Contax G1 viewfinder

[msbarnes]

How bad is this viewfinder with a 45mm lens, in operation?

Is it as bad as a Leica LTM?

 

[gone]

No, not that bad, but its darker. Since you aren't going to be using the viewfinder to focus like a screw mount Leica, it doesn't matter so much. And it won't matter what lens you have on the camera, it's going to look just as dark in the G1. After a while you get used to the Contax finders....or you don't. I made my peace w/ them when I shot the cameras. Wonderful glass, especially the 90 lens. Quirky cameras for sure, and all that whirring noise while they get focus can be disconcerting at first, but again, you get used to it. Or not.

 

[Xmas]

No, not that bad, but its darker. Since you aren't going to be using the viewfinder to focus like a screw mount Leica, it doesn't matter so much. And it won't matter what lens you have on the camera, it's going to look just as dark in the G1. After a while you get used to the Contax finders....or you don't. I made my peace w/ them when I shot the cameras. Wonderful glass, especially the 90 lens. Quirky cameras for sure, and all that whirring noise while they get focus can be disconcerting at first, but again, you get used to it. Or not.

None of the screw mount Leicas I have had used the viewfinder for focusing which one do you refer to?

 

[Down Under]

G1 viewfinders are, well, viewfinders. A G isn't an SLR, and yes, the viewfinder is somewhat darker than the actual scene, but that's how it is. As the owner of four G1s, and two 45mm lenses which I use regularly (I usually carry one G for B&W, another G for color negative), I long ago got used to their (few) limitations and learned to work around them. the 45mm isn't my preferred lens as I find the image too 'narrow' for my liking and prefer the 35mm or 28mm lenses, but all G lenses produce superb quality if used correctly. Overall I find the Gs have better than most RF viewfinders. My brief time with Leica Ms was in the 1980s when I was younger and had better eyesight. Ten years years ago I used a friend's Leica IIIf for a year and its tiny viewfinder all but drove me insane, but this said, there is no sensible comparison between Leica IIIf and G viewfinders. I cannot afford Leicas now so the Contax Gs are, for me, a fine option and in no way inferior. I use my G1s every weekend, and am happy with the viewfinders. As a fussy shooter, I like the results from my G lenses as what I see on my negative(s) is (almost) spot on with what I saw when I shot the image(s).

To me the only 'minus' about the G1 is the noise the camera makes when it focuses. I quickly got used to the viewfinders and I continue to be very happy with my results. Many others don't like the viewfinders. Each to their own...

One person's viewpoint, this, from almost 20 years of use.