sites and managing to get pickpocketed despite my best efforts (I swear gypsies have magical powers). A friend and I met a Russian photographer there who ended up giving me some old Russian RF's - Zorki, FED, etc., as a gift. When I got back I loaded them up with black and white and went shooting the "old fashioned way" - man what a blast after burning through digital! Scanning the film and looking at grain again sparked a deep, old flame. What is it about film that seems more eternal than digital? I don't know but images I produce on film seem to have an importance that digital doesn't share. Must be the instant capture instant delete of digital that makes it seem less permanent...

Upon returning from Russia I decided a small discreet rangefinder would be the way to go for the future. I was telling my friend about the G1 I'd played with a few years before and how that seemed to be the perfect setup. Lo and behold, a couple days later a mint black G2 with 28, 45, 90 and accesories popped up locally for $1000 and I bought it. It was love at first site and I haven't looked back. The seller really struggled with letting it go, and I now understand why. The lenses, build quality and system design are simply superb. The images are spectacularly sharp and beautiful. I can honestly say I've never enjoyed a camera as much, and I own or have owned Sinar, Rollei 6008, Hasselblad, RZ, Bronica, Canon and Nikon gear of all flavors. What is it about these Contax cameras that is so addicting? I guess it's that the parts all add up to much more than the whole...

Since then I've bought more G1 and G2 gear (mint at great prices) and each time I've watched the owner struggle with letting their systems go. Somehow I know they'll end up buying another one again. There is something special about the G1 and G2 systems, and with current prices, I think they are a steal. As to Contax's future and repairs, I'm not concerned. I'm enjoying shooting these right now and that's what's important to me. Prices are reasonable and one can pick up a couple of mint G1/G2 bodies for spares for less than the price of a prosumer digital camera - which will be worth absolutely zilch in a couple of years.

For those considering the Contax, just do it. I absolutely love shooting with them, and am rediscovering a lot of what I lost in shooting digital for clients... the slower, contemplative, "shoot less but better" philosophy I used to live by. Somehow that gets overridden in the digital age. I'm not knocking digital - I'd love a 12mp G2 😎 and instant imaging is irreplaceable in ad/commercial work, but for my personal shooting rediscovering film has been a blast.

Forgive my ramble, just enjoying shooting film again and loving the Contax G1/G2 system! Now, if I can just stop the habit of looking at the camera back after each frame! LOL

JS

and the 21, 28,45, 90 lenses I have all in black for a 75 'lux. Now I'm thinking twice about it. The system is worth keeping for the 21 and 90mm lenses alone. I've fallen in complete lust with my m2 and 35 'lux, but the G2 would be sorely missed. I may have to wait for that 75.

 

[John]

Steve,
Keep your black G2 set bro. You've got it all there man. All the lenses, collectible colour, solid titanium, film at that! Camera companies are running for the hills. This level of quality is getting hard to find. Zeiss is asking double or triple what the Contax set likely cost you. 🙂

 

[steve garza]

John,
You're probably right. Now I see I'm not the only one with a G system and an M setup I don't have to feel so damn guilty. I can always wait or just put that 75 on the card. Won't be the 1st time.

 

[Adam Muir]

Adam, you may want to consider the Canon G5 or G6 (or the older G3 even). You can shove it in a coat / combat trouser pocket.

Thanks for the advice Kully, I did have a G5 Canon before my 10D but it pissed me off to? thinking about the Ricoh GR digital, its all there apart from the viewfinder, but I'm gagging for a Contax T ! Thinking about a T2 or TVS instead because they are a bit cheaper...?

 

[Rico]

...I'm gagging for a Contax T ! Thinking about a T2 or TVS instead because they are a bit cheaper...?

The T2 is far more abundant, but not cheaper. The T, T2 and TVS cost US$300 on eBay, give or take. Plausible samples of the T appear each month or two. It's worth the wait because, once you have one, you never wait again - no shutter lag. 🙂

 

[Socke]

But I'm gagging for a Contax T ! Thinking about a T2 or TVS instead because they are a bit cheaper...?

Hm, I like my Contax TVS but to be true, I haven't used it much in the last year.

 

[kully]

Adam, yeah the G5 can be a pain in the bottom... It's the reason I got into rangefinders though, so not too bad.

There are ways of getting around it's flaws by setting hyperfocal settings in the custom settings to rid it of the horrid shutter lag, shooting RAW and converting to B&W for ISO 400 and it's best trick is macro focussing down to front element!