Contax G2 Lenses Question

boodalu · Apr 24, 2017

TheNightSquatch said:
Is there a specific reason you moved to the Nikon f100/F6?

The contax is built like a brick and works great. However the viewfinder is its weak point.
The Nikons have amazing viewfinders

TheNightSquatch · Apr 24, 2017

After doing some more searching and weeding through what I consider poor examples of the contax G system, I agree the G lenses are sharp. I know I, and I'm sure a lot of you, have been spoiled by modern lenses, but they hold up well. The real strength that I see is their color rendering. It's really good.

And they do well with CA too. I can't stand to see too much Chromatic Abrasion if any.

As it stands, I'm in a toss up between the contax G2 and a Nikon FM3a. I would probably get a CZ lens for the Nikon. Time will tell...

John Wiegerink · Apr 27, 2017

TheNightSquatch said:
After doing some more searching and weeding through what I consider poor examples of the contax G system, I agree the G lenses are sharp. I know I, and I'm sure a lot of you, have been spoiled by modern lenses, but they hold up well. The real strength that I see is their color rendering. It's really good.

And they do well with CA too. I can't stand to see too much Chromatic Abrasion if any.

As it stands, I'm in a toss up between the contax G2 and a Nikon FM3a. I would probably get a CZ lens for the Nikon. Time will tell...

Buy them both and part with the one you don't grab first when you walk out the door.

blockend · Apr 28, 2017

A lens is only as good as the camera it fits, and the G2 is not supported by the manufacturer and independent repairers cannot get new parts. A nice G2 body sells for £500-800 on eBay UK. That's quite a risk, somewhat lessened by the fact Contax lenses fit d*g*t*l cameras, so will have a ready market.

TheFlyingCamera · Apr 28, 2017

To give you a bit of perspective on the lens quality:

I took my Contax G kit with me to Barcelona on vacation (G1, G2, 21, 28, 35, 50, 90). I was taking serious snapshots for my own pleasure. I came home and was showing the images to an acquaintance, who then placed an order with me for photos that netted me enough to pay for the trip. I made 16x20 enlargements from shots with the 21 that were hand-held at 1 second. Yes, the system is that good.

TheNightSquatch · May 18, 2017

Just a little update, I decided on purchasing a G1 and a Nikon FM3a to test both systems. Almost half way through the trip I'm running low on film! I'll post some photos and a little review when a I get back. Thank you all for the opinions and reviews.

John Wiegerink · May 18, 2017

TheNightSquatch said:
Just a little update, I decided on purchasing a G1 and a Nikon FM3a to test both systems. Almost half way through the trip I'm running low on film! I'll post some photos and a little review when a I get back. Thank you all for the opinions and reviews.

Very good move! The G1 is a little less advanced than the G2, but I actually like the G1 well enough to where I have no desire to pay the higher price of the G2. That said, if a G2 falls in my lap at the right price I will give it a good home that's for sure. Do you have the same compliment of lenses for both cameras? For the Contax I use the 45mm the most often, the 28mm next and the 90mm least of all, but the 90mm is a "must" at certain times and for certain things, like portraits.

TheNightSquatch · May 19, 2017

John Wiegerink said:
Very good move! The G1 is a little less advanced than the G2, but I actually like the G1 well enough to where I have no desire to pay the higher price of the G2. That said, if a G2 falls in my lap at the right price I will give it a good home that's for sure. Do you have the same compliment of lenses for both cameras? For the Contax I use the 45mm the most often, the 28mm next and the 90mm least of all, but the 90mm is a "must" at certain times and for certain things, like portraits.

Yeah! I thought it was a good idea to start out with the G1 first. For a little over a hundred bucks you can get a G1 body, kinda a no brainer.

I currently only have the 45mm. Looking back, I wish I got the 28mm, but I am excited to see how the 45mm performs.

I have been grabbing for the FM3a a bit more just because of the bright and beautiful viewfinder, but the autofocus on the G1 is surprisingly fast and easy to get lock. With all of the criticism I've read, I thought it was going to be horrible. Can't wait to get these slides developed.

John Wiegerink · May 20, 2017

TheNightSquatch said:
Yeah! I thought it was a good idea to start out with the G1 first. For a little over a hundred bucks you can get a G1 body, kinda a no brainer.

I currently only have the 45mm. Looking back, I wish I got the 28mm, but I am excited to see how the 45mm performs.

I have been grabbing for the FM3a a bit more just because of the bright and beautiful viewfinder, but the autofocus on the G1 is surprisingly fast and easy to get lock. With all of the criticism I've read, I thought it was going to be horrible. Can't wait to get these slides developed.

I think much of the criticism comes from folks that have looked through an M series Leica finder and the minute they pickup a G series Contax are not happy. The truth is with auto-focus you really don't need that super-big finder. Still, it would have been nice to include a finder like the Leica M or even the old Contax IIa and IIa for that matter.

Contax G2 Lenses Question

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