Contax G2 Autofocus

RattyMouse · Sep 24, 2014

To Contax G2 owners a question. How often do you find that the autofocus fails you? I find that with my Nikon FM2n, perhaps 5-10% of my images are not well focused. This bothers me enough to consider an autofocus camera like the G2. Would I be happy with a G2 and 28mm & 45mm lens or would i still see a certain number of out of focus images?

Thanks!

Richard S. (rich815) · Sep 24, 2014

Loads of posts on this on the internet especially from when the G2 just came out. That said a lot of misinformation from people who really didn't learn how to use their G2 properly (and they'll likely show up here too) and were anxious to talk about how bad it is so they can go back to their Leica or other manual focus rangefinders.

I've owned one since about 1999 and I'll tell you: if you know how to use the rear button with your thumb and learn how to point and set the focus and then recompose as needed it's deadly accurate and lightning fast almost every single time.

RattyMouse · Sep 24, 2014

"deadly accurate and lightning fast almost every single time"...is what I am looking for in a camera.

Ken Nadvornick · Sep 25, 2014

Interesting question from you, given that every one of your GF670 folder pictures I've see posted are razor sharp. And that's with a camera that's essentially a left-thumb focuser using a focusing ring positioned way out in front on an extended bellows.

Are you just looking for a faster responding system overall?

Ken

RattyMouse · Sep 25, 2014

Ken Nadvornick said:
Interesting question from you, given that every one of your GF670 folder pictures I've see posted are razor sharp. And that's with a camera that's essentially a left-thumb focuser using a focusing ring positioned way out in front on an extended bellows.

Are you just looking for a faster responding system overall?

Ken

I guess I'm just better at rangefinder focusing than SLR/ground glass focusing. A bit faster would be nice. I'd be happy with my Nikon system if the focusing were tack sharp. But often, too often, it is not.

Maybe I should bring my GA645 out of mothballs and shoot that for awhile.

TheFlyingCamera · Sep 25, 2014

I think it also depends on which lens in the lineup you're using. The 28 and 45 should give you near 100% accurate focus. The 90, while it produces beautiful images, is a little funny with the autofocus and doesn't always lock focus, or at least doesn't lock where you want it to. It also helps to shoot in lighting conditions that are not too flat and too dim, but this is a problem for all autofocus systems.

Xmas · Sep 25, 2014

RattyMouse said:
To Contax G2 owners a question. How often do you find that the autofocus fails you? I find that with my Nikon FM2n, perhaps 5-10% of my images are not well focused. This bothers me enough to consider an autofocus camera like the G2. Would I be happy with a G2 and 28mm & 45mm lens or would i still see a certain number of out of focus images?

Thanks!

You may be better with a different screen on the Nikon some people have real trouble with focusing either a SLR or rangefinder or both.

You may need a diopter lent a chum a OM4 and he needed to reset the variable diopter to focus the need is very dependent on good/bad light. When he passed it back I could still focus ok...

Some people cant use the G2 or G1.

You might need a Leica M6 for a 28mm.

All these are personal things you are sure to get personal advice.

coigach · Sep 25, 2014

I've got a G2. It's a quirky camera for sure, but I've grown to love it. There's a nack to focussing however - hope this link helps:
http://www.botzilla.com/blog/archives/000378.html

I've got 3 lenses, 28, 45 and 90. The only one I've had any focussing issues with is the 90...

snapguy · Sep 25, 2014

fast

I bought a Ferrari but I dumped it because I could not get it to go 120 mph. I admit I never took it out of second gear but it is the car's fault not mine.
Does this make any sense to anybody?

Arvee · Sep 25, 2014

A diopter correction lens for my FE2 fixed that occasional frame that was slightly out of focus. Seldom, if ever, get a soft frame now. Certainly less expensive than buying a new system!

RattyMouse · Sep 26, 2014

snapguy said:
I bought a Ferrari but I dumped it because I could not get it to go 120 mph. I admit I never took it out of second gear but it is the car's fault not mine.
Does this make any sense to anybody?

Not even a little bit, but thanks for trying.

Richard S. (rich815) · Sep 26, 2014

RattyMouse said:
Not even a little bit, but thanks for trying.

Here, I'll try:

1. Bought Ferrari because it can go really fast
2. Never learned how to drive it or use it properly
3. Sold it in a huff because the car drove poorly and blamed the car

RattyMouse · Sep 26, 2014

Richard Sintchak (rich815) said:
Here, I'll try:

1. Bought Ferrari because it can go really fast
2. Never learned how to drive it or use it properly
3. Sold it in a huff because the car drove poorly and blamed the car

Well, then, the guy clearly and totally missed the point.

Richard S. (rich815) · Sep 26, 2014

Right. That's the point.

Colonel Blimp · Sep 26, 2014

RattyMouse said:
To Contax G2 owners a question. How often do you find that the autofocus fails you? I find that with my Nikon FM2n, perhaps 5-10% of my images are not well focused. This bothers me enough to consider an autofocus camera like the G2. Would I be happy with a G2 and 28mm & 45mm lens or would i still see a certain number of out of focus images?

Thanks!

My G2's autofocus is fast and accurate. Never failed me. Not a camera for everyone, but it's all I need.

John Koehrer · Sep 27, 2014

Richard Sintchak (rich815) said:
Here, I'll try:

1. Bought Ferrari because it can go really fast
2. Never learned how to drive it or use it properly
3. Sold it in a huff because the car drove poorly and blamed the car

Carbon on the valves, it's very common.

Contax G2 Autofocus

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