Contax G1 first lens

JW PHOTO · Mar 23, 2015

This might sound odd, but I'm down-sizing my 35mm cameras and just bought a Contax G1 "green label" for peanuts. I figure I was using MF and LF for 97% of everything I do in film so it was time to unload. I still wanted a travel 35mm and it was either beefing up my Leica IIIa or buying another M2 that I always loved. Then I got the idea of a cheap G1 body and G-lenses. Now, I didn't want to spend a ton of bucks on a system I'm not sure of(quirks) and then have to peddle it. So, now I want to get a lens to try out the camera and see if it and I will get along. I've narrowed it down to two and that's the 28mm and 45mm. I just have to choose. I have no problem with a normal focal length lens, but I tend to shoot more with 35mm to 15mm focal range with my 35mm cameras. I have an old Sigma 15-30mm zoom that sees much use on my Canon's, both digi and film. So, I'm open to suggestions on either why or why not one would be a better starter/trial lens for the G1. John W

Down Under · Mar 23, 2015

My G1 experience and preferred lenses

I would go with the 28. In fact, I did. And shortly after, bought the 45. As you may! Contax Gs and those Zeiss lenses can be addictive. I got my first G1 in 2004, it was GIVEN to me, yes, given, by someone who was bowing out of photography and being generous to friends who shared his love for 'quirky' cameras. Believe it, the G1 is quirky!

I now have the 21mm (a lovely lens, but very little used), 28mm (my favorite), 35mm (a wonderful 'street' lens with very special luminance), 45mm (good to have, used now and then, sharp as new razor blades), and 90mm (almost never). Oh, and FOUR G1 bodies - a few years ago the G market hit rock bottom in Australia and Asia, and I decided to stock up on them, as one expires, if I can have it repaired I will, if not, well, there are three others to grab.

Quirks. The autofocus system can be a b*gger to learn, but once you work it out, it's great. Film rewind is noisy. That fraction of a second gap between pressing the button and hearing the shutter 'tick'. Figuring out (or remembering) how to set ISO and other settings using the damn small buttons on the left side. That's about it, in my experience.

When you've worked out how to use the camera, and have your shooting 'flow' set up, you will probably love it. Last year I carried two G1 bodies with all my lenses (the 21mm and 90mm stayed mostly at my hotel), I walked the entire Bromo Valley in East Java, Indonesia, over four days. Shot 15 rolls of ten year expired Tmax 100. Home processed two months later when I returned to Australia. Exquisite results.

All this to say, Contax Gs can be addictive. I'm often asked why I use the G1 and not the G2. I've tried both. It's because I'm cheap! G1s sold for A$100-$150 a few years ago, compared to A$400+ for G2s. Who needs the better viewfinder? The shutter speed-exposure control dial moves around a lot during shoots if you are not super careful, but a small bit of gaffer's tape quickly fixed the problem.

Whichever lens you buy, I hope you will enjoy it. As I am. My first G1 has been with me for almost 12 years, and is an early model, probably 1994 or 1995. Has never broken down or failed me. With proper care, they are like Sherman tanks.

Enjoy...

JW PHOTO · Mar 24, 2015

That's the most encouraging thing I have heard/read so far about the G1. I don't mind"quirky" if those quirks don't stop me from getting good results. I get misses with perfect cameras from time to time so no big deal. I just turned 65 and I'm just a little quirky myself. I've owned many quirky cameras before so the G1 won't be my first. Had Alpa cameras with the backward film advance and my last Contax IIA with that silly little focus wheel even seemed quirky. I could never use the wheel 'cause I could never keep my fat fingers out of the way of the viewfinder. I also have a small collection of Contaflex cameras that I love, but they are super quirky too. Maybe the G1 was built just for me and it took me this long to finally figure that out. We''ll see if that's true soon enough. I'm with your views about the 28mm and will probably go that route unless a 45mm comes up really dirt cheap. Thanks, John W

Richard S. (rich815) · Mar 24, 2015

45 or 28 both fantastic. Go for the one you prefer. I personally found the 35 not all that special and sold it. The 21 one of the very best there is.

TheFlyingCamera · Mar 24, 2015

I'm probably sounding like a broken record here by now with my gushing praise for the system. When I first started out with it, I had just a 28 and a 45 and a G1 body. I took them to Argentina with me for walkaround shots and color work (I was doing all my b/w with my 5x7). Those lenses (plus the 21!!!!) are some of the best 35mm lenses ever made, even better than Leica glass. Just remember to focus, lock and re-compose and you'll do fine. One of the joys of this camera is the lack of mirror vibration - carefully braced, I've pulled off 1 second exposures hand-held with the 28 and with the 21.

Axle · Mar 24, 2015

I love the 45 and 28 lenses on my G2, in fact they're the two lenses that will be coming along on my trip this summer to Europe. I would say for a first lens, go for the 45. I went with the 28 but again found myself buying the 45 two weeks later.

JW PHOTO · Mar 24, 2015

Axle said:
I love the 45 and 28 lenses on my G2, in fact they're the two lenses that will be coming along on my trip this summer to Europe. I would say for a first lens, go for the 45. I went with the 28 but again found myself buying the 45 two weeks later.

Axle,
I'm probably going to do exactly what you did. Buy the 28mm, see if I like the system, and then comes the 45mm. Where I go after that, as far as lenses, will be on whether or not I need wider or longer. I think 28mm - 45mm - 90mm would be more than enough, but you never know. I just know I have way more 35mm gear then a sane person should own and this is a way to solve that problem. Might make life a little simpler also. I know it will make my better-half much happier anyway. John W

Richard S. (rich815) · Mar 24, 2015

Just be patient learning how best to use the AF. The most adamant and common detractors of the G-system are vastly from those who barely gave it a chance before moving on. It works, it's fantastic and the lenses are amongst the very, very best in terms of sharpness, character and "3-D" look.

Gerry M · Mar 24, 2015

To me, the G1 & G2 are no "quirkier" then other AF bodies. Just have to learn them. If only one lens, that is a tough call. I have 28,45 & 90 and would like the 35. I'll buck the trend here and say 45/2 may be the best choice for first lens. If you don't like that one, might just as well throw the G1 away !

craigclu · Mar 24, 2015

Richard Sintchak (rich815) said:
45 or 28 both fantastic. Go for the one you prefer. I personally found the 35 not all that special and sold it. The 21 one of the very best there is.

Exactly what Richard said.... I've had more reasons to use the 45 than the 28 but that could easily be the opposite for others. For some reason, the 35 got very little use and I peddled it in a weak moment and a lust for something else. The 90 is a great performer but the G1 has more trouble focusing it than my G2 in use.

JW PHOTO · Mar 24, 2015

craigclu said:
Exactly what Richard said.... I've had more reasons to use the 45 than the 28 but that could easily be the opposite for others. For some reason, the 35 got very little use and I peddled it in a weak moment and a lust for something else. The 90 is a great performer but the G1 has more trouble focusing it than my G2 in use.

This is like a ping-pong ball inside my brain. Bouncing from one side to the other and then back again. I don't think I'll have a problem learning the AF system on the G1 and agree that "ALL" Auto-focus systems are not 100% foolproof. On most of my AF cameras I use nothing but center-lock-focus since I want to control what is in focus and what is not. So, I usually shoot aperture-preferred, center focus point and then recompose. I should be fine with this setup. I'll make my final decision on the lens by the middle of next week and let you know . I appreciate your input and folks like Richard since I have followed Richards posted pictures with great pleasure. He does very nice work with whatever "light-tight box" he has in his hand. I will say one thing and that is there is very little worse than having a new camera body and no lens to go with it. John W

crsantin · Mar 25, 2015

I do not find the G1 to be quirky at all really. The focus system takes a little practice to get used to but that is all. Everything else about the camera is pretty straightforward. At the moment I only have a G1 with the 45mm. The 45 is an amazing lens. It takes wonderfully detailed and sharp images, great colour and contrast, lots of detail in my scans. If you are comfortable with that focal length then there really is not much to think about, the 45 is about as good a lens as you can buy. I will add the 28mm and the 90mm at some point but for now I am more than pleased with the 45.

If I want to shoot a 35mm lens I use my Konica Hexar AF. Now THAT is a quirky camera, but equally wonderful.

JW PHOTO · Mar 26, 2015

crsantin said:
I do not find the G1 to be quirky at all really. The focus system takes a little practice to get used to but that is all. Everything else about the camera is pretty straightforward.

If I want to shoot a 35mm lens I use my Konica Hexar AF. Now THAT is a quirky camera, but equally wonderful.

I have even looked for a 35mm lens for the G1, but they don't run cheap either and I have to start somewhere. I know the 45mm is great, but I'm leaning toward the 28mm to start things off. Konica AF!!!! I bought a new Konica Hexar AF shortly after they first came out. It was a silent "Black Beauty" and had a fantastic lens for the street. The trouble was I would get some blurry focus issues on shots I knew I did what I was suppose to do. I did a careful check and found the cross-hairs in my viewfinder didn't match what the camera was focusing on. I would put the + on a subject and the focus was actually far to the right. I sent it back to Konica under warranty and got it back a short time later with a slip stating what was done. They said they corrected focus misalignment and I took their word for it. Well, it didn't take long to find out they never did. In a very angry state I traded it in on some Minolta AF 35mm slr gear. I had a Leica M2 with four lenses at the same time, so the Konica wasn't missed much. If the Konica's focus patch would have been dead -on I might still own it, but who knows. It was still a great camera, but yes, quirky too. The G1 and I will get along just fine. Now, to lens shop...............John W

Richard S. (rich815) · Mar 26, 2015

IMHO the 35/2 on the Konica AF blows the 35/2 Planar for the G out of the water. Love my Konica AF. That said while it has its purpose is shot my G2 with 28/45 over the Konica anytime.

JW PHOTO · Mar 26, 2015

Richard Sintchak (rich815) said:
IMHO the 35/2 on the Konica AF blows the 35/2 Planar for the G out of the water. Love my Konica AF. That said while it has its purpose is shot my G2 with 28/45 over the Konica anytime.

Richard,
I had absolutely no complaints about the Konica's lens at all. Silent and deadly, but that AF issue was just to much. Yes, I could have fought it out with Konica or just tried to compensate in the viewfinder, but to me it just wasn't worth the hassle. The first Konica I ever owned was a secondhand Konica III from the late 50's. It had the most gorgeous lens and the ad for the camera said, "The lens alone is worth the price" and they were right. It was a 48mm f2 Hexanon of the Zeiss Planar design. The camera was a bit heavy, but wonderful in operation. Not as silent as the Hexar AF, but pretty close. Ah, the good old days. Next week I'll be ordering my G1 lens, but for now I'll ponder. John W

Down Under · Mar 26, 2015

Excellent advise overall, in particular from Richard, an admirable photographer. As wrote, if I did it all over again I would start with the 28mm, also get the lens hood, a 'must have' especially when photographing in bright (Australian) sunlight. Then buy the 45mm, then the 35mm or 21mm, lastly the 90mm. My choices entirely, yours may vary.

In my experience, focus issues with the 90mm are basically due to carelesslness. This is a lens I've used infrequently, but (usually) with a table top tripod for controlled shots or a small monopod in the field, both provide more stability.

The G system can make for an amazing complete kit, but when I first used mine, I was amazed at how minimalist it also is. I always considered the classic Rolleiflex kit (camera, lens hood, clear filter, strap) as surely the most minimalist of all, but my G1 surpassed even my TLR - camera, lens hood, strap. If you can find one, a Contax UV filter (46mm thread) is also a must. A few years ago I was in a Melbourne camera store and by chance found four in filter box on a counter, for A$5 each, so all my 46mm thread lenses are now protected. Not long ago in Singapore, a used Contax 21mm lens filter (has a larger thread) cost me A$35 in a camera repair shop, but I consider it a great bargain.

Even film, choice of, becomes a simple equation with the Contax. The lenses are so sharp, and give so much definition, that any color negative film on the market today will deliver usable results. My scans are effortless and loaded with detail. B&W choices are also good, Ilford FP4 and HP5 serve all my needs. On my next walkabout trip to West Java in June, I plan to use up a couple of dozen dozen 30 year old rolls of Kodak Technical Pan and Panatomic-X films I've kept frozen since 1990 or so. (I'll do test rolls before, of course.) So when I say "quirky" maybe I meant more the photographer (in my case) than the camera...

weasel · Mar 27, 2015

Good point about film- when I first started shooting my g2 I was sort of pissed that the images were not any better really than what I had been shooting; until I realized that the lenses are so sharp, the film becomes the limiting factor, and I had to change films/processing to get the most from them.
I havent shot my G2 in a long time, but this thread has me running for batteries.............

JW PHOTO · Apr 3, 2015

Well, there is a 28mm f2.8 T Biogon on the way from Japan and a roll of Panf+ in the fridge waiting for it. I'm really itching to see how this works out for me and will keep everyone informed as to my findings. John W

Richard S. (rich815) · Apr 3, 2015

JW PHOTO said:
Well, there is a 28mm f2.8 T Biogon on the way from Japan and a roll of Panf+ in the fridge waiting for it. I'm really itching to see how this works out for me and will keep everyone informed as to my findings. John W

It will work GREAT! That's a wonderful lens!!

Richard S. (rich815) · Apr 3, 2015

If you get an itching to try the 45 Planar let me know. If you pay shipping both ways I'll lend it to you for a few weeks or a month if you want.

JW PHOTO · Apr 3, 2015

Richard Sintchak (rich815) said:
If you get an itching to try the 45 Planar let me know. If you pay shipping both ways I'll lend it to you for a few weeks or a month if you want.

Richard,
That is a most generous offer and I greatly appreciate it. I have done the same with many friends and acquaintances from time to time. I really enjoy doing that with folks that share the same type passion for this hobby/craft as I do. If the G1 and 28mm are to my liking, as far as handling goes, I'll just out-and-out buy the 45mm Planar. My plan is to have the 21mm, 28mm 45mm and the 90mm and pickup a second and maybe even third G1 body(they're dirt cheap right now). For the 35mm focal length I'll use either my Minox ML or Touring since either one is super-sharp and easily fits in my pocket. This should allow me to sell off all my other 35mm gear and just use the Minox 35 and G1. I do not shoot much 35mm anymore so this should work out fine for me I think. I'll keep everyone posted and thanks again Richard.
John W

JW PHOTO · Apr 7, 2015

Received my 28mm Biogon from Japan today. It's mounted on the G1 and there is a roll of PanF+ in it ready for a stroll tomorrow. I like the feel of the camera/lens and I think I'll get along just fine with the focus setup also. Keep ya posted..........................JohnW

Contax G1 first lens

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