A couple Contax G2 questions

Hi everyone. I'm intrigued with the Contax G2 and might start keeping an eye out for one. I just have a couple quick questions:

1) This camera seems to have lots of auto features. I like shooting everything manual including exposure which I use a incident meter for. I imagine there's a way for one to select both f-stop and shutter speed manually; is this accomplished simply by selecting an option in some menu?

2) Focusing concerns me. The only rangefinder I've used before was a Mamiya 7II. It really was a strange experience after many years of using only slr's. I read that the G series of lenses don't even have a focusing ring so I thought it was auto focus only but if I read correctly it seems that there is a focusing mechanism located on the body itself apparently. So there is a way to manually focus? If so does it work by merging a double image in the viewfinder or do I have to rely on judging my distance to my subject?
Thanks for replies.

Your point (2) first. Manually focusing a Contax G involves rotating a somewhat fiddly wheel until you get the distance setting you want. On my G1 (I believe the G2 is the same),this wheel has the annoying habit of rotating itself while I'm out shooting, and more or less auto-resetting the distance, usually to one I didn't want to shoot. As the viewfinder doesn't focus inor out according to distance set, often as not I don't realise this until I've shot an entire roll. Frustrating, to say the least.

I get around this annoying G 'trait' by sticking down the wheel with adhesive tape. Which is still an annoyance in a camera that as I recall sold for almost A$2,000 (body only) in Australiain the '90s and early '00s.

So yes, manual distance setting is possible. The G1 instruction booklet has a focusing distance chart, so you can calculate what will be sharp from foreground to background,depending on what f/stop you use, if you can be bothered to take the booklet with you when you shoot and refer to it as you go. Or make a photocopy of the page and laminate it, as I did, 'tho after 15 years of shooting with my G1 all the f/stop-distances areburned into my brain cells..

Your Point (1) now. I'm sorry that I cannot be of any help to you in this,as I've always shot my G1 on aperture mode and even then usually at f/5.6 or f/8. I am in this sense, a very predictable photographer, technically. There may be a way to manually set the two separately. Someone else on this site will assist with this information, I'm sure.

To me, the strongest point in the Contax G range are the superb Zeiss lenses. The G lenses were manufactured in Japan by, I believe, Cosina, but they are astoundingly sharp and produce lovely crisp colors and mid tones.

IF you are determined to do it all manually, you should perhaps explore other options in rangefinder 35mm cameras,such as the Bessas with the wonderful Voigtlander lenses,or possibly bite the (financial) bullet and invest in an M series Leica and a few carefully chosen Leitz (or again Voigtlander) lenses to suit your shooting style.

Whatever you decide, there is rather a learning curve with the Contax Gs. Fortunately, I took to the camera like a duck to water, and it produced some superb color slides in the days when I shot Ektachrome and Fujichrome. I now and then have to scan some and I always marvel at the amazing colors and mid tones. Also black and white negatives.

Of course the Voigtlander lenses are capable of producing the same wondrous results.

Whatever your ultimate decision, the rangefinders are wonderful cameras and well worth using.

For (1), shooting with manual f/stop & shutter speed could not be easier. Simply set the speed dial off AUTO to a speed from 4s to 1/4000. The viewfinder will show a display with the selected speed and over/under exposure marks, correct when both are lit. You can use both aperture preferred or shutter preferred. As far as focusing, give the auto focus a try, it's always worked great for me, especially when using the focus lock button. The lenses are all fantastic.

+1 I have a G1, which I adore, but I got a G2 just for the focus-lock button! (and faster AF)

Thanks for the replies. So focusing is strictly accomplished by determining ones DOF? There's no split image? Hmmm...I'm not so sure I like that.

marcmarc said:

Thanks for the replies. So focusing is strictly accomplished by determining ones DOF? There's no split image? Hmmm...I'm not so sure I like that.

Click to expand...

Correct. No split image in the Contax G1 and G2. It's an autofocus camera and uses electronic means to determine subject distance.

I agree with ozmoose 100%. The G1 I haveis a great camera, but I didn't buy into this system for the camera body. It's the lenses I wanted. I have thought about a G2, but my two G1's work just find for me. Are they perfect? no, but like I said, they work just fine for me.