Contax G2...what next ?

[pquser]

Hi Everybody.

O.K I got the G2 and shot the first roll HP5+ at 200 and dev. in ID11 1+3

I like the results, but still have a lot to learn about usuing the G2. particulary the focusing and lack of depth of field scale.

Metering is very good I gave it a few tough scenes and it did a very good
job especialy when shooting into the light.

Advice please...the regular outfits seem to be the 45 / 28 / 90 lenses.

any comments on choice...I know it depends on what you want to shoot.
I shoot almost everthing

Is there any close up gear other than suplementaries ?

thanks.

Bob.

 

[Pinholemaster]

Buy it all. Help the economy. When you get lenses, pictures come.

 

[Rob Skeoch]

I would start taking pictures with it... some peole travel the globe with just one lens so as long as you have that you're good to go. The three lens kit is a good choice although myself I would find a second wide angle more useful than the 90mm.

I wouldn't add things until I found that I couldn't do what I wanted with the gear in hand.... like I said some people just use one lens or maybe two.

-Rob

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

I did my trip to Argentina with a G1 and the 28 and 45 lenses. I think there were perhaps 10 photos I wanted to take that I couldn't without the 90, out of eight rolls of 36. And of those, perhaps half were shots I couldn't have gotten with the 90 either (think wildlife photos).

 

[MartinB]

Hi Everybody.

O.K I got the G2 and shot the first roll HP5+ at 200 and dev. in ID11 1+3

I like the results, but still have a lot to learn about usuing the G2. particulary the focusing and lack of depth of field scale.

Bob,

Kevin Bjorke wrote an interesting article on focusing the G2 that has some good tips.

Watching the distance readout in the viewfinder helps to be sure the focus point chosen is what you intended.

At the bottom of the article is a link to an Excel DOF chart that you may find useful.

Martin

 

[pquser]

contax...thank you !

Thanks to all who gave me their advice.

In particular Martin...the link was very helpfull and I downloaded the dof files
as well.

I'm really enjoying the contax, the 45mm lens is giving my lovely negs.

regards to all.

Bob.

 

[charlesh]

I've used the G2 since 1996 and currently have two G2s with 21-45-90 lenses. Focusing hasn't been an issue for me...just remember where to place the viewfinder brackets on your subject (based on lens used and distance). You can't find better lenses than the Zeiss Gs. Enjoy.

 

[pquser]

Hi Charlesh

You're right...been using the G2 a lot and have got to grips with the focusing.
I use the focus button now rather than the half way down shutter .

Just bought a 35 and a 90 as I found I was missing shots that the 45 was too long / short for.

has anuone any experience of shooting close ?...suplementary lenses perhaps ?

Bob Rochdale UK

 

[sircarl]

I had a G2 with several lenses for a number of years, sold it only because I wanted a rangefinder manual focusing and viewfinder, so now own a Zeiss Ikon. But otherwise I would have kept it -- a great camera. The link with the Kevin Bjorke article that Martin provides is absolutely essential to getting the most out of the G2. With Bjorke's technique, the camera is pre-focused before you're ready to take the shot and shutter lag virtually disappears. Once I learned it, I never half-pressed the shutter button again.

 

[Vanishing Point Ent.]

Hi Everybody.

O.K I got the G2 and shot the first roll HP5+ at 200 and dev. in ID11 1+3

I like the results, but still have a lot to learn about usuing the G2. particulary the focusing and lack of depth of field scale.

Metering is very good I gave it a few tough scenes and it did a very good
job especialy when shooting into the light.

Advice please...the regular outfits seem to be the 45 / 28 / 90 lenses.

any comments on choice...I know it depends on what you want to shoot.
I shoot almost everthing

Is there any close up gear other than suplementaries ?

thanks.

Bob.

Add the 21 mm, to the other 3 lenses. You won't be sorry. I did. I love the variety.

The Contax 16 mm f 8.0 Biogon, however is too limited a lens for the price. I've added a Bessa L with a 12 mm to this kit & hope to add a 15 mm, to round it all out.

 

[coigach]

I use the G2 for street stuff, and have 28, 45, 90mm lenses. All lenses great, but find myself using the 45 most often. I do find the G2 body a bit quirky, particularly the viewfinder but this is more than made up for by the amazing quality of the lenses. I don't own the 35, but it seems to have a less good reputation than the other 3?

As others have said, use the technique in Bjorke's article for focussing - once you do this you're flying!

Cheers,
Gavin

 

[Vanishing Point Ent.]

Here's why the 35 isn't as good as the other lenses. Look at this thread page 2: " Contax G shooters ?"

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

In the middle of the page Mr. Dorian Gray, second reply.