Contax G1 first lens.............part II

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JW PHOTO

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Here's an update on my first shooting experience with the Contax G1 and my newly acquired 28mm. It took me a while to shoot my 36 exp roll of PanF+ 'cause I slipped and fell about a month ago and I'm just now walking decent. I still can't put on my left sock, but summers here anyway and who needs socks. Now, back to the camera and lens. The only thing I can say is fantastic. I know some folks say the G1 is a dog next to the G2, but the G1 and I get along just perfect. As for the 28mm lens? Well, I can't complain about sharpness, but I've only checked the negatives with a loupe so far. When they completely dry I'll scan a couple to post. Now I'm hunting for a 45mm and then the 90mm and then the 21mm and then.........................................Oh god, here we go again. John W:D
 

Down Under

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Hello again! Sorry to hear about your accident, I had the same some years ago, fell and broke some bones, was laid up for six weeks, had ample time to play with my cameras, clean them up, restore the older ones, and when the cast finally came off my leg and I could walk again, take the ones I'd not used for a long time for short walks in scenic places without hills. The gods snarled at you and smiled upon you, at the same time, sort of...

Next? Well, I reckon it's a choice now between 35mm (maybe too close to the 28 for your liking, tho I use mine more nowadays, after writing about it in your last post, and I like the results, some will criticise it but hey, man, it's a Planar!), 45mm (I know I should use it more, it's now back in my kit bag and I take it out with me, maybe soon), or 90mm (expect a longer than usual learning curve with this one, the focus is super fussy and can take some getting used to).

Decisions, decisions. We should all have to make such choices in our photographic lives, huh?

Post us some photos, please, won't you? Always good to see images made with those crisp Zeiss G lenses.

Me, I did the Bromo Valley walk in East Java last week, my fourth trek there in 30 years, two times with a G1. I shot nine rolls of Panatomic (11 rolls left, I believe from the last batch Kodak made, so probably 1987, kept refrigerated, still producing good sharp images) and seven of Fuji color negative. Am now in Kuala Lumpur for a week, the color will be processed here or in Singapore, the b&w will go into the fridge in Surabaya until I return to Melbourne later this year, for home processing. The G1 with 28, 45 and 90 are in my bag, also more Fuji neg and the last of the Panatomic. After posting this I'm off to the Perdana Botanical Gardens just out of the CBD to see some of the older plantings, the taman orkid and the lovely sunken garden, all absolute musts on my list for today.

Get back to full walking soon, please, and shoot heaps more with the G1. Two vital pastimes...
 
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Down Under

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Meant to say, but forgot, your choices - 45, 21 and 90 - are exactly in the order I bought. A few years later the 35 came along. Now for a 16, I've only ever seen (and had the pleasure of handling) one, so alas, unlikely to come my way. SWMBO* will have my scalp for a fur rug if I come home with a 16. Be warned...

(* SWMBO = She Who Must Be Obeyed, the Supreme Approver of all my camera purchases)
 
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JW PHOTO

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Meant to say, but forgot, your choices - 45, 21 and 90 - are exactly in the order I bought. A few years later the 35 came along. Now for a 16, I've only ever seen (and had the pleasure of handling) one, so alas, unlikely to come my way. SWMBO* will have my scalp for a fur rug if I come home with a 16. Be warned...

(* SWMBO = She Who Must Be Obeyed, the Supreme Approver of all my camera purchases)

I hear you loud and clear. My better half just says, if you want that then sell those. I have enough stuff to sell as to allow me every one of the lenses, but the 21mm-45mm-90mm, plus the already here 28mm are enough for me. I won't be able to scan and post anything until after the weekend since the "better-half" and I are going up to our cottage for a couple of days. So, stay tuned! John W
 
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I won't be able to scan and post anything until after the weekend since the "better-half" and I are going up to our cottage for a couple of days. So, stay tuned! John W

Bring the G1/28 and shoot more! :smile:
 

crsantin

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Haha, yes, all this sounds very familiar

SWMBO, mine has put me on hold, no camera related purchases for the rest of 2015. I managed to sneak a Konica Hexar AF in just in time :smile:

I fell two winters ago, didn't break anything but I hurt myself pretty badly and limped my way through that winter

The G1 is a great camera. If focuses differently than an slr, but once you get used to it it works very well and pretty quickly. Missed shots due to focus issues are very few. I only have the 45mm but it is the best lens I have ever owned. The negatives look fantastic, very sharp and loads of detail. I will be purchasing the 28mm and 90mm later this year once I'm allowed. I have yet to develop the few roles that I took with the Hexar...I'm curious to see how that lens compares to the Contax.
 
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JW PHOTO

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Haha, yes, all this sounds very familiar

SWMBO, mine has put me on hold, no camera related purchases for the rest of 2015. I managed to sneak a Konica Hexar AF in just in time :smile:

I fell two winters ago, didn't break anything but I hurt myself pretty badly and limped my way through that winter

The G1 is a great camera. If focuses differently than an slr, but once you get used to it it works very well and pretty quickly. Missed shots due to focus issues are very few. I only have the 45mm but it is the best lens I have ever owned. The negatives look fantastic, very sharp and loads of detail. I will be purchasing the 28mm and 90mm later this year once I'm allowed. I have yet to develop the few roles that I took with the Hexar...I'm curious to see how that lens compares to the Contax.

It's going on a month and I still can't bend my leg to put that left sock on. I am starting to feel a little better so that's a good sign. I think you'll really like the Hexar's lens. At least I did, but I couldn't live with the cross in the viewfinder not matching what the camera was really focusing on. Was still bad even after it came back from Konica repair. I sure did love how silent it was, but would sometimes have to look at the frame counter to see if I really took a shot or not. I think I'm going to really like this Contax system. John W
 
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