Autofocus camera to replace Contax G?

Bobkins · Nov 1, 2015

Hi guys,
I have a Contax G1 with 45mm and 90mm lenses,
these lenses used also on Sony A7 which I sold.

Thinking to sell lenses and Contax G and buy something cheaper,
as don't want to keep lenses for film camera only.

is anything exist with autofocus which is not a completely plastic? (not like e.g. Nikon L35AF?)

or is there no alternative to Contax?

Or need to consider rangefinders like Yashica 35 electro?

and what do you think about Yashica 35 electro vs Yashica 35 CC?

I have also XA2 which I will keep

had before OM1 and OM10 (liked OM1 better)
and Yashica 35 electro

thanks

Hilo · Nov 1, 2015

what about the Konica Hexar ?

Bear in mind that none you mention, Contax G1, Yashica 35, etc. have such a beautiful finder as the OM1 you mention. The Hexar won't either, but at least that one is quite unique in terms of the results it gets. Not in the least because of the wonderful fixed 35mm . . .

If you weren't set on autofocus, your options would be much better. Particularly with regards to prices. The better electronic SLR's cost not much these days: Olympus OM-4Ti, Pentax LX, Minolta XD . . .

Paul Howell · Nov 1, 2015

Do you want light weight? If you are looking for a full metal body AF pro body that is much less than a G with a nice selection of lens, can be used for digital, Minolta Maxxium 9000, the only pro level camera it does not have an integrated motor drive, separate motor drive or winder. More expensive the Maxxum 9, all metal, highest shutter speed, 1/1250 of a second, some were retrofitted to work with newer micro motor AF lens.

CropDusterMan · Nov 1, 2015

Two options.
1. Konica Hexar AF
2. Konica Hexar AF.

LOL. It is an awesome camera...one of the best.

blockend · Nov 1, 2015

You'll struggle to find a camera as small as your Contax with equally good lenses that's less expensive. Choose any two from three.

Bobkins · Nov 1, 2015

Looks like my Contax just died
Came to SF to take a Golden Bridge pics....

Konica hexar us $400 - 600,

I think will back to fixed lens rangefinders

Any suggestions for aperture priority

Yachica 35 electro again ?

macfred · Nov 1, 2015

+ 1 for the Konica Hexar - it's a great little camera !
---

I bought a Yashica Electro 35 GSN a few months ago. I had to replace the light seals and I took some very nice pictures. After a few rolls it suffers from shutter problems and I think I'll let it go ...
--

What about an economy-priced Konica S2 ? http://mattsclassiccameras.com/konica_autos2.html

Paul Howell · Nov 1, 2015

The Canon QL 1.7 and Konica S3 likely have the best lens, but both are shutter speed preferred.

Richard S. (rich815) · Nov 1, 2015

blockend said:
You'll struggle to find a camera as small as your Contax with equally good lenses that's less expensive. Choose any two from three.

Yup.

Richard S. (rich815) · Nov 1, 2015

Bobkins said:
Looks like my Contax just died

Did you try a fresh battery?

Dr Croubie · Nov 1, 2015

It's nowhere near as small as a rangefinder, but how about a tiny SLR like a canon rebel, with a 40mm pancake? Plus their newest AF lenses like the 24/28/35 f/2 IS are a lot sharper than their 90s-era predecessors.
Still, as an SLR it's not what i'd call pocketable.

I would (and do) forego the AF and get some nice RF lenses like the new CV and a Bessa R3A.

Or if you must must must have AF, you could always just get a selection of fixed-lens point'n'shoot cams and forego interchangeable lenses.

John Koehrer · Nov 1, 2015

Nikon 35Ti, but I don't think it's especially inexpensive; around $200 ish. Quite a bit smaller than the G

Richard S. (rich815) · Nov 1, 2015

I love my Contax T2 so much I bought a second one to make sure I have a backup if the first goes. I use them interchangeably though...great camera and lens.

Bobkins · Nov 1, 2015

PDH said:
The Canon QL 1.7 and Konica S3 likely have the best lens, but both are shutter speed preferred.

for me it little weird
- shutter speed preferred - never used,
aperture priority looks more logical -..

Bobkins · Nov 2, 2015

You set the shutter speed, the camera sets the aperture.

this is for Konica S3,
so for these cameras we can't change focus aperture?

https://www.cameraquest.com/kons3.htm

Xmas · Nov 2, 2015

Bobkins said:
this is for Konica S3,
so for these cameras we can't change focus aperture?

https://www.cameraquest.com/kons3.htm

If you have battery voltage you change the shutter speed the camera selects a different aperture to shoot at, you are no worse off.

But some don't have a manual mode and some don't have a meter in the manual mode, the Minoltas and some Olympus are better organised and cheaper than a G1.

Stephens site is more balanced than camera users.

And you don't have auto focus though the G1 was a strange system...

Paul Howell · Nov 2, 2015

Both the Canon and Konica have manual exposure control and shutter speed preferred. My second 35mm SLR was a Konica T, I was photo journalism minor in the 60s and covered both the college paper and also free lanced for the local dailies. As a PJ I was more concerned with making sure I had a high enough shutter speed to stop action and hand hold to prevent camera shake, I wanted to pick the shutter speed. To this day I usually use shutter speed mode as opposed to aperture or program mode. You also may want to think about an advanced point and shoot zoom. Not compact but dirt cheap with a very good lens, slow but sharp, are the so called bridge cameras, Olympus, Yaschia and Chinon all made super zooms, the Olympus's have APO zooms with ED glass, a number of models zoom ranges from 28 to 135 and 35 to 180. I have seen these cameras go for as little as $5.00 You can find the manuals on line. As mentioned a small compact SLR, my pick would a Pentax Z30 AF or ZM manual focus with a pancake lens or short zoom or a Minolta compact AF SLR with a 35 to 70 F4, designed by Leica.

Ricardo Miranda · Nov 2, 2015

Minolta compact AF SLR with a 35 to 70 F4, designed by Leica.

I have never heard of a AF lens made by Leica for Minolta.
The opposite is true, i.e. a Minolta lens (as well as some Sigma zooms) made for Leica.
Anyway, the Minolta AF 35-70 /4 is a very good lens, that is for a zoom.

Autofocus camera to replace Contax G?

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