Contax G2 Rangefinder 35mm Film Camera

[warden]

If you want to use this camera for racing sports? wrong choise! Street or subway use; very good!

Nothing patient, motionless or centred.............
"don't ask what your camera can do for you but what you can do for your image"

Not racing sports, unless you count running children in the back yard. And I found the G great at those images if I either avoided the 90mm or stopped it down.

I get it with the in-focus pictures you're sharing. I could also share in and out of focus pictures with the 90mm lens but I don't think that proves anything in particular. A lot of people (like me) had no issues whatsoever focusing the G system except with the 90mm lens. It's not simply an issue of reading the manual or a misunderstanding of technique. Googling reviews of this lens will turn up focus difficulty issues, and for good reason.

It's a great system overall and I enjoyed my time with it but no system is perfect. For pure enjoyment if I wasn't concerned about electronics I'd still choose it over the M2.

 

[Pieter12]

if I wasn't concerned about electronics

Is there a history of failure of the electronics in these cameras? Or is it just electronics in general that has folks concerned?

 

[Huss]

Is there a history of failure of the electronics in these cameras? Or is it just electronics in general that has folks concerned?

Contax electronic cameras - T2, T3, TVS series and G series have a poor history of electronic failure.(Also some of their SLRs - RTS, RTS2 etc)
As does the Konica Hexar RF.

 

[warden]

Is there a history of failure of the electronics in these cameras? Or is it just electronics in general that has folks concerned?

My concern is based only on my experience. My G2 was perfect with regular use for ten years or so and then developed persistent electronic problems that ToCAD (the authorized service agent at the time) was unable to fix. My G1 had no problems but after a lengthy and failed effort to get the G2 back in shape I pulled the plug.

 

[k.hendrik]

my favourite answer in these matters is still an image; and you guys are just talking
https://condenaststore.com/featured/new-yorker-july-30th-1960-saul-steinberg.html

 

[Down Under]

My concern is based only on my experience. My G2 was perfect with regular use for ten years or so and then developed persistent electronic problems that ToCAD (the authorized service agent at the time) was unable to fix. My G1 had no problems but after a lengthy and failed effort to get the G2 back in shape I pulled the plug.

Interesting. My four G1s are still going strong. I bought my first (new) in 1996 or 1997 and my second (a shop demo) in 2001. Then two others as used from Japan sellers in the late 2000s. All electronics are still functioning well but with such old gear I realise it's very much a "turn it on and see what happens" situation. Which is why I always carry a spare body.

Number Two G1 stopped auto-rewinding films in 2006. My local repair shop checked it out but advised they couldn't repair it as no more spare parts were available (in Australia anyway). I played with it and found it rewound if I pressed the small button on the bottom plate. After about a year it started auto-rewinding again and has worked well since. So all a mystery.

my favourite answer in these matters is still an image; and you guys are just talking

Yes, we are. Talk is instructive. One photo posted without data is - anecdotal?

 

[btaylor]

For pure enjoyment if I wasn't concerned about electronics I'd still choose it over the M2.

Funny! I had exactly the opposite reaction: for pure enjoyment I would choose the M2. But everyone’s different- I prefer manual cameras. Others don’t. Clearly the OP should simply buy both and decide for himself.

 

[Huss]

Funny! I had exactly the opposite reaction: for pure enjoyment I would choose the M2. But everyone’s different- I prefer manual cameras. Others don’t. Clearly the OP should simply buy both and decide for himself.

I do prefer cameras that all you hear when you use them is ‘thpft, snick’ as opposed to ‘bzzt bzzzt brrr brrr bzzt E02! E02!”

 

[warden]

Really it’s best to own one of everything.

 

[btaylor]

Really it’s best to own one of everything.

+1!

 

[Ari]

I don't have the G2, but the G is a wonderful camera and great system. Unbelievable lenses.
I had the 21 and 28 and found that I don't want to shoot wide that often with this system, so I got a 45mm and couldn't be happier.
It's sharp enough to cut leather!

 

[Huss]

I don't have the G2, but the G is a wonderful camera and great system. Unbelievable lenses.
I had the 21 and 28 and found that I don't want to shoot wide that often with this system, so I got a 45mm and couldn't be happier.
It's sharp enough to cut leather!

Love the middle photo.

 

[Ari]

Love the middle photo.

Thank you

 

[k.hendrik]

I don't have the G2, but the G is a wonderful camera and great system. Unbelievable lenses.
I had the 21 and 28 and found that I don't want to shoot wide that often with this system, so I got a 45mm and couldn't be happier.
It's sharp enough to cut leather!

Very nice shots ! & as I said; show, don't tell !